Combined immunomodulating therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

Hormone sensitivity in patients suffering from glomerulonephritis of nephrotic type was assessed cytochemically by corticosteroid action on activity of mitochondrial enzymes (alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase) and by sensitivity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to antiproliferative effect of dexamethasone in vitro. In glucocorticosteroid-sensitive patients the activity of alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase rises in interaction with prednisolone in vitro. In the resistant patients enzymatic activity in lymphocytes came down, peripheral blood mononuclear cells before and in the course of treatment retained resistance to glucocorticoids irrespective of the treatment results. Alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase to succinate dehydrogenase index varied from 0 to 0.33 and 0.4 to 5.1 in the resistant and sensitive patients, respectively.