title: [Effect of Astragali and Angelica particle on proteinuria in Chinese patients with primary glomerulonephritis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of the traditional Chinese herbs Astragali and Angelicae Sinensis (A & As) particle [contains Huangqi (Radix Astragali Mongolica), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Huzhanggeng (Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati) and Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae)] on proteinuria in glomerulonephritis patients with stage 2 chronic kidney disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, multi-center, and randomized controlled clinical trial was performed for 24 weeks. From March 2011 to April 2012, 158 patients from nine hospitals in China participated. They were randomized into the A & As group (79 cases, A & As particle 15.2 g/day) and losartan group (79 cases, losartan 50 mg/day). At each follow-up visit, clinical data including blood pressure, urinalysis, 24-h-urinary protein excretion, serum albumin and serum creatinine were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 158 patients completed the follow-up. Proteinuria in the losartan group exhibited a biphasic time-dependent decline with a significant steady reduction from baseline to week 12 (P = 0.0014), and a platform level during the remaining 12-week follow-up (P > 0.05). In contrast, there was a continual significant decrease of proteinuria in the A & As group (P < 0.001). When compared with the losartan results, proteinuria in the A & As group from week 16 to week 24 was significantly reduced (P < 0.001). Stable eGFRs and blood pressure were also observed in both groups. Medication side effects were minimal and non-fatal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For Chinese glomerulonephritis patients with stage 2 chronic kidney disease, therapy with A & As particles may provide effective anti-proteinuria treatment.
authors.forename: Peicheng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Xuejun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Liqun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D029969:Angelica / Q000737:chemistry*; D027883:Astragalus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal