[Regulatory effects of yiqi zishen granule on helper T-lymphocyte subsets in IgA nephropathy patients].
OBJECTIVE
To study the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and the effect of Yiqi Zishen Granule (YZG) on the helper T-lymphocyte subsets Th1/Th2 in IgAN patients.


METHODS
Intracellular cytokines secreted by Th1/Th2 were measured using flow cytometry in 24 healthy subjects and 31 IgAN patients treated by YZG before and after treatment.


RESULTS
Level of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was lower (P < 0.05) and levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were higher (P < 0.01) in the IgAN patients than those in the healthy controls, showing imbalance of Th1/Th2 in the IgAN patients. After YZG treatment, the level of IFN-gamma increased and IL-10 level decreased (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Imbalance of Th1/Th2 exists in IgAN patients. YZG has a regulatory effect on imbalance of Th1/Th2 in IgAN patients.
Yu
Da-jun
DJ
Department of Nephrology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing. yudajunfly@yahoo.com.cn
Nie
Li-fang
LF
Xu
Yong-gang
YG
D000328:Adult; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011208:Powders; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D011208:Powders; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma