Blood-Serotonin in Rheumatic Disease

Recent Research in the Field of 5-Hydroxytryptamine and Related Indolealkylamines

“…Whereas the blood 5-HT content in rheumatic fever is approximately normal [1078, 1079, 1264 b], it is significantly decreased in rheumatoid arthritis (from 0·12 to 0·034 flg [1078,1079]), and from 0·16 to 0·10 flg/ml [646]). …”

Nialamide as a "Steroid Sparing" Agent in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…It is important, therefore, to examine the claim that nialamide acts in such a manner. Gillhespy (1961) has postulated that monoamine oxidase inhibitors may compensate for biochemical disturbances recorded in rheumatoid arthritis (Michotte, 1958;Schmid, Scheiffarth, and Zicha, 1959) or may delay hepatic inactivation of cortisone and related compounds. However, it is well known that nialamide may produce elevation of mood (Scherbel and Harrison, 1959), and it may be that the apparent "steroid sparing" effect of nialamide is due to this indirect action which enables patients to tolerate the pain of the arthritis better and thus allow a decrease of steroid dosage.…”