The Level Of Serum Oxidant-Antioxidant In Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, progressive and inflammatory disease of axial skeleton and peripheral joints. The increase of proinflammatory cytokines production in inflammatory diseases is associated with increased in oxidative stress mediators. The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of AS has not been fully explained. In our study we investigated oxidant and antioxidant level of AS patients and compared this level with disease activity and the effect of sulphasalazine treatment to this level. Thirty AS patients and age and sex matched 30 controls were included in our study. Malondialdehyde (MDA), xanthine oxidase (XO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO) erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) was calculated for AS patients. There was no statistically significant difference in age and sex between two groups. MDA levels and XO and SOD activities significantly higher in the patient group, while no significant differences were detected in NO values. Between inactive and active group, statistically significant difference between NO, MDA levels and XO, SOD activities were not detected. Only SOD activity in the inactive group is was significantly higher than control group. MDA levels and XO and SOD activities in the active group are significantly higher than the control group when NO values did not differ significantly. There was no correlation between Oxidant / antioxidant levels and disease activity criteria, ESR, CRP and BASDAI was found. Oxidant / antioxidant levels did not differ among patients who are taking or not taking sulphasalazine in the treatment. As a result of this study increase in oxidative stress were found in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. In this context, an effective antioxidant therapy which may reduce oxidative stress in patients with AS may be an additional treatment option.