01277nas a2200229   4500000000100000008004100001260001800042653001200060653002200072653001100094653001700105100001700122700001500139700001500154700001500169700001600184245008700200300001200287490000700299520072700306022001401033       2013                            d  c2013 Sept-Oct10aleprosy10aCellulair dammage10aBrazil10aAntioxidants1 aSchalcher TR1 aVieira JLF1 aSalgado CG1 aBorges RDS1 aMonteiro MC00aAntioxidant factors, nitric oxide levels, and cellular damage in leprosy patients.  a645-6490 v463 aIntroduction The immune response caused by Mycobacterium leprae is a risk factor for the development of oxidative stress (OS) in leprosy patients. This study aimed to assess OS in leprosy patients before the use of a multidrug therapy. Methods We evaluated the nitric oxide (NO) concentration; antioxidant capacity; levels of malondialdehyde, methemoglobin and reduced glutathione; and the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in leprosy patients. Results We observed lower SOD activity in these leprosy patients; however, the NO levels and antioxidant capacity were increased. Conclusions The infectious process in response to M. leprae could primarily be responsible for the OS observed in these patients.  a1678-9849