Effects of azathioprine in a disorder of uric acid metabolism and cerebral function

William L. Nyhan, Lawrence Sweetman, Donald g. Carpenter, Charles H. Carter, Dick Hoefnagel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Control of purine synthesis has been studied in 3 children with a syndrome of hyperuricemia and cerebral dysfunction. Azathioprine was employed as an agent recently shown to inhibit purine synthesis in adults. Elevated plasma concentrations of uric acid were reduced to within normal limits in an adult but not in the 3 children. There was significant evidence of marrow depression in the adult but no hematological effect in the children. These observations are interpreted to indicate a requirement for conversion of azathioprine to the nucleotide of 6-mercaptopurine for action on both uric-acid metabolism and on the bone marrow.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)111-118
Number of pages8
JournalThe Journal of pediatrics
Volume72
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1968
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of azathioprine in a disorder of uric acid metabolism and cerebral function'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this