Evaluation of antioxidants and lipid peroxidation status in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives:Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is characterized by a chronic hypertrophic synovitis leading to destruction of connective tissues and functional damage of cartilage and bony structure. Reactive oxygen species play an important role in tissue injury of this disease. The objective of this study was to measure the oxidative stress, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in both study and control groups. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 50 RA patients (35 Female /15 Male) with mean age of (46±6.3) years. Both the study groups were non-smokers and non-alcoholics and were not suffering from any other chronic disease. Lipid peroxidation products, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were estimated in cases (50) and controls (30). Results: TBARs levels in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis were found to be significantly (p<0.001) higher than controls, whereas levels of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT, Vitamin E (p<0.001) and vitamin C (p<0.004) were significantly lower in the RA patients compared to control subjects. Uric acid and ceruloplasmin levels in the plasma of RA patients were significantly (p <0.001) higher as compared to control subjects. Conclusion: The enhanced lipid peroxidation accompanied by perturbation in antioxidant status indicates free radical mediated oxidative damage in rheumatoid arthritis.