[Trials of casual treatment of silicosis]

Silica-induced lung injury and the development of silicosis is one of the major occupational diseases. Accumulation and deposition of respirable dust containing silica mineral particles in the lung produces chronic lung disease characterized by granulomatous and fibrotic lesions. Knowledge of precise mechanisms, which induce this process is still limited, hence problems faced in the treatment of silicosis, especially the casual one. This article describes various trials of casual silicosis treatment with tetrandrine (Tet), isolated from the root of Stephania tetrandra, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, polyvinyl-pyridine-N-oxide (PVNO), aluminum compounds, corticosteroids or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The existing methods are not sufficient, which warrants further investigations. At present, prevention of the disease and treatment of its complications are most important.