| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the subject agent capable of reducing the amount of reduced form glutathione in a macrophage cell and thereby suppressing the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12), the production of nitric oxide (NO), the production of interferon gamma (IFNγ) and a delayed type anaphylactoid reaction and useful for treatment, etc., of rheumatism, especially human rheumatic arthritis. SOLUTION: This agent is obtained by using a compound preferably having a disulfide (S-S) bond in the molecule, e.g. a compound represented by the formula [R1 and R2 are each a (substituted)alkyl; R3 and R4 are each an acyl or peptidyl] (e.g. N,N'-diacetylcystine or N,N'-dipropylcystine) to reduce the amount of reduced-form glutathione in a macrophage cell (a monocyte, a Kupffer's cell and a dendritic cell). The daily dose of the substance having actions of reducing the amount of the reduced-form glutathione is preferably about 1-5,000 mg (an oral agent).
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