ABSTRACT
The effects of vitamins on human immune system have been well studied. Vitamin A deficiency and its effects on immune system in pulmonary tuberculosis [TB] patients have been established. This study was carried out to evaluate vitamin A supplementary effect on immunologic profile of tuberculosis patients. In a double-blind clinical trial, thirty-five patients with confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis were included. The case group received vitamin A injection, 50000 lU, every 10 days for two months along with standard treatment of TB; the control group received only anti-TB drugs. Immunologic profiles including CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, CD19+, HLA-DR, CD16+56+, and plasma vitamin A as well as nutritional status were assessed in both groups primarily and two months after above-mentioned treatments. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 10. The study showed that there were not significant differences in mean[ +/- SD] of age, body weight, height, body mass index [BMI], fat thickness and vitamin A plasma level between the vit A-receiving and control groups. The mean of peripheral blood CD3+ showed significant increase in patient-control group [71.8 +/- 7.9% lymphocytes [after supplementation] compared with 68.3 +/- 10.7% [before supplementation]; p= 0.014.]. This was also true about CD4+ [p= 0.001]. CD4+ to CD8+ ratio and the mean of CD19+ showed significant decrease in the patient control group and the vit A-receiving group, respectively [p= 0.002 and p= 0.04, respectively]. In contrast, there was an increased significant difference for CD+16+56+ mean in the above-mentioned groups which was more prominent in the vit A- receiving group [p=0.038]. The means of HLA-DR and CD8+ did not show significant differences in both groups before and after supplementation. It seems that vitamin A supplementary effects on the quality of lymphocytic markers are remarkable. However, further studies should be performed regarding immunologic response quality