Studies on the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory action of L-asparaginase.

The influence of L-asparaginase (Crasnitin) on cellular reactions in the course of immunologically specific and nonspecific processes was studied. The preparation exerted particularly strong inhibitory action on the appearance of hemolysin-producing cells (Jerne's test) and on formation of rosette forms. A somewhat weaker effect on nonspecific inflammatory reactions, by the xylene and granulation tests, was noted. It was concluded that L-asparaginase depresses cellular reactions regardless of their immunologic component, but that immunologic reactions are more sensitive to this drug. It was established that L-asparaginase acts on bursal and thymus-dependent lymphocytes and, moreover, influences the hyperemic and proliferative reactions that accompany immunologically nonspecific processes.