Effect of Bailing capsule on renal function of patients with chronic allograft nephropathy

[Purpose] To investigate whether Bailing capsule (fermented agent of cordyceps sinensis) has any efficacy on renal function of patients with chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). [Methods] 56 CAN patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in group A (n =31) were treated with immunosuppressive agents and Bailing capsule (2.0 g/day, three times a day). Patients in group B were treated with traditional immunosuppressive drugs. SCr, BUN, Ccr, and urinary protein in 24 hours (24 h Upro) of all patients were measured before and after treatment. Urinary concentration of TGF-β1, retinol binding protein (RBP) and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) were detected at the same time. [Results] After treatment with Bailing capsule for six months, SCr and Ccr in patients of group A were significantly improved (P 0.05). No significant improvement of SCr and Ccr was observed in patients of group B. There was no significant change of BUN in patients of group A or group B (P 0.05). 24 h Upro, RBP and β2-MG were lower in patients of group A after treatment with Bailing capsule (P 0.05 or P 0.01), and TGF-β1 in patients of group A was significantly lower than in patients of group B (P 0.05). In group A, renal function was improved for 18 cases, stabilized for 10 cases, and worsened for 3 cases. In group B, renal function improved in 3 cases, stabilized in 12 cases, and worsened in 10 cases (P 0.05). [Conclusion] Bailing therapy could improve renal function of CAN patients, and retard CAN progression.