In vitro production and scavenging of hydrogen peroxide by D-penicillamine. Relationship to copper availability.

The capacity of D-penicillamine (DP) to produce or scavenge hydrogen peroxide was investigated. DP added to copper produced H2O2. Greater production was observed with copper sulfate than with copper bound to ceruloplasmin. In contrast, DP in the absence of copper scavenged H2O2, as measured in a direct assay. Furthermore, DP or D-cysteine alone reversed H2O2-mediated inhibition of concanavalin A-stimulated mononuclear cell proliferation. These opposing immunomodulating properties of DP may be relevant to its toxic or therapeutic actions in rheumatoid arthritis.