The significance of ascorbic acid and glutathione for chromate metabolism in man∗

Abstract

Apart from the size of the inhaled chromate particles the ascorbic acid content (AS) as well as the glutathione (GSH) content of bronchioles, alveoli, plasma and of erythrocytes (RBC) as redox partners largely determine the extent of individually different cellular chromate binding. In the case of Cr(VI)‐exposure lower AS activities will lead to higher, lower GSH activities will lead to lower chromium binding in the RBC as a model of cellular fixation. Because of these findings the individually different rates of distribution of chromium concentrations in serum or RBC need a new interpretation. These observations explain the so far only descriptive differentiation between “strong and weak Cr(VI)‐reducers” as a consequence of differing availability of AS and/or GSH amounts. Since the amount of renal elimination of chromium only correlates directly with the amount of Cr(III)‐ and reduced Cr(VI)‐compounds in the plasma, determination of the loading of RBC by chromium is essential for the occupational medical...