TERATOGENESIS OF THE HORSESHOE CRAB BY α-LIPOIC AMIDE (6, 8-THIOCTIC AMIDE) IN MARKETED VITAMIN TABLETS

Abstract

Some marketed vitamin tablets induce defects and fusion of body segments and appendages in the developing horseshoe crab.
α-Lipoic amide may be responsible for the induction, and the other vitamins are probably not directly responsible. α-Lipoic acid also induces the same malformations.
It is presumed that α-Lipoic amide and α-lipoic acid inhibit thioldisulphide exchange and this inhibition disturbs the morphogenetic movement. As a result, the monsters may be induced by treatment with vitamin tablets.