Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on antituberculosis drug therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis and liver function

We performed a case-control study to examine the effect of antituberculosis drugs associated with the acupoint application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on pulmonary tuberculosis and the effects on liver function and immune function.

A retrospective analysis was conducted, dividing hospitalized pulmonary tuberculosis patients into a control group and a study group. The controls were treated with 2HRZE/4HR standard chemotherapy regimen, and the latter was treated with an acupoint application of TCM based on the control group. The clinical efficacy, focus absorption rate, T lymphocyte group level, immunoglobulin level, serum analysis, and liver function index were compared.

The study group was absorbed in 32 patients, absorbed in 24 patients, and unchanged in four patients; no one worsened, and the lesion absorption rate was 93.33%. In the control group, 18 patients were remarkably absorbed, 30 were absorbed, 12 were unchanged, and no one deteriorated. The studied group was treated in 12 patients, noticeably resulting in 34 patients, effective in 12 patients, ineffective in 2 patients, and the resultful rate was 96.67%. The effectiveness rate in the control group was 78.33%. According to the blood gas analysis, PA was higher, while IL-6 and PCT were lower in the study group. A lower ALT, AST, and DBIL were observed in the study group (p < 0.05).

In conclusion, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupoint application with antituberculosis medication improves liver and immunological functioning, accelerating recovery and reducing drug-related liver and kidney damage.