Wednesday, December 17, 2003

Antioxidant Status in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Role of Antioxidant Therapy

A study published in the International Journal of Clinical Chemistry and Applied Molecular Biology shows that the antioxidant defense mechanism is compromised in rheumatoid arthritis and suggests that concomitant supplementation of antioxidants is beneficial and should be advocated as part of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

- 2003/12/17

The study included 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were randomly divided into two subgroups of 20 each. One group received conventional treatment for 12 weeks and in the other group conventional treatment was supplemented with antioxidants for the same duration. Blood samples of controls and patients were collected at the time of presentation and analyzed for total thiols, glutathione, vitamin C and malondialdehyde (MDA-marker of oxidative stress). The investigations were repeated in the patients after 12 weeks. The blood concentrations of total thiols, glutathione and vitamin C were found to be significantly lower in rheumatoid arthritis patients as compared to healthy controls, while the concentrations of MDA were much higher. The post treatment concentrations of these antioxidants showed a statistically significant increase along with a decrease in the concentrations of MDA. The results suggest the necessity and benefit of therapeutic co- administration of antioxidants as part of the management of this disease.

SOURCE: International Journal of Clinical Chemistry and Applied Molecular Biology 2003 Dec; 338(1-2): 123-9.