International Journal of Cell Cloning, Vol 2, 383-393, Copyright © 1984 by AlphaMed Press
The enhancement of committed hematopoietic stem cell colony formation by nandrolone decanoate after sublethal whole body irradiation
VS Gallicchio, MG Chen and TD Watts
The ability of an anabolic steroid, nandrolone decanoate, to increase
committed topoietic stem cell (CFU-gm, CFU-e, and BFU-e) colony formation
after sublethal irradiation was evaluated. Immediately after receiving
whole body irradiation and on the next two days, each mouse was injected
intraperitoneally with nandrolone decanoate (1.25 mg) in propylene glycol.
Irradiated control mice received only propylene glycol. Compared to
controls, drug-treated mice showed marked peripheral blood leukocytosis and
more stable packed red cell volume. Drug-treated mice also demonstrated
increased erythropoiesis, as CFU- e/BFU-e concentrations from both marrow
(9% to 581%) and spleen (15% to 797%) were elevated. Granulopoiesis was
increased similarly, as CFU-gm concentrations from marrow (38% to 685%) and
spleen (9% to 373%) were elevated. These results demonstrate that
nandrolone decanoate enhances hematopoietic stem cell recovery after
sublethal whole body irradiation. This suggests that following
hematopoietic suppression, nandrolone decanoate may stimulate the recovery
of hematopoiesis at the stem cell level and in peripheral blood.
