[Sdudy on effect of tripterygium on plasma IL-18 content in patients with lupus nephritis].
OBJECTIVE
It is to study the effect of tripterygium (TW) on the plasma IL-18 content in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and its treatment value.


METHODS
The patients with LN treated with prednisone were divided into active groupand inactive group with active index. The active group was given tripterygium additionally. The changing of plasma IL-18 and release of nephritis were observed after treatment for three months.


RESULTS
The level of plasma IL-18 lowered down obviously, urinary protein decreased, LN activity index, hematuria and renal function improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Tripterygium caninhibitroduction of plasma IL-18. It has definite treatment value on controlling LN activity.
Jin
Cai-Yun
CY
Department of dermatology, School of Medicine, Taizhou College, Taizhou 318000, China.
Hu
Guo-Hua
GH
Zheng
Bi-Zhong
BZ
Wang
Dong-Lian
DL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D029757:Tripterygium / Q000737:chemistry*; D055815:Young Adult
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D020382:Interleukin-18