Evaluation of dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Introduction: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary autoinflammatory disease that includes recurrent episodes of serosal inflammation, with accompanying fever. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis, marker of oxidative stress, is associated with an increase in inflammatory cytokines in many inflammatory diseases. The aim was to evaluate the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with FMF during attack free period. Material and method: In our study, 60 patients with FMF during attack free period, 60 patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) during inactive period and 60 age-and sex matched controls were included. Native thiol, total thiol and disulfide levels were measured by using the Erel and Neselioglu method. Result: Total thiol and disulfide levels were found to be significantly lower in FMF group compared to healthy controls. Native thiol levels were detected to be significantly higher in FMF group compared to AS group. However, no significant difference was observed in total thiol levels between FMF and AS group. Ratios obtained using plasma native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels differed significantly between the FMF, AS and the control groups. Conclusion: The lower thiol level of FMF group compared to AS and controls suggests that the thiol / disulfide balance is affected differently in diseases with different pathophysiology. Although the disease is in clinically inactive period, inflammation may continue at different levels in different rheumatic diseases