[The biochemical heterogeneity of rheumatoid arthritis].

The content of cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) in plasma (or blood), synovial fluid and neutrophils was measured in 151 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as was the content of prostaglandins (E2 and F2 alpha), ACTH, hydrocortisone, antioxidant system enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase). Part of the patients were examined over time. Relative stability of certain characteristics (the content of hydrocortisone, neuropeptides, superoxide dismutase, and so forth) was established throughout a long time, irrespective of the process activity or treatment provided. It is concluded that every RA patient has a "weak" biochemical component of his own, reflecting the activity or power of one or another regulatory system.