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1784647 
Journal Article 
Trace Metal Composition of Synovial Fluid from Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis 
Niedermeier, W; Creitz, EE; Holley, HL 
1962 
Yes 
Arthritis and Rheumatism
ISSN: 0004-3591
EISSN: 1529-0131 
NIOSH/00127757 
5 
5 
439-444 
The trace metal composition of synovial fluid was studied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Synovial fluid was aspirated from the knee joints of 13 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and from 33 patients seen at postmortem who did not have evidence of connective tissue disease. Blood specimens were collected from nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis and from five patients with the disease who did not have effusion. Blood samples were also collected from 17 volunteers who had no evidence of disease. The synovial fluid and the blood samples were analyzed by emission spectrography. Copper (7440508) (Cu), aluminum (7429905) (Al), rubidium (7440177) (Rb), lithium (7439932) (Li), and strontium (7440246) (Sr) were present in all synovial fluid samples. However, iron (7439896) (Fe) and chromium (7440473) (Cr) were found in all the patients with rheumatoid arthritis but in only about half the postmortem patients. Cu concentrations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis increased from a mean of 21 to 97 micrograms per 100 grams of fluid. Cu, Al, Rb, Li and Sr were present in all blood samples analyzed. Manganese (7439965) (Mn) was found in about half the specimens of both groups. However Cr, barium (7440393), silver (7440224), and nickel (7440020) were respectively detected in 14, 58, 33, and 29 percent fewer blood specimens from patients with rheumatoid arthritis than from comparisons. The authors conclude that the synovial fluid of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis contained increased concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Al. The blood serum of these patients contained increased concentrations of Cu and Rb, and decreased concentrations of Fe, Al, and Cr. 
DCN-116187; Trace substances; Spectrographic analysis; Blood tests; Blood analysis; Connective tissue disorders; Trace analysis; Pathology; Clinical tests