Isoniazid-Induced Pellagra

Abstract

To the Editor.— In a communication on the subject of isoniazid-induced pellagra, 1 we mentioned preliminary evidence that rats receiving isoniazid showed evidence of increased epidermal lipid biosynthesis. This result was of interest first because isoniazid, as an antagonist of the hypocholesterolemic agent niacin, might be expected if anything to stimulate lipid and especially sterol biosynthesis. Second, increased levels of total epidermal lipogenesis and of sterol biosynthesis relative to other lipids are found in lesions of psoriasis and lichen simplex 2 Present Results With Higher Doses of Isoniazid Group Epidermal Lipogenesis (dpm* 3-mm Biopsy Specimen) Sterols (% of Total Lipid Labeling) Controls (N = 8) 6,620 ± 380 6.22 ± 0.69 Isoniazid-treated, 20 mg/kg/ day for 8 wk (N = 8) 7,010 ± 630 4.93 ± 0.46 Isoniazid-treated 40 mg/kg/ day for 8 wk (N = 7) 5,420 ± 540 5.50 ± 0.40 *dpm indicates disintegrations per minute. and it seemed possible that a