Oxidative stress is implicated in the etiopathogenesis of a variety of human diseases. Therefore, in the present study, erythrocyte lipid peroxidation, percentage hemolysis, antioxidant enzymes viz., glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and plasma antioxidants viz., ceruloplasmin, vitamins A,E and C have been determined in 19 patients with tubercular meningitis (TBM) and 50 normals. Six patients who were treated with antibiotics were considered for the follow up. The statistical analysis was carried out by Mann Whitney U test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Lipid peroxidation (P<0.02), percentage hemolysis (P<0.001) and plasma ceruloplasmin (P<0.0001) of TBM patients were significantly higher, whereas erythrocyte glutathione reductase (P<0.05) and plasma antioxidant vitamins A, E and C (P<0.01, P<0.05 respectively) were significantly lower than those of the controls. In the follow up patients the glutathione reductase and catalase levels were significantly high (P<0.05) compared to their pre-treated condition. Vitamin C and E levels have attained normal range. This study indicated that the blood antioxidant status of TBM patients which was low compared to controls improved after treatment, suggesting the role of free radicals in TBM.
Keywords: Antioxidant enzymes; antioxidant vitamins; lipid peroxidation; tubercular meningitis.