ORIGINAL PAPER
Effect of Tripterygium glycosides combined with belimumab on the efficacy and serum immune indices in patients with lupus nephritis
1
Hebei General Hospital, China
Submission date: 2025-03-12
Final revision date: 2025-10-22
Acceptance date: 2025-10-27
Online publication date: 2026-03-19
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Lupus nephritis (LN) is an autoimmune disease with challenging clinical management. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Tripterygium glycosides combined with belimumab in LN treatment and its effects on serum immune indices.
Material and Methods:
In a randomized, open-label trial, 172 LN patients from Hebei General Hospital (June 2019-June 2022) were assigned to a control group (belimumab alone) or a study group (belimumab + Tripterygium glycosides). Primary outcomes included serum inflammatory factors, immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM), T lymphocyte subsets (CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+), complement C3 and C4, and renal function indices (24 h urinary protein, urinary microalbumin, urinary NAG). Secondary outcomes included Traditional Chinese Medicine Symptoms (TCMS) score, lupus activity (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI]), clinical efficacy, and adverse reactions.
Results:
After exclusions, 85 patients were included in the study group and 68 in the control group. Following treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in inflammatory factors, IgA, IgM, IgG, CD8+ T cells, renal function indices, TCMS score, and SLEDAI score, alongside increases in CD4+ T cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and complement C3 and C4 (p < 0.05). Improvements were significantly greater in the study group (p < 0.05). The study group also showed higher clinical efficacy and fewer adverse reactions than the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Tripterygium glycosides combined with belimumab effectively improves inflammation, immune function, and renal function in LN patients, supporting its clinical application.
Lupus nephritis (LN) is an autoimmune disease with challenging clinical management. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Tripterygium glycosides combined with belimumab in LN treatment and its effects on serum immune indices.
Material and Methods:
In a randomized, open-label trial, 172 LN patients from Hebei General Hospital (June 2019-June 2022) were assigned to a control group (belimumab alone) or a study group (belimumab + Tripterygium glycosides). Primary outcomes included serum inflammatory factors, immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM), T lymphocyte subsets (CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+), complement C3 and C4, and renal function indices (24 h urinary protein, urinary microalbumin, urinary NAG). Secondary outcomes included Traditional Chinese Medicine Symptoms (TCMS) score, lupus activity (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI]), clinical efficacy, and adverse reactions.
Results:
After exclusions, 85 patients were included in the study group and 68 in the control group. Following treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in inflammatory factors, IgA, IgM, IgG, CD8+ T cells, renal function indices, TCMS score, and SLEDAI score, alongside increases in CD4+ T cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and complement C3 and C4 (p < 0.05). Improvements were significantly greater in the study group (p < 0.05). The study group also showed higher clinical efficacy and fewer adverse reactions than the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Tripterygium glycosides combined with belimumab effectively improves inflammation, immune function, and renal function in LN patients, supporting its clinical application.
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