title: Clinical and immunological consequences of total glucosides of paeony treatment in Sjögren's syndrome: A randomized controlled pilot trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The total glucosides of paeony (TGP) can inhibit inflammation and alleviate symptoms in autoimmune diseases. This study investigated the clinical and immunological consequences of TGP treatment in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 45 patients with primary SS. Patients were randomized at 2:1 ratio to either TGP group (n=29) or placebo group (n=16) and followed up for 24weeks. The primary outocme was the European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI). The secondary outcomes were stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow rate, Schirmer's test and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), immuneglobulin (Ig), anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-SSA, and anti-SSB. The proportions of B cells in peripheral blood and the levels of serum inerleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and B cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) were measured at baseline and at the end of follow up of 24weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average score of ESSPRI in both groups had no statistical significance at 24th week. The mean of ESSPRI in the dry-mouth part of questionnaire in patients who scored 3 to 6 points was significantly reduced in the TGP group changed from (4.81±0.60) at baseline to (4.20±1.46) (P=0.027) at week 24. Stimulated salivary flow rate increased at week 24 from (1.80±0.39) to (2.01±0.51) (P=0.031) and unstimulated salivary flow rate increased from (0.65±0.46) to (0.78±0.45) (P=0.011) in the TGP group, but the placebo group showed no significant difference. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was decreased significantly compared to the placebo group at 12- and 24-week from (40.9±18.0) to (29.4±12.2) (P=0.003) and (30.4±17.3) (P=0.024). The percentage of naive B cells decreased at week 24 in the TGP group from (77.34±12.20) to (64.59±15.60) (P=0.005) while memory B cells increased from (21.79±11.97) to (34.21±15.48) (P=0.006) respectively. The concentrations of TNF-α and IFN-γ decreased in the TGP group at week 24 from (32.51±26.67) to (24.22±13.56) (P=0.017) and (10.71±8.94) to (6.55±4.88) (P=0.022), respectively. No significant difference in ANA titer, anti-SSA antibodies, anti-SSB antibodies, C3 concentration or C4 concentration was observed between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TGP appears to improve the glandular secreting function and decrease the level of inflammatory cytokines.
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
authors: Yingbo
authors: Y
authors: Zhou
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Jin
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, SuZhou Municipal Hospital, SuZhou, Anhui 230001, China.
authors: Feifei
authors: F
authors: Kong
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
authors: Hong
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
authors: Xuan
authors: X
authors: Fang
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
authors: Zhu
authors: Z
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
authors: Guosheng
authors: G
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
authors: Xiangpei
authors: X
authors: Li
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China. Electronic address: lixiaomei1@medmail.com.cn.
authors: Xiaomei
authors: X
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005960:Glucosides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029596:Paeonia / Q000276:immunology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D016207:Cytokines; D005960:Glucosides; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Immunology; Sjögren's syndrome; Total glucosides of paeony