title: The effect of azathioprine on gammaglobulin synthesis in man.
abstract: The effect of azathioprine therapy on gammaglobulin synthesis was evaluated in nine patients with rheumatic disorders. The rates of synthesis of IgG and IgM were calculated before and after 4 months of azathioprine treatment using turnover studies of radioiodinated gammaglobulins. The synthesis of IgG decreased 33.4% of the initial IgG synthetic rate. Seven of nine patients showed reductions of IgG synthesis ranging from 16.8 to 74.1%. IgM production decreased from 24.5 to 74.2% in eight of nine patients with a mean reduction of 40.9%. Studies before and after a control period of 4 months of placebo in six patients revealed a mean increase in IgG and IgM synthesis. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations after 4 months of azathioprine treatment were not consistently reduced and did not parallel changes in immunoglobulin synthesis. Reduced gammaglobulin synthesis may play a role in the therapeutic action of this and other "immunosuppressive" drugs.
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002848:Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D010953:Plasma Volume; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor; D001379:Azathioprine