Ascorbate (Asc) is a key antioxidant in preventing cardiovascular dysfunction during diseases exacerbated by altered shear stress. According to the literature endothelial responses to hypotonic shock share some characteristics with those induced by shear stress. Thus to study the physiological responses of endothelium to shear stress, the characterization of the Asc release by pig coronary artery endothelial cells in response to hypotonic shock was performed. The pig coronary artery endothelial cells that had been loaded with ^14C Asc and ^3H deoxyglucose, were exposed to buffers of varying osmolality for different time periods and the release of ^14C Asc and ^3H deoxyglucose was examined. Based on various parameters like relative release of ^14C Asc and ^3H deoxyglucose, their rate of release and protein loss, it was decided to use buffer of .67 percent osmolality for 2 min for these characterization studies. The Asc release was authentic and not a result of membrane damage. The hypotonic shock induced Asc release was not due to endogenously released ATP. The inhibition of ATP induced release by anion channel inhibitors niflumic acid and NPPB was complete but only partial in case of hypotonic shock induced release. The release was not inhibited under nominally Ca^2+ free conditions. Additive release by hypotonic shock and ATP or hypotonic shock and Ca^2+ ionophore A23187 suggests that there are two independent Asc release pathways. Asc release by two different mechanisms may help endothelial cells deal with stressful conditions efficiently and preserve endothelial function. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)