Jim Sims <[log in to unmask]> asks:
 
>  As a fairly long-time (5+ years, but over 5 years ago) hobby
>  beekeeper (2-4 hives) and a (likely) newly diagnosed victim of
>  rheumatoid arthritis, i'm suddenly more than curious:
>
>  I recall hearing many years ago of someone who induced arthritis in
>  frogs and used regular stinging to reverse it. I've also heard
>  "folklore" that beekeepers allegedly dont get arthritis.
>
>  Can someone point me at any articles, TRs, or books on any (non-)
>  linkage between bee stings and arthritis?
>
> thanks,
> jim
 
Where "science" joins "folklore" !? It's not ?
 
The "Mast Cell Degranulating (MCD) Peptide" [H-Ile-Lys-Cys-Asn-Cys-Lys-
Arg-His-Val-Ile-Lys-Pro-His-Ile-Cys-Arg-Lys-Ile-Cys-Gly-Lys-Asn-NH2, two
disulfide bonds Cys3-Cys15 and Cys5-Cys19] is present in small amounts in
the venom of the european honeybee, apis mellifera.  This highly basic
peptide causes, at low doses, mast cell degranulation and subsequent
histamine release (inflammation, swelling, irritation).  At higher doses, it
produces an anti-inflammatory effect, which may be beneficial in rheumatic
and allergic diseases. (Bachem catalog 1993)
 
Lit.:
 
Dempsey C.E. (1982)
Selective formylation of a-amino group or s-amino group of peptides.
J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans I 1982(11), p2625-2629, 28 ref.
Univ of London, Univ. Coll. Christopher ingold labs.
 
Buku A., Blandina P., Birr C. & Gazis D. (1989)
Solid-phase synthesis and biological activity of Mast Cell Degranulating
(MCD) peptide, a component of bee venom.
Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 33(2), p86-93, 58 ref.
Cuny Mt Sinai Sch. Med., Dept Physiol & Biophys, NY.
 
Obviously, a really immunized beekeeper doesn't keep a very long time this
peptide avidly catched by his own immunoglobulins !
 
Jean-Marie