Effects of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction on thymosin β4 and Ea-RFC in patients with lupus nephritis
Objective To investigate the impact of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction on thymosin β4 and erythrocyte-antibody rosette-forming cell(Ea-RFC)formation rate in the treatment of patients with lupus ne-phritis. Methods A total of 60 patients with lupus nephritis admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of He-bei North University from January 2020 to June 2021 were selected and divided into two groups:the observa-tion group(Xuefu Zhuyu decoction combined with prednisone and cyclophosphamide,30 cases)and the con-trol group(prednisone and cyclophosphamide,30 cases)based on the random number table method. Both groups underwent an 18-month treatment period. After treatment,the clinical outcomes,Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)symptoms,thymosinβ4 expression,Ea-RFC formation rate,renal function and adverse re-actions were monitored and compared between the two groups. Results After treatment,the total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was 96.67%,which was higher than the 80.00%in the control group(P<0.05). Additionally,the scores of TCM symptoms such as poor appetite,abdominal distension,soreness and weakness of waist and knees,pale complexion and sticky and bitter mouth in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05)after treatment. Furthermore,after treatment,the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and expressions of serum creatinine and thymosin β4 in the observation group were lower, while the Ea-RFC formation rate was higher compared to the control group(P<0.05). It is important to note that after treatment,there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence rates of adverse reactions between the observation group and the control group (P>0.05). Conclusion Xuefu Zhuyu decoction has been shown have a significant efficacy in treating patients with LN. It can reduce the expression of thymosinβ4 in vivo,increase Ea-RFC and improve renal function,all while maintaining a high level of safety.