Abstract
Although oxidative stress is considered to be one of the key pathogenic factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there is insufficient knowledge regarding the impact of menopause on redox status in this population. Thus, this study is aimed at assessing the influence of menopause within healthy women and within RA patients as well as the impact of RA in premenopausal and postmenopausal women on redox status, with special reference to bone mineral density (BMD). A total of 90 women were included in the study, 42 with RA and 48 age-matched healthy controls. They were divided into subgroups according to the presence of menopause. Following oxidative stress parameters were measured spectrophotometrically: index of lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS), nitrites (NO2−), superoxide anion radical (O2−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH). BMD was assessed by using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner. Comorbidities and drug history were recorded. The levels of H2O2 and TBARS were elevated in patients with RA, while NO2− and O2− increased in healthy women, both in premenopausal and postmenopausal groups. SOD activity decreased in postmenopausal RA patients. BMD was reduced in postmenopausal RA women. There was a correlation between NO2− and O2− with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) index in RA patients. Given that postmenopausal state was associated with elevated oxidative stress within healthy women and that menopausal state did not affect redox homeostasis within RA patients, but the redox homeostasis was altered in both RA groups compared to healthy women, it can be presumed that impaired redox status in RA occurred due to presence of the disease, irrespective of age. Moreover, menopause attenuates BMD reduction in women with RA. These results may indicate the need for therapeutic use of antioxidants in the form of supplements in women with RA, regardless of age.
Highlights
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, and autoimmune disease, causing synovitis and destructive arthritis with progressive cartilage and joint damage
Given that postmenopausal state was associated with elevated oxidative stress within healthy women and that menopausal state did not affect redox homeostasis within rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, but the redox homeostasis was altered in both RA groups compared to healthy women, it can be presumed that impaired redox status in RA occurred due to presence of the disease, irrespective of age
The levels of CRP, ESR, and fibrinogen were lower in PreM controls compared to PostM women in the control group, but the difference ceased to exist in the RA group, with the highest values in the PreM RA group (Table 1) [11]
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, and autoimmune disease, causing synovitis and destructive arthritis with progressive cartilage and joint damage. These local signs are accompanied by out-of-joint manifestations including a strong systemic inflammatory response with accelerated development of atherosclerosis, disabilities, shortened life expectancy, and as such represent a significant. In people over 75 years of age, the incidence becomes either equal or higher in male population. Female subjects experience a higher activity of RA in comparison with male patients [8]. Patients with RA have an increased rate of morbidity and a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypercoagulability, and increased risk of developing fatal cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure [9,10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
