Nutritional aspects of leprosy.

Desoxyfructo-serotonin (DFS) being a naturally occurring metabolite, which, like serotonin, has its origin in tryptophane in the food, one can ask about the role of nutrition in leprosy. The unique situation, that a human metabolite shows antileprosy activity, confirmed in vitro and in vivo, makes it possible to develop a "build in" antileprosy therapy. This is now realised through a so-called "Anti-Leprosy Nutriment" (NAL). The effectiveness of this diet was confirmed by the fact, that a daily dose of 0.5 g NAL per mouse has a similar effect, like 20 mg/kg body weight Dapsone per day in the conventionnal mouse foot-pad test. The biosynthesis of DFS in man has been demonstrated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), spectrofluorometry and mass spectrometry. The activity of NAL (rich in tryptophane, unsaturated fatty acids and glucose) is due to an increased biosynthesis of DSF. The latter may be considered as a "physiological protecting agent" against leprosy. This type of food may play a role in the prevention of leprosy in endemic area.