title: Possible adrenal involvement in hydroxyurea toxicity defense mechanisms.
abstract: Changes in blood biochemistry, resembling adrenocortical hyperfunction, induced by oral administration with hydroxyurea (HYD) at a dosage of 800 mg/Kg/d for 5 days (K+ and total protein decrease, total cholesterol increase) are not modified or enhanced (total protein) by adrenalectomy. Adrenalectomy dramatically enhanced the decrease of WBC and neutrophils normally induced by HYD. Replacement therapy with corticosterone attenuated and/or delayed the above changes. Normally-functioning adrenocortical tissue may play a role in protection against HYD haematological toxicity in the rat and the drug-induced hypothalamus pituitary mediated adrenocortical activation seems to represent a mechanism capable of counteracting drug toxicity.
mesh_terms: D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000633:toxicity*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D002784:Cholesterol; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D003345:Corticosterone; D006918:Hydroxyurea