Haematological, Biochemical and Histopathological effects of Azathioprine in male guinea pigs

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of azathioprine on hematologic, biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and histopathological changes on the leg bone, liver, kidney and testes. Two groups of pigs were used. Group 1 was given normal saline and group 2 was given azathioprine (50mg/kg) orally over 4 weeks. The results indicate that azathioprine elicited a significant decrease in blood tests. While, the serum enzymes levels significantly increased in the albumin, urea and creatinine, histopathologically the leg bone exhibited a decrease in hematopoietic cell and an increase in adipocytes in the bone marrow. The liver showed vacuolation of hepatocytes, septal fibrosis and kidney presence vacuolation of cortical areas and dilatation of tubules. In testes, vacuolation and suppression of spermatogenesis in the treated group with azathioprine were noted. It can be concluded that azathioprine induces toxic and hazardous effects on some organs that restrict its use.