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American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 27, 719-727, Copyright © 1974 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Fine structural effects of l-ascorbic acid on buccal epithelium

Larry G. Thaete M.S.1 and J. Norman Grim Ph.D.1

1 From the Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001

Three groups of guinea pigs were maintained on separate diets. Group I received no ascorbic acid, group II received a dose just adequate for the prevention of scurvy, and group III received a high dose of 100 times the minimum. A portion of the buccal epithelium of these animals was excised after 20 days for the scorbutic group and 55 days for groups II and III. Tissues were then prepared for electron microscopy. Measurements were taken and analyzed statistically for differenccs in plaque-to-plaque widths of desmosomes. Those in group I were smaller than those in the other two groups. Tonofilaments appeared to be less tensile and/or less frequently attached to desmosomes in group I than in groups II and III. These two observations indicate that ascorbic acid may have a role in the maintenance of the integrity of the tonofilaments and desmosomes in buccal epithelial cells. It is concluded that, for the maintenance of optimum physical integrity of buccal epithelial cells, ascorbic acid may be necessary in larger doses than the minimum required for the prevention of scurvy. It is proposed that doses up to 100 times the minimum may be beneficial.






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Copyright © 1974 by The American Society for Nutrition