OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between transformation growth factor (TGF- B) polymorphisms and IgA nephropathy and the therapeutic effect of dendrobium on IgA nephropathy.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR- RFLP) and direct sequencing were used for analysis of 118 patients with IgA nephropathy from core families in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The imbalanced transfer of TGF iso1-509 C/T in the affected offsprings was observed by transfer imbalance test and HRR analysis. The TGF-B genotype of the patients and the core family members were detected. The therapeutic effects of Dendrobium candidum combined with hormone and ACEI/ARB treatments were evaluated by observing the patient's urine protein (24 hUpr), serum albumin (ALB), creatinine (Scr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels.

RESULTSIn the 118 patients with IgA nephropathy, we identified TGF-B 1 promoter -509C/T genotype CC in 32 (27.1%) cases, CT in 58 (49.2%) cases, and TT in 28 (23.7%) cases. In the core family of the patients, CC genotype was found in 33 (28.0%) cases, CT in 55 (46.6%) cases, and TT in 30 (28.0%) cases. The treatments significantly lowered 24 hUpr, Scr, and BUN levels ( > 0.05) in patients with CC genotype, significantly lowered 24 hUpr and BUN levels in patients with CT genotype ( < 0.05), and significantly lowered 24 hUpr and BUN level and increased ( < 0.05) ALB level ( < 0.01) in patients with TT genotype.

CONCLUSIONSThere is no significant correlation between TGF-B promoter - 509C/T polymorphism and IgA nephropathy. The patients with CC genotype are sensitive to the treatments with hormone and ACEI/ ARB and show a stronger response to combined treatments with dendrobium.