[Anti-radical enzymes, oxygenated free radicals and lipoperoxydation in rheumatoid polyarthritis. Effects of treatment with D-penicillamine].

Three aspects of the action of oxygenated free radicals were studied in 10 controls and 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 11 not treated and 9 treated with D-penicillamine. Free radical production was evaluated in whole blood, malondialdehyde was measured in plasma, the concentration of antiradicular enzymes (copper and manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathion peroxydase) in hemolysate, platelets and plasma and copper superoxide dismutase activity in a chloroform erythrocyte extract. Only patients treated with D-penicillamine showed a significant decrease in the concentration of platelet anti-radicular enzymes and plasma manganese superoxide dismutase. The involvement of oxygenated free radicals in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis and in the mechanism of action of D-penicillamine in this pathology is discussed.