Selective effect of 2-(polyhydroxyalkyl)-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids on nonprotein sulfhydryl groups in tumor bearing mice.

1. Thiazolidine derivatives (TD), the products of condensation of L-cysteine (cys) with sugars (D-glucose, D-xylose, D-arabinose, D-galactose, and D-mannose), successfully elevated nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) levels in livers of Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT)-bearing mice. 2. At the same time, TD promoted a significant drop of NPSH in EAT cells. 3. Thus, TD, through their selective influence on the levels of NPSH in liver and cancer cells appear to be promising compounds for anticancer therapy.