Antiproliferative and teratogenic activities of the bishemisuccinates of 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol and 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol

1. The bishemisuccinates of 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol and 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol induced a dose-dependent decrease in the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into fibroblast cell line (3T3), macrophage-like cell line (P388D1) and rat hepatoma cell line (H35). Concomitantly there was a reduction in cell viability. 2. The 3T3 cells were less susceptible than P388D1 and H35 cells. 3. The aforementioned derivatives of 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol and 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol produced malformations in cultured embryos including abnormalities in yolk sac circulation, heartbeat, body axis, otic vesicle, branchial apparatus, cranial neural tube and forelimb bud. Axial length and somite number were reduced.