[Protein synthesis in lymphocytes of patients with various stages of chronic polyarthritis]

Protein synthesis in lymphocytes of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis shows various levels according to the stage of the disease. Incorporation of 3H-isoleucine is markedly increased in progredient cases (compared to normal subjects + 75%). Additional treatment of these patients with corticosteroids has no effect on the protein synthesis in the lymphocytes. This seems to be in contrast to investigations using in vitro incubation of lymphocytes in media containing steroids. Because of completely different conditions in these investigations exact comparison of the results is not possible. Protein synthesis in lymphocytes from patients with early stages of rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis shows no statistically significant difference to normal controls.