| Objective:To observe the changes in physical symptoms and signs of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) after adopting Xiaoqinglong Decoction, and investigate the number of eosinophile(Eosinophils, EOS) and the level of serum interleukin-4 (interleukin 4, IL-4). Further more, it is useful to explore the anti-allergy reaction mechanism of Xiaoqinglong Decoction, providing basis for practical applications.Methods:From Feb 2008 and June 2009,86 patients with allergic rhinitis were collected from the third affiliated hospital of Luo He medical college and randomly grouped into two groups depending on loratadine or Xiaoqinglong decoction. In the former group, there were 23 males and 20 females, aged 18～54 yrs, mean age 32.15±9.48 yrs, in the later group, there were 24 males and 19 females, aged 20-55 yrs, mean age34.40±9.90 yrs. In addition, a normal group was set, among which 30 patients were included,16 males and 14 females, agedl9-52yrs, mean age 31.11±10.11yrs. The differences among the three groups were achieved without statistical significance(P>0.05). After three weeks'treatment by loratadine and Xiaoqinglong decoction, the changes of symptoms and signs were recorded before and after the treatment, what's more the number of eosinophile and level of serum IL-4 were tested two months after medication was stopped. Six months follow up was conducted.Results:1 The nasal discharge smearBefore treatment, there were a large number of eosinophils in the nasal discharge smear of all the 86 patients, there was statistical significance (P<0.01) compared to normal group, which were reduced (+) or even disappeared (-) after treatment, the difference also has statistical significance (P<0.01). it was more obvious by Xiaoqinglong decoction compared to loratadine(P< 0.05). Two months after medication was stopped, the number of the EOS of the loratadine group increased, there has statistical significance (P<0.01) by comparing two groups.2 The level of serum IL-4Before treatment, comparing to the normal group, all the 86 patients had a high level of serum IL-4, which was lower after treatment with statistical significance (P< 0.01). The two groups their selves were compared without statistical significance (P >0.05). Two months after medication was stopped, the level of serum IL-4 of the loratadine group was higher than the Xiaoqinglong decoction group with statistical significance (P<0.01).3 The therapeutic effect3.1 The changes of symptoms and signsBefore treatment, the difference of blocked nose, running nose, itching nose, sneezing, between two groups has no statistical significance(P>0.05). On the contrary, after treatment, the symptom indexes were reduced significantly with statistical significance(P<0.05). Therein, the symptom indexes of running nose, itching nose and sneezing were equivalent after tested by t without statistical significance (P>0.05). As to the blocked nose, it was more obvious by Xiaoqinglong decoction compared to loratadine(P<0.05). Before treatment, both groups had nasal mucosal edema, which was alleviated after treatment, the secretion was decreased leading to cleanliness of nasal passage and statistical significance(P<0.05). It is more obvious of Xiaoqinglong decoction to ameliorate the symptoms of the patients.3.2 Treatment effectAmong the 45 patients of the loratadine group,15 were excellent,20 good, and 8poor, with an excellence rate of 34.9%, effective rate of 46.5%, inefficiency rate of 18.6%, and the total effective rate of 81.4%. As for the Xiaoqinglong decoction group, 18 were excellent,19 good, and 6 poor, with an excellence rate of 41.9%, effective rate of 44.2%, inefficiency rate of 13.9%, and the total effective rate of 86.1%. Compared two groups, there has no statistical significance (u=0.911, P>0.05).3.3 Comparison of the recurrence rateAccording to the three months follow up, as for the loratadine group,11 recurred, with recurrence rate of 25.6%, as for the Xiaoqinglong decoction group, only 3 recurred, with recurrence rate of 6.97%. Obviously, the difference has statistical significance(χ2=5.460, P<0.05). According to six months follow up,15 recurred, with recurrence rate of 34.9%, for the former group, and only 6 recurred, with recurrence rate of 13.9%, the difference has statistical significance(χ2=5.103, P< 0.05).Conclusion:Xiaoqinglong Decoction could reduce the number of number of eosinophile and level of serum IL-4, meanwhile it could ameliorate the symptoms and signs of the patients, and helps to reduce the recurrence rate and improve the immune state of the patients. The mechanisms may be realized by controlling the immunologic function of patients in treating the allergic rhinitis. |
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