Abstract: Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of Shenfu injection combined with low-dose hydrocortisone on plasma lev⁃ els of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR and procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with septic multiple organ dysfunction syn⁃ drome. Methods A total of 118 patients with septic multiple organ dysfunction syndrome were divided into three groups: control group (n=39), experimental group 1 (n=39) and experimental group 2 (n=40). The control group received conventioanl medicine therapy, while the experimental group 1 received Shenfu injection (100 mL, 2 /d, for 7 d) combined with conventio⁃ anl medicine therapy, and the experimental group 2 received Shenfu injection combined with low-dose hydrocortisone (200 mg/d, for 14 d) besides conventional medicine therapy. The peripheral blood samples were collected for the detection of HLA-DR, PCT and lipoperoxide (LPO) before treatment, 1 d, 3 d amd 7 d after treatment. The mortality in 14 d was record⁃ ed. Results The mortality rates in 14 d were 61.5% (24/39), 41.0% (16/39) and 25.0% (10/40) for control group, experimen⁃ tal group 1 and experimental group 2 (χ2 ＝8.15, P＜0.05). There were no significant differences in PCT, HLA-DR and LPO levels before treatment and 1 d after treatment between the three groups (P＞0.05). The plasma levels of PCT and LPO were significantly decreased in control group, experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 after 3-d and 7-d treatment, but the levels of HLA- DR was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Conclusion The combination therapy of Shenfu injection and low-dose hydrocortisone can effectively reduce PCT level and increase HLA-DR level, which promotes the improve⁃ ment of patients with septic multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Key words: sepsis, multiple organ failure, Shenfu injection, hydrocortisone, multiple organ dysfunction syndromes, PCT , HLA-DR