Potent inhibition of retinoic acid metabolism enzyme(s) by novel azolyl retinoids

Novel (±)-4-azolyl retinoic acid analogues 4, 5, 7 and 8 have been designed and synthesized and have been shown to be powerful inhibitors of hamster microsomal all-trans-retinoic acid 4-hydroxylase enzyme(s). (±)-4-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)retinoic acid (4) is the most potent inhibitor of this enzyme reported to date.