Influence of auranofin on lymphocyte membrane fluidity in rheumatoid arthritis. A fluorescence polarization study

Using the fluorescence polarization of 1.6-diphenyl-1, 3, 5-hexatriene, the membrane fluidity of lymphocytes obtained from rheumatoid arthritis patients was measured during 12 months of auranofin treatment. Significant differences in fluorescence polarization values were observed following auranofin treatment. The correlations shown between fluorescence polarization values and the indices of rheumatoid arthritis activity, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, alpha 2-globulins, plasma fibrinogen levels and platelet count suggest that changes in lymphocyte membrane fluidity could be used to monitor the effects of auranofin therapy.