Abstract
Lathyrogens decrease collagen and elastin cross-linking by inhibiting lysine oxidase. The lathyrogens isoniazid and semicarbazide decrease liver pyridoxal phosphate and are teratogenic; all their effects are reversed by pyridoxal. β-Aminopropionitrile, another lathyrogen, does not affect liver pyridoxal phosphate, and its lathyrogenic and teratogenic effects are not reversed by pyridoxal. Time courses of these effects differ greatly, suggesting enzyme inhibition by different mechanisms.