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A study of oxidative stress in paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy
P Jyothi1, Najeeba Riyaz, G Nandakumar
1CHC, Iriveri, Kannur, India. drjyothip02@yahoo.com
Background:
The study and assessment of oxidative stress plays a significant role in the arena of leprosy treatment. Once the presence of oxidative stress is proved, antioxidant supplements can be provided to reduce tissue injury and deformity.
Aim:
To study oxidative stress in paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB) leprosy and to compare it with that in a control group.
Methods:
Fifty-eight untreated leprosy patients (23 PB and 35 MB cases) were studied and compared with 58 healthy controls. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level as a measure of antioxidant status; malondialdehyde (MDA)level, an indicator of lipid peroxidation; and MDA/SOD ratio, an index of oxidative stress were estimated in the serum.
Results:
The SOD level was decreased in leprosy patients, especially in MB leprosy. The MDA level was increased in PB and MB leprosy. The MDA/SOD ratio was significantly elevated in MB patients. There was a steady increase in this ratio along the spectrum from tuberculoid to lepromatous leprosy (LL).
Conclusion:
There is increased oxidative stress in MB leprosy, especially in LL. This warrants antioxidant supplements to prevent tissue injury.
