The effects of butylphthalide on homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Objective To study the effects of butylphthalide on homocysteine (Hcy) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods One hundred and ten patients with acute cerebral infarction were divided into control group and treatment group by random digits table,with 55 patients in each group.Two groups were given conventional treatment for 3 weeks,and treatment group was added butylphthalide 200 mg oral application,thrice a day.Two groups were compared in the total effective rate,neurological deficit scores (NDS) and serum Hcy and CRP levels.Results The total effective rate in treatment group was significantly higher than that in control group [ 89.09％ (49/55) vs.61.82％ (34/55),x2 =11.044,P＜ 0.01 ].The NDS in two groups after treatment were significantly decreased than those before treatment [treatment group:( 11.24 ± 3.19) scores vs.(23.19 ± 4.06) scores,control group:( 18.56 ± 4.03 )scores vs. (22.31 ± 4.17) scores,P ＜ 0.01 ],and NDS in treatment group after treatment was significantly lower than that in control group (P＜ 0.01 ).The serum Hcy and CRP levels in two groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment [ treatment group:( 13.12 ± 3.58 ) μ mol/L vs.(27.36 ± 6.84 )μ mol/L,( 10.33 ± 3.10) mg/L vs.( 18.96 ± 5.38) mg/L;control group:( 16.41 ± 4.76) μ mol/L vs.(28.73 ±6.32) μ mol/L,(13.16±4.02) mg/L vs. (19.17 ± 5.74) mg/L,P ＜ 0.01 ],serum Hcy and CRP levels in treatment group after treatment were significantly lower than those in control group (P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion Butylphthalide can reduce serum Hcy and CRP levels,reduce inflammation and improve the condition of patients with acute cerebral infarction. Key words: Cysteine;  Brain infarction;  Butylphthalide