title: Effects of prostaglandin E1 on the progression of aristolochic acid nephropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the progression of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients diagnosed as AAN with serum creatinine (Scr) between 1.5 mg/dL and 4 mg/dL during September 2001 to August 2003 were randomly divided into 2 groups. All patients had ingested long dan xie gan wan containing aristolochic acid (0.219 mg/g) for at least 3 months. Twelve patients were injected with Alprostadil (10 microg/d for 10 days in one month, summing up to 6 months). Except for PGE1, the other therapy was same in both groups. Renal function was assessed using reciprocal serum creatinine levels (1/Scr).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of Scr an d serum hemoglobin (Hgb) was similar in both groups prior to therapy. During follow-up, 1/Scr levels in PGE1 group were significantly higher than control group (P < 0.01), and Hgb levels in PGE1 group were significantly increased compared with control (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PGE1 can slow the progression of renal failure and increase Hgb level of AAN patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephropathy, the First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001. sundgf@163.com
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jiang-min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Yan-ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Li-ning
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D034341:Aristolochic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D034341:Aristolochic Acids; D006454:Hemoglobins; D003404:Creatinine; D000527:Alprostadil