Phosphatase Activity of Hematopoietic Tissues of Nitrogen Mustard-Treated Animals.

Summary The effects of nitrogen mustards in vivo on the phosphatase activity of the spleens and thymus glands of rats and mice were studied. The results of this study indicated that sublethal doses of HN2 produce dose-dependent increases in the adenosine triphosphatase activity and the 5-nucleotidase activity of the spleens and thymus glands with the maximum increase being observed at 3 or 4 days after intraperitoneal administration of the compound. Reversal of the increase in enzyme activity was noted after sublethal doses of HN2. At equivalent dosage levels HN1 was more toxic and more effective than HN2 in increasing the adenosine triphosphatase activity of the spleens and thymus glands of rats.