A Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial of Weierkang Pills for the Treatment of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis

Background and Goals: There are currently no standard treatments for chronic atrophic gastritis and traditional Chinese medicine may be effective. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of Weierkang pills in treating chronic atrophic gastritis. Materials and Methods: There were 108 patients in our study. They were randomly assigned to 2 groups. In group A, patients received Weierkang pills and patients in group B received folic acid combined with teprenone. Symptoms, endoscopic scores, and biopsy specimens were compared at baseline and 3 months after treatment. Meanwhile, the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) in biopsy specimens were also compared. Results: Our study showed that the total effective rates of atrophy/intestinal metaplasia in group A reached the same level as group B (51.7% vs. 40.0%, P=0.419). Weierkang significantly improved the total effective rate of atrophy/intestinal metaplasia in gastric angle compared with group B (64.7% vs. 33.3%, P=0.024). Weierkang can significantly lower the total Kyoto risk score (2.6±1.1 vs. 3.3±1.0, P=0.002) and atrophy score (1.4±0.6 vs. 1.8±0.5, P=0.001) after treatment. In addition, Weierkang improves symptoms (1.3±1.3 vs. 2.3±1.8, P=0.003) and epigastric pain (0.2±0.4 vs. 0.5±0.6, P=0.041). The expression of TFF3 in gastric mucosa decreased significantly after treatment with Weierkang (P=0.002). Conclusions: Weierkang can improve the endoscopic appearance and pathologic changes of chronic atrophic gastritis patients. Symptoms also improved. TFF3 may be involved the pathophysiology mechanism.