OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yangyin Jiedu Huoxue Recipe (YJHR) on the degree of activity integral of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLEDAI) and plasma osteopontin (OPN), and its effect for hormone withdrawal in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODSSeventy-eight patients were randomly assigned by a randomizing digital table to two groups, 42 patients in the treated group and 36 in the control group, all were treated with conventional Western medical treatment, and YJHR was given additionally to the treated group. Changes of SLEDAI and OPN, as well as the daily dosage of prednisone used were observed after 2 courses of treatment.

RESULTSSLEDAI and OPN were lowered in both groups, but the lowering in the treated group [9.17 +/- 4.12, (117.69 +/- 78.50) microg/L] was more significant than that in the control group [11.60 +/- 4.05, (151.09 +/- 83.90) microg/L, P<0.05]. The two indices were positively correlated. The dosage of prednisone daily used in the treated group (10.03 +/- 4.29) was reduced more than that in the control group (15.14 +/- 6.67, P<0.05). SLEDAI of all the patients before and after treatment had a positive relationship with OPN respectively (r=0.44, 0.39) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSYJHR can suppress the activity of disease and be helpful for early withdrawal of prednisone in treating SLE. Plasma level of OPN is related with the activity of the disease.