Study of the effect of leeching on plasma endothelin and soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中国结合医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>to explore the mechanism of leeching in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-four patients with SLE were randomly divided into conventional corticosteroid treated group (control group, n = 20) and conventional treatment group with leeching intervention added (leeching group, n = 24). Before and after treatment the concentration of plasma endothelin (ET) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Before treatment the level of plasma ET and sIL-2R in the SLE patients were all higher than those in the normal healthy group, (P < 0.01). But after treatment the level of these in both groups were significantly improved than those of before treatment (P < 0.05), and comparison between these two treated groups showed that the difference between them was significant (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Leeching added to conventional treatment of SLE could be more effective in improving the level of plasma ET and sIL-2R, and ameliorating the impairment of renal tissues.</p>