D-penicillamine effects on prostanoid production in adherent rheumatic synovial cells in primary culture

Abstract

The effect of D-penicillamine (DPA) on immunoreactive prostanoid concentrations was studied in a primary culture of adherent synovial cells from patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DPA in clinically achievable concentrations increased the levels of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and thromboxane B2 (TXB₂) and reduced those of 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α (6-keto-PGF_1α) synthetized from endogenous substrate. The capacity for PGE₂ and 6-keto-PGF_1α production in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid was decreased by DPA. These effects may be connected with the antirheumatic and immunosuppressive action of DPA.