Does exercise affect the antioxidant system in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Exercise Physiology
• Immunology and Oxidative Stress

Background:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease impacting the spine and joints.
• Functional status and disease activity are key metrics for managing AS.
• Oxidative stress, indicated by total antioxidant status (TAS), may play a role in AS pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a supervised exercise program on functional status and disease activity in AS patients.
• To investigate the relationship between supervised exercise and serum total antioxidant status (TAS) levels in AS.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two AS patients were randomized into a supervised exercise group (aerobic, strengthening, stretching) or a control group (home exercise).
• Intervention lasted 3 weeks, with exercise sessions 1 hour daily, five times a week.
• Functional status (BASFI) and disease activity (BASDAI) were assessed, along with serum TAS levels, at baseline and 3 weeks.

Main Results:

• The supervised exercise group showed significant improvements in BASFI (p=0.004) and BASDAI scores (p=0.01).
• Mean TAS levels significantly decreased in the exercise group (p=0.03).
• No significant changes in BASFI, BASDAI, or TAS levels were observed in the control group.

Conclusions:

• A short-term, supervised exercise program effectively enhances functional status and reduces disease activity in AS patients.
• The beneficial clinical effects of supervised exercise in AS do not appear to be mediated by changes in total antioxidant status.