Comparative effect of chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol on DNA and mitochondrial protein synthesis in mammalian cells.

Abstract Thiamphenicol, a chloramphenicol analogue with substitution of the p-nitro group by a methylsulfonyl (CH 3 -SO 2 -) group is used extensively in Europe as a chloramphenicol substitute. It has been stated that thiamphenicol produces reversible bone marrow suppression but has not been associated with aplastic anemia. A comparative metabolic study indicates that both chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol are potent inhibitors of mitochondrial protein synthesis. However, in contrast to chloramphenicol which at high concentrations inhibits DNA synthesis, thiamphenicol had little effect on DNA synthesis.