Ascorbic acid and the binding of DA agonists to neostriatal membrane preparations

A considerable controversy exists over whether ascorbic acid should or should not be used in experiments in which the binding of DA agonists to neostriatal membrane preparations is being determined. Some authors claim that its presence is required. In the present study we have determined that sodium ascorbate was a very potent inhibitor of the specific binding of 3H-DA to a rat neostriatal membrane preparation. Under conditions of these binding experiments, there was no decomposition of the 3H-DA as determined by two separate techniques. These data would seem to suggest that when 3H-DA binding is being measured, ascorbate addition is detrimental.