title: [Mechanism of action of gold in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: Gold is one of the oldest and most effective drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Gold unfolds its therapeutic efficacy through various influences on the immune system. Gold alters antigen-processing and reduces cytokine expression of macrophages. Additionally, gold reduces adhesion molecules, antibody production and inhibits proteolytic enzymes. However, macrophages also oxidize gold(I) to gold(III) which is - by its increased protein reactivity - responsible for a large part of the gold side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Alexander-von-Humboldt-Universität Universitätskrankenhaus Charité, Berlin.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Burmester
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Barthel
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000097:blood; D001711:Biotransformation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D050607:Organogold Compounds; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001324:Autoantigens; D016207:Cytokines; D050607:Organogold Compounds