Preliminary study of Huai Qi Huang granules delay the development of primary glomerular diseases in human.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of Huai Qi Huang (HQH) granules on primary glomerulonephritis patients, and to discuss its possible mechanisms. METHOD Sixteen patients diagnosed with primary glomerular disease between December 2011 and December 2012 were enrolled. Their blood and urine samples were collected at day 0 (the baseline levels), 30, and 90 of receiving HQH granules orally. Levels of creatinine and cystatin C (Cys-C) in serum and urine, and total protein and albumin in urine were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in serum and urine was tested by ELISA; serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by thiobarbituric acid method, the erythrocyte count in urine was calculated under light microscope. RESULTS Serum levels of creatinine, MDA, Cys-C and NGAL at day 30 and 90 were significantly lower than the baseline levels. Urinary levels of Cys-C, NGAL, total protein, albumin and erythrocyte counts were also decreased; level of estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) was increased. CONCLUSION HQH granules have certain effect on delaying the development of primary glomerular disease with mild proteinuria and hematuresis in patients. This study may supply a new treatment for primary glomerular diseases.