Serum total sialic acid, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione reductase levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Aim: The changes in the serum sialic acid levels, total lipid peroxidation products (MDA), and glutathione reductase activity were estimated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Serum Sialic acid is known as a parameter of inflammation.This work was undertaken to assess the potential role of sialic acid as well as oxidative stress and antioxidant status inpatients with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and methods: The levels of these parameters in serum were studied in 52 subjects with rheumatoid arthritis(study subjects) and 52 age and sex matched healthy subjects as controls. Serum total sialic acid levels were determined using the assay method described by Warren. Serum MDA was determined as the measure of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione reductase activity was measured in the serum by the method described by Goldberg DM. Results: It was observed that there was a significant increase in serum sialic acid, MDA levels, and glutathione reductase activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to controls. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest higher oxygen free radical production, evidenced by increased MDA 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. The results suggest the antioxidant activity of sialic acid in responseto the increased oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis.