Sciences
Running title: Total antioxidant power levels in SScKey words: systemic sclerosis, oxidative stress, total antioxidant power, biomarker Methods: Serum TAP levels were examined in 49 patients with SSc by colorimetric microplate assay. The assay measures the total abilities for reducing Cu++ into Cu+.Clinical evaluation including medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests were conducted for all SSc patients.Results: Serum TAP levels were significantly elevated in SSc patients compared to normal controls (p<0.01). When values higher than the mean + 2SD of the control serum samples were considered to be elevated, TAP levels were elevated in 24% of total SSc patients with 26% of diffuse cutaneous SSc patients and 23% of limited cutaneous SSc patients. Serum TAP levels were correlated positively with C-reacting protein (r=0.35, p<0.05). However, no other significant correlation was observed between serum TAP levels and clinical features in SSc patients.
Conclusion:These results suggested that oxidative stress is enhanced in SSc patients and serum TAP levels increase as an indicator of the global response to oxidative stress.