THE STUDY OF BLOOD CATALASE, VITAMIN E, VITAMIN A LEVELS AND THEY RELATION TO SIGN OF DISEASES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) REFERRING TO RHEUMATOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER, SHARIATY HOSPITAL

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder with unknown aetiology. In recent years, a great number of studies have investigated the possible role of reactive oxygen species in the aetiology and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin A, and activities of catalase and sign of disease in sixty patients.

In this case-control study, sixty 18-75 year-old patients with rheumatoid arthritis and sixty healthy, sex age-matched controls were studied. Catalase activity was measured by determining the constant rate of hydrogen peroxide decomposition and specterophptometry. Vitamin E and vitamin A were determined using HPLC and reactive protein; rheumatoid factor values were determined with immunotorbidometry test. Haemoglobin content with Cyanomethemoglobin and ESR with westegren method was determined. Statistical analyses were carried out by the SPSS program (version 11.5) using unpaired student t-test for comparison of the two groups.

The plasma activity of catalase (p<0.001), concentration of vitamin E and vitamin A (p<0.01) were significantly lower in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in controls. There was a negative significant relation between C reactive protein, rheumatoid factor values and the plasma activity of catalase, concentration of vitamin E, and vitamin A, (p<0.05), Vitamin A with Vitamin E, Hb and Hct and Catalase with Hb, Hct and ESR. There was a negative significant relation between, concentration of vitamin E and morning stiffness, the number of swollen joints and disease duration (p<0.05).

These results suggested that oxidant stress plays a very important role in the inflammation and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.