To estimate the levels of prooxidants (malonic dialdehyde-MDA and nitric oxide-NO), Zn, activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase--SOD and glutathione peroxidase--GPO) in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Pro- and antioxidant system was assessed in 45 RA patients and 32 SLE patients by content of MDA estimated by reaction with thiobarbituric acid, NO (Boehringer Manheim kits, Germany), Zn (Unicam SP 190/191, Great Britain), activity of SOD and GPO (kits Ransod, Ransel; Randox, Great Britain). RA activity was evaluated by DAS index, SLE--by SLEDAI.
MDA and NO concentrations were found elevated while SOD and GPO activity low in RA and SLE. The level of Zn was subnormal in RA. The activity of RA and SLE did not influence the above indices significantly.
RA and SLE patients have high levels of prooxidants (MDA and NO) whereas their antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPO) activity was low. This may promote oxidant stress.