Remission of rheumatoid arthritis and other disorders of immunity in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Abstract

Elevated levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis and other disorders of immunity. By inhibiting the release of arachidonic acid from cells, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's) inhibit PGE2 synthesis. MAOI's appear to be capable of remitting the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and may have the potential to arrest it. MAOI's also appear to be effective in other disturbances of immunity in which excessive synthesis of PGE2 plays a role.