[Effect of pineal body extract on cytoxan-induced leucopenia in mice]

The effect of pig pineal extract on cytoxan-induced leucopenia in mice was studied. Three preparations of pineal body, Songlesu A, B and C, were used. All of them were effective in leucopenia. They delayed the time of the lowest white count, reduced the extent of white cell reduction and elevated and sustained the white count for several days despite the continuation of cytoxan injection. The effect of Songlesu A was most marked. The differences between the white count of group A (Songlesu A plus cytoxan) and the control (cytoxan plus normal saline) are very significant (P less than 0.01) in a period of 8-15 days after giving the drugs. After discontinuation of medication, the recovery of group A was better than that in the control group also very significantly (P less than 0.01). It is evident that Songlesu A is most worthy of further investigation. However, the effect of Songlesu A was no longer marked from the seventeenth day when the white count started to decline. This is most probably due to the severe bone marrow damage by the large dose of cytoxan accumulated or the protracted daily administration. Moreover, Songlesu A may sensitize the bone marrow to cytoxan toxicity or change the rate of recovery after bone marrow damage.