Objective: To study the effect of prepared rhubarb in treating patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and its therapeutic mechanisms.
Methods: Prepared rhubarb and nifedipine were given to the study group, while the nifedipine was given to the control group alone. The blood lipid, renal function, blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and immunological parameters were monitored.
Results: In the study group, (1) Levels of triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level increased significantly; (2) Plasma level of fibronectin (FN) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) lowered significantly, plasma antithrombin (AT-III) level unchanged; (3) Serum beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2-MG) level and urinary level of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased significantly; (4) CD8 of blood increased, CD4/CD8 and circulating immune complex (CIC) of blood reduced obviously. All of the above-mentioned parameters in the study group were significantly different from that of the control group.
Conclusion: The prepared rhubarb could reduce the vascular endothelial cell's damage significantly and alter the immune balance, which is effective in treating the PIH.