Objective: To observe the effect of Astragalus injection on urinary albumin and cytokines in patients with early diabetic nephropathy. To evaluate the efficacy and possible mechanisms in patients with early diabetic nephropathy. Method: Seventy-seven patients with early diabetic nephropathy were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (38 cases) was given Benazepril;Astragalus group (39 cases) was given Benazepril and Astragalus injection. These patients of two groups were treated for 30 days. Indicator of urinary microalbumin

β2-microglobulin(β2-MC)

urinary albumin excretion rate(UAER) and serum β2-MC

interleukin-6(IL-6)

tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)

vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)

transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) were observed before and after treatment. Result: Before the treatment

Indicator of urinary microalbumin

urinary albumin excretion rate

β2-microglobulin and serum β2-microglobulin

interleukin-6

tumor necrosis factor-α

vascular endothelial growth factor

transforming growth factor β1 were significantly higher than the health group(all P<0.01)

there were no significant difference in these indicators between two groups(all P>0.05)

it has comparability.After 30 days

there indicators had significantly improved compared with before treatment in patients of two groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01)

but patients in Astragalus group improved more significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01);Application Astragalus injection were no adverse reactions. Conclusion: It was safe and effective that Astragalus injection in the treatment of patients with early diabetic nephropathy

reduce the urinary mAlb

UAER

β2-MG and serum β2-MG significantly

inhibit the expression of IL-6

TNF-α

VEGF

TGF-β1 may be one of the mechanism of the protective effect of kidney.