Thymidine kinase activity in murine lymphoid organs following glucocorticoid and heparin administration

Thymidine kinase (TK) activity was studied in thymus and spleen of mice after glucocorticoid and heparin administration. Glucocorticoids (cortisone and hydrocortisone) injected intraperitoneally caused a prolonged 80--90% decrease in TK activity of both lymphoid organs. Heparin per se administered in depot-form subcutaneously did not alter the enzyme activity in the lymphoid organs significantly. By contrast, heparin injected 6 hours before glucocorticoid treatment inhibited the decreasing effect of cortisone but not that of hydrocortisone on TK activity in the thymus and fully inhibited the effect of both hormones on the enzyme activity of spleen. In addition the combined use of heparin and cortisone increased the splenic TK activity above the control value on the 2nd day after treatment. The possible mode of action of heparin is discussed.