Effects of cyclophosphamide on mechanical properties of bone and skin in rats.

The effects of several different doses of cyclophosphamide on weight increase, longitudinal bone growth and mechanical properties of bone, intact skin and skin wounds, were studied in 30 young, male rats. The cystostatic effect was evaluated by counting white blood cells (WBC) in arterial blood at the end of the medication period. Compared with the control animals, the longitudinal bond growth, the mechanical properties of the distal femoral metaphysis and the skin wounds were most noticeably affected by the drug. Diaphyseal torsional strength of the femoral bone and tensile strength of intact skin were less affected.