title: [Sdudy on effect of tripterygium on plasma IL-18 content in patients with lupus nephritis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of dermatology, School of Medicine, Taizhou College, Taizhou 318000, China.
authors.forename: Cai-Yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Guo-Hua
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Bi-Zhong
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Dong-Lian
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D020382:Interleukin-18