Treatment of 37 patients with refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura by Shengxueling (升血灵)

Objective： To explore the clinical effect and possible mechanism of Shengxueling （升血灵, SXL）, a Chinese medical preparation mainly consisting of ginseng saponins, in treating refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura （ITP）. Methods： The selected 69 patients with ITP were randomly assigned to two groups, the 37 patients in the treated group were treated orally by SXL with the dose for adult as 60 mg twice a day for two weeks. Then when no marked rise of platelet count after that, the dose would be doubled and administered for another two weeks. Then the dose could be gradually reduced to the initiative level in patients who responded to the treatment, and if they did not, the treatment was regarded as ineffective and be terminated. The 32 patients in the control group were treated with ampeptide elemente instead of SXL, 0.4 g each time three times a day in the first two weeks, and, if that was ineffective, 0.2 g would be added each time and 1.8 g would be administered a day for two more weeks. Four weeks＇ treatment was regarded as one therapeutic course for both groups and the observation lasted for two successive courses in patients showing positive reslbonse. Results： In the 37 patients in the treated group, markedly effective was obtained in 7 （19.0%）, favorably effective in 15 （40.5%）, improved in 5 （13.5%） and ineffective in 10 （27.0%）, the total effective rate being 59.5%. The corresponding number in the 32 patients in the control group was 4 （12.5%）, 6 （18.8%）, 3 （9.4%）, 19 （59.4%） and 31.3% respectively. Comparison showed the difference in therapeutic efficacy between the two groups was significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： SXL is a safe and effective preparation for treatment of ITP, showing an immediate effect which is obviously superior to that of ampeptide elemente with less adverse effect.     

Effectiveness and Safety of Umbilicus Treatment with Modified Dinggui Powder(加味丁桂散)in Patients with Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis:A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal external umbilicus treatment with Modified Dinggui Powder(加味丁桂散,MDGP)in patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis(CNP).Methods:A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 72 patients with CNP.Participants were randomly allocated to a treatment group and a placebo group using computer software in a 1:1 ratio,and received either MDGP external umbilicus treatment(MDGP group,36 cases)or placebo(control group,36 cases)at acupoints Shenque(CV 8),twice a week for 4 weeks.In addtion,patients all received herbal medicine treatment twice a day for 4 weeks.The primary outcome was the US National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Scores Index(NIH-CPSI)with a questionnaire at weeks 2 and 4.The secondary outcomes including prostatic fluid examination(white blood cells and lecithin bodies),the clinical efficacy evaluation,and the adverse events were also assessed during the entire trial.Results:The NIH-CPSI scores regarding pain or discomfort scores showed greater improvement in the MDGP group than placebo control group at weeks 2(P=0.001)and week 4(P=0.004),respectively.NIH-CPSI scores of symptom severity,total scores and leukocytes number in the prostatic fluid in the MDGP group were significantly improved(P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in the urinary symptoms,quality of life,lecithin and other scores between two groups(P>0.05).The clinical effective rate was 73.53%(25/34)in the MDGP group,which was significally higher than the placebo control group with 48.39%(25/31,P<0.05).Patients were blinded successfully,and no serious adverse effects were found during the trial.Conclusion:A 4-week course of umbilicus treatment with modified Dinggui Powder seems to relieve pain and symptom severity effectively and increase the amount of leukocytes number in patients with CNP(Trial registration No.ChiCTRI 800014687).     

Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Yiweining （异位宁） and Gestrinone for Post-operational Treatment of

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiweining （异位宁, YWN） and gestrinone （GT） in treating post-operational patients of stage Ⅲ endometriosis （EM-Ⅲ）. Methods： Fifty-two patients of EM-Ⅲ after operation were randomly assigned into three groups, the YWN group （20 patients） was treated through oral intake of YWN 200 ml, twice a day; the GT group （19 patients） treated with gestrinone 2.5 mg, twice every week, with the medication starting from the 7th post-operational day and lasting for 6 months. The control group （13 patients） was untreated. Six months was one therapeutic course, and follow-up study was carried out in the 6-30 months after the end of the medication. Results： The recurrence rate in the YWN group and the GT group were 5.0% and 5.3% respectively, showing insignificant difference between the two groups, but they were lower than that in the control group （30.7%, P〈0.05）. Besides, the adverse reaction rate in the YWN group was lower than that in the GT group （ 10.0% vs 31.6%, P〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Application of YWN to prevent the post-operational recurrence of endometriosis is effective and safe, and its efficacy is similar to that of GT.     

Effect of Xuesaitong Soft Capsule(血塞通软胶囊)on Hemorrheology and in Auxiliarily Treating Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of Xuesaitong soft capsule(血塞通软胶囊,XST)and its effect on platelet counts, coagulation factor 1 (CF1) as well as hemorrheologic indexes in treating patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI). Methods: Two hundred and four patients with ACI were assigned into two groups, the control group ( n = 96) and the treated group ( n = 108). They were all treated with conventional Western medicines, including mannitol, troxerutin, citicoline, piracetam and aspirin, while to the treated group, XST was given additionally through oral intake, twice a day, 2 capsules each time for 8successive weeks. The clinical efficacy was evaluated according to the nerve function deficits scoring and the changes of platelet count. CF1 and hemorrhe.ological indexes were measured before and after treatment. Results: The total effective rate was 87.0% in the treated group, and 87.5% in the control group, respectively, showing insignificant difference between them. But the markedly effective rate in the treated group (66.7%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (27.1%, P＜0.01). The count of platelet was not changed significantly in both groups after treatment, while CF1 inthem evidently lowered at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks of treatment, but showed insignificant difference between the two groups. The hematocrit, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity in both groups were all improved significantly after treatment, but also showed insignificant difference in comparison of the two groups. Conclusion: XST has good efficacy in auxiliary treatment of patients with ACI, though its mechanism remains to be further explored.     

A Randomized Trial of Chinese Medicine Lirukang Granule (利乳康颗粒) Combined with Psychological Intervention for Cyclomastopathy and Menoxenia

Objective:To observe the influence of therapy with Chinese medicine Lirukang Granule（利乳康颗粒）,LRKG) combined with psychological intervention on anxiety states and sex hormones in patients with cyclomastopathy and menoxenia.Methods:A total of 470 subjects were randomly assigned to three groups by the net-central randomization system,the treatment group（161 patients,treated with LRKG and psychological intervention）,the Chinese medicine group（157 patients,treated with LRKG）,and the psychological intervention group（152 patients,treated with psychological intervention）.The dose of LRKG was 12 g three times per day; psychological intervention included establishing relations,cognitive intervention and psychological persuasion, 30-40 min per session,once a week.The therapy duration for all groups was three months.The efficacy was compared and anxiety state/State-Trait Anxiety Invertory（STAI） scoring was measured before and after treatment.The serum estradiol（E₂）,progesterone（P）,prolactin（PRL） and follicle stimulating hormone（FSH） levels of 60 patients selected randomly from each group during the luteal phase were measured before and after treatment,and a group of 20 healthy women were evaluated for comparison.A follow-up was arranged for one year after treatment.Results:Thirty subjects were lost to follow-up.（1） Comparison of efficacy:the markedly effective rate and the total effective rate of the treatment group were 86.67%（131/150） and 98.00%（147/150）, respectively;of the Chinese medicine group,64.58%（93/144） and 90.27%（130/144）,respectively;and of the psychological intervention group,0%（0/146） and 3.42%（5/146）,respectively.The markedly effective rate and the total effective rate in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the Chinese medicine and psychological intervention groups（P<0.05）.（2） Comparison of STAI scoring:STAI scoring was decreased dramatically in the treatment group after treatment compared with that of the Chinese medicine group（P<0.01）, but there was no significant difference compared with the psychological intervention group.（3） Comparison of levels of sex hormones:E₂,P,PRL and FSH of the three patient groups were disordered before treatment,and significantly different from healthy women（P<0.01）.After treatment,the levels of P and FSH of the treatment group were significantly increased（P<0.01）,E₂ and PRL were significantly reduced,which were also significantly decreased compared with the psychological intervention groups（P<0.01）.（4） Follow-up:the markedly effective rate and the total effective rate of the treatment group remained higher than those of the other two groups after one year of treatment（P<0.05）.（5） Adverse reactions:no obvious adverse reactions were found among the three groups.Conclusions:Therapy with Chinese medicine combined with psychological intervention was effective for short-term and long-term treatment of cyclomastopathy and menoxenia.The mechanism might be related to the regulation of sex hormones.     

Clinically controlled study on children’s infectious mononucleosis treated by Chinese medicine

Objective： To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Chinese drugs for the treatment of children＇s infectious mononucleosis （CIM）. Methods： Sixty CIM patients were assigned into the treated group and the control group, patients in the treated group were administered with Chinese herbal decoction, and those in the control group were treated with intravenous dripping of ganciclovir 10 mg/kg per day, for a treatment course of 14 days. Results： The total effective rate was 96.0% in the treated group and 97.1% in the control group, showing insignificant difference between groups. The efficacy in the treated group was superior to that in the control group on the fever clearance time （3.0 ± 1.5 days vs 4.9 ± 3.9 days ） and the disappearance time of cervical lymph node swelling （0.8 ± 1.0 score vs 1.5 ± 1.2 score）, showing statistical significance （all P〈0.05）. T-cell subsets were markedly improved in both groups after treatment. Adverse reaction occurred in four cases of the control group. Conclusion： Using Chinese herbs for clearing heat, removing toxin, activating blood circulation, and dissolving stasis is effective and safe for the treatment of CIM. It can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and shows a certain effect on immune regulation.     

Clinical observation on treatment of hyperplasia of mammary gland by Lirukang Granule (利乳康颗粒)

Objective:To explore the effi cacy and mechanism of Lirukang Granule(利乳康颗粒,LRKG) in treating hyperplasia of mammary gland(HMG).Methods:One hundred patients with HMG were randomly assigned to two groups,50 in each group.The patients in the treated group were orally administered with LRKG thrice a day,one package each time,and those in the control group were given orally Rukuaixiao Tablet(乳块消,RKX) thrice a day,4 tablets each time.The therapeutic course for both groups was 4 months.The clinical eff icacy,pain alleviating rate,as well as changes of local sign and symptom scores were observed before and after treatment.The changes of serum estradiol(E2),progesterone(P),testosterone(T),follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH) and prolactin(PRL) in some randomly selected patients(24 patients in the treated group and 24 in the control group) before and after treatment were measured with radioimmunoassay.Results:The total clinical effi cacy in the treated group was superior to that in the control group,signifi cant difference was shown between the two groups(P<0.01).The cure-effective rate and total effective rate in the treated group were 70.0%and 88.0% respectively,signif icantly higher than those in the control group(38.0% and 64.0%) respectively(P<0.01),and the pain alleviating rate in the treated group was also significantly higher in the former than that in the latter(88.0% vs 64.0%,P<0.05).Moreover,the treated group showed obvious superiority in improving the patients' symptom and sign scores(P<0.01),and abnormalities of gonadal hormone as compared with the respective items in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion:LRKG has good effi cacy in the treatment of HMG,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation on endocrine and immune function.     

Clinical observation on the treatment of chronic urticaria with total glucosides of paeony capsule combined with citirizine

<正>Objective:To assess the effect and adverse reaction of total glucosides of paeony capsule(TGPC)in combining with citirizine for the treatment of chronic urticaria.Methods:A total of 120 patients were assigned to two groups by lottery,65 in the treated group and 55 in the control group.They all were orally treated with citirizine tablet 10 mg per day,but to the treated group,additional 0.2 g TGPC was given three times per day,the therapeutic course for both groups was 4 weeks.The effectiveness of treatment was observed,and the changes of total symptom score,serum levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),and immunoglobulin E(IgE)were measured before and after treatment.Moreover,a followup was carried out one month after ending the treatment.Results:The dropped cases were two in the treated group and seven in the control group;so,the study was accomplished on 63 patients in the treated group and 48 patients in the control group.The total effective rate was assessed at 73.02%(46/63)in the treated group,which was significantly higher than 47.92%(23/48)in the control group(P0.01).After treatment,the total symptom score decreased in both groups,but the decrement in the treated group was more significant(P0.05).Serum levels of IL-4 and IgE in the treated group lowered significantly,while the changes in the control group were insignificant,so statistical significant differences were shown between groups(P0.01).A follow-up study showed that the relapse rate in the treated group was 30.00% (6/20),while that in the control group was 90.00%(9/10),and the former was lower than the latter(P0.01).Adverse reactions,revealed as drowsiness,dizziness,and weakness,were seen in eight cases and seven cases in the two groups,respectively.Besides,mild diarrhea occurred in two cases of the treated group.Condusioiis:The treatment of TGPC combining citirizine shows definite curative effect in treating chronic urticaria,with low relapse rate and without evident adverse reaction.Its therapeutic effect might be realized by means of regulating patients' immune function. Besides,the medication should be continued for a rather long period to achieve the full effect.     

Clinical Observation on Treatment of Acute Gouty Arthritis byTongfengkang(痛风康)

Objective To objectively evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of Tongfengkang (TFK) in treating acute gouty arthritis. Methods: Adopting randomized single blinded controlled trial, the 40 patients were equally divided into two groups. The tested group was treated with TFK, the control group was treated with indomethacin and allopurinol, the therapeutic course for both groups was 10 days. Results: The clinical cure rate in the tested group and the control group was 30% and 35% respectively, and the total effective rate 90% and 95% respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).The scores of blood uric acid and symptom significantly lowered in both groups after treatment (P <0.01), but showed no significant difference between them (P>0.05). Adverse reaction to the treatment was shown in 3 patients in the control group. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of TFK is similar to that of indomethacin plus allopurinol but with less adverse reaction, it is an effective and safe re     

Clinical observation on treatment of 32 patients with measles by Qingzhen Decoction (清疹汤)

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of Qingzhen Decoction （清疹汤, QZD） on measles. Methods： Adopting the randomizing digital table, 62 patients with measles were assigned to two groups, 32 in the treated group and 30 in the control group. All patients were treated with routine therapy, but QZD was given to the treated group additionally for 5 days. Changes of clinical symptoms, blood routine and liver function before and after treatment were observed, and the medical cost was calculated. Results： After the 5-day treatment, the normalization rate of irritative cough in the treated and the control group was 88.9% （24/27） and 56.0% （14/25） respectively, that of conjunctival congestion was 90.0% （27/30） and 65.5% （19/29） respectively, showing significant differences between groups （P〈0.05）. The liver function normalization rate in the two groups was 28.6% （2/7） and 25.0% （2/8）, and the average medical cost ￥740.7 and ￥749.3, respectively. The total effective rate in the two groups was 96.9% and 93.3% respectively, showing insignificant difference between groups （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： QZD could actively improve the respiratory symptoms like irritative cough and the inflammatory symptoms of eye like conjunctival congestion in patients with measles.     

Analysis of the therapeutic effect of sodium copper chlorophyllin tablet in treating 60 cases of leukopenia

Leukopenia is frequently encounteredinclinical practice . But at present no satisfac-tory agents have been found in its manage-ment .It was reported that sodium copperchlorophyllin (commercially named Yebaikeand abbreviated as YBK,叶拜克) ,a deriva-tive of chlorophyllin extracted from silk-worm faeces ( which has been traditionallyused as a drugin TCM) ,possesses multiplebiological actions and could be used in trea-ting leukopenia . However ,it is regrettablethat literature regardingits rol…     

肾衰方联合中药贴敷治疗慢性肾脏病2～4期90例

目的观察肾衰方联合中药贴敷疗法治疗慢性肾脏病（CKD）2~4期的疗效。方法将慢性肾脏病2~4期每期各30例患者,分为治疗组（肾衰方口服联合中药贴敷）和对照组（海昆肾喜胶囊口服）,平均治疗14 d,对比分析其肾功能和症状的改善情况。结果治疗组在慢性肾脏病3,4期较对照组具有明显改善肾功能疗效优势（P〈0.05）,而慢性肾脏病2期改善程度不明显;与对照组比较,治疗组在倦怠乏力、腰酸膝软、食少纳呆及恶心呕吐等方面在不同病程显示出不同程度的改善;慢性肾脏病2~4期治疗组在中医症状积分上明显优于对照组（P〈0.05）;慢性肾脏病3,4期治疗组在证候疗效和疾病疗效两方面均较对照组有明显改善（P〈0.05）,而慢性肾脏病2期无明显统计学意义。结论肾衰方联合中药贴敷疗法治疗慢性肾脏病,能明显改善肾功能,缓解临床症状。     

艾灸联合鼠神经生长因子治疗糖尿病神经源性膀胱的疗效分析

目的 探讨艾灸联合鼠神经生长因子治疗糖尿病神经源性膀胱的疗效。方法 选取2012年1月~2017年5月在笔者医院内分泌科住院的糖尿病神经源性膀胱患者120例,采用数字表法随机分为3组,每组各40例。其中A组接受降血糖、导尿、排尿训练等常规治疗,B组在常规治疗基础上加用鼠神经生长因子治疗,C组在常规治疗基础上加用艾灸联合鼠神经生长因子治疗。治疗4周后,比较各组症状、膀胱残余尿及腓神经感觉转导速度变化情况。结果 3组患者治疗前一般情况差异无统计学意义。治疗后,B组和C组的总有效率高于A组（72.5%,85.0% vs 35.0%）,膀胱残余尿量少于A组（98.4±21.3ml, 87.2±17.6ml vs 137.1±19.6ml）,腓神经感觉转导速度高于A组（47.83±6.37m/s, 51.36±4.28m/s vs 44.36±5.24m/s,P均<0.05）。治疗后,C组膀胱残余尿少于B组（87.2±17.6ml vs 98.4±21.3ml）,腓神经转导速度高于B组（51.36±4.28m/s vs 47.83±6.37m/s,P均<0.05）。结论 艾灸联合鼠神经生长因子能有效改善糖尿病神经源性膀胱病情,且安全性较好,值得临床上推广应用。     

Sixty-one patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy treated by Tongluo Yangyin Recipe (通络养阴方)

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of Tongluo Yangyin Recipe (通络养阴方,TLYYR) in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).Methods:Ninety-nine patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 were assigned,according to the order of their visit,to two groups:61 in the treated group and 38 in the control group.They were given the same information about diabetes mellitus and treated with the same therapy:strict diet control and Western drugs for hypoglycemia.In addition,the treated group received one dose (200 mL) of TLYYR in water decoction every day in two portions,while the control group had vitamin B_1 100 mg and vitamin B_(12) 250μg administered daily via intramuscular injection.The course for all patients was 28 days.Results:The treated group experienced a therapeutic effect superior to that of the control group,with the difference between the total effective rates and the markedly effective rates (P<0.05,P<0.01).The blood levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) fell,the hemorrheological manner improved,the transmission velocity of the median nerve and common peroneal nerve significantly increased in the treated group after treatment (P<0.05), although the treatment showed no significant influence on blood glucose level (P>0.05).Conclusion: TLYYR could promote blood microcirculation,improve nutritional metabolism of peripheral nerve,and thus accelerating DPN repair.     

Effect of Tang No.1 granule (糖1号方) in treating patients with impaired glucose tolerance

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of Tang No.1 granule （糖1号方, T1G） in treating patients with impaired glucose tolerance （IGT）. Methods： One hundred and forty patients with IGT and with Pi （脾）-Wei （胃） dampness-heat syndrome type were assigned randomly according to their visiting sequence into two equal groups. The control group received only general knowledge about IGT, but to the treated group, based on current knowledge available, T1G was given additionally for 6 months. Changes in related laboratory indexes, including fasting plasma glucose and insulin （FPG and FINS）, plasma glucose 2 h after meal （2hPG）, glycosylated hemoglobin （HbAlc）, serum triglyceride （TG）, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL） and insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR）, were observed. Results： The levels of FPG, 2hPG, HbAlc, FINS, TG and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased after treatment in the treated group, showing a significant difference compared to the control group （P〈0.01）. Among them, HbAlc decreased from 7.08±1.41% to 6.56±1.29% in the treated group, while in the control group, it decreased from 7.02±1.37% to 6.93±1.31%. The level of LDL was also reduced in the treated group after treatment （P〈0.05）. In the treated group, 13 out of 68 patients （19.12%） had their glucose tolerance reversed to normal, while in the control group, only 2/64 （3.1%） got it reverse; a comparison between the two groups in terms of reversion rate showed a significant difference （P〈0.01）. No severe adverse reaction was found in the therapeutic course. Conclusions： T1G has good clinical effect as a treatment intervention for IGT, as it could improve glycometabolism, significantly depress the levels of post-prandial blood sugar and blood lipids, alleviate clinical symptoms of patients, and effectively cut-off and reverse the yielding and development of diabetes mellitus.     

Clinical observation on the efficacy of Xiaoshui decoction (消水方) combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin in treating malignant pleural effusion

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of Xiaoshui decoction （XSD,消水方） combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. Methods： Fifty-one patients with malignant pleural effusion were randomly assigned to two groups. The treated group patients） received oral administration of XSD combined with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin, and control group （25 patients） was only treated with intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin. The effects of 26 he he short-term efficacy, quality of life scores and clinical symptom scores of malignant pleural effusion were evaluated. Results： The short-term efficacy in the treated group and the control group was 72.0% and 58.3%, respectively, and no significant difference was found （P〉0.05）. In contrast, the quality of life in the treated group was significantly improved compared to that of the control group （P〈0.05）, and so was the symptom remission （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： The combined therapy of XSD and intrapleural perfusion of cisplatin did not show obvious improvement in short-term efficacy, but the therapy remarkably alleviated the symptoms and improved the quality of life of patients.     

Clinical experience in treatment of Amanita mushroom poisoning with Glossy Ganoderma Decoction (灵芝煎剂) and routine Western medicines

Objective:To assess the effects of treatment of Amanita mushroom poisoning with Glossy anoderma Decoction(灵芝煎剂,GGD).Methods:Twelve patients with acute Amanita mushroom poisoning received conventional treatment(penicillin and reduced glutathione) combined with oral administration of GGD(treated group),which was prepared out of 200 g Glossy ganoderma decocted in water to 600 mL,and 200 ml was given once,three times a day for 7 successive days;while conventional treatment alone was given to the other 11 patients assigned to the control group.The therapeutic eff icacy and changes in serum levels of total bilirubin(TBil),bile acids(BA),alanine transaminase(ALT),and aspartate transaminase(AST) activities in the two groups were compared.Results:The cured-markedly effective rate in the treated group was more signif icant than that in the control group(P<0.01).Elevation in TBil,BA,ALT,and AST activities were observed in both groups 3 days after poisoning,which progressively increased thereafter in the control group.In the treated group,they reached their peak on the 3rd day and then declined gradually.The differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment in both groups were obviously signif icant(P<0.01),so were the differences between the two groups at corresponding time points(P<0.01).Conclusion:GGD shows excellent clinical eff icacy in the treatment of acute Amanita mushroom poisoning and can reduce mortality signif icantly.     

Effect of Kang’ ai Injection (康艾注射液) on serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with esophageal carcinoma during radiotherapy

Objective： To observe the effect of Kang＇ai Injection （康艾注射液, KAI） on serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor （sIL-2R） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in patients with esophageal carcinoma （EC） during radiotherapy （RT）, and to investigate its synergistic effect with RT and its influence on immunological function of the body. Methods： One hundred and seventy patients with EC, who had missed the chance of surgical operational therapy, were assigned to the treated group （90 cases） and the RT group （80 cases）, and at the same time a control group consisting of 80 inpatients without tumors was set up. Patients in the RT group were treated with RT alone but KAI was given additionally to those in the treated group, with 50 ml given once per day via intravenous dripping, 15 days as one course, and 2 courses administered in total. The immediate therapeutic efficacy and changes of serum slL-2R and VEGF levels were observed, and the effect of KAI on patients＇ quality of life （QOF） was evaluated by Karnofsky scoring. Results： In 16 patients of the treated group it was completely remission （OR）, in 54 partially remission （PR）, in 18 it was stabilized disease （SD） and in 2 progressive disease （PD）, with the total effective rate （CR ＋ PR） as 77.8%, while in those of the control group it was 12, 46, 18, 4 and 72.5%, respectively, the immediate therapeutic efficacy in the treated group was somewhat better than that in the RT group, but showed no statistical significance （P〉0.05）. Serum levels of slL-2R and VEGF in all the patients before treatment were higher than those in the control group, which were decreased after treatment in both groups （P〈0.05）, but the improvement in the treated group was better than that in the RT group, showing significant difference （P〈0.05）, and patients＇ QOF improved more significantly in the former as well （62.2 % vs 40.0%, P〈 0.05）. Conclusion： KAI in combination with RT in treating patients with EC could enhance the immunological function of patients, improve their QOF and enhance their sensitivity to RT.     

Effects of Shehuang Paste(麝黄膏) on hemodynamics, endotoxin, nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in patients with refractory cirrhotic ascites

Objective： To explore the influence of Shehuang Paste （麝黄膏, SHP） to the hemodynamics, endotoxin, nitric oxide （NO）, and endothelin-1 （ET-1） in patients with refractory cirrhotic ascites. Methods： Fifty-nine cases of refractory cirrhotic ascites were randomly assigned to two groups, 32 cases in the treatment group and 27 cases in the control group. The basic treatment was the same for both groups, including liver protecting medicines, diuretics and supportive drugs, but SHP navel sticking was applied for the treatment group additionally once a day. A course of one month of treatment was applied and the general efficacy on ascites was observed by the end of the therapeutic course. Before and after the treatment, examinations by limulus lysate chromogenic test was conducted to measure plasma endotoxin content; colorimetry to measure plasma content of NO indirectly, radioimmunoassay to measure plasma ET-1 content; and color Doppler ultrasonography to measure the blood flow of portal vein and splenic vein. The relationship between the blood flow of portal vein and splenic vein and endotoxin, NO and ET-1 in the treatment group was analyzed as well. Results： The total effective rate on ascites was 84.4% in the treatment group, and 48. 1% in the control group, with significant difference shown between them （P〈0.01）. In the treatment group the blood flow of portal vein and splenic vein, contents of endotoxin, NO and ET-1 all got significantly reduced after treatment （ P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）; while these indexes in the control group were not significantly changed （P〉0.05）. Moreover, it was found that in the treatment group, the blood flow of portal vein and splenic vein had a positive correlation to the levels of NO, ET-1, and endotoxin, either before or after treatment. Conclusion： Application of SHP navel sticking could clearly reduce the blood flow of portal vein and splenic vein, and lower the content of endotoxin, NO and ET-1. The blood flow of portal vein and splenic vein in the treatment group showed a positive correlation with the contents of endotoxin, NO and ET-1.