RESPONSE OF FERRITIN TO OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

 Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been categorized as a disease of connective tissue and an autoimmune disease but was not, until recently recognized as a disease due to oxidative stress. Ferritin, an iron binding protein is involved in intracellular storage of iron pool, which play a central role in the maintenance of delicate intracellular iron balance. The ability of cells to induce rapid ferritin synthesis prevents the effect of free radical damages to cellular components. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the serum ferritin level and its response to oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis.                                                                                               Methods: The study group included 50 patients with RA and 50 age and sex matched healthy controls. The serum ferritin, albumin, hsCRP, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Vitamin C levels were estimated.                                                                                                                             Result: Serum ferritin, hsCRP, and MDA levels were found to be significantly increased in RA patients, whereas Vitamin C level was significantly decreased in RA patients when compared to controls.                                                                                                                              Conclusion: The study conclude that rise in serum ferritin, an acute phase reactant is due to inflammatory response to the rising oxidative stress in RA.

Key words: Rheumatoid arthritis, Ferritin, Malondialdehyde (MDA)