SOD1 and rheumatoid arthritis: These findings are in agreement with previous studiesthat have reported reductions in the activity of key antioxidant enzymes,such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CAT, along with decreased levelsin nonenzymatic antioxidants in inflamed articular tissues.,, This depletion of the antioxidantsystem reinforces the hypothesis that oxidative stress plays a centralrole in RA pathogenesis by contributing to cellular damage and amplifyingthe inflammatory process.