THE EFFECT OF SOME MERCAPTANES UPON A MACRO-CRYOGELGLOBULIN; MODIFICATIONS INDUCED BY CYSTEAMINE, PENICILLAMINE AND PENICILLIN *

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Abstract
The effects of penicillin G potassi-um, DL-penicillamine and cysteamine upon a macrocryogelglobulin were investigated. Changes of serum viscosity, thermosedimentation rates, gel formation, Sia test, total serum protein, paper electropho-retic characteristics and immunophoretic properties served as indicators. Administration of DL-penicillamine produced a marked sustained decrease of relative viscosity and an increase of sedimentation rate. DL-Penicillamine, added to macrocryogelglobulin serum in vitro resulted in a marked decrease of relative viscosity, widening of macroglobulin fraction in electrophoretic pattern, and a negative Sia test and abolishment of gel formation. Penicillin G added to serum produced a marked decrease of relative viscosity, a negative Sia test and abolishment of gel formation. Penicillin G 10 million U given intravenously, lowered the serum viscosity by 77% within one hour and increased the previously low sedimentation rates sharply. Rapid rebound of viscoisty occured. The coincident administration of Benemid with penicillin enhanced this effect and delayed rebound of viscosity considerably. Addition of cysteamine to serum resulted in dosage-dependent decrease of relative viscosity. Agar diffusion studies revealed the simultaneous disappearance of the macroglobulin precipitin line and a quantitative increase in the gamma-globulin line with DL-penicillamine and cysteamine; no changes were produced by penicillin G. It is suggested that the compounds studied were responsible for abolishment of cryogel properties and probably produced dissociation of the macroglobulin. Possible clinical implications are mentioned.