Succinate, glycerophosphate and ascorbate as sources of cellular energy and as antiteratogens.

Our experimental findings show that succinate and ascorbate greatly reduce the teratogenic effects of 3-acetylpyridine, 6-aminonicotinamide and sulfanilamide. Glycerophosphate led to similar alleviating results when used in combination with 3-acetylpyridine and 6-aminonicotinamide, but not with sulfanilamide. With certain other teratogens the high-energy intermediates failed to alleviate; in some instances (acetazolamide, insulin) they even led to potentiation of teratogen-induced defects. The results of our experiments demonstrate clearly that high-energy intermediates, by being fed into the respiratory chain of the mitochondria, can alleviate incidence and degree of expression of malformations produced by specific teratogens. In concert with earlier evidence on the nature of antiteratogenic compounds it can further be concluded that the particular teratogens in question exert their effects by interference with mitochondrial energy production in the tissues for which they have specific affinity.