Abstract

The effect of diphtheria toxin on the vitamin C content of guinea pig tissues was studied by titration with 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol. As a result of the toxin injections a marked loss of vitamin C was found to occur in the adrenals, pancreas, and kidneys. The average losses from these three tissues were 38, 25, and 21 per cent respectively, representing 39 control and 39 toxin injected animals, under carefully controlled conditions. In some experiments the liver also showed a loss of vitamin C, but in other experiments there was an increase in the titration value of the liver, suggesting a degree of mobilization as a defensive mechanism.

The close relationship shown previously by histological studies, between the nutritive level and tissue damage by diphtheria toxin, is now supported by quantitative chemical evidence.