OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic efficacy of tetrandrine tablets combined with matrine injection in the treatment of silicosis.

METHODSSixty-three patients with silicosis were randomly divided into treatment group (n = 33) and control group (n = 30). Both groups received anti-inflammatory, cough-relieving, and anti-asthmatic treatment. Meanwhile, the treatment group was given tetrandrine tablets (100 mg bid) and matrine injection (150 mg qd). There were 4 courses of tetrandrine treatment (each course = 3 months), with one-month intervals among them. Matrine injection was used for 15 consecutive days in each month. There were 2 courses of matrine treatment (each course = 3 months), with a one-month interval in between. The clinical symptoms, pulmonary function, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and chest X-ray images were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, chest distress, chest pain, shortness of breath, and other respiratory symptoms were relieved significantly (P < 0.05). The treatment group showed significantly higher SOD activity than before treatment and the control group (P < 0.05) and significantly higher forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second than before treatment and the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, 5 patients (4 stage II cases and 1 stage III case, all in rapidly progressive forms) in the treatment group showed smaller, lighter, and clearer shadows with decreased overall intensity on chest X-ray; 12 patients showed significantly fewer and clearer lung markings on chest X-ray.

CONCLUSIONTetrandrine tablets combined with matrine injection have some therapeutic effect on silicosis.