Gold concentrations in blood fractions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with Myocrisin.

Gold levels in the plasma and blood cells of patients treated with the gold drug Myocrisin (sodium aurothiomalate) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. There is a correlation between whole blood gold and plasma gold concentrations which is different for smokers and non-smokers. Most cellular gold is associated with the membrane and is present in concentrations approximately equivalent to the number of reactive sulphydryl groups on the exofacial surface of the cell. Since gold would be expected to react with SH groups and since these groups are vital for cellular function, a possible role for gold in modifying cellular metabolism is indicated.