Plasma irisin levels in newly diagnosed leprosy patients: a case-control study

Abstract

Leprosy is a granulomatous disease affecting the skin, mucous membrane, and peripheral nerves. Irisin, a novel protein, has been associated with several inflammatory and metabolic diseases and has been demonstrated in peripheral nerve cells. The objective of this study was to compare the plasma irisin levels of newly diagnosed leprosy patients with those of healthy individuals while also assessing the role of irisin in the pathogenesis of leprosy. This case-control study was conducted between January 2024 and July 2024 and compared 29 newly diagnosed leprosy patients with 29 healthy controls. The participants’ demographic information and disease history, such as the duration of the disease and whether any additional family members had leprosy, were documented. The subjects’ serum irisin levels were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum level of irisin was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group (p value < 0.001). We found lower Irisin levels in leprosy patients than healthy controls, suggesting potential as role as a biomarker for leprosy. Further investigations, involving a large sample sized assessed both during and after therapy, are necessary to clarify the function and predictive significance of irisin in leprosy.