title: The activity of natural killer cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: I. The effect of drugs used in vivo.
abstract: The role of natural killer (NK) cells in vivo remains uncertain, but they have been implicated in a number of protective and aggressive host responses. We have found the NK activity of most patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to be significantly depressed below the values for a control healthy population. This depression is not related to the use of myochrysine, methotrexate or penicillamine. Auranofin, which has a stimulatory effect in vitro, seemed in vivo to cause a further depression. ASA and indomethacin, when given to normal subjects, stimulated NK activity. The reduced NK activities seen in patients with RA taking these and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents remains unexplained.
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism*; D001310:Auranofin; D006051:Aurothioglucose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006046:Gold / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate; D006051:Aurothioglucose; D001310:Auranofin; D006046:Gold; D010396:Penicillamine; D008727:Methotrexate