Antioxidants and proinflamatory cytokines in the sera of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis

ABSTRACT

Leishmania is a significant health problem in many parts of the world. Tumor necrosis factor [TNF] plays an essential role in Leishmania major infections. To study the pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidants in four groups of cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. 39 patients were divided into four groups of 1] active [acute phase of treatment]; 2] non-healing [received treatment for almost two years without recovery]; 3] healing [recovered upon treatment]; and 4] healed [previously received treatment and achieved complete remission] patients. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [IL-1B, TNF-alpha, IL-6] and serum antioxidant levels were measured by ELISA and FRAP assays, respectively. While serum antioxidant levels were elevated in the non -healing group, there was no difference among other groups of patients and healthy controls in this regard. Interleukin-1beta showed the highest level in the non-healing group followed by the other groups of patients. The mean serum IL-6 level was highest in the non-healing group, but showed no significant change in the other groups. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels were non-significantly elevated in the sera of active and non-healing patients. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 maybe related to the progression of leishmaniasis. Serum antioxidant levels maybe correlated with patient response to drug treatment.