Abstract
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy is one of the most common type of primary glomerulonephritis globally. Its pathogenesis remains unclear. It is a slowly progressive disease that may eventually lead to end-stage renal disease. Although the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, and immunosuppressive drugs are regarded as the standard treatments, the optimal approach to the treatment of IgA nephropathy is still uncertain. Astragalus membranaceus has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for cardiovascular disorder, kidney disease, hepatitis, and some skin diseases. It had been widely used in treating various renal diseases including IgA nephropathy. In this case report, we present a 34-year-old Myanmar female of Karen ethnic with IgA nephropathy. She was treated with Astragalus membranaceus together with losartan and other integrative medicines. Her renal function and proteinuria improved during the one-a-half-year follow-up. This case report highlights the improvement effect of Astragalus membranaceus in integrative way for the treatment of IgA nephropathy.
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Acknowledgements
We wish to thank Ms. Su Su Saw and the staffs of FAME clinic for their help and cooperation. No funding has been received for this paper.
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KML treated the patient. YHL and YMKSD reviewed and wrote the manuscript. KML critically revised the manuscript.
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The ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board of Defence Services Medical Research Centre (DSMRC) and the document number of the approval is IRB/2020/B1. Written consent was taken from the patient for this case report.
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Khin Maung Lwin has no conflict of interest. Ye Htut Linn has no conflict of interest. Yamin Kyaw Swar Dee has no conflict of interest.
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Lwin, K.M., Linn, Y.H. & Dee, Y.K.S. Effect of Astragalus membranaceus extract on IgA nephropathy: a case of renal function improvement during one-and-a-half-year follow-up. ADV TRADIT MED (ADTM) 20, 681–684 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-020-00467-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-020-00467-1