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Biomedical subjects

H A Menard

Publications and source records attributed to H A Menard.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1980

Quantitation and characterization of plasma DNA in normals and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Using the in vitro DNA labeling technique of nick translation on purified plasma DNA, we have estimated the plasma DNA concentration in three normal individuals to be 266 +/- 57 ng/ml (mean +/- SD). This was not significantly different in three patients with a chronic inflammatory disease (209 +/- 14 ng/ml) or in five patients with steroid-inactivated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (293 +/- 57 ng/ml). In two untreated, newly diagnosed, active SLE patients, however, the plasma DNA concentration was considerably higher (4,024 and 2,437 ng/ml, respectively). Characterization of these in vitro labeled DNA preparations by neutral sucrose-gradient sedimentation analysis showed a sedimentation coefficient of 6-8S, corresponding to a molecular weight of similar to or approximately 0.2-0.45 x 10(6). No difference was observed between normal subjects or patients. In addition, the relative size uniformity of these DNA molecules might suggest some form of specific protection of the DNA from blood DNAases. Further characterization in terms of buoyant density in cesium chloride did not reveal a difference between normal or SLE plasma and the human (HEp-2 cell) DNA used as marker. Taking into account the limitations of the method, no indication of a possible exogenous origin of the DNA circulating in SLE patients could be found. The physiological or pathophysiological role of this plasma DNA remains to be determined.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1979

Trace elements and acute phase reactants in gold treated rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Abnormal concentrations of trace elements, sulfhydryl groups, amino-acids and serum proteins were found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis similar to other chronic inflammatory conditions. These changes have been called the phase reaction. In this study, a systematic profile of the phase reactants was established in rheumatoid arthritis at the onset and during its modulation by chrysotherapy (gold sodium thiomalate 25 mg i.m. weekly). It was shown that this treatment, if successful, is capable of reverting to normal measures of the phase reaction. It was also found that the pattern of the profile varied in individuhe eventual beneficial or toxic effects. In these preliminary studies, no parameters or group of parameters of the phase reaction were predictive of the therapeutic outcome. Extended observations (over 6 months) and more individual profiles are being analyzed to gain insight into these features of inflammation and their modulation by chrysotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Trace element determination in serum by proton-induced x-ray emission.

We report the use of proton-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) as an analytical method in clinical research. The experimental set-up and target preparation procedures are briefly discussed together with the methods of automatic data acquisition and analysis. Results from a clinical project involving rheumatoid patients receiving chrysotherapy are presented.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1977

Antinuclear antibody: predictive of lymphocyte response in rheumatoid arthritis.

The phytohemagglutinin induced response of lymphocytes was studied in two groups of rheumatoid patients differing only in the presence or absence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). The response was found to be depressed in 16 ANA positive and normal in 14 ANA negative patients. Antinuclear antibody screening may serve as a simple method to identify a subgroup of immunodepressed rheumatoid patients who may be potential candidates for immunostimulation therapy.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1975

Experimental immune arthritis: host factors.

An experimental chronic mono-arthritis was induced in rabbits using adjuvants and bovine serum albumin. The results suggest that unidentified host factors (possibly genetic) influence the induction of delayed hypersensitivity to the antigen. The data further show a clear correlation between systemic cell mediated immunity and chronic synovitis. When this condition is absent, there is a poor correlation between the humoral response and the arthritis. The results make difficult the interpretation of local immune complex deposition as the sole, chronic phlogistic stimulus. (J Rheumatol 2: 373-383, 1975).

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Slow onset anti-rheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis: could the presence of antinuclear antibody influence the therapeutic results?

The therapeutic value of sodium aurothiomalate, D-penicillamine and levamisole was evaluated in three comparable groups of 20 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. There was no intergroup difference after a 3-month follow-up and all were significantly improved (p less than 0.001). To verify if, in these patients, the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) had influenced the therapeutic results, each group was retrospectively subdivided according to the ANA status. To start with, all the sub-groups were statistically comparable on the basis of measures of disease activity. The D-penicillamine group could not be analyzed. In the gold treated group, the ANA negative patients were more improved than the ANA positive (p = 0.03), and very significantly more than the levamisole-treated ANA-negative patients (p = 0.005). The ANA negative patients taking levamisole had less pain relief (p = 0.01) and showed a tendency for less overall improvement (p = 0.15) than the ANA positive patients. This preliminary study supports the idea that systematic ANA testing in RA may be of practical and theoretical value.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gold therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Interim report of the Canadian multicenter prospective trial comparing sodium aurothiomalate and auranofin.

One hundred and twelve patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were randomly assigned to receive either sodium aurothiomalate (GSTM) or auranofin (AF). Monthly clinical assessments (morning stiffness, grip strength, articular index, pain, quality of life) and concurrent hematological, biochemical, and urine studies were performed to monitor the efficacy/toxicity (E/T) ratio. Ninety-two patients have completed 3 months; 65, 6 months; 47, 9 months; and 30, 12 months. The groups were numerically balanced at each time period. Analysis of the 0-6 month period suggests that both drugs were equally and significantly beneficial after 3 months and that this was maintained at 6 months. Toxicity was as frequent in both groups but more serious in the GSTM group. The main side effects were gastrointestinal (diarrhea) in the AF group and mucocutaneous in the GSTM group. Half of the withdrawals (14 in each group) were because of side effects in the GSTM group and for inadequate therapeutic efficacy in the AF group. This study suggests that after 6 months of treatment the E/T ratio of AF is greater than or equal to that of GSTM. These conclusions will need to be confirmed during the ongoing longer observation period. A significant clinical difference between the 2 drugs is that in a given patient treated with GSTM, the onset of toxicity coincides with a good therapeutic effect. This relationship does not appear to exist during AF treatment.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗