Dose of 3-methylcholanthrene enhances vitamin C accumulation and mRNA expression of its transporter in the liver of ODS rats and in HepG2 cells

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds including 3‐methylcholanthrene induce harmful reactive intermediates and reactive oxygen species. This study reports the effect of 3‐methylcholanthrene on the accumulation of vitamin C and the expression of vitamin C transporters. ODS rats were given l‐ascorbic acid daily and intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg 3‐methylcholanthrene in total. On day 10, vitamin C concentrations and the expression of vitamin C transporter in the tissues were measured. As a result, the levels of sodium‐dependent vitamin C transporter (SVCTs) 1 and the l‐ascorbic acid concentration in 3‐methylcholanthrene‐treated livers and hepatocytes have increased significantly. However, the content of vitamin C in the urine and TBARS in the liver have not changed. These results suggest that the administration of 3‐methylcholanthrene elevates the requirement for vitamin C via (SVCTs) 1 due to xenobitics‐metabolizing, such as the induction of cytochrome P450 family. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 25:369–376 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20403