High-density lipoprotein levels and its correlation with Interferon-gamma levels in leprosy patients

Background Mycobacterium lepra infection causes leprosy. Primarily affecting the skin and peripheral nerves, it is a persistent viral illness. Peripheral nerve damage can cause severe impairment and disability. The type of lipoproteins known as high-density lipoproteins (HDL) is distinguished by its capacity to return cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver. Their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties play a major part in their ability to prevent diseases. A pleiotropic molecule, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) has mechanisms that are linked to antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anticancer effects. Due to its ability to maintain both CD4+ and CD8+ cell activity and regulate a variety of protective functions, this effector cytokine is frequently regarded as a significant effector of immunity. Aim The current study aimed to evaluate HDL levels in sera of leprotic patients and assess its correlation with IFN-γ levels. Patients and methods This study included 31 leprotic patients and 30 healthy subjects as a control. Serum HDL is estimated by enzymatic methods using spectrophotometric assay kits while serum IFN-γ is estimated using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two studied groups regarding HDL. There was a higher statistically significant difference between the two studied groups regarding IFN-γ with higher levels in the cases group. There was no significant correlation between both HDL and IFN-γ and age and duration. Conclusion There is no correlation between serum levels of HDL and levels of IFN-γ in leprosy patients.