OBJECTIVETo observe the differences of curative effect of glomerular pathological proteinuria treated with combined therapy of acupuncture and medicine or simple medicine.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty cases of glomerular pathological proteinuria were divided into a combined therapy of acupuncture and medicine group (combined therapy group), a medicine group I and a medicine group II, 80 cases in each group. In combined therapy group, Pishu (BL 20) and Zhishi (BL 52) were punctured by heat-producing needling; Terazosin Hydrochloride, Bisoprolol Fumarate tablets or compound Reserpinum Triamterene tablet were applied with oral administration when accompanied by high blood pressure, to control the blood pressure within 130/80 mmHg. In medicine group I , Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system (RAAS) interruption method was applied to control blood pressure; Benazepril Hydrochloride and Telmisartan were applied with oral administration to keep blood pressure in satisfying level, below 125-130/75-80 mmHg. In medicine group II, placebo was orally taken, and the medicine therapy which was same as that in combined therapy group was applied when accompanied by high blood pressure. Quality low protein and low salt and fat diet were applied in all groups. The Chinese medicine syndrome score, laboratory indices and curative effect were observed in all groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 86.3% (69/80), 61.3% (49/80) and 17.5% (14/80) respectively in combined therapy group, medicine group I and medicine group II, indicating that the curative effect in combined therapy group was superior to that in other groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and it in medicine group I was superior to that in medicine group II (P < 0.01). The Chinese medicine syndrome score was markedly reduced in combined therapy group (P < 0.01), and there was no obvious change in other groups (both P > 0.05). Urinary albumin (UMA) and urinary protein in 24 hours were notably reduced in combined therapy group and medicine group I (all P < 0.01), and it was more obviously in combined therapy group than that in other groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The blood pressure was markedly reduced in all groups (all P < 0.05) after treatment, and there was no significant change in indices of liver and kidney functions (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe curative effect of heat-producing needling method is good for treating glomerular pathological proteinuria, better than that of RAAS interruption method.