Toxicity to Protozoa of Thalidomide Breakdown Products; Counteraction By Nicotinic Acid and Glutamine.

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Abstract
Summary The toxicity of thalidomide and some of its breakdown products were tested on protozoa, mainly the flagellate Ochromonas danica. Toxicity attributed to the phthalimide ring or phthalic acid was reversed by nicotinic acid. Glutamine contributed to this reversal, especially with compounds having a phthalimide group or a partly hydrogenated phthalic acid; glutamine was especially effective with Doriden which has a glutarimide group, but lacks a phthalimide group. These results with protozoa are in accord with the reported teratogenicity of nicotinamide antagonists.