Gold sodium thiomalate (GST) markedly inhibited the production of IL-1β by normal mononuclear cells and normal monocytes, and slightly inhibited TNF production by normal mononuclear cells. Bucillamine, a SH compound, on the other hand, strongly inhibited TNF production by mononuclear cells. These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of GST and Bucillamine on the cytokine production may be one of the mechanisms by which the drugs modify the tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.
