Medium-dependent cytotoxic effect of ascorbate

Abstract

The cytotoxic effect of ascorbate on a murine leukemia cell line L1210 was studied in three different culture media. The rate of cell growth was virtually the same in all three media. The cytotoxicity of ascorbate was greatest in Fischer medium with 10% horse serum, followed by DMEM with 10% horse serum, and RPMI 1640 with 20% fetal bovine serum. Ascorbate decomposed rapidly in these culture media. The rate of decomposition of ascorbate was greatest in Fischer medium in comparison with DMEM and RPMI medium. The results suggested that certain reactive compounds produced upon the oxidation of ascorbate in the media were cytotoxic agents. The sulfhydryl groups in the medium provided protection against ascorbate oxidation. The toxic effect of ascorbate was reduced by the addition of catalase, a hydrogen peroxide scavenger, suggesting that hydrogen peroxide was one of the cytotoxic agents.