title: Serum concanavalin-A binding in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: A nephelometric assay of concanavalin-A binding of serum acute phase proteins (con-A binding) has been used in cross-sectional and sequential studies of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Con-A binding correlated well with blood viscosity, C-reactive protein, and other individual acute phase reactants in patients with active RA. Twenty-four patients were treated for 6 months with D-penicillamine and assessed clinically and seriologically. Clinical improvement was accompanied by significant falls in both C-reactive protein and con-A binding, although the serological changes did not always occur in parallel in individual patients. The advantages of this simple, cheap assay of acute phase proteins are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011485:Protein Binding
chemical_list: D003208:Concanavalin A; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D010396:Penicillamine