The prevention of alloxan-induced diabetes by the immunosuppressive agent azathioprine.

Azathioprine (1mmole/kg), given to male Swiss-Webster mice one hour prior to 75 mg/kg alloxan, was able to protect against the diabetogenic actions of alloxan. Various potential mechanisms for the protective effects of azathioprine, including its scavenging of the hydroxyl radical, which can be generated from alloxan, will be discussed.