Efficacy of Valsartan or Valsartan combined with Zhengqingfengtongning in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with moderate proteinuria

AimTo assess the efficacy of Valsartan treatment alone or in combination with Valsartan and the Chinese traditional herbal product, Zhengqingfengtongning, for IgA nephropathy with moderate proteinuria.Materials and methodsPatients (n = 156) with IgA nephropathy and moderate proteinuria (urinary protein 1-3 g/24 h) randomly received either combination therapy with Zhengqingfengtongning and Valsartan (intervention group, n = 78), or Valsartan alone (control group, n = 78). The Zhengqingfengtongning dose was 60 mg, three times daily for 12 months, and the Valsartan dose was 80 mg/day for 12 months.ResultsAfter 12 months of treatment, patients who received combination therapy with Zhengqingfengtongning and Valsartan showed a higher remission rate than those treated with Valsartan alone (p < 0.05). The 24-h urinary protein excretion in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference between the two groups was found in plasma albumin and total protein, serum creatinine, blood lipid levels and clinical side effects (p > 0.05).ConclusionsIgA nephropathy patients with moderate proteinuria who received Zhengqingfengtongning combined with Valsartan achieved a higher remission rate than patients treated with Valsartan alone. Combination therapy was more effective in controlling 24 h urinary protein compared to monotherapy, with no significant adverse effects.