The Effect of Antioxidant Therapy on the Changes of Clinical and Laboratory Parameters in Alcohol Drinkers With Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Abstract

Objective. Determination of the effect of antioxidants on clinical and laboratory parameters in alcohol drinkers with infiltrative newly-diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Materials and Methods. 109 patients with newly-diagnosed PTB were examined. All patients underwent a comprehensive medical examination, immunological blood tests, determination of the parameters of the oxidative stress-antioxidant defense system. Patients were divided into three main groups, depending on the level of alcohol consumption. Patients in each of the three groups were further divided into two subgroups depending on the treatment regimen. Statistical analysis was performed using the STATISTICA program. Results. In patients who received standard therapy, increased alcohol consumption was associated with a decrease in the positive changes of the majority of inflammation and immune status indicators. This trend, in particular, was observed with regard to the progress of the decay cavities closure, persistence of cough complaints, changes in indicators of the immune-inflammatory (CRP, CD8+, CD4/CD8, PAMW, IPC) and oxidative status (SOD, GPX) (p ≤ 0.05). After the antioxidants had been added, the best improvement of immune-inflammatory and oxidative status was observed in group 2 (p ≤ 0.05). Additional antioxidant therapy in patients with newly-diagnosed PTB, regardless of alcohol consumption, contributed to better positive dynamics of cellular immunity, oxidative stress, and endogenous intoxication. Conclusions. The addition of antioxidant drugs to the standard therapy of patients with newly-diagnosed PTB was accompanied by improved clinical and radiological, oxidative and immune-inflammatory parameters. Antioxidant therapy in such patients, regardless of the initial level of alcohol consumption, promoted better positive dynamics of phagocytic and enzymatic activity of neutrophils, oxidative stress, and endogenous intoxication. The best changes in immune-inflammatory and oxidative status among patients taking antioxidants were observed in those who took alcohol at a health-threatening level.