Regulatory Effects of Yiqi Zishen Granule on Helper T-Lymphocyte Subsets in IgA Nephropathy Patients

ObjectiveTo study the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and the effect of Yiqi Zishen Granule (YZG) on the helper T-lymphocyte subsets Th1/Th2 in IgAN patients. MethodsIntracellular cytokines secreted by Th1/Th2 were measured using flow cytometry in 24 healthy subjects and 31 IgAN patients treated by YZG before and after treatment. ResultsLevel of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was lower (P0.05) and levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were higher (P0.01) in the IgAN patients than those in the healthy controls, showing imbalance of Th1/Th2 in the IgAN patients. After YZG treatment, the level of IFN-γ increased and IL-10 level decreased (P0.01). ConclusionImbalance of Th1/Th2 exists in IgAN patients. YZG has a regulatory effect on imbalance of Th1/Th2 in IgAN patients.