Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: Investigating Physiological Functions of Vitamin A Transporters Using HPLC-Based Vitamin A Profiling
Published on: December 27, 2024
Investigation on Toxicity and Teratogenicity in Rats of a Retinoid-Polyamine Conjugate with Potent Anti-Inflammatory
Theodoros Petridis1, Dimitra Giannakopoulou1, Vassiliki Stamatopoulou1
1Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
Abstract:
Previous studies have shown that N(1),N(12)-bis(all-trans-retinoyl)spermine (RASP), a retinoid analog, inhibits RNase P activity and angiogenesis in the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane, demonstrates anti-tumor activity on prostate cancer cells, and acts as anti-inflammatory agent, being more effective and less toxic than all-trans retinoic acid. In an attempt to further characterize the biological profile of RASP, we tested its effects on organ toxicity and teratogenicity by daily oral gavage of RASP at a level of 50 mg/Kg of body weight in two generations of rats. We found that this compound does not induce changes to the body growth, the appearance of physical features, and the animal's reflexes. Additionally, no substantial histopathological lesions were found in brain, heart, lung, thymus, liver, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, pituitary gland, kidneys, spleen, skin, femora, prostate, testis, epididymis, vagina, uterus, and ovaries of RASP-treated animals. These results suggest RASP, as a promising lead compound for the treatment of several dermatological disorders and certain cancer types, has apparently minimal toxic side-effects as revealed in this two-generation reproduction study in rats.
Related Concept Videos
Teratogenicity
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Drug toxicity: Drug–Drug Interaction
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Toxicity Testing in Animals

