ABSTRACT
Objective::To observe the clinical efficacy of Changyanqing mixture on chronic recurrent ulcerative colitis (UC) with damp-heat syndrome of large intestine and the effect on the recurrence of disease, in order to discuss the mechanism of action in terms of the neuro-endocrine-immune inflammation network. Method::One hundred and twelve patients were randomly divided into control group (55 cases) and observation group (57 cases) by random number table. Patients in control group got mesalazine slow release tablets, 0.1 g/time, 4 times/days, and those the score of Mayo≥7 were added with prednisone acetate tablets, 0.75 mg·kg-1·d-1, and bifidobacterium viable powder with warm water after dinner, 1 pack/day, 2 times/days. In addition to the therapy of control group, patients in observation group were also given Changyanqing mixture in the morning and evening, 1 pack/day. A course of treatment was 6 weeks, and patients got further consultation once a week. During the remission stage, patients in both groups got mesalazine slow release tablets, 0.5 g/time, 3 times/days, and patients in observation group were added with Changyanqing mixture until the score of damp-heat syndrome of large intestine reduced by more than 90%. The number of patients entering the remission stage of 6 weeks and the time of remission stage were recorded. Before and after treatment, colonoscopy was detected, and Geboes index, Baron, damp-heat syndrome of large intestine and Mayo were scored. And levels of peripheral blood interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), motilin (MTL) and neuropeptide (NPY) were detected, and relapse at the 24-week follow-up was recorded. Result::After the 6-week treatment, the clinical efficacy in observation group was 100%, which was higher than 89.09%in control group (P<0.05). And the healing rate of mucosa was 96.4%, which was higher than 81.82%in control group (P<0.05). And the response rate in two groups was 100%. At the 6th month after the treatment, the clinical remission rate in observation group was 91.23%, which was higher than 76.36%in control group (χ2=4.581, P<0.05). And the average remission time was shorter than that in control group (P<0.01). After treatment, scores of colonic mucosa, Geboes index, colonic mucosa and Mayo were all lower than those in control group (P<0.01). And levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, VIP and MTL were lower than those in control group (P<0.01), while levels of IL-10 and NPY were higher than those in control group (P<0.01). The relapse rate in observation group was 17.54%, which was lower than 38.18%in control group (χ2=5.955, P<0.05). And the mean recurrence time was longer than that in control group (P<0.01). Conclusion::In addition to the routine western medicine therapy, Changyanqing mixture can alleviate the condition of patients by shortening the course of the disease, reducing the recurrence rate, delaying the recurrence time, and regulating the nerve-endocrine-immune inflammation network.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the correlation between interleukin(IL)-21 and the recurrence of chronic hepatitis B(CHB)in hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive patients after discontinuation of entecavir(ETV).Methods A total of 112 HBeAg-positive CHB patients treated with ETV were enrolled.Serum levels of IL-21 at week 0,12,24 and 52 after ETV discontinuation were detected.The Cox regression model was used to analyze the correlation between IL-21 and the recurrence after ETV discontinuation.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to determine the predictive value of IL-21 for CHB recurrence after ETV discontinuation.The expression differences of IL-21 were compared between sustained viral response(SVR)group and viral relapse(VR)group.The t test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.Results The serum levels of IL-21 in SVR group at week 0,12,24 and 52 after ETV withdrawal were(60.0 ± 10.8),(60.2 ± 14.7),(60.6 ± 19.5)and (61.2 ± 15.4)ng/L,respectively,which were all significantly higher than those in VR group(47.5 ± 10.7),(47.3 ± 12.9),(46.9 ± 12.2)and(46.4 ± 12.8)ng/L,respectively(t=6.153,4.926,4.382 and 5.515,respectively,all P< 0.01).The area under curve(AUC)was 0.811(95% CI:0.728 ~0.893,P<0.01)and the best cut-off value of serum IL-21 level was 49.8 ng/L.The recurrence rates of patients with serum IL-21 level ≥49.8 ng/L and <49.8 ng/L at time of ETV withdrawal was 25.4%(16/63)and 77.6%(38/49),respectively.The difference was statistically significant(χ2=30.027,P<0.01).The serum IL-21 level at the time of drug withdrawal(P= 0.005),serum hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)level at the time of HBeAg seroconversion(P= 0.008)and age(P= 0.016)were factors associated with CHB recurrence after ETV withdrawal by multivariate Cox model analysis.The serum levels of ALT,HBV DNA,HBeAg and HBsAg in SVR group were significantly lower than those of VR group at week 12,24 and 52 after ETV withdrawal(t= -5.968,-7.691,-8.093; -3.047,-9.477,-28.900;-2.872,-10.424,-18.330;-4.633,-4.030 and -5.032,respectively;all P<0.01).Serum level of IL-21 was negatively correlated with HBsAg in SVR group after ETV withdrawal (r= -0.241,P<0.01),while positively correlated with HBsAg in VR group(r=0.286,P<0.01). Conclusions The serum IL-21 level at the time of drug withdrawal is associated with the recurrence after ETV discontinuation.IL-2l may play an important role as an immunomodulatory factor in maintaining virological responses in HBeAg-positive CHB patients after ETV withdrawal.