Efficacy of triptolide for children with moderately severe henoch-schönlein purpura nephritis presenting with nephrotic range proteinuria: A prospective and controlled study in China

Abstract

Objective. To observe the clinical efficacy of the Chinese herb, Triptolide, in children with moderately severe Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN). Methods. From January 2007 to December 2011, 56 HSPN children manifested by nephrotic range proteinuria with normal kidney function and <50% crescents or sclerosing lesions on biopsy were hospitalized in the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. They were divided into two groups: the treatment group (n=42; Triptolide at a dosage of 1 mg/kg·d, combined with prednisone at a dosage of 2 mg/kg·d, within a course of medium-to-long-term therapy of 6 to 9 months) and the control group (n=14; prednisone alone, with the same procedure). Results. Short-term remission was observed in 95% of patients from treatment group and in 72% of patients from control group, respectively. There was a significant difference between both groups (χ2=6.222, P=0.029) for short-term effects. Meanwhile, no significant difference, as proteinuria, hematuria, hypertension, and decreased eGFR, was observed between the two groups in long-term followup (χ2=3.111, P=0.097). The Kaplan-Meier plot analysis also revealed no significant difference (χ2=2.633, P=0.105). Conclusion. Triptolide is effective in relieving short-term symptoms for moderately severe HSPN children, though its long-term effects need to be observed further. © 2013 Li Wu et al.