Protection against superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in synovial fluid from rheumatoid patients.

1. On exposure of synovial fluid to superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, generated enzymically or by activated polymorphonuclear leucocytes, hyaluronic acid is depolymerized and the fluid loses its lubricating properties. The ability of synovial fluid from rheumatoid patients to scavenge superoxide and hydrogen peroxide was therefore examined. 2. Synovial fluid from a range of rheumatoid patients contained no superoxide dismutase activity, insufficient caeruloplasmin to scavenge any superoxide radical and little, if any, catalase activity. 3. Total ascorbate (reduced ascorbate + dehydroascorbate) concentrations in the plasma and synovial fluid of rheumatoid patients were similar in each case. The values are at the low end of the normal range. 4. These results are discussed in relation to the role of oxygen radicals in inflammatory joint disease.