title: Status of oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the oxidative stress status in rheumatoid arthritis by measuring markers of free radical production, systemic activity of disease, free radical mediated tissue destruction and levels of antioxidant.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood samples were used for all the assays. Total nitric oxide (NO) was quantitatively measured using immunoassay kit. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and vitamin E were measured by spectrophotometric methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant changes were observed in the levels of MDA, vitamin E, total NO and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the patient group. Significant differences were also observed in ESR and vitamin E levels in patients with active disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased oxidative stress status exists, which may lead to connective tissue degradation leading to joint and periarticular deformities in rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, India. v_science2003@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Pallinti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vasanthi
authors.forename: Ganesan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nalini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rajasekhar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000097:blood; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D014810:Vitamin E; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde