Alpha1-antichymotrypsin in rheumatoid arthritis.
Serum alpha1-antichymotrypsin (alpha1-ACT) of the patient with rheumatoid arthritis was studied by means of single radial immunodiffusion method. There was a significant elevation of the alpha1-ACT concentration in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and positive relationships were observed between the concentrations of alpha1-ACT and of other glycoproteins such as alpha1-acid glycoprotein and alpha1-antitrypsin in individual patients, and between C-reactive protein (CRP) rates and the (CRP) rates and the alpha1-ACT concentrations in individual specimens. These facts suggest that alpha1-ACT belongs to a group of acute phase proteins like alpha1-antitrypsin or CRP. An inverse proportional correlation was revealed between alpha1-ACT and fibrinolytic activity. No influences were observed on the alpha1-ACT concentration, activity index or articular index by the oral administration of alpha-chymotrypsin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D005260:Female; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis
D006023:Glycoproteins; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002918:Chymotrypsin