Gold-containing drugs and the control of proteolytic enzymes.

1 NaAuCl4 and aurothioglucose inhibited trypsin in free solution without the need of a carrier molecule. 2 NaAuCl4, aurothioglucose, aurothiomalate, auranofin and chloro-triethyl phosphine) gold all inhibited the trypsin-like neutral protease on the surfaces of Ehrlich ascites tumour cell membranes equally well. 3 Crude cathepsin preparations were activated by low concentrations of dithiothreitol and also by aurothioglucose, due to the displacement of an inhibitor.

[Study of crystals in synovial exudations with simultaneous determination of adequate enzymes].

The paper presents the results of study of 28 synovial exudations in which the uricase method was used for uric acid determination with simultaneous pyrophosphatase and cathepsin C and D activity determination. The presence of crystals in these exudations was investigated as well. From the study follows that a higher uric acid level and higher pyrophosphatase activity coincide with the finding of urate and pyrophosphate crystals.