title: Chiral stereoisomeric molecules in the treatment of arthritis.
abstract: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drugs and their ultimate therapeutic effects are often significantly influenced by interactions between the geometry of host receptors, host enzymes, and the three-dimensional structure of drugs. Drug molecules that are mirror images of each other are chiral stereoisomers, and such chiral isomer compounds are commonly used as therapeutic agents by rheumatologists either as racemates (mixtures of chiral isomers) or as pure stereoisomers. Understanding and using such stereoisomeric drugs may lead to lower risks of drug toxicity, better therapeutic indices, and newer approaches for the treatment of articular disorders. A review of the properties of these special isomers is presented, and their therapeutic advantages are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Newcombe
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001692:Biological Transport; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001798:Blood Proteins