Comparative Action of Methyl and Isopropyl Methane Sulphonates on the Peripheral Leucocyte Count in Monkeys

Abstract

ALKYL esters of alkane sulphonic acids are capable of inducing a variety of biological lesions in mammals, depending on the nature of the alkylating group. In particular, the spermatogenic epithelium is affected by these agents in several different ways1,2. Some of the simple alkane sulphonates such as busulphan (1,4 dimethane sulphonoxy butane)3 and methylene dimethane sulphonate4 have a marked antitumour action. As part of some work designed to gain more information on the mode of action of alkane sulphonates in general, the pattern of events in the peripheral leucocyte count of the monkey was determined in an attempt to throw some light on the site of action of the methyl and isopropyl esters of methane sulphonic acid. During these investigations we found that these two agents have a marked specificity of action on the peripheral leucocyte elements in this species. The time between the administration of isopropyl esters of methane sulphonic acid and the appearance of a marked fall in the neutrophil count suggests that this particular compound must have exerted its action at an early stage of neutrophil development.