Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) accumulation in activated human neutrophils is increased as much
as 10-fold above the mM concentrations present in normal neutrophils. Internal
concentrations as high as 14 mM are achieved when external vitamin is at physiologic
concentration. The mechanism is by oxidation of external vitamin to dehydroascorbic acid,
preferential transmembrane translocation of dehydroascorbic acid, and intracellular
reduction to ascorbic acid within minutes. These data indicate that vitamin C accumulation is …