EN
The effect of zinc on synthesis of vitamin C in chicken tissues was examined. Vitamin C was determined in the tissues by the Roe-Kuethner method, the level of an intermediate product of synthesis of D-glucuronic acid by the Bittner method, and the activity of L-gulono-gamma- -oxidase active in the terminal phase of vitamin C synthesis by the Chatterjee method. A significant increase of vitamin C was observed in kidneys (492%), adrenal glands (39%), liver (71%), glandular stomach (26,9%) and jejunum wall (12,3%). A significant increase in the level of D-glucuronic acid and in the activity of the L-gulono-gamma-oxidase enzyme was observed in all tissues under investigation. Zinc also increased absorption of vitamin C from intestines determined by the method of a perfused intestinal loop in vivo. A significant increase of vitamin C absorption, from 2,6 mg/L/cm²/60 min. to 6,32 mg/L/cm²/60 min., was found in jejunum and in coecum from 4,0 mg/L/cm²/60 min. to 10,9 mg/L/cm²/60 min. Vitamin C increased absorption of zinc in coecum from 4,23 mg/L/cm²/60 min. to 5,26 mg/L/cm²/60 min. By increasing the level of vitamin C in the organism zinc indirectly affects all the processes in which vitamin C participates.