Non-Enzymatic Antioxidants, Malondialdehyde, and Total Antioxidant Activity as Markers of Oxidative-Stress in Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Generation of reactive oxygen species is an important factor in the development and maintenance of Arthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in humans. This study was undertaken to investigate the interplay between antioxidants and pro-oxidants in pathogenesis of these conditions. Serum Ascorbate and Alpha-Tocopherol (Non-enzymatic antioxidants), Malondialdehyde (MDA, the major lipid peroxidation product), Total Antioxidant Activity (TAA) and Uric acid levels along with Rheumatoid Arthritic (RA) Factor were measured in 51 patients afflicted with Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis and results were compared with a group of 51 normal subjects. Mean serum levels of MDA and Uric acid were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.01) and that of Ascorbate and Alpha-Tocopherol were found to be significantly lower (p < 0.01) while the level of TAA was found to be not significantly lower (p = 0.05) as compared to normal subjects. Data suggests that the decreased levels of serum Ascorbate, Alpha-Tocopherol and TAA and elevated levels of serum MDA and Uric acid in Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis may be as a result of disruption of homeostatic balance between the entire gamut (range) of antioxidants and pro-oxidants causing an increase in oxidative burden, one of the many etiological causes of chronic Inflammation.