Mechanism of Jinteng Qingbi granules in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using metabolomics analysis.

This study investigated the differential metabolites after rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats were treated with Jinteng Qingbi granules. Collagen-induced arthritis rats were divided into three groups, namely normal group, model group, and Jinteng Qingbi granules group. Serum compounds were identified, annotated, and classified using metabolomics to explain the physicochemical properties and biological functions. The metabolites were screened using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. There were differences in serum metabolites between RA and normal rats; Jinteng Qingbi granules improved RA and recovered the metabolite levels to normal. Compared to the normal group, 51 differential ions were screened, and 108 ions were changed in the Jinteng Qingbi granules group compared to the RA model. Eight metabolites were upregulated in the RA model group compared to the normal group, whereas 10 metabolites were downregulated. Treatment with Jinteng Qingbi granules increased the levels of 12 metabolites such as cinnamate and decreased the levels of 16 metabolites such as allamandin in the RA model. Differential ion enrichment was mainly related to the histidine metabolic pathway in amino acid metabolism. Jinteng Qingbi granules resulted in improvements in the RA model, which were mainly associated with lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic acids, and derivatives, providing a new possibility and basis for screening biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of RA.

Insights into the Degradation Mechanisms of TCH by Magnetic Fe3S4/Cu2O Composite.

Unique Fe3S4/Cu2O composites were constructed with high Fenton-like photocatalytic activity through the impregnation coprecipitation method. The structure, morphology, optical, magnetic, and photocatalytic properties of the as-prepared composites were explored in detail. The findings suggest that small Cu2O particles were grown on the surface of Fe3S4. The removal efficiency of TCH by Fe3S4/Cu2O was 65.7, 4.75, and 3.67 times higher than that of pure Fe3S4, Cu2O, and the Fe3S4 + Cu2O mixture, respectively, when the mass ratio of Fe3S4 and Cu2O was 1:1 at pH 7.2. The synergistic effect between Cu2O and Fe3S4 was the main factor for TCH degradation. The Cu+ species from Cu2O increased the Fe3+/Fe2+ cycle during the Fenton reaction. •O2- and h+ were the main active radicals; however, •OH and e- played the second role in the photocatalytic degradation reaction. Moreover, the Fe3S4/Cu2O composite retained good recyclability and versatility, and could be conveniently separated by a magnet.

Novel deep intronic and frameshift mutations causing a TRIP11-related disorder.

Mutations of the thyroid hormone receptor interactor 11 gene (TRIP11, OMIM: 604505) at 14q32.12 have been associated with the autosomal recessive achondrogenesis type IA (ACG1A, OMIM: 200600) or osteochondrodysplasia (ODCD, OMIM: 184260). In this clinical report of a Chinese family, the mother had two consecutive pregnancies with similar aberrant phenotypes in the fetuses showing severe limb shortening. Whole exome sequencing (WES) of DNA from the second fetus identified a heterozygous frameshift mutation (NM_004239: c.3852delT) of TRIP11. Although this was consistent with the fetal clinical phenotypes, initial review of the WES results implied another novel mutation. To test this, we used high-precision clinical exome sequencing (HPCES) and found a mutation in Intron 18 of TRIP11 (c.5457+77T>G). Moreover, the sequencing depth of this mutation was only 3× that of WES compared with 161× that by HPCES. To ascertain the pathogenesis of the mutation (c.5457+77T>G), RT-PCR conducted using the parents' blood samples showed a 77-bp intronic sequence in the transcripts, which might have encoded for a shortened protein because of early termination due to code shifting. Our study furthers current understanding of deep intron function and provides a novel diagnostic method of deep intragenic mutations in families having two or more consecutive pregnancies with similar aberrant fetal phenotypes.

Basonuclin 1 deficiency is a cause of primary ovarian insufficiency.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) leads to infertility and premature menopause in young women. The genetic etiology of this disorder remains unknown in most patients. Using whole exome sequencing of a large Chinese POI pedigree, we identified a heterozygous 5 bp deletion inducing a frameshift in BNC1, which is predicted to result in a non-sense-mediated decay or a truncated BNC1 protein. Sanger sequencing identified another BNC1 missense mutation in 4 of 82 idiopathic patients with POI, and the mutation was absent in 332 healthy controls. Transfection of recombinant plasmids with the frameshift mutant and separately with the missense mutant in HEK293T cells led to abnormal nuclear localization. Knockdown of BNC1 was found to reduce BMP15 and p-AKT levels and to inhibit meiosis in oocytes. A female mouse model of the human Bnc1 frameshift mutation exhibited infertility, significantly increased serum follicle-stimulating hormone, decreased ovary size and reduced follicle numbers, consistent with POI. We report haploinsufficiency of BNC1 as an etiology of human autosomal dominant POI.

The effects and mechanisms of GM-CSF on endometrial regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial injury can result in thin endometrium and subfertility. Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) contributes to tissue repair, but its role in endometrial regeneration has not been investigated. METHODS: To determine the effect of GM-CSF on endometrial regeneration, we established a mouse model of thin endometrium by uterine perfusion with 20 µL 90% ethanol. Thin endometrium in mice was featured by lowered endometrial thickness, decreased expression of Ki67 in glandular cells, and a reduced number of implantation sites. To explore the mechanism of GM-CSF on endometrial regeneration, endometrium was obtained from patients undergoing hysterectomy or hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. Effects of GM-CSF on primary cultured human endometrial glandular and stromal cells were examined by the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) proliferation assay and transwell migration assay, followed by exploration of the potential signaling pathway. RESULTS: GM-CSF intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection significantly increased endometrial thickness, expression of Ki67 in endometrial glandular cells, and the number of implantation sites. GM-CSF significantly promoted proliferation of primary human endometrial glandular cells and migration of stromal cells. GM-CSF activated p-Akt and increased expressions of p70S6K and c-Jun, which were blocked by LY294002. CONCLUSION: We found that GM-CSF could improve endometrial regeneration, possibly through activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Elevated expressions of SHP2 and GAB2 correlated with VEGF in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with ovarian endometriosis.

Aims: Protein tyrosine phosphatase Src-homology-2-domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) and adaptor protein Grb2-associated binding protein 2 (GAB2) can bind to each other in various signal transduction. However, the expression of SHP2 and GAB2 have not been investigated in endometriosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expressions of SHP2 and GAB2, and explore the correlation with Ki67 and VEGF in ovarian endometriosis.Materials and methods: The protein expressions and localizations were assessed immunohistochemically in ectopic, eutopic endometrium and normal endometrium from patients with (n = 30) and without (n = 30) ovarian endometriosis.Results: SHP2 was mainly present in the endometrial glandular epithelium, with increased expression in eutopic endometrium and even higher expression in ectopic endometrium compared to control endometrium (p < .05). GAB2 was immunolocalized in endometrial epithelium and stroma, increasing its expression from control endometrium to eutopic and ectopic endometrium (p < .05). Positive correlation was found between SHP2 and GAB2 in endometrium (p < .01). SHP2 and GAB2 both positively correlated with VEGF (p < .05), but not Ki67 in endometrium.Conclusions: We provide the first evidence that the protein expressions of SHP2 and GAB2 were elevated in ectopic and eutopic endometrium, suggesting GAB2-SHP2 axis regulating VEGF might contribute to the pathomechanism of endometriosis.

Cervical Adenoid Basal Carcinoma: Clinicopathologic Features of 9 Cases With Reference to CK17 and Ki-67 Expression.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to clarify the histological features of adenoid basal carcinoma (ABC) and determine whether cytokeratin 17 (CK17) and Ki-67 can facilitate the differential diagnosis of ABC from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine cases of pure ABC were collected from the files of the Division of Pathology at the Zhejiang University Hospital Women's School of Medicine. For comparison, 20 cases of moderately to poorly differentiated cervical SCC, including 2 of basaloid SCC, were also retrieved from the same period. Blocks were recut, reread, and immunostained for CK17 and Ki-67. RESULTS: Morphologically, ABCs were mainly composed of small basaloid cell nests and variable squamous differentiation foci. For immunohistochemical staining, 1 of 9 cases showed diffuse CK17 staining, 5 of 9 showed focal positive staining, and 3 of 9 showed negative staining in the basaloid cell area of ABC, whereas no CK17 expression was found in ABC squamous foci. Eighteen of the 20 invasive SCCs showed diffuse CK17 staining, and 2 showed focal staining. The Ki-67 proliferative index varied in different ABC areas, with a relatively high index in squamous differentiation foci and a low index in basaloid cell areas. In contrast, Ki-67 staining was unevenly intense in SCC. CONCLUSIONS: Adenoid basal carcinoma had characteristic morphological features, and the differential diagnosis of ABC from SCC is usually simple, based on morphology. In select cases, when histological findings are equivocal, the loss of CK17 expression in the squamous differentiation area, and a lower Ki-67 index in basal cell foci support ABC diagnosis.

Alternative splicing of the androgen receptor in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common female endocrine disorders and a leading cause of female subfertility. The mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of PCOS remains to be illustrated. Here, we identify two alternative splice variants (ASVs) of the androgen receptor (AR), insertion and deletion isoforms, in granulosa cells (GCs) in ∼62% of patients with PCOS. AR ASVs are strongly associated with remarkable hyperandrogenism and abnormalities in folliculogenesis, and are absent from all control subjects without PCOS. Alternative splicing dramatically alters genome-wide AR recruitment and androgen-induced expression of genes related to androgen metabolism and folliculogenesis in human GCs. These findings establish alternative splicing of AR in GCs as the major pathogenic mechanism for hyperandrogenism and abnormal folliculogenesis in PCOS.

Correlation of polypeptide N-acetylgalactosamine transferases-3 and -6 to different stages of endometriosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression patterns of N-acetyl galactosamine transferases (GalNAc-Ts)-3 and GalNAc-T6 in clinicopathologically characterized endometriosis (EMS), and to explore their clinical significance. METHODS: Ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissue samples were obtained and confirmed with CD-10 immunohistochemistry in patients with EMS (n = 12), whereas normal control endometrium was obtained from patients with uterine septum (n = 12). The mRNA and protein levels of GalNAc-T3 and GalNAc-T6 were detected in these samples using quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. RESULTS: GalNAc-T3 and GalNAc-T6 were expressed in the endometrium of all groups, with no significant changes observed during the menstrual cycle. The expression of GalNAc-T3 and GalNAc-T6 in ectopic endometrium was significantly lower than that in eutopic (P < 0.05) or control endometrium (P < 0.05), whereas there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between eutopic and control endometria. Furthermore, the expression of GalNAc-T3 and GalNAc-T6 was significantly lower in patients with stage III/IV EMS compared to patients with stage I/II (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both GalNAc-T3 and GalNAc-T6 expression levels were downregulated in ectopic endometrium, which may increase the adhesion and invasion of endometrial cells and contribute to the development of EMS. Moreover, we found a strong correlation between the expression of GalNAc-T3 and GalNAc-T6 and different stages of EMS.

Decreased expression of aquaporin 2 is associated with impaired endometrial receptivity in controlled ovarian stimulation.

Recently, there has been evidence of decreased implantation rates with in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer due to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of COS on embryo implantation and the role of aquaporin 2 (AQP2). We recruited eight patients who underwent COS and 40 matched controls. Endometrial samples were collected on Day 4~8 after injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin in the COS group and in the mid-secretory phase in the control group. Human endometrial morphological changes after COS were examined and expression of AQP2, leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and integrin B3 (ITGB3) were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemistry in human endometrium and Ishikawa cells. Attachment rates were obtained using the embryo attachment test. The results showed that endometrial epithelial cells from the COS group were disrupted and lacked pinopodes. Messenger RNA and protein levels of AQP2, LIF and ITGB3 decreased in endometrial samples from the COS group. Knockdown of AQP2 resulted in reduced expression of LIF and ITGB3 and reduced embryo attachment rates. In conclusion, impaired endometrial receptivity in patients who underwent COS is correlated with a decreased expression of AQP2.

Diagnosis and treatment of perineal endometriosis: review of 17 cases.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of perineal endometriosis. METHODS: Seventeen patients who presented with a tender perineal mass coinciding with the menstrual cycle on the scar of a previous vaginally procedure were examined retrospectively. Their clinical features and treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients presented with a palpable painful lesion. All of them had had vaginal delivery with episiotomy. The mean age of the patients was 34.35 years. The mean latent period was 46.82 months. The mean size was 2.38 cm. Thirteen patients presented with one subcutaneous nodule and four had multiple nodules. Color Doppler ultrasound revealed a subcutaneous nodule with an irregular outline and echo-complex density underlying the episiotomy scar. Only one patient suffered from perineal endometriosis combined with pelvic endometriosis. All endometriotic masses in perineum were completely excised and cured, and confirmed by the microscopic examination. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed history and thorough pelvic examination are essential in diagnosing perineal endometriosis. Surgical intervention is the first choice of treatment.

High GMFG expression correlates with poor prognosis and promotes cell migration and invasion in epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical significance of GMFG, a novel ADF/cofilin superfamily protein, and investigate its role in cell migration and invasion in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: The expression of GMFG in EOC tissues and ovarian cancer cell lines was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting respectively. The data were statistically analyzed for the associations of GMFG expression with clinicopathologic parameters and survival. In vitro cell migration and invasion assays were performed to determine the role of GMFG in cell migratory behaviors. The effect of GMFG on reorganization of actin cytoskeleton was investigated by immunostaining. RESULTS: GMFG was overexpressed in EOC. Up-regulated GMFG expression was closely correlated with advanced FIGO stage and chemoresistance of the disease. EOC patients with higher GMFG expression showed poorer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In vitro cellular assays revealed that GMFG promoted cell migration and invasion. GMFG expression altered actin cytoskeleton organization probably by interacting with the Arp2/3 complex. CONCLUSION: GMFG expression independently predicts poorer prognosis in patients with EOC. Ectopic overexpression of GMFG contributes to the malignant biological behavior of ovarian cancer cells.

[Recurrent Müllerian adenofibroma of uterus: a clinicopathologic study of 7 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of recurrent Müllerian adenofibroma (MAF) of the uterus. METHODS: Clinicopathologic information of 7 cases of recurrent MAF of uterus was retrieved from January 1992 to April 2006 and compared with 12 cases of MAF without recurrence and 14 cases of low-grade Müllerian adenosarcoma (MAS). EnVision immunohistochemistry of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), smooth muscle actin (SMA), CD10, Ki-67 and p53 were performed in all cases. RESULTS: All cases of recurrent MAF of the uterus were polypoid, lobulated, and broad based mass arising from the corpus or cervix. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of benign epithelial and mesenchymal components with low mitotic activity ( ≤ 1/10 HPF). The clinical and pathologic features of 3 recurrent tumors were similar to their primary tumors, while 4 cases of recurrent tumor presented with focally higher cellularity and mitotic activity, meeting the diagnostic criteria of adenosarcoma. The stromal expression patterns of ER, PR, SMA and p53 in recurrent MAF were similar to those of clinically benign MAF and low-grade MAS. Negative or focally positive stromal cell expression of CD10 was seen infrequently in recurrent MAF (1/7) and clinically benign MAF (1/12). In contrast, a moderate to strong CD10 staining was frequently seen in MAS (9/14, P < 0.05). The difference of Ki-67-labeling index between MAF and MAS did not reach a statistical significance (P > 0.05). Ki-67-labeling index increased in areas of periglandular stromal cuffing as compared with interglandular areas in all MAS cases, but it was not observed in either recurrent MAF or clinically benign MAF cases. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent MAF may be associated with aggressive behavior. It is difficult to distinguish MAF from low-grade MAS. CD10 and Ki-67 staining pattern in stromal cells may be helpful for the differential diagnosis.

Reduced expression of NDUFS3 and its clinical significance in serous ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Expression of the mitochondrial protein, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) Fe-S protein 3 (NDUFS3), down-regulates in some cancers including breast and kidney. This study evaluates NDUFS3 expression and its clinical significance in human serous ovarian adenocarcinoma. METHODS: 30 ovarian normal epithelium, 30 benign serous adenoma, and 100 serous carcinoma tissues were collected, and the expression of NDUFS3 protein and messenger RNA was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Relationships between NDUFS3 protein expression and clinicopathologic parameters and disease-free and overall survival were also studied. RESULTS: The expression of NDUFS3 messenger RNA and protein was significantly decreased in serous ovarian adenocarcinoma compared with normal ovarian epithelium and benign serous adenoma (both P < 0.001). Reduced NDUFS3 immunostaining correlated with advanced Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (P = 0.002) and suboptimal residual disease after primary surgery (P = 0.021). Reduced NDUFS3 expression also correlated with shorter disease-free (P = 0.002) and overall survival (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: NDUFS3 expression is down-regulated in serous ovarian adenocarcinoma, suggesting that NDUFS3 may contribute to the development of serous ovarian cancer.

[Expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 and caspase-3 in endometriosis and their correlation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling(SOCS)-3 and caspase-3 and their correlative significance in endometriosis. METHODS: Immunohistochemical EnVision method was used to detect the SOCS-3 and caspase-3 protein expression in ectopic and eutopic endometrium (n = 32) of patients with endometriosis, as well as normal endometrium (n = 30) of women without endometriosis. RESULTS: SOCS-3 and caspase-3 proteins were expressed in all three groups and not affected by the menstrual cycles. The expression of SOCS-3 in ectopic endometrium (5.54 ± 2.12) was significantly lower than that in eutopic (7.39 ± 1.09, P = 0.001) and control group (7.48 ± 1.26, P < 0.01), but without difference between the eutopic and control group (P = 0.756). SOCS-3 expression in ectopic and eutopic endometrium was significantly lower in III/IV stages than that in I/II stages of endometriosis (P < 0.05). Significantly lower expression of caspase-3 protein was found in ectopic (3.20 ± 1.24) and eutopic endometrium (3.88 ± 1.93) as compared with the control group (6.49 ± 1.85, P < 0.01), however ectopic and eutopic endometrium showed no significant difference (t = 1.66, P = 0.10). There was no significant difference of the expression of caspase-3 in ectopic and eutopic endometrium at different disease stages (P > 0.05). Positive correlation was found between the expression of SOCS-3 and caspase-3 proteins in ectopic endometrium (r = 0.655, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SOCS-3 may be involved in the development of endometriosis through inhibition of apoptosis of ectopic endometrial cells.

[Morphology and cell proliferation evaluation of follicles from cryopreserved human ovarian tissue by vitrification].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the morphology and proliferation of follicles from cryopreserved human ovarian tissue by vitrification. METHODS: Ovarian biopsy specimens were taken from 12 patients. The specimens were randomly distributed into fresh group (Group A) and vitrification group (Group B). Histological examination and ultrastructural observation were performed after cryopreservation. Both were embedded in paraffin block and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The proportions of primordial and primary follicles from Group A and Group B were 86.4%, 13.6% and 84.5%, 15.5%, respectively (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in proportions of morphologically normal primordial follicles between Group A and Group B (P>0.05); but the proportion of morphologically abnormal primary follicles was significantly higher in Group B than that in Group A (P<0.05). The ultrastructural studies showed that in histologically normal primordial follicles, there was no difference between Group A and Group B, while there were a few abnormalities of primary follicles in Group B. Granulosa cells and oocytes of primordial and primary follicles and stromal cells were positive for PCNA staining both in fresh and cryopreserved ovarian tissues; there were no differences between two groups. CONCLUSION: Vitrification is a favorable method in human ovarian cryopreservation.

[Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis arthralgia by xiaoyan zhitong paste: a clinical observation].

OBJECTIVE: To formulate a comprehensive treatment program for rheumatoid arthritis arthralgia by clinical observing the efficacy of Xiaoyan Zhitong Paste (XZP). METHODS: Adopted was stratified, block randomized, double-blinded, placebo parallel controlled method. Subjects were assigned to the treatment group and the placebo group. Those in the treatment group were treated by external application of XZP, one to two pastes each time, covering the painful area, exchange once per 24 h, with one-day interval during a 7-day consecutive medication, two 7-days of treatment consisting of one therapeutic course. XZP placebos were applied for those in the placebo group in the same medication way. Joint pain and VAS were taken as main indices for observing the clinical efficacy of XZP. RESULTS: The improvement of the analgesic effect and the Chinese medical syndrome efficacy of XZP were superior to that of the placebo. CONCLUSION: XZP showed obvious effect in treating rheumatoid arthritis arthralgia with no obvious adverse reaction.

[Clinical effect analysis of ankylosing spondylitis treated by Chinese medical syndrome differentiation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the curative effect and safety of Bushen Qiangji Decoction (BQD) and Qingre Qiangji Decoction (QQD) in treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, and to verify the clinical utility of AS syndrome differentiation and treatment scheme [Shen-deficiency induced stasis obstruction syndrome (SDISOS) and dampness-heat obstruction syndrome (DHOS) being two basic syndrome types, Shen invigorating blood activating method (SIBAM) and heat clearing dampness resolving method (HCDRM) being two basic treatment methods]. METHODS: Totally 354 AS patients of SDISOS and DHOS were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group using a multi-center randomized, positive drug parallel-controlled clinical trail. Patients in treatment group were treated by BQD or QQD according to syndrome typing, while those in the control group took Sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablet (SECT), 24 weeks as one therapeutic course. After treatment, the clinical efficacy was evaluated by using ASAS20 standard (set by Asessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis working group), Chinese medical efficacy evaluation standards, and BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, night-pain index, spinal pain index, PGA, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). RESULTS: After 24 weeks of treatment by BQD or QQD, ASAS20 standard rate was 86.75% in the treatment group, and the total effective rate of Chinese medical syndrome was 85.47%. They could significantly reduce patients' integrals of Chinese medical syndrome, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, night-pain index, spinal pain index, and PGA (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: QQD and BQD got confirmable clinical effects in treating AS, providing strong evidence of evidence-based medicine for syndrome differentiation and treatment of AS.

Tripterygium glycosides for safely controlling disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Background: Tripterygium glycosides have been used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for a long time, showing the effects of immune regulation. We aimed to evaluate the benefits and risks of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets (TGT) for patients with SLE. Methods: We searched electronic databases and clinical trial registries for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We identified eligible RCTs and assessed risk of bias. We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the pooled effects. The Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) 0.9.5.10 software was used to verify the reliability of the results. Results: Eight RCTs encompassing 538 patients with SLE were included. TGT combined with conventional treatments (CTs) was superior to CTs alone in reducing lupus activity (MD = -1.66, 95% CI = -2.07 to -1.26, p < 0.00001, low-certainty evidence) and improving overall response rate (ORR) (RR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.32, p < 0.0001, moderate-certainty evidence). The robustness of the results was confirmed by TSA. Regarding safety, there was no statistical difference in the overall incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. Conclusion: In patients with SLE, TGT might safely reduce disease activity. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of TGT. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022300474; Identifier: CRD42022300474.