Metabolic Effects of Lathyrogenic Agents on Cartilage in Vivo and in Vitro* By

I t has been known for over twenty years that the feeding of sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) seeds to rats causes skeletal deformities (osteolathyrism) (1). Recently, Ponseti and co-workers (2) have revived interest in the experimental disease of osteolathyrism (or odoratism as it is sometimes called). The condition is characterised by severe and dramatic changes induced in the mesenchymal tissues of a variety of species by the administration of lathyrogenic agents. These include the seeds of L. odoratus (2), the toxic principle isolated from the seeds, /3-(N-7-L-glutamyl)aminopropionitrile (3), beta aminopropionitrilO (4) and various synthetic nitriles such as aminoacetonitrilO (4), and methyleneaminoacetonitrile* (5). Beta mercapto-ethylamine x (6) and cystamine, as well as various carbonyl blocking reagents, such as semicarbazide (7) have also been implicated as lathyrogenic agents.