Study of Oxidative Stress in Different Forms of Leprosy

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. India records the highest number of new leprosy cases in the world. Oxidative stress may play a significant role in leprosy. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate oxidative stress in various forms of leprosy and compared to healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy newly diagnosed, untreated leprosy patients were selected as cases and sixty healthy controls. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Student's unpaired t-test and Anova (Analysis of Variance) test were used for analysis of data. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in the mean values of serum MDA level, MDA/SOD and a decrease in serum SOD activity in cases when compared to controls and the values were significantly associated with increased duration, bacterial load and multibacillary type in leprosy. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that there was oxidative stress in leprosy. This warrants antioxidant supplementation to prevent tissue injury.