Effects of Thymosin α1 on Elderly Patients with Bacterial Pneumonia

Zhao Shengxun; Chen Hui; Sun Hong

Abstract：Objective To explore expressions of serum procalcitonin(PCT)and peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets in aged patients with bacterial pneumonia undergoing immune regulation therapy with thymosin α1. Methods 58 elderly patients(≥80 years)with bacterial pneumonia were randomly divided into observation group(A1 group) and control group(A2 group)with 29 patients in each group. Basic treatment plus thymosin α1 injection of 1. 6 mg (subcutaneous injection,once every second day,2 weeks as a course)was given to patients in A1 group. Basic treat-ment was given to patients in A2 group for 2 weeks. PCT and levels of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets(CD3 + , CD4 + ,CD8 + ,CD4 + / CD8 + )were measured 1 d and 14 d after admission to hospital. Clinical effects were compared between the two groups. Results PCR decreased after treatment in both groups and A1 group decreased more signifi-cant than A2 group(P < 0. 05). CD3 + ,CD4 + and CD4 + / CD8 + improved significantly in A1 groups than those in A2 group(P < 0. 05). Conclusion Thymosin α1 can regulate immune function effectively in elderly patients with bacte-rial pneumonia. It can alleviate inflammation and improve prognosis. PCT and expressions of peripheral blood T lym-phocyte subsets have correlation with elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia,which is one of the important measure-ments in diagnosis and treatment of elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia.