OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect of Hejie Decoction (HJD) in treating chronic hepatitis B and its relationship with T-cell receptor V beta 7 (TCRV beta 7) gene expression.

METHODSForty-five patients of chronic hepatitis B were randomly divided into two groups. The 30 patients in the treated group were treated by HJD, and the 15 patients in the control group were treated by conventional western medicine. The therapeutic effect and changes of TCRV beta 7 gene expression after treatment were observed.

RESULTSAfter 6 months treatment, the ALT level in the two groups were obviously decreased (P < 0.01). No significant difference was shown in comparison of the total effective rate between the two groups but it did show in comparison of markedly effective rate between them. TCRV beta 7 expression was detected in 5 patients of the treated group, and HBV-DNA and HBeAg in the 5 patients were all negatively converted. While in the control group, no one had TCRV beta 7 expression detected, either no one with negative conversion of HBV-DNA and HBeAg. TCRV beta 7 could not be detected in all the patients whose HBV-DNA and HBeAg hasn't negatively converted, though their liver function could be normalized.

CONCLUSIONHJD might have the effect of regulation on TCRV beta 7 expression, it possibly is the important way for HBV replication inhibition and virucidal action of HJD.