Chronic Kidney Disease - Effect of Rhubarb on Lipid Metabolism

Objective. To evaluate effect of rhubarb - a Chinese herbal medicine, with and without ACE inhibitor on lipid metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease. Material and methods.45 patients of chronic renal failure on conservative management were randomly allocated to three groups of 15 patients each. Group A was given ACE inhibitors. Group B was given Rhubarb and anti hypertensive agents other than ACE inhibitors. Group C was given Rhubarb and ACE inhibitors. The patients were followed up and investigated for six months regularly at monthly interval. At every visit, patients were reevaluated for changes in weight, blood pressure, any signs and symptoms of progression of renal disease. Following parameters of all patients were estimated monthly: Hb, TLC, DLC, ESR, Urine C/E, Blood urea, Blood sugar, Serum calcium, Serum creatinine, 24 hour urinary volume and creatinine, Creatinine Clearance, Lipid profile. Results. Maximum improvement in lipid profile occurred in Group C followed by Group B. Least improvement was noted among Group A patients. In Group C, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum VLDL cholesterol decreased, serum HDL cholesterol increased significantly signifying beneficial effect of ACE inhibitor + rhubarb. Conclusions. There is beneficial effect of Rhubarb + ACE inhibitor on lipid profile in patients of chronic renal failure.