02254nas a2200229   4500000000100000008004100001653002100042653002400063653001200087653001000099653001800109100001800127700000800145700001300153700002200166245006500188856006400253300000800317490000700325050001900332520167300351       2013                            d10aOxidative Stress10aLipid perroxidation10aleprosy10aIndia10aFree Radicals1 aPrabhakar M C1 aD S1 aManasa N1 aUmamaheswar Rao O00aStatus of free radicals and antioxidants in leprosy patients  uhttp://www.ijl.org.in/oct-dec/2%20Prabhakar%20(5-9)%20f.pdf  a5-90 v85  aPRABHAKAR 20133 aOxidative stress is a condition associated with an increased rate of cellular damage induced by the oxygen
derived oxidants commonly known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are capable of damaging cellular
constituents generated in excess during the chronic, inflammatory, neurodegenerative disease process of
leprosy. Severe oxidative stress has been reported in leprosy patients because of malnutrition and poor
immunity. The decreased levels of SOD, glutathione and total antioxidant status in leprosy patients may
indicate a degradation of these antioxidant enzymes by free radicals during detoxification processes.
The subjects for this study comprises of Normal human volunteers (NHV, n= 20) and treated MB patients (MB,
n=20). The levels of lipid peroxidation products are increased in MB Patients (*P<0.001). SOD (**P<0.0001)
and glutathione levels (***P<0.0001) decreased in MB Patients in comparision with normal human
volunteers. The present study of estimation of antioxidants conclude that the free radical activity was
increased and the total antioxidant status was decreased in all MB patients, indicating that there was an
oxidative stress even after the treatment with MDT. The decreased levels of SOD, glutathione indicate a link
between oxidative stress and leprosy. Since the MB patients are unable to produce sufficient amount of
antioxidant to cope up with the increased oxidative stress in them. Providing nutritional supplementation
may present a novel approach for fast recovery. Administration of exogenous antioxidants like vitamin C,
tocopherols would prevent tissue damage and make the patient therapeutically benefited.