L-Asparaginase: effect on 7S gamma globulin extents and germinal centers in spleen and lymph-nodes.
Administration of L-asparaginase may cause remission in a high percentage of acute lymphocytic leukemias and lymphomas, either in experimental animals or in human beings. This enzyme is able to depress immune reactions like lymphocyte blastogenesis and delayed hypersensitivity, and to impair gamma-globulin synthesis. L-asparaginase also has antigenic properties, and may cause the formation of anti-L-asparaginase antibodies. This study reports observations on the effect of L-asparginase on the 7S gamma-globulin levels and on the behaviour of the germinal centers in spleen and lymph nodes. It has been found that after administration of low or intermediate doses of L-asparginase, a decrease in the size of the follicular marginal zones occurred. This was accompanied by an enlargement of the germinal centers. Furthermore the spleen weight decreased and the concentration of 7S gamma-globulin diminished slightly. In animals given high doses of L-asparaginase, germinal centers were enlarged even more but marginal zones appeared repopulated although not to the degree of the controls. The spleen weight of these enzyme-injected animals reached almost the normal values, while a statistically significant decrease of 7S gamma-globulin concentrations was found.
D000818:Animals; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012712:Serum Globulins / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012712:Serum Globulins; D001215:Asparaginase