title: Nitric oxide metabolites in sera of patients across the spectrum of leprosy.
abstract: Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, caused by Mycobacterium leprae infection, manifests itself as a clinical spectrum depending on the patients' immunological response, finally leading to peripheral nerve damage and deformities in the patients. Nitric oxide (NO) which is known to contribute to pathogenesis of several neurological diseases has been detected in tissues and urine of leprosy patients. This is the first study assessing NO as its stable end products, nitrites and nitrates, in sera of patients across the spectrum of the disease as a possible parameter of prognostic value. Comparison of NO metabolites showed a significant increase in multibacillary patients and patients with type I reactions as compared to healthy control individuals. These levels reduced significantly after treatment. This study has further borne out the utility and reliability of the cadmium-reduction method of estimation of NO metabolites--a relatively inexpensive procedure that lends itself to large-scale screening and follow-up of patients.
authors: Department of Life Sciences, Sophia College for Women, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai-40 026, India.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Boga
authors: V P
authors: VP
authors: Shetty
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Khan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007700:Kinetics; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007918:Leprosy / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D002104:Cadmium; D009569:Nitric Oxide