OBJECTIVEIn order to explore the therapeutic effect of tongxinluo capsule (TXLC) on diabetic nephropathy, the influence on plasma endothelin (ET-1) level of the drug was observed.

METHODSAll the 63 patients enrolled were randomly divided into the treatment group and control group. They were all treated with low protein diabetic diet, oral administration of hypoglycemic or injection of insulin, calcium antagonist according to level of blood pressure and supportive symptomatic treatment. To the treated group, 2 capsules of TXLC were given additionally three times a day. The efficacy was evaluated after 8 weeks' treatment. The chief indices observed before and after treatment were endogenous creatinine clearance rate (CCr), urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), urinary beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG), fasting blood-glucose (FBG) and ET-1.

RESULTSBefore treatment, no significant difference was shown in all the tested indices between the treated group and the control group. After treatment, levels of CCr, UAER, beta2-MG, ET-1 and FBG significantly changed in the treated group, showing significant difference as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, comparison of these indices in the two groups after treatment, excepting FBG, also showed statistical significance (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTXLC shows obvious effect in reducing plasma ET-1 and UAER, it is definitely effective in repairing the renal tubular interstitial damage, and effectively delay the progress of diabetic nephropathy, improve the renal function, and is favorable to ameliorate hyperglycemia auxiliarily.