Immunomodulation by Gold Sodium Thiomalate in Mice

Gold sodium thiomalate activates latent human leukocyte collagenase.

Gold sodium thiomalate, a drug used widely in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis, was found to be an activator of latent human polymorphonuclear leukocyte collagenase. The activation was demonstrated by two distinct and independent collagenase assays: by recording with a spectrophotometer at 227 nm the enzyme-induced increase in ultraviolet difference absorbance of native type I collagen conne...

The effect of gold sodium thiomalate in adult Swiss/A2G mice infected with togaviruses and flaviviruses.

Treatment of adult mice with gold sodium thiomalate made the normally non-lethal Semliki Forest virus and Sindbis virus infections lethal and increased the virulence of Langat and West Nile viruses. These changes were associated with an enhanced virus invasion of the brain. Depression of the humoral antibody response was not observed.

ADVERSE REACTIONS OF GOLD SODIUM THIOMALATE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRI TIS PATIENTS IN SOUTHERN IRAN

To confirm the side-effects of gold sodium thiomalate (GSTM), we carried out a retrospective study examining 102 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis attending the Rheumatology Unit of Hafez Hospital, Shiraz, Iran, in whom GSTM was initiated between 1983-1989. Only patients with classical or definite RA (ARA criteria) we(e included in this study. Patients were categorized as havi...

Suppression of adjuvant-induced arthritis in the rat by gold sodium thiomalate.

Latent human leukocyte collagenase can be activated by gold thioglucose and gold sodium thiomalate, but not by auranofin.

Gold thioglucose and gold sodium thiomalate were shown to be potent activators of latent human leukocyte collagenase. No activation by auranofin was noted. The activation may proceed through the action of gold on the essential sulfhydryl groups of latent enzyme and, thereby, mimick the action of the known organomercurial activators.