The different effects of vinblastine sulfate and nitrogen mustard upon neutrophil kinetics in the dog.

Abstract

SummaryDogs were given nitrogen mustard (HN2) and radioactive diisopropylfluo-rophosphate (DFP32) and the type of neutropenia which developed, whether of “early” or “late” onset, was correlated with changes observed in the blood granulocyte specific activity (BGSA) curve. The duration of phase X+II of the BGSA curve measures the time required for the storage pool of the marrow to empty by releasing cells to the blood. In dogs developing “late” onset neutropenia there was an abnormally short phase I+II while in those developing “early” onset neutropenia phase I+II was normal. These results were compared with those reported previously in vinblastine sulfate treated dogs. It was concluded that dogs with “early” onset neutropenia after HN2 must have developed a defect leading to an abnormally low rate of output cells from the marrow granulocyte reserve (MGR) to the blood. Reduced output developed despite the presence of enough cells in the MGR to maintain a normal rate of output.