Absorption of vitamin C from the human buccal cavity

Abstract

1. Ascorbic acid was absorbed across the mucosa of the human mounth.2. Omission of sodium ions from the medium decreased the absorption of ascorbic acid.3. The presence of D-glucose, or 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, incrased the absorption of ascorbic acid but D-fructose had little effect and D-mannitol had no effect.4. Calcium ions also increased ascorbic acid absorption probably by a secondary effect on Na+fluxes.5. Buccal mucosa was also premeable to dehydroascorbic acid and D-isoascorbic. acid