Impact on methemoglobin and certain oxidative stress markers in diabetic and non-diabetic Hansen’s disease patients with dapsone treatment

Introduction: Hansen’s (leprosy) disease is a worldwide healthcare problem, caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Dapsone (a synthetic sulfone), is an antibacterial agent, has both anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties for the treatment of all forms of leprosy. The goal of the study is to evaluate the effect of dapsone on HbA1C, methemoglobin and certain oxidative stress markers in young patients suffering with Hansen’s disease with and without diabetes. Methodology: The study was conducted on 70 subjects in age group of 20-45 years. These subjects include 20 healthy subjects (Group 1); 35 non-diabetic Hansen’s patients on dapsone (100mg/day) treatment (Group 2) and 15 diabetic Hansen’s disease on dapsone (100 mg/day) (Group 3). The fasting blood samples were drawn for the evaluation of methemoglobin, HbA1C, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione and total antioxidant activity from all the groups. Results: A significant increase in methemoglobin and malondialdehyde was noted in Group 2 and 3 patients with reference to healthy control subjects (Group 1) while the levels of reduced glutathione, HbA1C and total antioxidant activity were notably reduced in investigated Group 2 and 3 compared to Group 1. A similar trend of significant increase in methemoglobin and malondialdehyde levels in Group 3 with respect to Group 2 and significant fall in glutathione and total antioxidant activity and nominal fall in HbA1C was recorded in Group 3 with respect to Group 2. Conclusion: Aforesaid observations suggested that oxidative stress induced in diabetic and non-diabetic Hansen’s disease patients treated with dapsone due to alteration in Met. Hb, MDA, reduced glutathione and total antioxidant activity levels might be accountable for the etiology of various diseases like cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular events. A comprehensive study with clinical trials inclusive of complete oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, pattern of dietary intake with antioxidant vitamin supplements alone and in combination might be beneficial.