A study of oxidative stress in paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy.

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.