Antioxidant factors, nitric oxide levels, and cellular damage in leprosy patients

Introduction: 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.