Teratogenic

Tellurium is not an essential element, and teUurium compounds are in general more toxic than their selenium counterparts. MetaUic teUurium is known to have a teratogenic effect in rats, though no studies have been done on the toxicity of teUurium donor compounds (35). 

Many studies have reported a link between consumption of sunburned potatoes, ie, those exposed to the sun and having an accumulation of chlorophyll and solanine under the skin, with incidences of teratogenic effects and even death (59—61). Because sunburned potatoes in the commercial marketplace are relatively rare, and because the long-term effects of consumption of potatoes at the maximum estabUshed limits of solanine concentration are uncertain, there is equal uncertainty of the tme incidence of human toxicity (62). 

Formaldehyde is not considered a teratogen and has not been reported to cause adverse reproductive effects (138,139). vitro mutagenicity assays... 

Penicillamine (29) can be effective in patients with refractory RA and may delay progression of erosions, but adverse effects limit its useflilness. The most common adverse side effects for penicillamine are similar to those of parenteral gold therapy, ie, pmritic rash, protein uria, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Decreased or altered taste sensation is a relatively common adverse effect for penicillamine. A monthly blood count, platelet count, and urinalysis are recommended, and also hepatic and renal function should be periodically monitored. Penicillamine is teratogenic and should not be used during pregnancy. 

The amino acids L-leucine, T-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, and L-tryptophan all taste bitter, whereas their D-enantiomers taste sweet (5) (see Amino ACIDS). D-Penicillamine [52-67-5] a chelating agent used to remove heavy metals from the body, is a relatively nontoxic dmg effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, but T.-penicillamine [1113-41 -3] produces optic atrophy and subsequent blindness (6). T.-Penicillamine is roughly eight times more mutagenic than its enantiomer. Such enantioselective mutagenicity is likely due to differences in renal metaboHsm (7). (R)-ThaHdomide (3) is a sedative—hypnotic (3)-thaHdomide (4) is a teratogen (8). 

Teratogenic effects have been noted with 2- and 4-aminophenol in the hamster, but 3-aminophenol was without effect in the hamster and rat (129,130). 4-Aminophenol is known to inhibit DNA synthesis and alter DNA stmcture in human lymphoblasts (131,132) and is mutagenic in mouse micronuclei tests (133). The aminophenols have been shown to be genotoxic, as evidenced by the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (134,135), but they also exert a protective effect against DNA interaction with other noxious chemicals (136). After assessment of available data a recent report stated that the aminophenols were safe as cosmetic ingredients in their present uses and concentrations (137). 

There appear also to be toxic effects. In animals, nitrous oxide has been shown to inactivate methionine synthetase which prevents the conversion of deoxyuridine to thymidine and thus has the potential for inducing megaloblastic anemia, leukopenia, and teratogenicity (44—46). A variety of epidemiologic surveys suggest positive correlations between exposure to nitrous oxide and spontaneous abortion in dental assistants (47). 

Health and Safety Factors. MSA is a strong toxic acid and is corrosive to skin. The acute oral toxicity of the sodium salt in mice LD q is 6.2 g/kg. The 1976 edition of the NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances Hsts certain reaction products of MSA as having suspected mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic activity (410). 

J. L. Schardeiu, Drugs as Teratogens, CRC Press, Cleveland, Ohio, 1976. 

Chronic toxicity in laboratory animals by two-year or lifetime feedings in two species of laboratory animals, multiple-generation teratogenicity, and, not always required, one-year feeding of dogs. 

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