We measured ascorbate radical (AR) produced by the reaction of ascorbic acid (Asc) with hydroxyl radical (.OH) or superoxide (O2-) after irradiation in normal muscle and SCC-VII tumor of C3H/He mice. AR can be measured using electron spin resonance (ESR) equipment and the dialysis method. The tube for collecting AR was inserted such that the dialysis membrane was in contact with the normal thigh or the center of the tumor lesion. The AR in the interstitial fluid around the membrane was collected through the dialysis membrane. After irradiation with 10 Gy, AR increased in both the normal muscle and tumor tissue; the percent increase was 53.1% for normal muscle tissue and 33.8% for tumor tissue. The maximum percent increases in AR in the normal muscle and the tumor tissue were 11.7 and 9.5% for 2.5 Gy, 28.5 and 18.5% for 5 Gy, 53.1 and 33.8% for 10 Gy, and 88.5 and 44.8% for 15 Gy, respectively. The amount of AR increased to maximums of 144.3% and 160.1% after treatment with H2O2 and FeCl2, respectively, while it decreased to minimums of 65.3% and 81.3% after treatment with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, respectively. These results suggest that the amount of .OH and O2- is reflected in the amount of AR production. This method is useful for the following reasons. First, no special treatment, such as freezing of the samples, and no administration of noxious agents are necessary. Second, irradiation using a dose of only several Gy shows an increase in the production of AR. Third, this method is less invasive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)