To Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Tripterygium Wilfordii (TW) Versus Valsartan in the Membranous Nephropathy (MN)

To Compare the Efficacy and Safety of TW vs Valsartan in the MN

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of TW compared to Valsartan in treatment of heavy proteinuria of membranous nephropathy.

Membranous nephropathy with heavy proteinuria have high risks of progressing to CRF.

Tripterygium (TW) is a Chinese traditional patent drugs, it can reduce proteinuria of chronic glomerular nephritis,such as IgA nephropathy. So, we designed this randomized, prospective clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of TW versus Valsartan in the treatment of heavy proteinuria of MN.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Biopsy-proven idiopathic membranous nephropathy
• Nephrotic syndrome with proteinuria (> 4 g/day) and serum albumin < 30 g/dl
• Age over 18 with informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient with abnormal liver function tests
• Prior therapy with sirolimus, CSA, MMF, tacrolimus or azathioprin, chlorambucil, levamisole, methotrexate, or nitrogen mustard in the last 90 days,
• Active/serious infection,
• Patient with hepatitis B surface antigen or who is hepatitis C antibody positive