Antioxidants as antirheumatics.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated by activated leukocytes and during ischaemia-reperfusion damage, such as that which occurs in the joint during exercise. Activities of endogenous scavengers in the synovial fluid are insufficient to deal with this excessive oxidative stress. Therapy with naturally occurring antioxidants, however, has been disappointing. This is due predominantly to poor pharmacokinetics. Studies on traditional anti-rheumatic drugs and the actions of novel compounds suggest that targeting to the joint coupled with defined mechanisms of action may lead to the development of effective antioxidant antirheumatics.