Fluence of Glucosidorum Tripterygii Totorum on joint and serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective The current study was designed to find out the effect of Glucosidorum Tripterygii Totorum (GTT) on the serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Method 29 patients with active AS were selected to take GTT (1mg per kg) three times a day for one year. After that, its curative effect was evaluated. The serum level of sIL-2R of these patients was measured by sandwich ELISA method and was compared with that of normal subjects. Result The serum level of sIL-2R in active AS patients was obviously higher than that of the non-active AS patients. (P<0.01). The total effective rate of GTT on AS was 89.6%, while clinical relief rate 27.6%, obvious effective rate 44.8%, effective rate 17.2% and non-effective rate 10.4%. The patients' serum level of sIL-2R after therapy was significantly lower than that before therapy except patients with no effect. (P<0.05). Conclusion GTT has positive curative effect on active AS patients and could cause obvious decrease of the serum level of sIL-2R. The serum level of sIL-2R can be used as an important index of activity of AS and as a guide of therapy.