ABSTRACT
Objective To detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) in the plasma of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC); To investigate the clinical efficacy ofBaitouweng Decoction for UC and its influence on intestinal mucosal healing and partial mechanism.Methods Totally 66 patients with UC were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with Baitouweng Decoction (oral and enema treatment) and those in the control group took Mesalazine for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the therapeutic effects were assessed by Mayo scoring system and the grading of activities was evaluated by Baron Endoscope. Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. Besides, another 20 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy control group for comparison.Results The endoscopic remission rate was 51.4% (19/35) in treatment group, higher than that of the control group (25.8%, 8/31,P0.05). Serum levels of TNF-α were obviously positive correlated with Mayo score, Baron score and histology score (r=0.836, 0.735, 0.527,P<0.01). Serum levels of IL-10 were obviously negative correlated with Mayo score, Baron score and histology score (r=-0.704, -0.695, -0.509,P<0.01). Compared with pre-treatment, the serum levels of TNF-α significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the serum levels of IL-10 significantly increased (P<0.01) after treatment withBaitouweng Decoction.ConclusionBaitouweng Decoction (oral and enema treatment) is effective and safe in patients with UC. Its effects might be involved in regulating the imbalance of pro-inflammatory factors and anti-inflammatory factors, and promoting mucosal healing.