[Effect of 1-hour administration of dimethyl sulfoxide on the levels of prostaglandins, products of lipid peroxidation and beta-glucuronidase activity in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

The effect of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on the level of prostaglandins (PGE and PGF2 alpha), the intensity of peroxide oxidation of lipids (POL), activity of beta-glucuronidase (BGU) prior to and 5 and 24 hours after application made to the patients' hands was studied by a double blind method in 20 patients with genuine rheumatoid arthritis (RA) against the background of therapy with nonsteroid antiphlogistic preparations. Of 20 patients 10 received one-hour application of a 50 per cent DMSO gel, 10 patients received placebo (glycerol instead of DMSO). The authors revealed a significant suppression of PS production against the background of an increased level of POL in four patients who had been given DMSO. The activity of BGU increased five hours after application of DMSO and in 24 hours returned to the initial levels. Changes in the levels of inflammation mediators proved to be statistically insignificant in the group of patients given placebo. Thus, one-hour application of DMSO produced a substantial effect on the system of mediators and their interrelationship in patients with RA.