The influence of alclofenac treatment on acute-phase proteins, plasma tryptophan, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Alclofenac and D-penicillamine were compared under controlled, double-blind conditions in the treatment of 35 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis over a period of 26 weeks. The principal aim of the study was to investigate any relationships between changes in clinical status and changes in concentrations of three serum acute-phase proteins (fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and haptoglobin), plasma free and protein-bound L-tryptophan, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Both alclofenac and D-penicillamine were clearly effective: all patients showed steady improvement on the seven clinical indices of response employed. Drug management was easiest with alclofenac. Both drugs produced a significant reduction in acute-phase proteins, E.S.R. and protein-bound plasma tryptophan. Since it has previously been established that the course of rheumatoid arthritis is reflected in the acute-phase protein levels and the extent to which L-tryptophan is bound to plasma protein, it is suggested that drugs, such as D-penicillamin and alclofenac which profoundly affect these parameters, provide not only symptomatic relief but also possible beneficial effects on the disease process itself.