Kinetics of azathioprine metabolism in fresh human blood.

Azathioprine (AZA) is transformed in the whole fresh human blood in vitro to 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). The rate of the above reaction was followed as a function of time at 25, 30 and 37 degrees C. Pseudo-first-order rate constants and thermodynamic parameters were calculated. The statistical evaluation of the parameters calculated was provided. Half-life time of 6-MP formation in blood from AZA at e.g. 37 degrees C was equal to 28.9 +/- 2.8 min.