[Effects of radix Astragali injection on apoptosis of lymphocytes and immune function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of Radix Astragali Injection on apoptosis of lymphocytes and immune function in treating patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
Eighty SLE patients were randomly assigned into the routine treatment group (RT) treated with conventional therapy and the Radix Astragali treated group (RA) treated with Radix Astragali Injection besides routine treatment. The expressions of Fas and Bcl-2 antigen on lymphocytes and the changes of T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood before and after treatment were observed.


RESULTS
After treatment, the expression of Fas antigen on lymphocytes significantly lowered (P < 0.01), and that of Bcl-2 antigen, CD4+ lymphocyte subset and CD4+ / CD8+ ratio significantly increased in both groups (all P < 0.01). However, the changes of Fas antigen expression, CD4+ and CD4+ / CD8+ ratio were more significant in the RA group than those in the RT group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Radix Astragli Injection can enhance the inhibitory function of corticosteroid/immunosuppressant on apoptosis, and regulate the ratio and function of T lymphocyte subsets to normal range, which may be a useful approach for enhancing the efficacy of treatment to SLE.
Cai
Xiao-yan
XY
Department of Rheumatology, The First Municipal People's Hospital of Guangzhou. xycai@medmail.com.cn
Xu
Yan-li
YL
Lin
Xiao-jun
XJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D027885:Astragalus propinquus; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000276:immunology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000276:immunology
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D019014:fas Receptor