Concentration and reactivity of the sulphydryl group population on the membrane of intact erythrocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

The blood levels of sulfhydryl groups, which consist of sulphur and hydrogen, are low in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory joint disease. Sulfhydryl levels increase after treatment of RA with penicillamine and gold compounds. Sulfhydryl groups can be classified as either fast (reactive) thiol or slow (unreactive) thiol, and the fast thiol groups are the form most affected by treatment. Penicillamine and gold compounds are thought to directly interact with thiol groups in the cell. However, the changes in thiol levels after therapy are associated with the degree of disease activity rather than the doses of antirheumatic drugs. Within the first few weeks of treatment, the levels of thiols in the cell increase. The number of sulfhydryl groups on the red blood cell membranes varies with the nutritional state of the cell. The number of sulfhydryl groups on the membranes of red blood cells from normal subjects was 3.29 million per cell in the presence of glucose and 2.56 million per cell in the absence of glucose. By comparison, the number of sulfhydryl groups on red blood cell membranes from patients with RA was 1.54 million per cell in the presence of glucose and 1.15 million per cell in the absence of glucose. Most sulfhydryl groups were detected at sites on the transmembrane proteins, which extend through the membrane. In particular, the sulfhydryl groups may be located on the protein that functions to transport glucose into the cell, the hexose transport protein. Differences in the number of sulfhydryl groups between normal subjects and patients with RA, which were revealed by changes in cell nutritional state, may be involved in the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Erythrocytes, Red blood cells, Gold compounds, Penicillamine

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Urinary excretion of the hyroxypyridinium cross links of collagen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Collagen is a fiber-like protein found in connective tissues including skin, bone, ligaments, and cartilage. Collagen contains cross-links of pyridinoline and its analog, deoxypyridinoline. These cross-links may serve as indicators of collagen breakdown, and thereby provide a clinical marker for the progression and activity of inflammatory processes occurring in certain diseases. Pyridinoline is specifically found in the collagen of bones and cartilage, whereas deoxypyridinoline is present in the collagen of bones and teeth; both types of cross-link are excreted into the urine. The levels of hydroxypyridinium cross-links in the urine were measured in 19 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory joint disease characterized by stiffness, swelling, and pain, and also in 19 normal subjects. The amounts of pyridinoline were higher in patients with RA than in normal subjects. There was no difference in the amount of deoxypyridinoline between RA patients and normal subjects. Pyridinoline excretion was positively correlated with two measures of RA disease activity, the level of C reactive protein released by the liver, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the rate at which red blood cells settle. Increased pyridinoline excretion was associated with a reduction in grip strength. Thus, pyridinoline levels in the urine may serve as a useful clinical marker for studying disease activity in patients with RA. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Diagnosis, Inflammation, Collagen

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Lymphadenopathy in a patient with systemic onset juvenile chronic arthritis

Article Abstract:

Lymph node enlargement can develop in systemic onset juvenile chronic arthritis (SOJCA). Following treatment with methotrexate, a man developed a fever, vomiting, and lymphadenopathy, which improved when the drug was discontinued. Several years later, he developed malaise and a mass of enlarged lymph nodes in his armpit. Symptoms resolved with methotrexate withdrawal and chemotherapy. Lymphoma in juvenile chronic arthritis may be associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. Temporarily removing immunosuppressive medications can reduce lymph node disease in SOJCA.

Complications and side effects, Rheumatoid arthritis in children, Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Methotrexate, Lymphadenopathy

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