Effect of Combination of Bushen Jianpi Recipe (补肾健脾方) and Erythropoietin on Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor a in Patients with Anemia

Objective: To study the effect of treatment of renal anemia by combination of Bushen Jianpi Recipe (补贤健脾方, BJR, a Chinese experienced recipe for supplementing Shen and supporting Pi) and low dosage erythropoietin (EPO), and the influence of treatment on change of serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) so as to explore the possible mechanism of integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM) in treating renal anemia. Methods: Patients with renal anemia were randomly divided into two groups, the ICWM group and the control group, supporting treatment such as dialysis, supplementing of ferrous, foliac acid and vitamin B12, was given to both groups. Additionally, to the ICWM group, 50 IU/kg of EPO subcutaneous injection for twice every week, and oral intake of BJR, one dose per day taken in two parts, were given, and to the control group, EPO alone, 50IU/kg by subcutaneous injecting, 3 times perweek, was given. The therapeutic course for two groups was 3 months. Blood levels of hemoglobin (Hb), hematoc