The in vitro effect of some nitroimidazoles on microtubule formation

Abstract The in vitro effects of some nitroimidazoles (metronidazole, ornidazole) and their metabolites on microtubule formation have been tested. Cyclic metabolites are without effect. Metabolites proceeding from cleavage of the imidazole ring inhibit microtubule formation and reduce the polymerization rate of tubulin. This inhibitory effect might be correlated to some of the side-effects of these drugs. Isaxonine phosphate corrects this effect.