Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) is a multifactorial chronic disorder with unknown causes. A possible cause is the imbalance of oxidative stress throughout the body. The levels of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasma glutathione (GSH) were used to determine the oxidative status. The levels of MDA were not significantly different between the severities of the disease. Plasma glutathione levels were reduced greatly within patients who had moderate and severe SLE. There was a significant correlation between plasma GSH and the severities of SLE.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed