OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effects of Sheshiliuhuang decoction on clinical outcomes and cytokines in patients with urinary tract infection (UTI).

METHODNinety-two (92) patients were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups, the treatment group (n = 47) administered with Sheshiliuhuang decoction, one prescription, 2 times a day, while patients in the control group (n = 45) were given Sanjin pills, 3 pills a time, 3 times a day. The treatment lasted for 7 days. Clinical outcomes and serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8 in both groups were examined before and after the treatment.

RESULTThe clinical effective rate was 93.62% in the treatment group and 88.22% the control group, indicating a significant difference of P < 0.05. Before the treatment, the serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8 of treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). At the end of the treatment, serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with the before treatment (P < 0.01) and those did in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSerum cytokines of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were significantly increased in patients with UTI. Sheshiliuhuang decoction, with the mechanisms of regulating IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, is an effective agent in patients with UTI.