A Study of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Levels in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), a joint disease, is progressive and also degenerative. This has been one of the primary causes of morbidity in elderly population, affecting their social functioning and mental health due to the pain associated with degeneration. An increase in the levels of oxidative stress is associated with the degeneration of articular cartilage and promotes the progression of the disease.

Our study was designed to evaluate the amount of oxidative stress in osteoarthritis, by quantifying the levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant (enzymatic-Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and non-enzymatic-Vitamin C and Vitamin E) levels. Correlation between lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidants was also done along with the above said.

A total of 100 subjects were included in the study and were divided into two groups. The first group comprised of 50 patients who had been confirmed with osteoarthritis after clinical and radiological examinations. Another 50 subjects who were age and sex matched controls, formed the other group. Statistical analysis was done using Student's t test and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for correlations.

A significant (p<0.001) increase in the serum MDA levels and a significant (p<0.001) decrease in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants was observed when compared with the normal controls.

There is an increased level of oxidative stress observed in patients with osteoarthritis, which is indicated by the increased MDA levels and the decreased antioxidant levels. Thus, these findings cite the biochemical rationale for performing clinical trials of antioxidants, in an attempt prevent and treat osteoarthritis.