Evaluation of oxidant and anti-oxidant balance in Behcet's disease and its correlation with disease activity

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a multi-system, progressive disease which usually presents with oral aphthous and genital ulcers. It may involve other organs such as the eyes, joints, nervous and vascular systems. Although the origin of BD is unknown, it is proposed that immunological, viral, and toxic factors are responsible. The current study evaluated the oxidant/antioxidant balance (redox index) in Behcet’s disease and its correlation with disease activity. Thirty BD patients were enrolled in the study based on International Study Group (ISG 1992) criteria. An age- and gender-matched control group was selected from healthy hospital staff. In this study, 3, 3, 5, 5 tetramethylbenzene (TMB) was used to determine oxidant/antioxidant balance. In the first enzymatic reaction, TBM was oxidized to a colorful cation. In the second chemical reaction, the colorful cation was regenerated to a colorless substance. In such way, the redox index was achieved. The redox index was significantly higher in the BD group than in the healthy group (P=0.0140). The mean redox index varied significantly in different levels of disease activity and was higher in patients with a severe case in comparison with those with a moderate form (P=0.038). There was a positive correlation between disease activity and redox index (r=0.450; P=0.013). A positive correlation was observed between the redox index and the WBC count in patients (P=0.033). The findings of this study demonstrate the presence of oxidative stress in BD, and the severity of BD has a moderately positive correlation with the redox index.