Objective

To observe the effect of high-dose Astragalus injection and cyclophosphamide (CTX) on infection, urine protein and immune function of the patients with lupus nephritis.

Methods

Forty-three patients diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by kidney damage and qi-deficiency syndrome were randomly divided into trial group (n=23) and control group (n=20). Patients in both groups were treated for 3 months. Intravenous drip infusion of 0.8 g CTX was administered to all patients once a month, while intravenous drip infusion of 20 ml Astragalus injection was only administered to patients in the trial group every day for 12 days in each month.

Results

The decrease of active clinical symptom score after the treatment in the trial group was greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). The infection rates of the trial group and the control group were 4.35% and 25% respectively. The decrease of 24-hour urine protein and CD8, and the increase of red blood cell count and serum albumin in the trial group were greater than those in the control group, and there were significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). White blood cell count in the trial group was decreased less than that in the control group after the treatment (P<0.05).

Conclusion

High-dose Astragalus injection used together with CTX is more effective than CTX alone in decreasing infection rate and urine protein and improving immune function for patients with lupus nephritis.

Key words: Lupus erythematosus,systemic, Lupus nephritis, Cyclophosphamide, Astragalus membranaceus, Intravenous drip