Glucuronolactone
<p><b>Glucuronolactone</b> is a naturally occurring chemical that is an important structural component of nearly all <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connective_tissue" title="Connective tissue">connective tissues</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Merck_1-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucuronolactone#cite_note-Merck-1">[1]</a></sup> Glucuronolactone is also found in many plant gums.<sup id="cite_ref-Merck_1-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucuronolactone#cite_note-Merck-1">[1]</a></sup>
<sup id="cite_ref-Merck_1-2" class="reference"> </sup>
Glucuronolactone is rapidly absorbed and metabolized into non-toxic metabolites such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylulose" title="Xylulose">xylulose</a>. In addition, humans may be able to use glucuronolactone as a precursor for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascorbic_acid" title="Ascorbic acid">ascorbic acid</a> synthesis.<sup id="cite_ref-_3-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucuronolactone#cite_note--3">[3]</a></sup> According to <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Merck_Index" title="The Merck Index" class="mw-redirect">The Merck Index</a></i>, it is also used as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detoxification" title="Detoxification">detoxicant</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucuronolactone#cite_note-4">[4]</a></sup></p>