Effects of prolonged administration of azathioprine on parotid glands of rats: an assessment by electron microscopy.
Electron microscopy demonstrated degranulation, vacuolation, development of cytolysosomes and focal areas of cellular necrosis in the acinar cells of the rat parotid glands following daily administration of 2 mg/Kg azathioprine. The changes were noted after seven days but stopped short of complete acinar and ductal cell destruction after about fifty-six days. Ductal cells were not so noticeably affected and rapid recovery in both cells followed cessation of the drug being complete in most within fourteen days.
D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009940:Organoids / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
D001379:Azathioprine