Serum Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 and Nitric Oxide in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients before and after Treatment with Glucantime

It is necessary to recognize the role and function of immune system in wound healing, control, and treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). According to the published papers, immune system factors such of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP1) and nitric oxide (NO) have an impact on wound healing. In this study, the role of these factors on wound healing and their interaction with glucantime in CL patients were investigated. In a cross-sectional study, 44 (38 males and 6 females) patients who referred to Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, were diagnosed as positive CL using direct microscopy. Before and after treatment with glucantime, 5 ml whole blood samples were obtained from all samples and the sera were incubated at -70°C until use. Serum levels of MCP1 and NO were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and Grise reaction, respectively. Paired t-test was used to compare NO and MCP1 values before and after treatment. Improvements in cutaneous lesions and significant elevations in MCP1 and NO levels (P < 0.05) were observed after treatment. These findings show a significant association between treatment with glucantime and levels of NO and MCP1 (P < 0.05). The interesting results of this investigation revealed that MCP1 and NO play an important role in wound healing of patients with CL.