Localization of the interference of ascorbic acid deficiency with bile acid biogenesis.

The catabolism of 26-14C-cholesterol and of 26-14C-7alpha-hydroxycholesterol, the first stage in the transformation of cholesterol to bile acids, was studied in guinea-pigs with chronic latent vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C deficiency markedly inhibited the oxidation of 26-14C-cholesterol to 14CO2, but did not significantly affect the catabolism of 26-14C-7alpha-hydroxycholesterol. The distribution of 14C in the tissues and body fluids of control and vitamin-deficient guinea pigs injected with labelled 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol was likewise the same. Ascorbic acids is probably needed only for 7alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterol, while the other stages of bile acid biogenesis are independent of vitamin C.