BACKGROUNDThe administration of immunosuppressive agents is always an important factor affecting the long-term survival of organ transplantation recipients. The best therapeutic regimen which either decreases the side effects of immune inhibitors or enhances the immunosuppressive efficacy is the goal of transplantation surgeons continue to search. This study investigated the effects of Bailing (Cordyceps sinensis) capsules on renal function and other systems of the body after renal transplantation.

METHODSClinical data of 80 renal transplant recipients who were administered Bailing capsules and 100 renal transplant recipients in the control group were retrospectively analyzed to compare the incidences of graft rejection and infection after transplantation. The results of routine blood and urine tests, liver and kidney functions, uric acid (UA), 24-hour urine protein (24 h-Upro), as well as 1- and 5-year patient renal allograft survival rates were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe follow-up was 3 - 5 years. The two groups were not shown to have statistically significant differences in age, gender, cold ischemia time, donor-recipient human leukocyte antigen typing, panel reactive antibodies, lymphocytotoxicity tests, and the application of immunosuppressive agents at the baseline. The two groups were also not significantly different in the incidence of acute injection after transplantation, recovery of renal function, and blood glucose level. The Bailing group was significantly lower than the control in the incidence of infection, serum aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, UA, and 24-hour Upro, but significantly higher than the control group in peripheral red blood cell count and white blood cell count (P < 0.05). One-year and 5-year patient survival rates were 98.7% and 98.0%, respectively in the Bailing group, 95.0% and 93.0%, respectively, in the control group. One-year and 5-year renal allograft survival rates were 97.5% and 95.0%, respectively, in the Bailing group, and 92.5% and 84.0%, respectively, in the control group. The comparison of patient and renal allograft survival rates between the two groups using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test showed that only the differences in renal allograft survival rates were statistically significant (Log-rank: 5 years: patient survival P = 0.420; renal allograft survival P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONBailing capsules were effective in preventing allograft rejection, protecting liver and kidney functions, stimulating hematopoiesis, and reducing the incidence of infection and thus are ideal immunoregulators.