Author/Authors :
Honarvar, Mohammad Reza Department of Nutrition - School of Public Health - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Eghtesadi, Shahryar Department of Nutrition - School of Public Health - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Gill, Pooria Departments of PhysioPharmacology & NanoBioMedicine - Research Center for Immunogenetics - Faculty of Medicine - Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran , Jazayeri, Shima Research Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease - Department of Nutrition - School of Public Health - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Vakili, Mohammad Ali Health Management and Social Development Research Center - Department of Health and Community Medicine - Faculty of Medicine - Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran , Shamsardekani, Mohammad Reza Department of Pharmacognosy - Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicinal Plants Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Abbasi, Abdollah Department of Infection - Faculty of Medicine - Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Acceleration in sputum smear conversion helps faster improvement and decreased probability of
the transfer of TB. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of green tea extract supplementation on sputum
smear conversion and weight changes in smear positive pulmonary TB patients in Iran.
Methods: In this double blind clinical study, TB patients were divided into intervention, (n=43) receiving 500
mg green tea extract (GTE), and control groups (n=40) receiving placebo for two months, using balanced randomization.
Random allocation and allocation concealment were observed. Height and weight were measured at
the beginning, and two and six months post-treatment. Evaluations were performed on three slides, using the
ZiehlNeelsen method. Independent and paired t test, McNemar’s, Wilcoxon, Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression
model and Log-Rank test were utilized. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. This trial was registered under
IRCT201212232602N11.
Results: The interventional changes and the interactive effect of intervention on weight were not significant
(p>0.05). In terms of shortening the duration of conversion, the case to control proportion showed a significant
difference (p=0.032). Based on the Cox regression model, the hazard ratio of the relative risk of delay in sputum
smear conversion was 3.7 (p=0.002) in the higher microbial load group compared to the placebo group and 0.54
(95% CI: 0.31-0.94) in the intervention compared to the placebo group.
Conclusion: GTE decreases the risk of delay in sputum smear conversion, but has no effect on weight gain.
Moreover, it may be used as an adjuvant therapy for faster rehabilitation for pulmonary TB patients.
Keywords :
Pulmonary , Tuberculosis , Tea , Sputum , Humans , Dietary Supplements , Body Weight
