Oxidative stress parameters in different systemic rheumatic diseases

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Biochemistry
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Oxidative stress is implicated in rheumatic disease pathogenesis but lacks robust experimental verification.
• Systemic sclerosis (SSc), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are chronic inflammatory conditions affecting joints and connective tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate the role of oxidative stress in SSc, PsA, and RA.
• To quantify specific plasmatic oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with these rheumatic disorders compared to healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of four plasmatic oxidative stress parameters: total antioxidant capacity (TAC), hydroperoxides, sulfhydryl groups, and carbonyl groups.
• Utilized spectrophotometric assays including ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) for TAC and ferrous ion oxidation in presence of xylenol orange (FOX) for hydroperoxides.
• Compared biomarker levels in patients with SSc (n=17), PsA (n=10), RA (n=9) against a control group (n=22).

Main Results:

• Significantly elevated hydroperoxide levels were observed in SSc, PsA, and RA patients compared to controls (P < 0.05).
• Sulfhydryl groups were significantly reduced in all three disease groups versus controls (P < 0.05).
• Carbonyl groups were significantly higher in RA patients than in controls (P < 0.05), while TAC showed no significant differences.

Conclusions:

• The findings demonstrate increased free radical-mediated injury in SSc, PsA, and RA.
• These results suggest a potential therapeutic role for antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of these rheumatic diseases.