title: The effects of azathioprine and prednisolone on T- and B-lymphocytes in patients with lupus nephritis and chronic glomerulonephritis.
abstract: The effects of long-term treatment with azathioprine and prednisolone on T- and B-lymphocytes were studied in 52 patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and chronic glomerulonephritis (GN). The effect of azathioprine on lymphocyte populations was dose dependent; high doses decreased the number of T- and particularly, B-cells, while smaller doses produced a selective depletion of B-cells. The changes in T- and B-cells during prednisolone treatment were variable with alternating increases and decreases in their numbers. The patients with increased B-lymphocyte levels showed the best response to immunosuppressive therapy.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009393:Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011239:Prednisolone; D001379:Azathioprine