Study of Combination Effects of the Extract of Gingoblia(EGB) and Prednisone on TNF-α,IL-10 in Patient's Plasma with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis(IPF)

Objective To evaluate the combination effects of EGB and Prednisone on TNF-α and IL-10 obtained from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and explain their mechanisms at molecular biological level.Methods 70 patients with IPF were randomly divided into two groups: EGB+Prednisone group(therapy group,n=32),Prednisone group(control group,n=38).The level of TNF-α and IL-10 of the patients' blood plasma were detected with ELISA method at three time-points(1 day before therapy,4 and 8 weeks after therapy),and all samples were processed and then stored.Results The comparison of the levels of TNF-α and IL-10 in plasma among two groups had no significant difference before therapy(P0.05).The indexes increased progressively within the first 4 weeks after therapy,and the level of TNF-α in plasma of therapy group was lower than that of control group at the same time(P0.05).The concentration of IL-10 was lower than that of control group(P0.01).The indexes increased 8 weeks after therapy.The level of TNF-α in plasma of therapy group was lower than that of control group at this time(P0.05),and IL-10 was lower than that of control group(P0.01).Conclusion Combination of EGB and prednisone may be a better approach to treat IPF patients than Prednisone alone,and this may be related with its effect to bring down the level of TNF-α and IL-10 in patient's plasma.