Elevated free radical generation in inflamed joints and impaired antioxidant system has been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Evidence suggests that exercise improves the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, although the mechanism is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance training on the glutathione antioxidant system and oxidative changes induced by rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

In this study, 30 Wistar laboratory rats with an average weight of 200-250 grams were randomly assigned into three groups: healthy control group(C), arthritis control (RA+C) and arthritis and endurance training group (RA+EX)(n=10). The training groups had trained the exercise program for 8 weeks by treadmill. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test at a significance level of 0.05.

The results showed, levels of malondialdehyde increased  by rheumatoid arthritis significantly, and endurance training prevented this response (P<0.05). Also, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were significantly decreased in the RA+C group compared to the RA+EX and C groups (P<0.05). In addition, the severity of rheumatoid arthritis clinical signs in RA+EX group was significantly lower than RA+C group (P<0.05).

Our findings suggest that endurance training may be useful in preventing the negative changes in glutathione antioxidant system and oxidative stress parameters related to rheumatoid arthritis.