Cyclosporin treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increased serum activity of beta-glucuronidase.
The serum activity of beta-glucuronidase (beta-gluc) has been presumed to indicate the disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In 10 patients with RA the serum beta-gluc was repeatedly determined after the initiation of a treatment with cyclosporin for one year. A significant increase of beta-gluc was found after 8, 12 and 16 weeks compared to the values before treatment, while the concentration of the soluble interleukin 2-receptor decreased. The data reveal, that beta-gluc is not a useful indicator of the disease activity during cyclosporin treatment.
Falkenbach
A
A
Department of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Wigand
R
R
Unkelbach
U
U
Jörgens
K
K
Martinovic
A
A
Scheuermann
E H
EH
Seiffert
U B
UB
Kaltwasser
J P
JP
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D016572:Cyclosporine; D005966:Glucuronidase