title: Decrease in disease activity and concomitant increase in the percentage of peripheral blood suppressor T-cells in rheumatoid arthritis by a newly synthesized slow-acting anti-rheumatic drug (Bucillamine).
abstract: Bucillamine: N-(2-mercapto-2-methyl-propanoyl)-L-cysteine, is a newly synthesized slow-acting anti-rheumatic drug with two SH-bonds in its chemical structure. Eleven patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were treated with Bucillamine, and both Lansbury's activity index and the percentage of suppressor T-cells (Leu 2a+ Leu 15+) were serially monitored for 10 weeks. The percentage of suppressor T-cells, which was depressed in the active disease state, reached normal levels with clinical improvement according to Lansbury's index. Bucillamine may have an immunomodulating activity and may be a useful drug for the treatment of RA.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatic Diseases, Tokyo Metropolitan Otsuka Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasano
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishioka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D003545:Cysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D003545:Cysteine; C026535:bucillamine