The effect of azathioprine on gammaglobulin synthesis in man

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Abstract
The effect of azathioprine therapy on gammaglobulin synthesis was evaluated in nine patients with rheumatic disorders. The rates of synthesis of IgG and IgM were calculated before and after 4 months of azathioprine treatment using turnover studies of radioiodinated gammaglobulins. The synthesis of IgG decreased 33.4% of the initial IgG synthetic rate. Seven of nine patients showed reductions of IgG synthesis ranging from 16.8 to 74.1%. IgM production decreased from 24.5 to 74.2% in eight of nine patients with a mean reduction of 40.9%. Studies before and after a control period of 4 months of placebo in six patients revealed a mean increase in IgG and IgM synthesis. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations after 4 months of azathioprine treatment were not consistently reduced and did not parallel changes in immunoglobulin synthesis. Reduced gammaglobulin synthesis may play a role in the therapeutic action of this and other "immunosuppressive" drugs.