Original Communication
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005) 59, 1121–1128. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602221; published online 13 July 2005
Protective role of vitamin E on the oxidative stress in Hansen's disease (Leprosy) patients
Guarantor: R Vijayaraghavan and C Panneerselvam.
Contributors: CP is a professor of medical biochemistry mainly responsible for ideas, design and guidance of this study. CSS is a biochemist with prolonged experience in the field of Biochemical aspects of Hansen's disease (Leprosy) coordinated in the sampling in this study. BS and PKO are experts in the field of Hansen's disease (leprosy) who served as advisors and examined the diagnostic aspects of this study. SNK and NM are research scientists who contributed to the statistical analysis of this manuscript and interpretation of results.
R Vijayaraghavan1, C S Suribabu1, B Sekar1, P K Oommen1, S N Kavithalakshmi2, N Madhusudhanan2 and C Panneerselvam2
- 1Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute, Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu, India
- 2Department of Medical Biochemistry, Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani campus, Chennai (Madras), Tamilnadu, India
Correspondence: R Vijayaraghavan, Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute, Chengalpattu: 603 001, Tamilnadu, India. E-mail: vijayraghavanr@yahoo.com
Received 26 July 2004; Revised 12 April 2005; Accepted 23 May 2005; Published online 13 July 2005.
Abstract
Background:
A constellation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) capable of damaging cellular constituents generated in excess during the chronic, inflammatory, neurodegenerative disease process of leprosy. The consequences of this leads to enhanced oxidative stress and lower antioxidant status. Enzymatic antioxidants provide first line defense against ROS. We have measured the levels of oxidative stress indices like lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyls together with enzymatic antioxidants in the blood samples of control and leprosy patients. Nutritional rehabilitation by way of exogenous supplementation of functionally efficient antioxidants like vitamin E reactivates the enzymatic antioxidant system and guards against the insult caused by ROS during the pathogenesis of the disease and antileprosy chemotherapy.
Design:
Untreated leprosy patients were selected on the basis of clinical examination and skin smear. All diagnosed untreated leprosy patients received multi drug therapy (MDT) consisting of rifampicin, dapsone and clofazimine as recommended by World Health Organization. A small number of untreated cases were selected for co-supplementation of vitamin E along with MDT. Oxidative stress indices, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant status were assayed in untreated, MDT treated and those supplemented vitamin E along with MDT.
Statistical methods:
We have compared the significance in the mean
s.d. values of the oxidative stress indices and the levels of antioxidants using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) between control, untreated, MDT treated and those supplemented vitamin E with MDT and the results were significant at P<0.05. Statistical analysis of the results suggests that oral administration of vitamin E lowers oxidative stress and augments antioxidant status in affected individuals.
Results:
Enhanced oxidative stress as evidenced by increased LPO and protein carbonyl in leprosy cases lowers the antioxidant status. Treatment with MDT has a limited impact on increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant status. Coadministration of vitamin E along with MDT decreases oxidative stress and activate the antioxidant status.
Discussion:
The excess production of ROS as seen in leprosy cases could lead to degeneration of tissues and derangement of internal organs. The possible reason for the decreased antioxidant status in leprosy cases may be increased production of ROS, deranged liver function, and the free radical producing ability of drugs used in MDT of leprosy. Intervention with antioxidant supplementation like vitamin E prevents oxidative stress mediated through ROS and activates the net antioxidant status during the chronic course of the disease and antileprosy chemotherapy.
Keywords:
leprosy, oxidative stress, antioxidants, vitamin E co-supplementation with MDT
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