Cataractogenic and Lathyrogenic Effects of N-Phenyl-β-Hydrazinopropio-nitriles and Related Compounds in Rats 1

Summary Substitution of a phenyl group for a hydrogen on the amino nitrogen of β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) eliminated the lathyrogenic activity of the parent compound. Phenyl substitution on either one of the hydrazino nitrogens of β-hydrazinopropionitrile (BHPN), or on both of these nitrogens, also largely destroyed the lathyrogenicity of BHPN. N 2-Φ-BHPN retained slight lathyrogenicity but produced cataracts in both eyes of all weanling rats in 11–17 days when fed as the hydrochloride at a level of 0.10-0.25% of the diet. Adult rats were also susceptible. When weanling rats were fed 0.15% N 2-Φ-BHPN-HCl for 3 or more days and were transferred to a normal diet before appearance of cataracts, many animals eventually developed cataracts, one as late as 29 days after removal of the cataractogenic diet. None of the other N-phenyl derivatives of BHPN or BAPN induced cataracts. N 1-methyl-BHPN and N 2-acetyl-BHPN also were not cataractogenic.