What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore the connection between ecotoxins, oxidative stress, and autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis and pre-RA stages.

April 10, 2026Open Access

The Linkage Between Ecotoxins Within Maximum Permissible Concentrations, Oxidative Stress and Antibodies Against Cyclic Citrullinated Peptides in Patients and Persons at Preclinic Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Key Points

The study aims to explore the connection between ecotoxins, oxidative stress, and autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis and pre-RA stages.
Compared serum levels of oxidative stress markers and antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides
Included three cohorts: early RA, advanced RA, and pre-RA individuals, alongside a control group
Analyzed the relationship between ecotoxins and serum biomarker levels
Oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels were higher in pre-RA and early RA cohorts compared to controls
Significant correlations between anti-oxLDL antibodies and oxidative stress markers were observed across all cohorts
Findings suggest ecotoxin-induced oxidative stress may trigger pathogenic mechanisms in RA

Abstract

Environmental factors are suspected of triggering rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One such factor is oxidative stress (OS), which is a step in ecotoxin detoxification and a damaging factor. The linkage of ecotoxin-triggered OS with clinical and laboratory RA indices in patients and individuals at the pre-RA stage was studied in patients with early (e) (n = 35) and advanced (a) stages of RA (n = 25) and individuals at pre-RA stages (FDR-First-Degree Relative(s), pre-RA, n = 72) in comparison with 52 healthy individuals without autoimmune and immunoinflammatory diseases in their family history (Controls). Ecotoxins within permissible concentration limits were associated with serum levels of OS markers in all cohorts, including Controls. Serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) levels in pre-RA and eRA cohorts exceeded Control values. Significant differences were found in anti-oxLDL antibody correlations and OS markers. In pre-RA and both RA cohorts, a relationship was found with regards to serum antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) levels. Thus, ecotoxin-induced OS likely triggers pathogenic mechanisms at the pre-RA stage and RA onset.

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Cite This Study

Serdiuk et al. (Tue,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d8948f6c1944d70ce0588b https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073328

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