PHOTOPRODUCTS OF CHLORAMPHENICOL - THEIR CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS ON HYDRA-VIRIDIS AND ITS SYMBIOTIC ALGAE

1. On prolonged illumination of chloramphenicol (CAP) at above 5000 lx, a cytotoxic photoproduct (ICAP) is formed. 2. ICAP causes the disintegration of both Hydra viridis and its symbiotic algae. 3. At relative low CAP concentration and illumination, aposymbiotic hydra are obtained. 4. In the dark, CAP does not inhibit budding of H. viridus. 5. The cytotoxic effect of ICAP is not a photodynamic action; the stable photoproduct also effects hydra in the dark. 6. The absorption spectrum of ICAP differs from that of CAP, having a maximal absorption at 400 nm. 7. It is speculated that traces of ICAP might be responsible for other toxic effects of CAP, including aplastic anemia in man. © 1979.