Study on abnormality and regulation of T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and analyze the effects of Fuzheng Qubi Decoction (FZQBD) on T-cell subsets. METHODS: Thirty RA patients were randomly divided into two groups, and treated with FZQBD or western medicine combination therapy respectively for one month, the percentage of peripheral CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ as well as the serum IgG and IgA levels were determined. RESULTS: The percentage of peripheral CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, IgG and IgA levels increased significantly (P < 0.001) in RA patients before treatment. After 1 month of FZQBD treatment, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio decreased obviously (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Abnormal cellular immunity exists in RA patients, FZQBD could adjust the abnormal T-lymphocyte subsets to normalize it.