Significant differences in LL-37 levels were found between patients with bipolar disorder, bacterial pneumonia (p less than 0.001) and pulmonary TB (p=0.004).
We have previously shown that 8 weeks' treatment with phenylbutyrate (PBA) (500mgx2/day) with or without vitamin D<sub>3</sub> (vitD<sub>3</sub>) (5000 IU/day) as host-directed therapy (HDT) accelerated clinical recovery, sputum culture conversion and increased expression of cathelicidin LL-37 by immune cells in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in adults with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).
Moreover, the relative expression of ATG5 and BECN1 was positively correlated with monocyte/macrophage phagocytosis and cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide gene expression in HCs and PTB patients (p < 0.05).
Moreover, 1,25(OH)2D3 up regulated CAMP gene expression was more prominent in PTB patients without lung cavity (less severe form of disease) as compared to patients with cavitary TB (severe form of disease) (p < 0.05).