Thalidomide mechanism involves inhibition of which process?

Thalidomide mechanism involves inhibition of which process?

• A. Ossification
• B. Angiogenesis
• C. Myelination
• D. Neurogenesis

Answer: (B)

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is what thalidomide inhibits. This anti-angiogenic action disrupts the formation of the fetal vasculature during early development, which is essential for limb growth. When blood vessel formation is suppressed, limb buds don’t receive the blood supply they need to develop properly, leading to the characteristic limb defects seen with in utero exposure. Ossification, myelination, and neurogenesis are not the primary processes thalidomide blocks to cause these teratogenic effects.

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is what thalidomide inhibits. This anti-angiogenic action disrupts the formation of the fetal vasculature during early development, which is essential for limb growth. When blood vessel formation is suppressed, limb buds don’t receive the blood supply they need to develop properly, leading to the characteristic limb defects seen with in utero exposure. Ossification, myelination, and neurogenesis are not the primary processes thalidomide blocks to cause these teratogenic effects.