THE TREATMENT OF SJOGRENS DISEASE IN NZB NZW F1-HYBRID MICE WITH AZATHIOPRINE - A 2-STAGE STUDY/

NZB/NZW mice exhibit changes in their salivary and lacrimal glands sim ilar to those occurring in Sjogren's syndrome (SS) in humans. The aim of sis study was to determine the efficacy of azathioprine in the trea tment of SS in NZB/NZW mice. The experimental animals comprised three groups; the first received the drug daily from 14 weeks of age, the se cond started therapy at 26 weeks of age and the third group remained u ntreated. The animals, In groups of five, were killed at four-weekly i ntervals, up to 42 weeks, using ether. The submandibular and lacrimal glands were assessed for the extent of lymphocytic infiltration using a modified focus scoring system, with light microscopy. During the pro gression of the disease, azathioprine produced a reduction in the numb er of lymphocytic foci. This reduction occurred when azathioprine was used both early and late in the condition.