Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is clinically rare, with high mortality and case fatality rates. In recent years, the research on HUS has been intensified and the pathophysiological mechanism has been continuously improved. At present, the main mechanism of pathogenesis is the excessive activation of complement alternative pathways mediated by complement-related gene mutations or the existence of antibodies. The treatment methods and strategies are also constantly updated, mainly including complement-blocking drugs such as Eculizumab, Lavalizumab, and Ravulizumab. In this review, the new developments in the pathogenesis and treatment of HUS is summarized, and provide references for the clinical treatment of HUS.
Complement System Proteins/therapeutic use* ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome/therapy* ; Humans ; Mutation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and mechanisms of Compound Astragalus Recipe (CAR) for regulating cellular immune in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).

METHODSSixty MG patients were equally assigned to two groups randomly, the test group administered with CAR and the control group with prednisone for 3 months. Changes of patients' symptoms and adverse reactions were observed. The peripheral lymphocyte subsets distribution was examined by flow cytometry, and the levels of immunoglobulins and complements in the peripheral blood were measured by immuno-turbidimetry before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the test group after 12-week treatment reached 80% (24/30), while that of the control group reached 83.3% (25/30), difference between them showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were lowered significantly in both groups, but the decrement of CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the test group was more significant than that in the control group, showing significance between groups (P < 0.05). While CD8+ in the test group after treatment was significantly increased as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference in comparing with that in the control group (P > 0.05). Serum levels of IgM and IgA in MG patients were significantly higher than normal range (P < 0.01). Levels of C3 and C4 were significantly increased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05). Moderate high level of ALT and AST revealed transiently at the 2nd week in 5 patients of the control group, while no adverse reaction was found in the test group.

CONCLUSIONOne of the mechanisms for CAR in playing its immuno-modulate effect may be its regulation on lymphocyte subsets distribution and humoral immune function.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Child ; Complement System Proteins ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myasthenia Gravis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Phytotherapy ; Young Adult

The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of ethanol extracts of Rabdosia japonica var. glaucocalyx (Maxim.) Hara (RJ) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and the possible underlying mechanisms of action. The mice were orally administrated with RJ extract (16, 32 or 64 mg(kg(-1)) daily for consecutive7 days before LPS challenge. The ung specimens and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for histopathological examinations and biochemical analyses. Pretreatment with RJ significantly enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduced the wet-to-dry weight (W/D) ratio, the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and protein leakage, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in mice with ALI, in a dose-dependent manner. RJ reduced complement deposition and significantly attenuated LPS-induced ALI by reducing productions of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The results demonstrated that RJ may attenuate LPS-induced ALI via reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and reducing complement deposition and radicals.
Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Complement System Proteins ; metabolism ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Isodon ; chemistry ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism