Clinical efficacy of Baihe Gujin decoction combined with anti-tuberculosis therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis with Yin-deficiency and Fire-hyperactivity syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Baihe Gujin decoction combined with anti-tuberculosis therapy in mitigating the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis and to measure the effect on the CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cell (Treg) ratio. METHODS: This randomized study enrolled patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and randomly assigned them to one of two treatment groups: an anti-tuberculosis treatment group and a combined treatment group. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed before and 2 weeks after treatment. The ratio of CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells and the levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6 and IL-12 in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured. Symptoms were recorded before and after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were enrolled and assigned to the anti-tuberculosis (n = 58) and combined treatment groups (n = 42). In the combined treatment group, Leicester Cough Questionnaire score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CD4+ CD25+ Treg cell ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, cytokine levels, chest pain score and sleep disorder score were significantly decreased compared with the anti-tuberculosis treatment group after treatment. The leukocyte count, haemoglobin level, platelet and alanine aminotransferase levels did not differ significantly between the two groups after treatment. The creatinine level in the combined treatment group was significantly lower than that in the anti-tuberculosis treatment group. CONCLUSION: Baihe Gujin decoction combined with anti-tuberculosis treatment can effectively alleviate the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis, enhance the host immune function and protect renal function.

A meta-analysis of P2X7 gene-1513A/C polymorphism and pulmonary tuberculosis susceptibility.

OBJECTIVE: A meta-analysis was performed to determine the association between P2X7-1513A/C polymorphism and pulmonary tuberculosis susceptibility. METHODS: Based on comprehensive searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and ISI Web of knowledge, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Database, we identified eligible studies about the association between P2X7-1513A/C polymorphism and pulmonary tuberculosis susceptibility. RESULTS: A total of 1916 cases and 2194 controls in 10 studies were pooled together for evaluation of the overall association between P2X7-1513A/C polymorphism and susceptibility of pulmonary tuberculosis. Allele model (A vs. C: p=0.15; OR=0.86, 95% CI=0.69-1.06), homozygous model (AA vs. CC: p=0.22; OR=0.78, 95% CI=0.53-1.16), and heterozygous model (AC vs. CC: p=0.23; OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.56-1.15) did not show decreased risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis. Similarly, dominant model (AA+AC vs. CC: p=0.19; OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.56-1.12) and recessive model (AA vs. AC+CC: p=0.21; OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.66-1.10) failed to show decreased risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis. In Indians, allele model (A vs. C: p=0.0006; OR=0.69, 95% CI=0.55-0.85), and recessive model (AA vs. AC+CC: p=0.0003; OR=0.62, 95% CI=0.48-0.80) indicated significant association between P2X7-1513A/C polymorphism and susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our pooled data suggest a association between P2X7-1513A/C polymorphism and the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among Indian populations.