Hematopoietics

Hematopoietics 

a group of medicinal substances of various origin and mechanism of action that stimulate hematopoietic processes.

Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) has a pronounced stimulant effect on erythropoiesis and is injected for certain forms of anemia. Cyanocobalamin is contained in the preparations Kompolon, Vitogenat, and Antianemin. Folic acid is used to intensify hematopoiesis in various forms of anemia. It is also used to treat sprue. Iron-containing preparations (reduced iron, Ferrogematogen, Gemostimulin, Ferkoven) and arsenic compounds (arsenic anhydride, potassium arsenite solution, sodium arsenate) stimulate erythropoiesis. Iron participates in the synthesis of hemoglobin and certain tissue enzymes. Iron preparations are used to treat hypochromic (iron-deficiency) anemias of various origin; arsenic preparations are used to treat secondary anemias.

Among the leukopoietic stimulants are sodium nucleinate, Leikogen, pentoxyl, and methyluracil. Sodium nucleinate stimulates bone marrow activity and produces a leukocytotic reaction that is useful for leukopenias and agranulocytosis. Leikogen, pentoxyl, and methyluracil are used for leukopenias produced by X-ray and radiation therapy. Cytostatic preparations are used for agranulocytic angina.

REFERENCES

Zakusov, V. V. Farmakologiia, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1966.
Kassirskii, I. A., and G. A. Alekseev. Klinicheskaia gematologiia, 4th ed. Moscow, 1970.
Mashkovskii, M. D. Lekarstvennye sredstva, 7th ed. Moscow, 1972.

I. G. KUROCHKIN