Serum glutathione peroxidase 1 levels associate with cardiometabolic comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Human glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) is an intracellular antioxidant enzyme that catalyzss the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides. GPx1main function is to protect cells from oxidative damage. Oxidative stress is clearly implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), characterised by increased reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and DNA damage. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between serum GPx1 levels and disease characteristics in patients with RA, with particular emphasis on cardiovascular comorbidity. METHODS: A total of 150 RA patients were recruited in this cross-sectional study. They underwent comprehensive evaluations, including disease-related characteristics and activity indices. Participants undertook comprehensive evaluations including complete lipid profiling, insulin resistance indices, metabolic syndrome criteria, SCORE2 (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation 2) cardiovascular risk estimation, and carotid ultrasound to assess subclinical atherosclerosis presence and arterial stiffness. Serum GPx1 levels were quantified. A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to examine the associations between the disease characteristics and GPx1. RESULTS: Serum GPX1 levels showed no association with RA disease characteristics, including acute-phase reactants and disease activity indices. However, after multivariable adjustment, metabolic syndrome and an atherogenic lipid profile were linked to higher serum GPx1 concentrations. The SCORE2 cardiovascular risk score also demonstrated a positive and significant association with elevated GPx1 levels. CONCLUSIONS: High values of serum GPx1is linked to the cardiometabolic features that frequently accompany RA.