Use of traditional Chinese medicine (Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang) against microinflammation in hemodialysis patients: An open-label trial

• Traditional Chinese medicine is used in combination with western medicine.
• We inspect potential benefits of Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang in hemodialysis patients.
• The effects of against microinflammation and increased serum albumin were observed.
• Quality of life in hemodialysis patients was evidently improved after therapy.
• Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang can be used as an auxiliary drug in hemodialysis patients.

SummaryBackgroundComplementary and alternative medicine such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is now frequently used combined with Western medicine for treatment in chronic kidney disease (CKD).ObjectiveWe designed an open-label trial to investigate the safety and potential therapeutic effects of Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang (R-S-Y-R-T) in hemodialysis (HD) patients.MethodsThe experimental group was treated with additional R-S-Y-R-T combined with routine western medicine, while the control group was treated only with routine western medicine. The duration of study was 6 months. Primary outcomes were to evaluate the changes in serum hematocrit and albumin levels. Secondary outcomes including blood inflammatory markers (c-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) were checked. Finally we also followed up the change of quality of life (QOL) in our subjects.ResultsSixty nine respondents were enrolled in this trial. Finally a total of 59 patients (27 R-S-Y-R-T group, 32 control group) completed the 6-month follow-up. Primary outcomes showed no significant statistical change of hematocrit in either 2 group (P > 0.05). But the R-S-Y-R-T group had a statistical increase in serum albumin (P < 0.05). Secondary outcomes were that both TNF-α (P = 0.003) and IL-6 (P = 0.001) showed evident decrease in the R-S-Y-R-T group. CRP was identified without statistical difference in both groups (P = 0.226). The R-S-Y-R-T group also had a significant improvement in QOL (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur study suggests that R-S-Y-R-T could decrease chronic inflammation and increase the life quality in HD patients. Further larger clinical trial of long-term treatment with R-S-Y-R-T is necessary for evaluating treatment use.