Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The changes in the erythrocyte lipid peroxidation products (MDA), levels of glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid and plasma vitamin E (non enzymatic antioxidant parameters) and activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GP_X), catalase in erythrocytes and plasma glutathione - S - transferase (GST) activity were estimated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This work was undertaken to assess oxidative stress and anti oxidant status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It was observed that there was a significant increase in erythrocyte MDA levels, activities of SOD, GP_X, plasma GST and a significant decrease in erythrocyte GSH, ascorbic acid, plasma vitamin E levels and catalse activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis when compared to controls. The results of our study suggests higher oxygen free radical production, evidenced by increased MDA and decreased GSH, ascorbic acid, vitamin E and Catalase activity, support to the oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis. The increased activities of antioxidant enzymes may be a compensatory regulation in response to increased oxidative stress.     

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients

The main objective of the study was to assess the oxidative stress in plasma and erythrocytes of rheumatoid arthritis patients by measuring the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin E, C and reduced glutathione) and enzymatic antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx)]. This study has been conducted on twenty-two adult female rheumatoid arthritis patients and an equal number of healthy subjects. Elevated lipid peroxidation and multidirectional changes in the antioxidant defence system were noticed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The enhanced lipid peroxidation accompanied by disturbance in antioxidant status indicates that rheumatoid arthritis patients are more prone to free radical mediated oxidative damage.     

Effect of green tea extract and vitamin C on oxidant or antioxidant status of rheumatoid arthritis rat model

Elevated free radical generation in inflamed joints and impaired antioxidant system has been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Green tea extracts (GTE) have been shown to reduce inflammation in inflammatory arthritis murine model. This study investigates possible mechanisms by which vitamin C and GTE protect joints in RA rat model. This study included forty adult male rats that were divided into four groups (10 rats each); control group, collagen II induced RA group (CII), CII treated with vitamin C (CII + Vit C) and CII treated with GTE (CII + GTE) in physiology laboratory, Assiut University, Egypt. After 45 days of treatment, plasma levels of lipid peroxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), ceruloplasmin (CP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), uric acid (UA) and glutathione (GSH) were detected using colorimetric methods, PGE₂ using ELISA and copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) using spectrometer. In CII group, levels of LPO, NO, PGE₂, UA, CP, Cu were higher while SOD, GSH, Zn were lower than controls. In groups treated with vitamin C and GTE, levels of SOD, GSH were increased while levels of LPO, NO, PGE₂, Cu, CP were decreased compared with CII group. Levels of UA were decreased and Zn increased in GTE treated group compared with CII group. GTE treated group showed higher Zn and low Cu levels compared with vitamin C treated group. This study suggests proper GTE and vitamin C intake may effectively normalize the impaired oxidant/antioxidant system and delaying complication of RA.     

Uric acid as one of the important factors in multifactorial disorders--facts and controversies

With considering serum concentration of the uric acid in humans we are observing hyperuricemia and possible gout development. Many epidemiological studies have shown the relationship between the uric acid and different disorders such are obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension and coronary artery disease. Clinicians and investigators recognized serum uric acid concentration as very important diagnostic and prognostic factor of many multifactorial disorders. This review presented few clinical conditions which are not directly related to uric acid, but the concentrations of uric acid might have a great impact in observing, monitoring, prognosis and therapy of such disorders. Uric acid is recognized as a marker of oxidative stress. Production of the uric acid includes enzyme xanthine oxidase which is involved in producing of radical-oxigen species (ROS). As by-products ROS have a significant role in the increased vascular oxidative stress and might be involved in atherogenesis. Uric acid may inhibit endothelial function by inhibition of nitric oxide-function under conditions of oxidative stress. Down regulation of nitric oxide and induction of endothelial dysfunction might also be involved in pathogenesis of hypertension. The most important and well evidenced is possible predictive role of uric acid in predicting short-term outcome (mortality) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and stroke. Nephrolithiasis of uric acid origin is significantly more common among patients with the metabolic syndrome and obesity. On contrary to this, uric acid also acts is an "antioxidant", a free radical scavenger and a chelator of transitional metal ions which are converted to poorly reactive forms.     

Oxidative stress, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione status in schizophrenics

A disturbance in the antioxidant defense system including α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and reduced glutahtione metabolism due to free radical induced oxidative injury has been implicated in various neuro-psychiatric disorders. The roles of these antioxidants, changes in their blood levels and correlation with oxidative stress were studied in a common psychiatric illness Schizophrenia. Fifty-eight subjects of either sex ranging in age from 18–60 years divided into two age groups (≤40 and >40 years) diagnosed for schizophrenia, and forty age and sex-matched normal subjects as controls were included in the study. Blood samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), α-tocopherol, total ascorbic acid (TAA), dehydro ascorbic acid (DHAA), reduced ascorbic acid (RAA), leucocyte ascorbic acid (LAA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). A decrease in the levels of α-tocopherol, total ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione was found in schizophrenics compared to normal controls. Further a significant rise in oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant status was observed in the chronic stage of schizophrenia as compared to those in acute condition. A significant rise in dehydroascorbic acid with concomitant fall in reduced ascorbic acid suggests scavenging action of ascorbic acid and its utilization with increased oxidative stress as indicated by high blood malondialdehyde levels. Leucocyte ascorbic acid, a better index of ascorbic acid status was also found to be reduced in schizophrenics, suggesting depletion of body stores of ascorbic acid and the condition worsened with advancing age.     

Pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant status in patients of sickle cell anaemia

The role of oxidant damage to red cells in sickle cell anaemia has been of interest in recent years. Although, available reports suggest that sickle cell erythrocytes are susceptible to endogenous free radical mediated oxidant damage there remains discrepancy in the status of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant vitamins in these patients. In view of this, 107 cases of sickle cell anaemia (36 ‘SS’ and 71 ‘AS’ pattern—as confirmed by haemoglobin electrophoresis) were subjected to analysis of malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase and albumin. The results were compared with 54 age and sex matched healthy controls. The results indicate a marked increase in lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase levels in both ‘SS’ and ‘AS’ types of sickle cell anaemia as compared to controls. Although no difference was observed in the levels of albumin in these groups the levels of ascorbic acid were significantly depleted in sickle cell anaemia patients. The results are indicative of enhanced lipid peroxidation along with imbalance in the pro-oxidant and antioxidant status in patients of sickle cell anaemia.     

Altered pattern of lipids in plasma and erythrocyte membranes of rheumatoid arthritis patients

The present study has investigated the levels of lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL and LDL cholesterol), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and vitamin E in plasma and erythrocyte membranes of twenty two clinically diagnosed adult rheumatoid arthritis patients and an equal number of age matched healthy subjects. The levels of lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol were markedly reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as compared to healthy subjects. The altered lipid pattern may be related to decreased lipoprotein cholesterol, fatty acids and impairment in antioxidant defence mechanism.     

Oxidative stress and calcium-phosphorus levels in Rheumatoid arthritis

Generation of reactive oxygen species is an important factor in the development and maintenance of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in humans. This study was undertaken to investigate interplay among oxidants, antioxidants and pathogenesis of Rheumatoid arthritis. Serum levels of lipid peroxides, nitric oxide, vitamin E and ratio of calcium/phosphorus in RA patients were determined and compared with normal healthy controls. Significant increases in lipid peroxides (p<0.001) and nitric oxide (p<0.001) levels were found in patients presenting with RA as compared to controls. Whereas significant decrease in vitamin E (P<0.001) and calcium/phosphorus ratio (p<0.001) were found in Rheumatoid arthritis patients as compared to controls. Positive correlation was found between lipid peroxides and nitric oxide as well as between vitamin E and calcium. While lipid peroxides and nitric oxide were correlated negatively with vitamin E. whereas negative correlation was observed between MDA and Calcium/Phosphorus ratio in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Our findings suggest that there is a close association between bone loss and oxidative threat in patients presenting with Rheumatoid arthritis.     

Oxidant and antioxidant status in vegetarians and fish eaters

An adequate antioxidant reserve which is usually present in a vegetarian diet is associated with higher life expectancy. On the other hand habitual consumption of fish is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular diseases which is attributed to the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) present in it. However the PUFA are readily susceptible to oxidation leading to the formation of free radicals which is known to be involved in the causation of several diseases. The oxidant-antioxidant status of 23 vegetarians and 22 fish eaters was studied by determining the plasma lipid peroxides measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) and the antioxidants, viz. glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid, ceruloplasmin and uric acid. Results show that the ascorbic acid values were significantly higher in vegetarians. In addition, MDA correlated negatively with ascorbic acid only in vegetarians. However, correlation of MDA with glutathione showed a significant negative correlation only in fish eaters. There was no statistically significant difference in the MDA, GSH, ceruloplasmin and uric acid levels. The mechanism behind these findings are not clear and needs to be explored.     

A comparative study on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in ischemic stroke patients with and without diabetes

The study was conducted to find out the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in ischemic stroke patients (ISPs) with and without diabetes. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was studied as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Glutathione (GSH), uric acid and ceruloplasmin were estimated to study the antioxidant potential of ISPs. Significantly higher levels of MDA were found in both the groups of ISPs and the increase in MDA was more in ISPs without diabetes. GSH levels were decreased significantly in both the groups of ISPs and maximum decline was found in ISPs with diabetes. Uric acid levels were significantly increased in both the groups of ISPs. Ceruloplasmin levels were increased significantly in ISPs without diabetes, whereas its levels were slightly decreased in ISPs with diabetes. A negative correlation was found between MDA and the antioxidants GSH, uric acid and ceruloplasmin in ISPs with diabetes. This study suggests that there is an association between ischemic stroke and increased oxidative stress and the antioxidant potential is impaired in both the groups of ISPs with and without diabetes.     

Oxidative Stress-Induced Response of Some Endogenous Antioxidants in Schizophrenia

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed in various metabolic reactions cause unlimited damage by attacking and oxidizing the macromolecules. An arsenal of antioxidant substances neutralizes these ROS at various sites of their metabolic cascade, and if disequilibrium exists between the pro and antioxidant system, oxidative stress persists. The present study was undertaken in schizophrenia, to highlight the response and role of some endogenous antioxidants viz. reduced glutathione (GSH), bilirubin, total proteins, albumin and uric acid in scavenging the ROS. The effect of severity of disease, age factor, and substance abuse was also studied. In all, 50 schizophrenics and 50 age and sex-matched controls were enrolled in the present study. Fasting blood samples were drawn for estimating malondialdehyde (MDA), GSH, bilirubin, total proteins, albumin and uric acid in both the groups. The results were statistically analyzed by Z-test and correlated using correlation coefficient (r). The study shows reduction in MDA levels and decline in the level of endogenous antioxidants, but within the normal range. Chronic schizophrenics were at a higher risk of oxidative stress and age and substance abuse seems to worsen the situation.     

Role of reactive oxygen species in pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is the common chronic disorder characterized by alteration of permeability of the glomerular capillary wall, resulting in its inability to restrict the urinary loss of proteins. Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia associated with peripheral edema. The molecular basis of glomerular permselectivity remains largely unknown. In recent years it has been proposed that Nephrotic syndrome is a consequence of an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant activity. The present study was aimed to test that the reactive oxygen species are the mediators of excessive protein permeability and other complications of Nephrotic syndrome. For this 30 adults with Nephrotic syndrome were studied. The control group comprised 30 healthy adults matched for age. Serum levels of lipid peroxides, nitric oxide (NO⊙), α- tocopherol, ascorbic acid, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, serum albumin, uric acid, cholesterol and plasma total antioxidant capacity were measured. Student’s ‘t’ test was applied for statistical analysis. There was a significant increase in lipid peroxide (1.58 ± 0.42 in controls, 3.64 ±1.3 in patients) (P<0.001) levels in study group as compared with controls. α-tocopherol (12.95 ± 1.04 in controls, 9.93 ± 1.43 in patients) (P<0.001), erythrocyte SOD activity(1.88 ± 0.9 in controls 1.07 ± 0.5 in patients) (P=0.01), serum albumin(4.06 ± 0.50 in controls, 3.04 ± 0.11 in patients) (P<0.001), and plasma total antioxidant capacity (847.33 ± 126.83 in controls, 684.00±102.94 in patients) (P<0.001) were significantly decreased. There was non-significant increase in uric acid (P>0.05), a non-significant decrease in NO⊙ (38.48 ± 15.47 in controls 37.47 ± 14.27 in patients) (P>0.05) and ascorbic acid levels ascorbic acid,( 0.95 ± 0.31in controls 0.79 ± 0.30 in patients) (P>0.05) in study group as compared with controls. Imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants may contribute to pathogenesis of proteinuria and related complications in nephrotic syndrome.     

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients

Hemodialysis represents a chronic stress status for its recipients. Many hypotheses state that this may be associated with oxidative stress. Thus, there may be deficiency of antioxidants like erythrocytic superoxide dismutase, catalase, vitamin E or increased generation of free radicals like superoxide anions. A study was carried out to investigate oxidant and antioxidant status in chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis and effect of vitamin E supplementation on these two status. Blood samples were collected from patients before and after hemodialysis and from controls. The samples were analyzed for quantitation of MDA as index of lipid peroxide, nitric oxide, vitamin E, vitamin C and enzymatic antioxidants namely erythrocyte SOD and catalase. As compared to controls, the levels of serum MDA were significantly increased and activities of erythrocyte SOD and catalase, levels of serum nitric oxide, serum vitamin E and plasma vitamin C were significantly decreased both before and after hemodialysis. The efficiency of vitamin E therapy in hemodialysis patients was assessed by re-evaluating oxidant and antioxidant status of same patients after supplementation of vitamin E. Vitamin E supplementation caused decrease in serum MDA and increase in levels of serum nitric oxide, vitamin E, vitamin C and activities of erythrocytic SOD and catalase. Our results suggest the presence of oxidative stress and the possible preventive role of vitamin E therapy in hemodialysis patients.     

Evidence for oxidative stress in osteoarthritis

Evidence of increased oxidative stress in patients of osteoarthritis in comparison with healthy control subjects was investigated by measuring the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), vitamin C, reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in erythrocytes. It was observed that osteoarthritis patients were more susceptible to oxidative damage than controls as evident from increased TBARS and decreased ascorbic acid, GSH, catalase and GPx in erythrocytes. Significant increase in SOD activity found in patients might be an adaptive response. With the understanding of the role of antioxidants in arthritis, it is becoming increasingly clear that these agents seem to be beneficial in osteoarthritis.     

Alteration in some antioxidant enzymes in cardiac tissue upon monosodium glutamate [MSG] administration to adult male mice

4mg and 8mg monosodium glutamate per gram body weight was administered subcutaneously for 6 consecutive days to normal adult male mice and its effect was seen on 31^st day after the last injection on some antioxidant enzymes in heart. A significant dose dependent increase in lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase level was observed, whereas the activity of free radical scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase was decreased in both monosodium glutamate treated groups (Group-2 and Group-3). So, the present work suggested that monosodium glutamate at dose level of 4mg/g body weight and above induced oxidative stress in the cardiac tissue by changing the activity of free radical initiating enzyme such as xanthine oxidase and scavenging enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase.     

Correlation between Apgar score and urinary uric acid to creatinine ratio in perinatal asphyxia

A randomized case control hospital based study was conducted over 12 months time on 31 asphyxiated and 31 normal newborn to see whether urinary uric acid can be used as a marker of perinatal asphyxia and can be correlated with the clinical diagnosis by Apgar score. Uric acid and creatinine were estimated in spot urine within 24 hours after birth in both cases and controls. A ratio between concentrations of uric acid to creatinine was estimated and compared between cases and controls. It was found that the ratios were significantly higher in cases than controls (3.1± 1.3 vs 0.96± 0.54; P < 0.001) and among asphyxia patients, a significant negative linear correlation was found between the uric acid to creatinine ratio and the Apgar score (r = −0.857, P < 0.001). So urinary uric acid to creatinine ratio can be used as an additional non-invasive dispace, easy and at the same time early biochemical marker of birth asphyxia which biochemically supports the clinical diagnosis and severity grading of asphyxia by Apgar score.     

A clinical study on cortisol and certain metabolites in some chronic psychosomatic disorders

Present clinical study involved two groups of psychosomatic disorders, bronchial asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. In the study, the levels of plasma cortisol, blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides were estimated in 125 clinical subjects, (50 normal controls, and 40 having bronchial asthma and 35 suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed a significant change in the levels of plasma cortisol and blood glucose in both the stressed clinical groups' vis-à-vis normal controls. The levels of atherogenic lipids (total cholesterol and triglycerides) were found quite elevated in both the diseased groups. However, in rheumatoid arthritis, the physiological changes were relatively more pronounced. The findings of this study indicate that rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively more chronic and late onset disorder as the functional performance of hypothalamopituitary-adrenocortical axis gradually declines with passage of time and the ability of the adrenocortical response to return to normalcy becomes impaired.     

Effect of type II collagen treatment on the antioxidant status in immune tissues of adjuvant induced arthritic rats

Adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) is a model widely used to study Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, lipid peroxides level in spleen and thymus of AIA rats was observed to be significantly high compared to normal rats. A significant decrease in ascorbic acid (ASA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) was also observed in spleen and thymus of AIA rats compared to normal rats. There was also a steady increase in the circulating immune complex level (CIC) throughout the experimental period in serum of AIA rats. In the present investigation, it was decided to study the effect of pre and post treatment with TYPE II collagen on the antioxidant status and the circulating immune complex level in AIA rats. The results from the present work indicates that the pretreatment with TYPE II collagen was effective in bringing significant changes on all the parameters studied in AIA rats. The post treatment with TYPE II collagen was effective in bringing significant changes on the CIC immune complex level and GSH content in the thymus tissue of AIA rats. The present work suggests that the pre treatment with TYPE II collagen was more effective in suppressing the disease than the post treatment.     

C-Reactive Protein and Uric Acid Levels in Patients with Psoriasis

Serum CRP and uric acid levels were estimated in twenty-five patients with psoriasis (group III) before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results were compared with a group of 25 normal subjects (group I) and a group of 25 patients of various skin diseases other than psoriatic lesion (group II). Mean value for CRP was found to be increased by more than 20 folds in patients with psoriasis, which was subsequently reduced to nearly 50% of the initial value after 12 weeks of treatment. These patients also showed hyperuricemia. Nearly 25% of these patients also exhibited arthritis. It is thus suggested that both CRP and uric acid levels should be monitored in patients with psoriasis.     

Effect of vitamin E on platelet enzymatic anti-oxidants in the patients of myocardial infarction

Effect of administration of 600 mg. vitamin E each day, for six days, was observed on activity of some of the anti-oxidant enzymes and levels of malondialdehyde (as an index of free radical mediated damage) in the platelets of patients reperfused after myocardial infarction. It has been found that vitamin E administration significantly lowers the level of malondialdehyde in the patients. Vitamin E administration increases the activities of anti oxidant enzymes (viz. superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and catalase) tested both in the patients and healthy controls. Vitamin E administration causes general stimulation of anti-oxidant enzyme activities both in healthy persons and the patients, however, lowering of lipid per-oxidation upon administration of vitamin E is specific for patients. These findings exhibit beneficial role of vitamin E administration in the management of the patients reperfused after myocardial infarction.