The retinoids comprise a diverse group of chemical compounds similar in structure to vitamin A (retinol). Several retinoid analogs are employed or are undergoing clinical trials to determine their therapeutic effects on dermatological disorders, preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Due to their structural similarities with retinol, the retinoids also possess similar toxic effects, manifested as the so-called hypervitaminosis A 'syndrome. The toxic effects, which are very similar in humans and laboratory animals, include liver and lipid alterations, skin, bone, and connective tissue toxicity. Severe congenital malformations induced by retinoids are similar in humans and animals; humans appear to be more susceptible to retinoid teratogenic effects than hamsters. The toxic effects of retinoids are dose-related and abate upon discontinuance of the treatment, with the exception of permanent teratogenic effects. The retinoids are not mutagenic or carcinogenic. The most active retinoids are those with one or two aromatic rings in the side chain, held in a fixed cisoid geometric relationship.
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Howard et al. (1986) studied this question.