[The efficacy of antioxidant therapy in patients with tuberculosis of the lungs and the correction of lipid peroxidation processes].

The article deals with the efficacy of the antioxidative therapy in tuberculosis. Besides chemotherapeutic drugs, the administration of alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C and sodium nucleinate brings about higher rates of smear-negative cases and shorter period of cavity closure. In case of tuberculosis, lipid peroxidation (LPO) stimulation accompanied by a sharp drop of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity is observed. This process is considered to be a manifestation of the decompensation taking place in the antiradical cell defense systems. In the course of treatment, the LPO level seems to decrease, while SOD activity and SOD/LPO ratio tend to rise. The comparison of the results obtained in every group indicated that a combined administration of alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C and sodium nucleinate proved to be the most effective.