[Effects of Astragalus injection on renal tubular function in patients with IgA nephropathy]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the renal tubular function and the severity of tubulo interstitial lesion and the effects of Astragalus Injection (AI) on renal tubular function in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods: Sixty-seven patients with IgAN were randomly divided into the control group and the astragalus group, both received dipyridamole and benazepril orally, while the astragalus group treated with AI by intravenous dripping additionally. The indices for renal tubular function, including protein in blood and urine, urinary retinol binding protein (RBP) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG), were detected. Area of glomerular Bowman capsule, renal tubules, and capillary were measured with color magic image analysis system type CMIAS2000.

Results: Urinary RBP and UNAG were correlated with tubulointerstitial lesion. Urine protein concentration decreased, blood albumin increased remarkably and renal tubular function improved after treatment in the astragalus group, with the improvement significantly different to those in the control group respectively.

Conclusion: The severity of tubulointerstitial lesion was positively related to urinary RBP concentration, and astragalus injection has obvious effect on IgAN.