[Effect of alpha-mercaptopropionylglycine (alpha-MPG) and sodium dipropylacetate (DPA) on antibody formation (II). Immunosuppression induced by carcinostatic agents and glucocorticoid (author's transl)].

Previously, we reported that alpha-MPG and DPA stimulated humoral immuno-responses. In the present work, we investigated the effect of alpha-MPG and DPA on immunosuppression induced by carcinostatic agents including cyclophosphamide (CP), azathioprine (AP), methotrexate (MTX), actinomycin D (AcD) and mitomycin C(MMC) as well as prednisolone (Pred). The formation of hemolytic plaque forming cell (HPFC) in spleen of mice was clearly inhibited by treatment with immunosuppressive agents given s.c. for 5 days from the immunization. When alpha-MPG and DPA were given i.p. concomitantly with immunosuppressive agents, HPFC formation was not inhibited except when the combination of MTX and alpha-MPG was injected. With alpha-MPG, there was a tendency toward disappearance of the leucopenia induced by AP, MMC and Pred.