Biologically significant scavenging of the myeloperoxidase-derived oxidant hypochlorous acid by ascorbic acid. Implications for antioxidant protection in the inflamed rheumatoid joint.

Ascorbic acid, at physiological concentrations, can scavenge the myeloperoxidase-derived oxidant hypochlorous acid at rates sufficient to protect alpha 1-antiprotease against inactivation by this molecule. The rapid depletion of ascorbic acid at sites of inflammation, as in the inflamed rheumatoid joint, may therefore facilitate proteolytic damage.