Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huaju Qingli Formula in metabolic syndrome patients with microalbuminuria: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria (MAU) is a key component of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and is an early sign of diabetic nephropathy as well. Although routine Western medicine treatments are given to MetS patients to control high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, some patients still experience progressive renal lesions and it is necessary to modify and improve the treatment strategy for MetS patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Yiqi Huaju Qingli Herb Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in MetS patients with MAU when it is combined with routine Western medicine treatment. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Sixty patients with MetS were randomized into the Chinese herbal formula group (CHF, Yiqi Huaju Qingli formula treatment in combination with Western medicine) and control group (placebo in combination with Western medicine). All treatments were administered for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Urinary microalbumin (MA), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), 24-hour total urine protein (24-hTP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2-hPPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), blood lipid profile and blood pressure were observed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, CHF treatment significantly decreased BMI (P<0.05), WC (P<0.01) and WHR (P<0.01). Both groups had significant decreases in FPG, 2-hPPG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, MA, and UACR, with CHF treatment showing better effects on these parameters compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). Both treatments significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerol (TAG), and a greater reduction in TAG was observed with CHF treatment (P<0.05). The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change in the control group after treatment (P>0.05), whereas it significantly increased with CHF treatment (P<0.01). Compared with before the treatment, significant decreases in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure were observed in both groups (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined treatment of Yiqi Huaju Qingli Formula and Western medicine significantly alleviated MAU, which may correlate with the improvement of insulin sensitivity and glucose and lipid metabolism. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER: This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the identifier ChiCTR-TRC-11001633.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huaju Formula on hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hypertension coupled with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are among the high risk population in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. To reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it is essential to appropriately control blood pressure together with other cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVE: The current study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects on blood pressure, blood pressure variability and other cardiovascular risk factors by giving Yiqi Huaju Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in addition to routine treatment to hypertensive patients coupled with MetS. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A total of 43 patients with hypertension coupled with MetS were recruited into this study. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into the Chinese herbal formula group (anti-hypertensive drugs plus Yiqi Huaju Formula, CHF) and the control group (anti-hypertensive drugs plus placebo). The CHF group enrolled 22 patients while the control group received 21 cases. Treatments were given for 12 weeks in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Parameters examined include 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), fasting plasma insulin, serum lipid, etc. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the CHF group had significant improvement (P<0.01) in anthropometric parameters, FPG, HOMA-IR, blood pressure amplitude, blood pressure variability and blood pressure load. CONCLUSION: This study showed that integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment can achieve better results in controlling blood pressure as well as other cardiovascular risk factors. The mechanism of controlling of blood pressure may be associated with the improvement of insulin sensitivity due to the Yiqi Huaju intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER: ChiCTR-TRC-11001633.

[Clinical immunological study on prevention and treatment of chronic pyelonephritis with yishenkang granule].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between chronic pyelonephritis (CPN) and immune function, and the therapeutic mechanism of Yishenkang granule (YSKG). METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients of CPN were divided into 3 groups randomly, the YSKG group (treated with YSKG), the control A group (treated with Sanjin tablet) and the control B group (treated with western medicine). Serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig), complement 3 (C3), interleukin-2 (IL-2), peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets, and urinary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) were determined before and after treatment with monoclonal antibody assay, agar diffusion method, radioimmunoassay (RIA), and radioimmuno-equilibrium method, and compared with normal control. RESULTS: There were disorders of T-lymphocyte subsets in CPN, lowering of serum Ig, C3 and urinary sIgA, and increase of blood IL-2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). These abnormalities could be normalized after YSKG treatment. CONCLUSION: Functional disorders of cellular and humoral immunity exist in CPN patients of chronic stage, YSKG could correct the immune functional disorder, control the recurrence of CPN effectively and alleviate the immunopathological damage.