OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Astragalus Injection (AI) on the humoral immunity (IgG, IgA and IgM), cellular immunity (T-lymphocyte subsets) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

METHODSSixty-two in-patients with CHF, whose heart function belonged to NYHA grade II-IV, were randomly divided into two groups. The treated group was treated with AI 30 ml (equivalent to 60 g crude drug), and the control group was treated by nitroglycerine injection 10 mg, the drugs were administered respectively by adding in 5% glucose solution 500 ml for intravenous dripping, once a day, 20 days as one therapeutic course. Venous blood from cubital vein was collected before and after treatment to detect the IgG, IgA, IgM, T-lymphocyte subsets and sIL-2R, and the clinical effect of treatment was evaluated.

RESULTSThe clinical heart function markedly improved rate and total effective rate in the treated group was 25.8% and 74.2% respectively, significantly better than those in the control group respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the left ventricular ejecting fraction (LVEF) and end syctolic volume (ESV) were improved in both groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the improvement in the treated group was superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05). In the treated group after treatment, the CD4 level and CD4/CD8 ratio increased (P < 0.05), levels of sIL-2R, IgG and IgA lowered (P < 0.05) significantly, while those in the control group were not changed significantly (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAI could improve the immune function of CHF patients, and can be taken as an important auxiliary treatment for CHF.