thymic-factor--circulating and Arthritis--Rheumatoid

Two randomised double blind, placebo controlled trials have been carried out to assess the effectiveness of nonathymulin, a synthetic thymic peptide hormone, in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to compare three different dosage schedules (1, 5, and 10 mg/day). Nonathymulin 5 mg proved to be the most efficient dose, providing significant clinical improvement as evaluated by the global assessment of all patients who entered the trials (56% v 17% in the placebo group) (p less than 0.02) and by four objective parameters. This effect was accompanied with minimal adverse effects and was not associated with clear changes in immunological parameters. A significant correlation was observed, however, in clinical response to nonathymulin, and T cell subset imbalance was assessed using monoclonal anti-T cell antibodies and a functional suppressor T cell assay.

Topics: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Random Allocation; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Hormones

Topics: Adult; Aged; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Hormones

Thymic serum activity (TSA) has been studied in 52 healthy subjects, 48 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 17 sufferers with systemic lupus erythematosus aged from 18 to 70. TSA was compared in patients under and over 40 years. In those under 40 TSA appeared significantly inhibited, while in older subjects it did not differ from age-matched control. No correlations were reported between TSA levels and clinical characteristics. Changes in TSA levels may be related both to low content of thymic hormones and formation of inactive complexes from thymic mediators with inhibitors.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Middle Aged; Thymic Factor, Circulating

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Female; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred CBA; Thymectomy; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Zinc

Searching for new long-term treatments of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is taking now different turns. It is a matter of trying molecules presenting a structural analogy with products considered as effective, either products with a more or less specific immuno-modulating ability, or natural substances involved in the immuno-pathological process of the RA. Among them, thymus hormone and interferon gamma have been the subject of controlled studies with results which are encouraging enough to pursue the investigations. Immunoglobulins of placental origin, the use of which has been justified by the frequent remissions of the disease during pregnancy, have given encouraging results. Finally, cyclosporin, in spite of its effectiveness, results in undesirable effects leading to a redefinition of its use. These studies require additional studies, especially long-term ones, in order to verify that these substances represent a definite improvement over the medications currently in use.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cyclosporins; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Interferon-gamma; Peptide Fragments; Placenta; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymopentin; Thymopoietins; Thymus Hormones

Perturbations in T cells and T cell subsets of peripheral blood lymphocytes were looked for, using monoclonal antibodies, in nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and four patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). All SLE patients were in an acute phase of their disease, but had not yet received steroids. Seven of the nine RA patients presented an active illness, recently diagnosed in five cases, and received no steroids nor D-penicillamin. T cell subsets alterations responsible for abnormal values of the OKT4 +/OKT8 + immunoregulatory ratio, were improved by in vitro incubation of the lymphocytes with synthetic thymulin in eight out of nine RA patients. No significant modification occured for SLE patients' lymphocytes. These results support the possible beneficial role of thymulin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Surface; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Female; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Leukocyte Count; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Male; Middle Aged; T-Lymphocytes; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Hormones