title: The differential effects of cyclophosphamide and 6-mercaptopurine on the renal disease and skin immunoglobulin deposits of the NZB-NZW F1 hybrid mice.
abstract: The following differential effects of immunosuppressive therapy with Cyclophosphamide (CYCLOPH) and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) in the female NZB-NZW F1 hybrid strain have been observed: (1) CYCLOPH but not 6-MP significantly decreased antinuclear antibody level. (2) Both CYCLOPH and 6-MP significantly decreased glomerular cell proliferation. (3) Both CYCLOPH and 6-MP significantly arrested progression of glomerulosclerosis. (4) While CYCLOPH significantly diminished Ig deposition in the glomeruli, 6-MP had no effect on this phenomenon. (5) While CYCLOPH decreased subepidermal globulin deposition in the skin, 6-MP appeared actually to enhance subepidermal staining. Thus, the present studies demonstrated that CYCLOPH was superior to 6-MP in four of the five parameters studied. In the case of one parameter, Ig staining of the skin, 6-MP actually produced enhancement of the staining. Both CYCLOPH and azathioprine which is a derivative of 6-MP, are currently being used for the treatment of human SLE. The present findings suggest that of the two, CYCLOPH may be the drug of choice.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000276:immunology*; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D012598:Sclerosis; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D015122:Mercaptopurine