ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo examine the effect of Xuebijing Injection on the number of T lymphocytes and Toll-like receptors as adjuvant therapy of severe abdominal infections.MethodsA total of 78 patients with severe abdominal infection who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit were divided into control group and treatment group. The patients in control group received conventional therapy alone, while the patients in treatment group received Xuebijing Injection (50 mL twice daily for 2 weeks) in addition to conventional therapy. Blood sample was drawn before and after 2-week treatment to determine T lymphocytes. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated to determine the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and TLR4. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and gastrointestinal function score were recorded before and after treatment.ResultsThe levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ of peripheral blood in the Xuebijing-treated patients were signiifcantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01), but the levels of CD8+ was signiifcantly lower than that in control group (P<0.01). The levels of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the treatment group were signiifcantly lower than those in control group (P<0.01). The APACHE II score and gastrointestinal function score in treatment group were signiifcantly lower than those in control group (P<0.01).ConclusionXuebijing Injection as adjuvant therapy of severe abdominal infection can improve the number of T lymphocytes, and reduce the expression of Toll-like receptors.