Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira),...

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide generation.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Direct Thrombectomy vs. Combined Treatment With Intravenous Thrombolysis in the Extended Time Window: A Target Trial Emulation.

European journal of neurology·2026

Same author

Outcome of patients with dissecting versus atherosclerotic tandem occlusion acute ischemic stroke.

Journal of neurointerventional surgery·2026

Same author

Clinical Implications of Stroke Progressor Phenotypes defined based on ASPECTS decay and perfusion estimated infarct growth rate: insights from a large national thrombectomy registry.

Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology·2026

Same author

Effectiveness and safety of endovascular therapy compared to intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke due to medium-vessel occlusions: a real-world multicentre study from the Italian SITS registry.

European stroke journal·2026

Same author

Revascularization treatments within 4.5 h after onset in acute ischemic stroke with isolated extracranial artery occlusion.

Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology·2026

Same author

Comparison of pragmatic post-thrombectomy prognostic scores not based on advanced imaging in a large national stroke registry.

International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Azathioprine in multiple sclerosis.

Paolo Invernizzi¹, Maria Donata Benedetti, Sarah Poli

¹Department of Neurological and Visual Sciences, Section of Clinical Neurology, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, Italy. p_invernizzi@yahoo.it

Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry

|August 12, 2008

Summary

Azathioprine, an immunosuppressive drug, is effective in managing multiple sclerosis by reducing relapses and inflammatory lesions. This review explores its molecular actions and therapeutic benefits in treating this autoimmune condition.

Related Experiment Videos

Area of Science:

Immunology
Neuroscience
Pharmacology

Background:

Azathioprine is a purine analogue with immunosuppressive and steroid-sparing properties.
It is utilized in treating various autoimmune diseases.
Evidence indicates its efficacy in multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of azathioprine.
To evaluate the clinical utility of azathioprine in multiple sclerosis.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on molecular pathways.
Analysis of clinical trial data regarding azathioprine in MS.

Main Results:

Azathioprine modulates immune cell function through purine metabolism.
Oral azathioprine demonstrates a reduction in relapse rates in MS patients.
It offers modest improvements in disability and reduces inflammatory lesions.

Conclusions:

Azathioprine's molecular actions support its role in managing MS.
It represents a valuable therapeutic option for multiple sclerosis, particularly for its steroid-sparing and relapse-reducing effects.