The use of thiosulfate to increase polymerization of IgM subunits.

Sodium thiosulfate was used to enhance in vivo the polymerization of myeloma IgM, deficient in disulfide cross-links. The therapy sharply decreased the amount of low molecular weight IgM fractions, while increasing the serum content of molecules of higher molecular weight. The degree of disulfide cross-linking in IgM increased under the influence of thiosulfate. The rate of secretion into the serum and urine of some membrane-related glycopeptides and species rich in sialic acid was reduced. Also, the discharge of L chains to the urine was lowered during the thiosulfate trial. All these changes were attributed to enhancement of disulfide-interchanging enzyme activity by thiosulfate.