In 22 patients with rheumatoid arthritis oral ticlopidine 250 mg/day for 18 months induced clinical improvement, confirmed by a significant decrease in the counts of involved joint. A significant decrease was observed in the technetium index (Tc-index) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and a significant increase occurred in the serum sulphydryl (SH) levels. The long-term changes in serum SH and Tc-index produced by ticlopidine may represent a specific antirheumatic activity of this platelet-inhibiting drug.
1 After 12 months cyclophosphamide administration the serum sulphydryl concentrations increased in all of twelve rheumatoid patients treated, and returned towards the normal range in eleven. 2 A decrease was observed in the technetium index, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and joint count. 3 Long‐term cyclophosphamide‐induced serum SH increase may represent a specific change in the process of the rheumatoid disease activity, possibly involving the pathogenic B cells.
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