Impacts of Low-Dose Total Glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii plus Methotrexate on Immunological Function and Inflammation Level in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

PURPOSE: This research mainly clarifies the impacts of low-dose- (LD-) total glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) plus methotrexate (MTX) on immunological function and inflammation level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We enrolled 106 RA patients treated in Yanbian University Hospital between July 2019 and July 2021, including 56 cases (research group) intervened by LD-total GTW plus MTX and 50 cases (control group) treated with MTX, in addition to conventional treatment given to both groups. The improvement in immunological function (immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, and IgM), inflammatory cytokines (ICs; C-reaction protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)), incidence of adverse reactions (ARs), joint function, and patient satisfaction were observed and compared. RESULTS: Statistical better improvements of immunological function, ICs, and joint function were observed in the research group compared with the control group. Besides, patient satisfaction was higher and the incidence of ARs was lower in the research group. CONCLUSIONS: LD-total GTW plus MTX is highly effective and safe in enhancing the immunity, lowering the inflammation level, and improving the joint function of RA patients.