Definition of streptozocin toxicity for primary lymphoidal tissues.

Hyperglycemia was induced in BALB/c mice with either streptozocin or alloxan to evaluate the effects of these drugs on primary lymphoidal tissues. Streptozocin but not alloxan briefly inhibited in situ DNA synthesis in bone marrow and thymus, elicited a transient selective depletion of circulating lymphocytes, and elicited a transient selective depletion of cortical thymocytes. Streptozocin also inhibited in vitro DNA synthesis of bone marrow cells and thymocytes from normal mice. A single subdiabetogenic dose of streptozocin depleted circulating lymphocytes and thymocytes.