[Effect of methisoprinol on neutrophil functions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

Neutrophils and monocytes are fundamental to the inflammatory process. They migrate into inflammatory foci where they manufacture and release numerous substances (enzymes X O2 ions) which if not controlled may injure the tissues they come in contact with. This enhanced response is responsible for the degenerative reaction typical of inflammation which occurs in rheumatoid arthritis. neutrophil and monocyte metabolism are activated in response to various drugs or to chemicals that may be produced either by the inflammatory agents or by other immunocompetent cells. Hence, immune system modulators may be employed to control their response. For this reason neutrophil and monocyte function was studied in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis as was the ability of methisoprinol, a major immunomodulating drug, to control their functional response both in vivo and in vitro. Neutrophils present a defective chemotactic activity attributable to a circulating inhibitory factor, a defect that methisoprinol can correct. The drug also stimulates lymphocytes and monocytes to produce substances that activate neutrophil chemotaxis. Methisoprinol is an excellent drug that can modify the altered cell-mediated immunity of rheumatoid arthritis patients.