title: Effects of prolonged administration of azathioprine on parotid glands of rats: an assessment by light microscopy.
abstract: Azathioprine is principally used therapeutically as an immunosuppressive agent. Its mode of action and its effects on a range of target cells have been extensively studied, and there have been several studies on the side effects in organs and tissues including salivary glands. The studies involving salivary glands have concentrated on single injections of the drug whereas there is clearly a need to document the side effects associated with prolonged administration, the extent to which these effects interfere with structure and function in the tissues, and the extent to which they are reversible following withdrawal of the drug. This paper reported a preliminary study using albino Wistar rats, in which prolonged daily injections of azathioprine resulted in moderately severe changes in glandular architecture and cellular morphology. The severity of these changes did not increase appreciably after approximately fifty-six days of drug administration although the extent of damage at that stage seemed likely to result in significant impediments to glandular function. It is noteworthy and important that withdrawal of the drug after seventy days was followed rapidly by reestablishment of normal histological structure.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001379:Azathioprine