Antioxidant status in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) living in Cairo, Egypt

The aim of this study was to examine both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antio xidant status in a select group of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthri tis (JRA), living in Cairo, Egypt. The plasma concentrations of albumin, ce ruloplasmin, vitamin C, vitamin E as well as erythrocyte superoxide dismuta se and whole blood glutathione peroxidase activities were all significantly decreased in the presence of JRA compared to those without JRA. Unlike the se antioxidant factors, vitamin A and its carrier (e.g. retinol binding pro tein), which have very little or no antioxidant property, remained unaffect ed by JRA. These results suggest that the children with JRA are subject to oxidative stress.