Effects of Biqi Capsules on clinical efficacy and cytokines of patients with ankylosing spondylitis / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the effects of Biqi Capsules on clinical efficacy and cytokines of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Methods: Patients (120 cases) with ankylosing spondylitis were randomly divided into control group and treatment group for 60 cases in each group. Patients in the control group were po administered with Sulfasalazine Tablets, four tablets twice a day. Patients in the treatment group were po administered with Biqi Capsules, 1.2 g for each time, three times daily. Four weeks were a course. Patients in two groups were treated for three courses. After treatment, the clinical efficacy was evaluated, and visual analog scales (VAS), Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease active index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), and Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrological index (BASMI) in two groups before and after treatment were compared. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to measure the expression levels of cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was detected by instrument method and hs-CRP was detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. Results: After treatment, the compliance rate of ASAS20 (20%) and BASDAI50 (50%) in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. After treatment, VAS, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, ESR, and hs-CRP in two groups were significantly decreased, with significantly difference between two groups before and after treatment (P < 0.01). And BASDAI and hs-CRP were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased, but TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly decreased, with significantly difference between two groups before and after treatment (P < 0.01). And IL-10 was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Biqi Capsules has certain therapeutic effect on ankylosing spondylitis, and it may be associated with increasing anti-inflammatory factors, decreasing inflammatory factors and regulating inflammatory immunity.