Effects of gold compounds on function of phagocytic cells. Comparative inhibition of activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes from rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects.

The effect of sodium aurothiomalate and auranofin on the generation of superoxide anions (O2-) by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) and adherent mononuclear phagocytic cells (AMNCs) has been investigated. Sodium aurothiomalate at final concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 micrograms Au/ml and auranofin ranging from 0.1 to 2.0 micrograms Au/ml were used in the reactions involving all cell types. Results have been compared between cells drawn from normal controls and patients with active rheumatoid disease. The effect of gold compounds on both cell types was assessed following activation by phorbol myristate acetate (1 X 10(-8) M) and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (1 X 10(-4) M) using a cytochrome c reduction method. Sodium aurothiomalate at the maximum concentration modestly inhibited O2- generation by PMNLs but not AMNCs. Auranofin inhibits O2- generation by both cell types. Inhibition of cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis was greater than that seen with cells from normal controls.