Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Old and New Cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Owerri Nigeria

A frequent infectious disease around the world is pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). In this study, pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, had their levels of vitamins C and E, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde) evaluated. 90 people (males and females), including 30 newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients who have not yet started treatment. 30 elderly patients receiving therapy, and a control group of 30 identically aged, ostensibly healthy persons (35-55years). A standard approach was used to measure the levels of vitamin C, vitamin e, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in pulmonary tuberculosis. The findings demonstrated that the levels of vitamin C (1.640.41 mg/dl), vitamin e (1.460.38 mg/dl), glutathione peroxidase (0.890.07 iu/L), catalase (70.492.02 iu/L), and superoxide dismutase (65.453.48 iu/L) in pulmonary tuberculosis were significantly lower when compared with controls (p When compared to the control group (4.911.90 mol/l), the amount of malondialdehyde in pulmonary tuberculosis (8.71.81 mol/ml) was substantially higher (p0.05). Yet, when pulmonary tuberculosis patients on antitubercular medications were compared to those not receiving treatment, the levels of antioxidants were higher. Results likely show that pulmonary tuberculosis patients have significantly worse antioxidant state, which may be related to elevated quantities of free radicals and oxidative stress. Hence, providing patients with pulmonary tuberculosis with dietary or pharmaceutical supplements that contain antioxidants can improve their condition.