Influence of TCM Therapy for Supplementing Pi and Nourishing Shen on Dendritic Cell Function in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Treated by Lamivudine

Objective: To observe the influence of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for supplementing Pi and nourishing Shen (SPNS) on dendritic cell function in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated by lamivudine. Methods: Sixty CHB patients with positive HBeAg were equally randomized by digital table into two groups: the observation group and the control group. Patients in the control group were treated with lamivudine only, while patients in the observation group were treated with lamivudine combined with SPNS fomula, for 12 weeks. The phenotype and function of dendritic cell, as well as its secretion factor interleukin 12 (IL-12) in all patients were determined after termination of therapy and the impacts on alanine transaminase (ALT) and HBV-DNA were observed. Results: The phenotypes of dendritic cells such as CD1a, CD80, CD86, human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, as well as the levels of stimulation index (SI) and IL-12 were higher in the observation group than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile, significant difference between the two groups was also shown in the normalizing rates of ALT and HBV-DNA (P<0.05). Conclusion: TCM therapy for SPNS can significantly improve the function of dendritic cells in patients with CHB treated by lamivudine and enhance the early stage response of patients to the treatment.