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Modulation of an aqueous extract of Chinese medicine prescription Anzi Heji (安子合剂) on ratio of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in anticardiolipin antibody-positive patients with threatened abortion

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate Chinese medicine prescription, Anzi Heji (安子合剂, AZHJ), on immune regulation of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in anticardiolipin antibody (ACA)-positive patients with threatened abortion.

Methods

Twenty-seven ACA-positive female patients with threatened abortion in the study group were treated with an aqueous extract of AZHJ 125 mL, twice daily for 4 consecutive weeks. The results were compared with control group composed by 15 healthy pregnant women. The ratio of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg in peripheral blood was identified by flow cytometry. The indicators of ACA were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and embryo development was checked by B-ultrasound.

Results

Compared with the control group, the ratio of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cells in the study group was significantly lower before AZHJ treatment (P<0.01) and significantly increased after AZHJ treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, 20 of 27 patients (85%) showed that ACA indicators turned into negative, and 7 cases of quantitative indicators of ACA titers were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Total efficiency of treating miscarriage by AZHJ was 92.59%.

Conclusion

AZHJ can regulate the immune function of pregnant women by increasing number of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynaecology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China

    Qi-bin Lu  (陆启滨)

  2. The First Clinical Medicine College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China

    Shu Zhu  (朱 姝)

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  1. Qi-bin Lu  (陆启滨)
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  2. Shu Zhu  (朱 姝)
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Correspondence to Qi-bin Lu  (陆启滨).

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Lu, Qb., Zhu, S. Modulation of an aqueous extract of Chinese medicine prescription Anzi Heji (安子合剂) on ratio of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in anticardiolipin antibody-positive patients with threatened abortion. Chin. J. Integr. Med. (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2444-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2444-3

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