Aerobic exercise improves oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

[Purpose] Although oxidative stress is known to be present in rheumatoid arthritis (RA),the effects of exercise on oxidative parameters are unknown. The aim of this study was toinvestigate the effects of acute aerobic exercise on serum oxidant and antioxidant levelsin patients with RA. [Subjects and Methods] Sixteen patients with RA and 10 age-matchedhealthy volunteers participated in this study. All participants wore polar telemeters andwalked on a treadmill for 30 minutes at a speed eliciting 60–75% of maximal heart rates.Blood samples were obtained before, immediately and 24 hours after exercise andmalondialdehyde (MDA) and total sulfhydrile group (RSH) levels were measured. [Results]Both groups had similar heart rates during the test but the treadmill speed of the RApatients was significantly lower than that of the healthy volunteers. Serum MDA levelswere lower than in both groups immediately after exercise, with greater decrements in theRA patients than controls. MDA levels returned to baseline 24 hours after the exerciseonly in the controls; they remained low in the RA patients. There was a slight increase inserum RSH levels after exercise compared to baseline in both groups. [Conclusion] Moderateintensity treadmill exercise did not have any adverse effect on the oxidant-antioxidantbalance. The results suggest that such an exercise may be safely added to therehabilitation program of RA for additional antioxidant effects. Morever, this antioxidantenvironment is maintained longer in RA patients.Key words: Aerobic exercise, Oxidative status, Rheumatoid arthritis