Lipid peroxidation and trace elements in systemic sclerosis

Oxidative stress appears to be important in the causation and perpetuation of tissue injury and fibrosis in systemic sclerosis or scleroderma (SSc). We conducted a case-control study to assess lipid peroxidation levels as determined by measuring fasting plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum levels of the trace elements selenium, iron, zinc and copper in SSc. Plasma MDA levels were almost tenfold higher in patients than in controls (p=0.00007), and an inverse relationship between MDA levels and disease duration (r=–0.52, p=0.044) was observed. Selenium levels were lower in patients than in controls (p=0.012). Within the patient cohort, copper correlated inversely with the total skin score (r=–0.52, p=0.03). Our findings provide further evidence that lipid peroxidation is increased and antioxidant capacity is reduced in SSc. The gradual decline in MDA levels with time suggests that antioxidant therapy, if to be useful in SSc, is most likely to be effective early in the course of the disease.