Oxidative Stress Status In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of synovial joints, ultimately leading to joint destructions and permanent disability. In RA oxidative stress are impaired (which caused by free radicals) might have an essential role in the etiology of RA. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine oxidative stress by measuring malondialdehyde and enzymatic status by estimating superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in patients of RA and then comparing with healthy individuals. Setting and design:   A total 42 patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (20 females, 22 males) in the age of 30-50 years were included, as a control, 50 matched healthy volunteers (20 females and 30 males) were involve, non of the subjects smokes nor receiving any form of drugs. Subjects with any acute infections or with coexisting system disease such as coronary artery disease, hypertension or chronic renal failure were excluded. Methods: Antioxidant enzymes in erythrocyte , superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx)  and Cayalase (CAT) was measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA) along with Copper, Zink and Iron are measured by using the serum of the patients and control group. Results: The serum level of MDL was higher in RA patients compared with the control group, the differences among both groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001) Conclusion There is oxidative stress in RA patients evidenced by increased serum MDA and decreased antioxidant enzymes activity.