Induction of Oxidative Stress in Skin and Lung of Infected BALB/C Mice with Iranian Strain of Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER)

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Leishmania major infection on the induction of oxidative stress in skin and lung of female mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control and experimental groups. The experimental groups were subcutaneously infected with inoculums promastigotes of L. major. The animals were sacrificed at 20, 40, 60, 90 and 120 days post-infection, and tissues were isolated and analyzed. RESULTS: Superoxide dismutase activity, percent of DNA fragmentation and superoxide anion production levels were increased in skin and lung of infected mice. Lung catalase activity and skin malondialdehyde level were also increased. The decreased glutathione level was observed in both tissues. The highest alteration in these parameters in both tissues was observed at 90 days post-infection. CONCLUSION: L. major infection induces the production of free radicals and oxidative stress in a time-dependent manner in mice skin and lung by depletion of glutathione and increasing lipid peroxidation. The elevated DNA fragmentation may be related with increased oxidative stress. The skin is more sensitive to the effects of L. major infection on oxidative stress induction compared to the lung.