[Clinical effectiveness and tolerance of auranofin in patients with chronic polyarthritis. Results of a multicenter long-term study].

In an open multicenter trial, 90 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated with a daily dose of 6 mg auranofin. The duration of the treatment was 12 months. A significant improvement in the following parameters was observed: grip strength, number of swollen and painful joints after the 4th month, blood erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased significantly after the 2nd month.

Limited heterogeneity of T cell receptors from lymphocytes mediating autoimmune encephalomyelitis allows specific immune intervention.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an induced autoimmune disease mediated by CD4+ T lymphocytes. Analysis of T cell receptors of myelin basic protein-specific encephalitogenic T cell clones derived from six different PL/J (H-2u) or (PL/J x SJL) F1 (H-2uxs) mice revealed a limited heterogeneity in primary structure. In vivo, the majority of T lymphocytes recognize the N-terminal MBP-nonapeptide in association with I-Au and utilize the V beta 8 gene element.

[Blood cell concentration of methotrexate in long-term therapy of inflammatory rheumatic diseases].

To verify the possibility of a concomitant therapy control in 31 patients (18 psoriatic arthritis [PA], 13 rheumatoid arthritis [RA]) the blood cell concentration of Methotrexate (MTX) was continuously measured over a period of 6 months. The determinations were carried out by using a RIA of the CIS Corp. At any time MTX was determined laboratory and clinical examinations were done and the P-III-P serum-level was measured by using a RIA of the Behringwerke.

Double-blind controlled clinical evaluation of effectiveness of zidometacin by oral and rectal route in osteoarthritis.

Twenty patients were treated with zidometacin by either the oral or the rectal route in a double-blind, short-term, balanced cross-over study, using the techniques of the double dummy. They suffered from osteoarthritis of the hip or knee or both. Zidometacin was administered at the daily doses of 400 mg p.

[Effect and tolerance of naproxen. Testing of a new Galenic preparation of an anti-rheumatic agent in an open clinical trial].

The non-steroidal antirheumatic drug naproxen has been available in capsule form since 1974. A new formulation, a film-coated tablet, has recently been developed and has various advantages, namely rapid release and absorption of the active substance, a lower volume, and a score-line. The efficacy and safety of the new tablet in a dose of 1000 mg daily was investigated in 30 patients in an open study.

[Determination of the phagocytic ability of leukocytes in patients with chronic polyarthritis].

The phagocytic function of leukocytes from peripheral blood of patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis was investigated using nitroblue-tetrazolium reduction of formazan. One control group (A) and two groups of RA-patients were compared. Group B was treated with nonsteroidal antirheumatics, the third group C additionally with low dose steroids (5,0-7,5 mg/d).

[Parenteral gold therapy (Tauredon) in chronic polyarthritis].

Between 1972 and 1983, 519 patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to ARA criteria underwent basic antirheumatic treatment with Tauredon (sodium aurothiamalate). Patient age was 19 to 78 years, and the disease had been active for 6 months to 8 years. Results of treatment were recorded for periods of 14 days to 8 years.

[Double-blind study with tiaprofenic acid (Surgam) against ibuprofen (Brufen) in patients with arthroses of the knee and hip joints].

60 patients with osteoarthritis of the hips or knees were selected for our randomized double blind trial comparing efficacy and safety of the two propionic acid derivates tiaprofenic acid (daily dose 600 mg) and ibuprofen (daily dose 1200 mg) for 21 days. Criterias for evaluation were different pain qualities, morning-stiffness, 15-meter-walking-time, joint circumference, heel-seat-distance, intermalleolar and intercondylardistance. The good therapeutic effect was equal for both substances, drop-outs because of side effects were necessary for 2 patients of each group.

The effect of D-penicillamine on plasma amino acids in rheumatoid arthritis.

The effect of D-penicillamine (DPA; 150 mg/day) on plasma amino acids administered to female patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was observed daily during the first 9 days of the treatment. A statistically significant influence of the oral DPA administration was detected. In comparison to control, a decrease in 12 out of 18 amino acids was found on day 2.

Double-blind, multi-centre trial to compare a once-daily combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethopyrazine with ampicillin 4-times daily in patients with urinary infections.

Sixty-eight patients with urinary infection were allocated at random to receive treatment with either 500 mg ampicillin 4-times daily or a trimethoprim (250 mg)/sulfamethopyrazine (200 mg) combination given once daily after a double, loading dose on the first day. All patients complained of urinary symptoms and showed significant bacteriuria, E. coli being the pathogen most frequently recovered.

Oral gold therapy with auranofin (SK&F 39162). A multicenter open study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

One hundred and fifty patients with rheumatoid arthritis received 6 mg of auranofin daily for 2-24 months. Thirty patients were withdrawn from the study, and 82 patients were observed for 12 months. Statistical evaluation was available for 74 patients at weeks 24, 38, and 48, respectively.

[Treatment of acute gout attacks with tolmetin (author's transl)].

In an open trial 15 patients with acute gout attacks were treated with Tolmetin. A statistically significant improvement of several pain values measured as well as subsidence of swellings and redness were observed. By summing up the scores "good" and "moderate", the joint judgement of physician and patients established a 90% success of treatment with regard to efficacy and tolerability.

[Zinc levels in blood and urine of rheumatoid arthritis patients after four months treatment with D-penicillamine].

In 10 female patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis D-penicillamine was administered in a daily dose of 150-150 mg for 4 months. The only additional antiphlogistic treatment was indomethacin (100-150 mg daily). At the beginning and during the trial blood (total) levels of zinc with n-activation analysis and the excretion with urine were determined using n-activationanaysis and atom absorption.

[Results of a long-term study with acemetacin in the therapy of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (author's transl)].

Within the framework of a long-term study the efficacy and tolerability of [1-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-acetoxy] acetic acid (acemetacin, TV 1322, Rantudil) were tested in 26 female patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The patients were aged between 32 and 78 years. The duration of therapy was 24 weeks.

[Controlled double blind comparison of acemetacin to indomethacin in patients with chronic polyarthritis].

In a double blind study [1-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-acetoxy] acetic acid (acemetacin, TV 1322, Rantudil¿) was compared with indometacin in 2 x 20 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The duration of the study was 3 weeks. The patients received 3 x 30 mg/d acemetacin or 3 x 50 mg indometacin in capsules.

[Influence of acemetacin on DNA repair and DNA synthesis in vitro and in vivo (author's transl)].

The effects of [1-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-indole-3-acetoxy]-acetic acid (acemetacin, TV 1322, Rantudil) on DNA repair (unscheduled DNA synthesis) and semiconservative DNA synthesis have been investigated in vitro in mouse spleen cells and in vivo in human leukocytes. Quantitative determination of DNA repair was made possible by a computer program and additional measurement of parameters of uptake kinetics. in vitro results showed no influence on DNA synthesis and therapeutically relevant concentrations had no influence on DNA repair.

[Treatment of osteoporosis with a new retard-preparation of sodium fluoride (author's transl)].

25 female patients with different forms of osteoporosis (progredient form in elderly patients, steroid osteoporosis, involutive osteoporosis) treated during a period varying between 1 to 24 months with a new compound preparation containing 25 mg sodium fluoride and 200 mg L-ascorbic acid per tablet. The daily dose amounts to 2 tablets. Clinical success was observed in 18 patients, X-ray controls showed increase of bone density in 8 patients.

[Chronic polyarthritis and erythema anulare centrifugum Darier].

A casuistic contribution considers possible aethiopathogenetic factors of an erythema anulare centrifugum Darrier in a 47 year-old female patient suffering from a seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. The course is traced until the erythema fades and disseminated leucoderma appears.

[Aliphatic diamines and histamine in the serum of patients with chronic polyarthritis].

The concentration of histamine, cadaverine, putrescine as well as spermidine and spermine was measured in blood serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In comparison to normals there is no statistically significant difference in the concentration of putrescine and spermidine in blood serum of RA patients. Spermine which could be detected in all samples too did not show distinct abnormalities from healthy subjects.

[Protein synthesis in lymphocytes of patients with various stages of chronic polyarthritis].

Protein synthesis in lymphocytes of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis shows various levels according to the stage of the disease. Incorporation of 3H-isoleucine is markedly increased in progredient cases (compared to normal subjects + 75%). Additional treatment of these patients with corticosteroids has no effect on the protein synthesis in the lymphocytes.