Abstract
Objective
To study the therapeutic effect of Weicao Capsule (威草胶囊, WCC) on gout.
Methods
Two hundred gout patients were assigned to two groups. The treated group was treated with WCC and the control group was treated with Tongfengding Capsule (痛风定胶囊). Both groups were given the respective treatments orally 3 times a day, 2 capsules each time with 2 weeks as one course and all patients received 2 successive courses of treatment. Changes of blood β2-microglobulin (β2-M), hemoglobin (Hb), 24 h urinary protein (24 h UP), pH value of urine and blood uric acid (BUA) as well as kidney function were observed.
Results
After treatment, level of β2-M got lowered signifi cantly, Hb and 24 h UP, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and the clearance rate of creatinine, as well as blood lipids all improved obviously in the treated group (all P<0.01), while these parameters remained unchanged in the control group (P>0.05). The pH value of urine was improved in both groups showing an insignificant difference between them (P>0.05). BUA was decreased in both groups with a decrease to a larger extent in the treated group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 87% in the treated group, which was superior to that in the control group (62%, P<0.05).
Conclusion
WCC has a favorable therapeutic effect on gout and its mechanism of action for improving renal function and reducing urinary protein could be related with the lowering of blood β2-M, BUA and lipids.
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Supported by Hubei Provincial Office of Science and Technology (No.2003AA302B5)
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Song, Ef., Xiang, Q., Ren, Km. et al. Clinical effect and action mechanism of Weicao Capsule (威草胶囊) in treating gout. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 14, 103–106 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-008-0103-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-008-0103-7