Gold salts

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Gold salts describe ionic chemical compounds of gold. The term, which is a misnomer, has evolved into a euphemism for the gold compounds used in medicine. The application of gold compounds to medicine is called "chrysotherapy" and "aurotherapy."[1] The first reports of research in this area appeared in 1935,[2] primarily to reduce inflammation and to slow disease progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Most chemical compounds of gold, including some of the drugs discussed below, are not in fact salts. Gold compounds find wide use in electroplating,[3] and as reagents in organic chemistry.

Contents

[edit] Medical uses

[edit] Indications

Gold compounds, which accumulate slowly in the body and, over time, reduce inflammation, especially related to rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriatic arthritis, membranous nephritis, lupus erythematosus and, infrequently, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).

The mechanism by which gold drugs operate to alleviate symptoms of arthritis is to concentrate in the synovium joints and inhibit the maturation and function of mononuclear phagocytes and of T cells.

At present, gold salts are infrequently used to treat children with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (previously termed Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis), as methotrexate is the convention. Gold salts are sometimes used for children with progressive polyarthritis who are unresponsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate, and other medications. This treatment is expensive reqiuiring frequent visits to the doctor and numerous lab tests.

[edit] Administration

Gold can be administered orally or by intramuscular injection, in which case it is administered weekly for approximately three to five months before less-frequent doses begin. Auranofin, in capsule form for oral administration, is marketed under the brand name Ridaura. Sodium aurothiomalate (Gold sodium thiomalate as brands Myocrisin UK, Aurolateor or Myochrysine U.S.) and aurothioglucose (Solganal in U.S.) are administered by injection. Regular urine tests to check for protein (indicating kidney damage) and blood tests are needed.

[edit] Efficacy

A 2005 review (Suarez-Almazor ME et al.) reports that treatment with intramuscular gold (parenteral gold) reduces disease activity and joint inflammation. Gold salts taken by mouth are less effective than by injection. Three to six months are often required before gold treatment noticeably improves symptoms.

A 2002 paper (Richards et al.) chronicles the neurological side effects of gold salts reported in the medical literature. "[T]here are reports pointing to a possible involvement of naturally-occurring gold in the nervous and glandular systems, and evidence from historical sources of a possible efficacy of gold in therapy for neurological disorders," according to the study authors. "This research has the potential for re-establishing gold as a significant therapeutic agent in a much wider range of disorders than those for which it is currently used. And it could help in sorting out valid from invalid claims of benefits from supplementation."

[edit] Side effects

Side effects may develop after a significant accumulation of gold in the body. Gold compounds require up to two months to reach a steady state, and have a fairly long half life. In 10 days, only 70% is excreted, exacerbating toxicity problems.[4] The potential benefits for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, skin rash or a history of bone marrow depression should be weighed against the potential risks of gold toxicity on previously compromised organ systems or with decreased reserve. Potential problems with detection and correct attribution of toxic effects must also be considered.

Orally administered gold has fewer side effects than intramuscular injections. Common side effects of oral gold include decreased appetite, nausea, hair thinning and diarrhea, as well as problems affecting skin, blood, kidneys, or lungs. Common side effects of injected gold include an itchy skin rash or mouth sores, with rare instances of kidney problems or suppression of blood cell production.

[edit] Potential future uses

In one report, researcher Boyd Haley suggests gold salts could serve as a treatment for autism, see autism therapies.

Research continued to examine the potential of gold salts as anti cancer agents. This research stemmed from the discovery that auranofin was toxic towards leukemia cells. It is also noted that a wide variety of the salts currently being researched are effective against cisplatin resistant cancer cells, highlighting their different but at present unknown modes of operation.[citation needed]

Gold salts combined with Chloroquine, an anti-malarial, show potential at treating resistant strains of malaria.

It has been suggested in Japan that gold salts used for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis particularly gold thioglucose, may also be used for the treatment of bronchial asthma.

[edit] Types of gold salts

Medical use:

Industrial use:

  • Potassium gold cyanide (KAu(CN)2), containing 68.2% by weight of gold, is sometimes used for industrial purposes such as electro-plating; potential risks include occupational contact eczema.

[edit] References

  • Emery P, Suarez-Almazor M (2002). "Rheumatoid arthritis". Clinical Evidence (10): 1454–1476. PMID 12230730.
  • Kwoh CK, et al. (2002). "Guidelines for the management of rheumatoid arthritis". Arthritis and Rheumatism, 46(2): 328–346. PMID 11840435.
  • Petiot P, Charles N, Vial C, McGregor B, Aimard G, Trillet M, Bady B. Rev Neurol (Paris), "Neurological complications caused by gold salts. Nosologic report apropos of a case" (article in French). 1993;149(10):562-5. PMID 7912843.
  • Richards DG, McMillin DL, Mein EA, Nelson CD. Gold and its relationship to neurological/glandular conditions. Int J Neurosci 2002;112:31-53. MeridianInstitute.com PMID 12152404.
  • Suarez-Almazor ME, Bennett KJ, Bombardier C, Clark P, Shea BJ, Tugwell P, Wells G, - 'Injectable gold for rheumatoid arthritis', Cochrane Review (2005) Cochrane.org PMID 10796386

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Shaw III, C. F. (1999). "Gold-Based Medicinal Agents". Chemical Reviews 99: 2589-600. 
  2. ^ Forestier J. (1935). "Rheumatoid arthritis and its treatment with gold salts - results of six years experience.". J Lab Clin Med 20: 827–40. 
  3. ^ Mordechay Schlesinger (September, 2002). Electroplating. Retrieved on 2007-03-04.
  4. ^ Mark Sircus. Mineral Therapy and the Use of Gold (Footnote information). International Medical Veritas Association.

[edit] External links

  • BCHealthGuide.org - 'Gold salts for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis'
  • DiseasesDatabase.com - 'Gold salts information'
  • Economist.com - 'Gold fingered: An unexpected discovery may help explain how old arthritis drugs work', The Economist (March 2, 2006)
  • Harvard.edu - 'HMS researchers find how gold fights arthritis: Sheds light on how medicinal metal function against rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases', Harvard University Gazette (2006)
  • IMVA.info - 'Mineral Therapy and the Use of Gold', Mark Sircus Ac, OMD, International Medical Veritas Association
  • MedicineNet.com - 'Aurothioglucose is a gold salt used in treating inflammatory arthritis'
  • Washington.edu - 'About gold treatment: What is it? Gold treatment includes different forms of gold salts used to treat arthritis', University of Washington (December 30, 2004)
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