Elevated oxidative stress markers in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A case-control study

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease with unknown causes.
• Oxidative stress (OS) is increasingly recognized for its potential role in AS pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess serum oxidative and anti-oxidative status in AS patients.
• To correlate oxidative stress markers with disease activity indices.

Main Methods:

• Compared 44 AS patients with 46 healthy controls.
• Measured serum levels of advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione (GSH).
• Calculated Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Functional Index (BASFI).

Main Results:

• AS patients showed significantly higher levels of oxidant markers (AOPP, MDA) and lower levels of antioxidant markers (CAT, GPx, GSH) compared to controls (p<10^-6).
• AOPP levels positively correlated with BASDAI and BASFI scores (p<0.01).
• GPx activity negatively correlated with BASDAI and BASFI scores (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• AS patients present a condition of oxidative stress.
• Elevated OS markers and reduced antioxidant capacity suggest OS is implicated in AS pathogenesis and progression.