Objective: To observe the protective effect of ginsenosides (GS) or low dose of glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) alone or combined in managing the liver injury and renal function after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).
Methods: 120 patients with primary liver carcinoma were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C, D) with 30 patients in each. Group A was treated with placebo; group B with Dex; group C with GS and group D with Dex plus GS. The changes in liver and renal function after TACE were observe according to the WHO criteria for side effects of anti-cancer drug.
Results: Compared with group A, Dex combined with GS was able to reduce the level of TB, ALT/AST, BUN and Child-grade, which significantly protected the liver and kidney (P < 0. 05). However, Dex or GS alone could also improve some parameters of liver and renal function after TACE (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Dex combined with GS is effective in managing the liver injury and renal function after transcatheter arterial