ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of the couplet medicines (Astragalus Membranaceus and Jiaozhen) on intestinal barrier functions of postoperative colorectal cancer patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 90 inpatients with confirmed colorectal cancer by pathological diagnosis were recruited as subjects in this study. They were assigned to the Chinese medicine group (CM, treated with Astragalus Membranaceus and Jiaozhen), the Western medicine group (WM, treated with glutamine), and the blank control group (treated with normal saline) according to random digit table, 30 in each group. The treatment course consisted of eight days. Levels of blood D-lactic acid, diamine oxidase (DAO), urinary lactulose/mannitol ratio (L/M), ET, TNF-alpha, and postoperative recovery time of bowel sound were observed before surgery and after surgery. The effect of the couplet medicines (Astragalus Membranaceus and Jiaozhen) on intestinal barrier functions of postoperative colorectal cancer patients were comprehensively assessed by taking blood D-lactic acid levels, DAO levels, urinary L/M as main potency indices; ET and TNF-alpha, recovery time of bowel sound as the secondary potency indices.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CM showed similar effect with that of WM in improving blood D-lactic acid levels and DAO levels, and urinary L/M ratio, with no statistical difference between them (P > 0.05). But they showed better effect than that of the blank control group (P < 0.05). Levels of ET and TNF-alpha were decreased more in the CM group than in the WM group (P < 0.05). The recovery time of bowel sound was shorter in the CM group than in the WM group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Levels of ET and TNF-alpha were decreased more in the WM group than in the blank control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the recovery time of bowel sound between the WM group and the blank control group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The couplet medicines (Astragalus Membranaceus and Jiaozhen) had obvious protection for intestinal barrier dysfunction of postoperative colorectal cancer patients, showing similar efficacy to that of WM. It was even superior to glutamine in restoring bowel functions, reducing toxin absorption, and lowering levels of pro-inflammatory factors.</p>