Chrysotherapy. suppression of immunoglobulin synthesis

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Abstract
Forty-four subjects with classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis who were on individualized chrysotherapy were observed for changes in serum protein electrophoresis, immunoglobulins, and circulating lymphocyte counts. By paired variate analysis, significant declines from pretreatment values were recorded for the following—electrophoretic protein fractions: gamma, alpha-1, alpha-2, (P < 0.05); immunoglobulins: IgM—53% (P < 0.001), IgG—37% (P < 0.01), IgA—34% (P < 0.001). Rheumatoid factor decreased in 29 of 39 subjects, 15 becoming seronegative (P < 0.001); circulating lymphocytes decreased by 27% (P < 0.001). The maximal suppressive effect on IgG and IgM was not achieved until the third and fourth years of therapy by sustained weekly administration of gold sodium thiomalate (one year cumulative dosage, mean 2106 mg, range 1065–2,885; ≥ 4 year cumulative dosage, mean 8747 mg, range 5,385–15, 160 mg). An immunosuppressive effect is suggested by these results.