Importance of Antioxidants in Rheumatoid Arthritiss

Hadi Abdollahzad*

Faculty of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

*Corresponding author: Hadi Abdollahzad, Faculty of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

Received: April 21, 2016; Accepted: April 25, 2016; Published: April 26, 2016

Editorial

The exact cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is unknown. A hypothesis regarding the onset of the disease is exposure of genetically susceptible individuals to environmental factors. Subjects with HLA-DR, PADI4 and PTPN22 alleles are more prone to RA disease [1]. Environmental factors could trigger the disease in genetically predisposed people. Among the factors, smoking has a significant role in increasing the risk of RA especially in individuals with anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA positive). Some bacteria (E. coli, Streptococcus, Mycobacterium, Mycoplasma, and Helicobacter pylori) and viruses (Epstein-Barr, parovirus and rubella) might also involve in the disease [2].

In RA disease in addition to the inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), free radicals are also produced in excessive amounts which enhance the inflammatory pathways and interaction with host cells including chondrocytes, fibroblasts and osteoclasts [3-6]. Inflammatory responses are accompanied by generation of oxidant compounds via. inflammatory cells (neutrophils). Neutrophils in their plasma membrane have NADPH oxidase enzyme. With stimulation of the cells by bacteria and immune complexes, the enzyme produces a type of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) known as superoxide radicals ( $O_{2}^{-}$ ). The radicals induce reactions of other ROS production [7,8]. Following the commencement of immune responses, free radicals can also be produced by monocytes, macrophages and granulocytes. In patients with RA, monocytes generate oxygen radicals 2.7 times higher than in healthy subjects [9-12]. Electron transport during oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria is another origin of a type of ROS named to mtROS. Free radicals are consisted of not only ROS such as superoxide, peroxide and hydroxyl, but also include Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) [7,8].

Production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species is a physiological process of the body’s defense system against bacterial infections, but their incessant over expression leads to bone and cartilage destruction. Free radicals have the ability of attack to biological molecules including DNA, lipids, proteins and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL); they cause loss of cellular integrity through damaging to unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes, and functional changes in receptors and enzymes of the cells [13].

Antioxidant levels in synovial fluid and serum of RA patients is lower than healthy people; on the other hand, the continuous production of free radicals in inflamed joint gives rise to failure of antioxidant system (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) and further tissue damages [14]. ROS in particular mtROS trigger the expression of inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α through MAPK pathway [15]. It could be said that disease progression to some extent is due to increase in production of ROS and decrease in body’s ability to scavenge them. Observed metabolites caused by free radicals in the synovial fluid of patients with RA are also confirming the above statements [9-12]. One of the metabolites of lipid peroxidation being increased in the serum and synovial fluid of RA patients is Malondialdehyde (MDA) [12].

Concentration of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), vitamin C, betacarotene, and selenium and zinc antioxidants is lower in serum of RA patients compared to healthy individuals. Some studies have shown that consumption of the antioxidants have protective effects against tissue damage and may lead to clinical improvement in these patients [12,14]. Antioxidant compounds reduce inflammation by exertion their effects on the transcription factor of NF-κB, in RA patients [14]. Recently in our studies coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀), a fat soluble antioxidant, showed a decreasing effect on serum MDA and proinflammatory cytokine of TNF-α [16]; it also improved the serum LDL concentration in RA patients [17].

Measurement of Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) can be used to evaluate the antioxidant status in serum. Decreased TAC indirectly reflects the increased activity of free radicals. Antioxidant defense system in RA patients encounters reduced levels of TAC and antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) and increased production of MDA. RA patients in our researches in comparison with healthy subjects, had a lower serum concentration of TAC and higher of MDA. One reason for this situation could be low intake of food antioxidants; as we found that dietary intake of zinc, vitamin C and E was lower than the recommended amounts in RA patients. Since the mentioned scavengers are a part of the TAC, their deficiency could increase lipid peroxidation.

Other studies have also shown that in people with RA dietary intake of micronutrients with antioxidant properties such as zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A and beta-carotene was low [18- 21]. Loss of appetite and reduce the absorption and metabolism of dietary micronutrients would influence food intakes by patients with RA. The inability in food preparation and elimination of some foods owing to imaginary regimes might be other reasons for malnutrition in these patients [20,22]. Therefore, a review in diet of RA patients is necessary, and a nutritional education program that emphasizes the consumption of food sources of antioxidants would be helpful.

Importance of Antioxidants in Rheumatoid Arthritiss

Editorial

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