[Fumaric acid monoethylester: Effect on DNA-synthesis and preliminary findings in experimental studies in animals (author's transl)].

The incorporation of 14C-Thymidin into DNA of cultured human lymphocytes is depressed by added fumaric acid monoethylester (FSME) depending on the dosage of FSME. The decreased radioactivity in DNA as measured by scintillation counting is paralleled by a concomitant decrease in the labelling index in autoradiograms. Decreasing radioactivity is therefore due to a lower number of DNA synthesizing cells. No selective inhibition of proliferation during one of the cell cycle phases was observed. Especially a G2-block known from other cytostaties is absent. A mean dosis of 6.88 mg FSME per g body weight administered intraperitoneally is lethal to mice. The animal die from diffuse necroses of heart muscle cell. Alterations of other organs are less prominent. At lower doses of FSME the morphology of the organs investigated is altered to a smaller degree.