Effect of Thymine Desoxyriboside (Thymidine) on Human Pernicious Anemia

Abstract

Since the vitamin B12 requirements of certain bacteria can be replaced by thymidine, and other desoxyribosides, investigation of its use in the treatment of pernicious anemia seemed indicated. In 2 patients, with Addisonian pernicious anemia in relapse treated with a single intramusc. injn. of 5.3 mg. and 150 mg. of thymidine, respectively, slight reticulocytosis up to 5% was observed, but no rise in the red blood count. A 3d patient seemed to do only slightly if at all better, on a daily sub-optimal dose of 0.00025 mg. of vitamin B12 plus 5 mg. of thymidine, than on the B12 alone. Thymidine has no effect on the erythrocyte count in pernicious anemia, although it is not completely inert hematologically as indicated by the reticulocytosis.