Abstract
Objective The aim of the study was to estimate the impact of whole body cryotherapy (WBC) on oxidative stress when performed in a closed cryochamber on patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Material and methods The effect of ten WBC procedures lasting 3 minutes a day with a subsequent 60-minute session kinesiotherapy on oxidative stress in male AS patients (WBC group n = 16) was investigated. To assess the disease activity, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Diseases Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were calculated. The WBC group was compared to the kinesiotherapy only (KT; n = 16) group. The routine parameters of oxidative stress (antioxidant enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation products, total oxidative status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI)) were estimated one day before the beginning and one day after the completion of the research program. Results After the completion of the treatment in the WBC group, a significant decrease of oxidative stress markers (TOS and OSI) and a significant increase of total antioxidant status were observed. The erythrocyte activity of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase decreased significantly in both groups, but the differences of activity of that enzymes prior to post treatment values (Δ) in the KT group were significantly higher as compared to the WBC group. The activity of erythrocyte catalase and plasma ZnCu isoenzyme of superoxide dismutase showed a decreased tendency; erythrocyte total superoxide dismutase activity showed an increased tendency in the WBC group after the completion of the treatment. The BASDAI and BASFI decreased significantly in both groups, but the differences of value indexes prior to post treatment (Δ) were significantly higher in the WBC than KT group. Conclusion WBC performed in a closed cryochamber decreases oxidative stress and improves BASDAI and BASFI indexes in male patients during the active phase of ankylosing spondylitis.
Highlights
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, usually progressive inflammatory rheumatic disease with severe complications that include sacroiliitis, spondylodesis, peripheral arthritis, and a range of extra-articular manifestations, leading to impacts upon mobility and societal functioning [1]
whole body cryotherapy (WBC) performed in a closed cryochamber decreases oxidative stress and improves Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Diseases Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) indexes in male patients during the active phase of ankylosing spondylitis
The research involved a group of 32 nonsmoking male patients with ankylosing spondylitis who were divided randomly by a physician into two groups with an allocation ratio 1 : 1. The first group consisted of 16 AS patients exposed to whole-body cryotherapy procedures with subsequent kinesiotherapy (WBC group, mean age 46.63 ± 1.5 years)
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, usually progressive inflammatory rheumatic disease with severe complications that include sacroiliitis, spondylodesis, peripheral arthritis, and a range of extra-articular manifestations, leading to impacts upon mobility and societal functioning [1]. The pathogenesis of AS is still unknown, but lately it has been postulated that oxidative stress might be involved in the disease [2,3,4,5,6]. Oxidative stress can induce acute or chronic inflammation through the activation of multiple pathways. When oxidative stress appears as a primary disorder, inflammation develops as a secondary disorder and further enhances oxidative stress [7]. In addition to pharmacological treatment, physiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of AS patients.
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