Reduced blood glutathione and erythrocyte stability in osteoarthritis

Inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to function as primary degenerative mechanism in the development and progression of osteoarthritis. Oxidants can inactivate latent collagenase and potentiate the damage. In the present study an attempt was made to study the non-essential endogenous antioxidants like reduced glutathione (GSH) and uric acid levels. Reduced glutathione in R.B.C. levels decreased significantly (p= 0.011) in the osteoarthritic group. Plasma uric acid levels showed a tendency to increase, however remained statistically insignificant. Oxidative stress was studied by evaluating the percent hemolysis and the study group showed a significant increase (p= 0.001) when compared with the control group. There was a significant drop in the hemoglobin (Hb) level (p= 0.003) in the study group. Reduced levels of GSH allow peroxides to accumulate in RBC and hemolysis can occur due to their oxidative effect on the lipid RBC membrane, which may be one of the cause for the observed decrease in the erythrocyte stability reflected by the increase in the percent hemolysis and decrease in the Hb level.