Objective

To establish a mouse model of acute hematopoietic failure and explore the pathological basis of platelet changes in bone marrow suppression.

Methods

An initial large dose of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) was injected through the tail veins of the mice, follow by daily intraperitoneal injection starting on the next day for 7 d. The number and morphology of the cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow were observed by means of cell counting and smear, respectively, with the platelet aggregation determined using ADP. The coagulation time was measure by turbidimetry.

Results

The amount of platelets, erythrocytes, leukocytes and the nucleated cells in mice bone marrow was significantly lowered in the mouse models in comparison with the control mice, and the normal hematopoietic tissues were depressed. The blood platelets in the models were lowered by 49%, an amplitude of declination significantly greater than that occurring in the erythrocytes and leukocytes (by 28% and 25% respectively). Though the mean platelet volume and percent platelet aggregation underwent no obvious changes, the coagulation time was significantly shortened.

Conclusion

The methods we described for establishing mouse models of hematopoietic failure induced by cyclophosphamide is rapid and highly efficient, and may facilitate ready preparation of mouse models of thrombocytopenia which respond strongly to cyclophosphamide without blood platelets function impairment.