COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF NITROGEN MUSTARD (HN2), CHLORAMBUCIL (CB 1348), AND BUSULPHAN (MYLERAN) ON THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD AND THE FERROKINETIC PATTERNS IN DOGS

Abstract

Three alkylating agents, HN2 (methyl-bis(betachlorethyl)amine), chlorambucil (p-(di-2-chlorethylamino)-phenylbutyric acid), and busulphan (1,4-dimethanesulphonoxybutane) were studied with regard to their effects on leukocyte and red cell production in dogs. This was assessed by estimation of the peripheral blood leukocyte and reticulocyte changes as well as alterations in the plasma iron, Fe59 disappearance rate, plasma iron turnover, and red cell incorporation of radioactive iron. The two chlorethylamines had a similar effect on both leukocyte and red cell production. The effect on peripheral leukocyte counts was evident in 24 hours and the reticulocyte response indicated maximum interference with erythropoiesis on the third to seventh day following the drug. The effect of busulphan on both granulocytes and lymphocytes was slower to appear and slowly progressive. A difference in ferrokinetic pattern between the chlorethylamines and busulphan was also noted. The dissimilarity in ferrokinetic patterns may indicate a difference not only in mechanism of these agents on proliferating normoblasts but also in the inhibitory effects on the acceptance of iron by the red cell precursors and other body iron pools.