Effect of Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps) therapy on contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVE

To study the protective effects of Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps) (DCXC) on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients with type 2 diabetes whose estimated glomerular filtration rater (eGFR) was 60 mL/min · 1.73 in2, were divided randomly into three groups, basic treatment group (n = 41), standard DCXC therapy group (n = 39, 2-g corbrin capsules, 3 times/d, 3 days before and after angiography), and intensive DCXC therapy group (n = 40, 3-g corbrin capsules, 3 times/d, 3 days before and after angiography). Serum creatinine (cr) and eGFR were assessed at the time of admission to hospital, and on days 1, 2 and 3 after angiography. Urine neutrophil-gelatinase-associated-lipo- calin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) were measured before angiography and at day 1 after angiography for all patients. The primary end point was the prevalence of CIN. The secondary end point was a 25% or greater reduction in eGFR.

RESULTS

CIN occurred in 11 of 120 patients (9.17 %). The prevalence of CIN was lower in the DCXC treatment groups than in the basic treatment group (P < 0.05), with a more significant decrease in the prevalence of CIN in the intensive DCXC therapy group (P < 0.01). Compared with the basic treatment group, a lower proportion of patients in the DCXC treatment groups had an eGFR decrease of 25% or greater (P < 0.05); patients with an eGFR decrease of 25% or greater accounted for an even lower proportion in the intensive DCXC therapy group (P < 0.01). Within 1 day of the procedure, urine levels of KIM-1, NGAL and IL-18 in patients in the intensive DCXC therapy group were lower than those in the basic treatment group and standard therapy group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

DCXC treatment may protect against CIN in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography, with intensive DCXC therapy being more effective.