FREE RADICALS AND HYALURONIC ACID RELATIONSHIP IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND THE EFFECT

Abstract

Oxygen-derived free radicals (ODFRs) are important inflammatory mediators. Evidence of ODFRs contribute to rheumatoid disease , include changes in the activities of antioxidan compounds. In the present study, acute phase proteins concentrations; C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin, a.1- antitrypsin and a.1-acid glycoprotein were estimated as indicators for inflammation. Antioxidant activities, ferroxidase activity of caeruloplasmin and iron-binding of transferrin against organic oxygen radicals, iron-binding & iron-oxidising proteins, chain­ breaking substances and superoxide dismutase against inorganic oxygen radicals were measured as the protective response to tissue injury. Hyaluronic and uronic acids and mucin -clot test (polymerisation degree of hyaluronic acid) were also determined in the synovial fluid ofRA and OA patients. These parameters were measured in blood and synovial fluid of 4 groups ; normal subjects, OA and RA patients treated with non-steroidal anti­ inflanunatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroid drug in an attempt to explain the cause of inflammation which might account for disease activity of RA. Serum lilcrease of CRP, AGP and haptoglobin levels can serve as an indicator of increase RA disease activity. Corticosteroid treatment may suppress inflammation, where their effects include inhibition of lysosomal proteinase enzyme release, which indicated by lowering a.1- antitrypsin level in the steroid treated RA patients than in NSAIDs treated ones. The serum antioxidant activity against organic oxygen radicals was significantly higher in the OA and RA patients than that in the normal subjects.1his may be part of the inflammatory response of the body and may also involve