Relationship between Plasma Mucoproteins and Protein Sugar in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Receiving Cortisone.

Abstract

In 41 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, who were studied before and during the admn. of cortisone, serum mucoprotein and protein-bound carbohydrate concns. were studied and compared. The correlation coefficient of the 2 tests was moderately high, r=0.62. When total protein sugar concn. was very high, mucoprotein concn. was always above normal values. When total protein sugar concn. was normal, the serum mucoprotein index was often above normal. From the comparative study of the variation of total protein sugar and mucoprotein concns. during the treatment of 6 patients with cortisone, it is suggested that a common factor regulates the formation of serum mucoproteins and other plasma proteins which are rich in carbohydrate.