抄録
We administered dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) orally to a patient with AA type amyloidosis due to rheumatoid arthritis. The parameters for the DMSO treatment were the renal findings (urinary protein, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine clearance), inflammatory findings C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels. In addition, we measured the level of methylguanidine (MG) which was one of the uremic toxins. With DMSO treatment, the SAA and MG levels were markedly decreased, and the renal function and inflammatory findings were improved or stabilized. These results indicated that DMSO was effective in treating this case. No side effects were observed. It is assumed that DMSO inhibited amyloid synthesis and inflammatory changes due to RA and amyloid deposition. Moreover, the effect of DMSO might have involved a scavenging effect on active oxygen, apart from the above-mentioned effects on amyloidosis itself. DMSO represents a valuable drug for treating patients with amyloidosis since no definite treatment as yet exists.
