European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A STUDY OF ASCORBIC ACID AND ALPHA TOCOFEROL IN DIFFERENT FORMS OF LEPROSY

Prof. Krishnajyoti Goswami, Dr. Paramita Pal (Bhattacharyya), Prof. Ipsita Mazumdar*and Prof. Asok Bandyopadhyay

ABSTRACT

Leprosy, an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, is still a public health problem in India. It causes oxidative stress, and antioxidant, like ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and α-tocopherol (Vitamin E) may play a significant role in its progression and cure. 116 newly diagnosed cases of Lepromatous leprosy (LL) and 79 cases of Tuberculoid leprosy (TL) were selected as subject, and 35 random age and sex matched healthy individuals as controls. Antioxidant status was assessed by estimating ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol levels, along with enzymes malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ratio of MDA/SOD as the indicator of oxidative stress. Both the ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol was significantly decreased in both LL and TL leprosy as seen when compared with healthy controls (p ≤0.001). But there was a statistically significant increase in the value of MDA level and ratio of MDA/SOD (p ≤0.001). and a sharp decrease in SOD activity in leprosy patients compared to healthy controls (p ≤0.001). Decreased level of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol in both the group of leprosy patients may be improved by supplementation of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol and prevent the tissue injury.

Keywords: Leprosy, Oxidative Stress, Ascorbic acid, ?-tocopherol, Malondialdehyde, Superoxide dismutase.