ABSTRACT
Background: Leprosy is an old, dreaded infectious disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy still continues to be a significant public health problem in few countries including India. Oxidative stress caused by derangement in the balance between ROS and natural antioxidants plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of leprosy. Hence this study attempts to assess the oxidative stress and antioxidant status in terms of Nitric oxide and uric acid.Methods: A case control observational study was carried out in100 untreated leprosy patients and compared with 50 healthy controls. Leprosy patients were divided as paucibacillary and multibacillary. Serum Nitric oxide and uric acid levels were estimated in both groups to find out correlation of Nitric Oxide with uric acid.Results: There was a significant rise in serum NO in both PB and MB leprosy as compared to controls. The uric acid level was significantly decreased in both PB and MB leprosy patients as compared to controls.Conclusions: Elevated NO levels indicate oxidative stress in leprosy patients, denoting its crucial involvement in the pathogenesis and nerve damage in leprosy. Low uric acid indicates decrease defence of antioxidants in leprosy.
ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is progressively increasing in younger and adult population in India. It is a medical problem that increases risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers. One of the causes of dyslipidaemia is obesity. High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), is a marker of systemic inflammation and a predictor of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Hence it is important to check the relationship of hs-CRP with lipid profiles in obese and non-obese students.Methods: A case control observational study was carried out in 60 students. They were divided in to two groups obese and non-obese based on the BMI ranges. Serum lipid levels, hs-CRP and BMI was estimated in both groups to find out correlation of hs-CRP with lipid profile and BMI.Results: There was a significant rise in serum Total Cholesterol, LDL-C, Triacylglycerol and a significant fall in HDL-C in obese group as compared to non-obese group. Serum hs-CRP and BMI was significantly increased in obese students as compared to non-obese students. There was statistically significant positive correlation found between hs-CRP and total cholesterol, LDL-C, Triacylglycerol in obese students.Conclusions: Significant correlation was found between hs-CRP and lipid profile except HDL-C. Serum hs-CRP levels may decrease by treatment of dyslipidaemia. This would minimize the incidence of atherosclerosis and hence decrease the risk for development of coronary artery disease. Hence, improving the quality of life.
ABSTRACT
Background: Leprosy is a disease of great antiquity and it still continues to be a significant public health problem in few countries including India .Of the various mechanisms that influence the pathogenesis of leprosy, oxidative stress is important which occurs due to derangement in the balance between ROS and natural antioxidants. Hence this study attempted to assess the oxidative stress and antioxidant status in terms of MDA and vitamin E, vitamin C respectively in leprosy. Methods: Hundred untreated leprosy patients (50 PB and 50 MB) were studied and compared with 50 healthy controls. Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) and vitamin E, vitamin C was measured by spectrophotometric method. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as an indicator of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status was assessed by estimating serum vitamin E and vitamin C levels. Results: Significant rise in serum MDA (P <0.001) in both PB and MB leprosy was seen when compared with controls. The vitamin E level was significantly decreased in both PB and MB leprosy patients as compared to controls. The vitamin C level was significantly decrease (P<0.001) in MB leprosy patients as compared to controls. Conclusions: Elevated MDA levels indicate oxidative stress in leprosy patients, denoting its crucial involvement in the pathogenesis and tissue damage in leprosy. Hence MDA levels can be used to monitor prognosis, treatment and control of leprosy. Decreased vitamin E, C levels in leprosy can be improved by oral vitamin E, C supplementation.