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.