Antiarthritic properties and unique pharmacologic profile of a potential chrysotherapeutic agent: S K & F D-30162

SK&F D-39162, a potential chrysotherapeutic agent, on oral administration was effective in suppressing the development of inflammatory lesions and 7S anti-sheep red blood cell antibody formation in adjuvant arthritic rats. Oral absorption of SK&F D-39162 was indicated by the presence of serum gold levels. In contrast to orally administered SK&F D-39162, gold sodium thiomalate administered intramuscularly at equivalent gold doses, appeared to be less effective in suppressing the primary and secondary lesions of adjuvant arthritis, produced relatively higher levels of gold in both serum and kidneys and produced marked toxicity. Other pharmacologic properties of SK&F D-39162 distinguishing it from gold sodium thiomalate which may have clinical significance include potent inhibitory activity on antibody-forming cells, immediate hypersensitivity reactions and extracellular release of lysosomal enzymes. In further contrast to gold sodium thiomalate, SK&F D-39162 is not a potent inhibitor of sulfhydryl group reactivity. In pharmacokinetic studies, the daily oral administration of SK&F D-39162 to normal rats produced greater stability of blood gold levels and less kidney gold accumulation than parenterally administered gold sodium thiomalate.