Treatment Scope > Dermatopathy > Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Lupus, frequently referred to as SLE for systematic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic rheumatic disease in which connective tissue throughout the body becomes inflamed. It is an autoimmune disorder in which inflammation is caused by antibodies that attack normal body tissue as if it was an outside invader. The precise cause is unknown, but researchers believe that certain people inherit a genetic predisposition to the disorder, which is then triggered by a virus or some other unidentified environmental factors. 

Aetiology: 

(1). Genetic factors. 

(2). Hormone factors: elevated E2 (estradiol) level or lowered testosterone level especially E2 with strong antigenicity may induce the changes of immune function and deteriorate the skin damages. 

(3). Infection: c-type leukemia virus, measles virus, EB (Epstein-Barr) virus, rubella virus and mucosal virus may participate in the pathogenic course. 

(4). Medications: as known more than 30 medications can induce SLE. 

(5). Physical factors: more than 30% of patients are sensitive to light. Cold and injury can induce or deteriorate this disease. 

(6). Chemical factors. 

Pathogenic mechanism: 

SLE is an immunity disease caused by the multiple effects of genetics, endocrine and environment. Main manifestation is the imbalance of the suppressor T cells and the helper T cells. When the number of the suppressor T cell is reduced, the function goes down. The large amount of antibody produced inside the body results in damages to the tissues and cells of the body itself and systematic chronic inflammatory pathogenic changes in various organs. 

Aetiology and pathogenic mechanism explained in TCM: 

(1). Constitution with insufficiency, the kidney deficiency or the internal injury by emotional changes, resulting in the imbalance of the yin and the yang, the disharmony of the Qi and the blood and the Qi stagnation and blood stasis. 

(2). Invasion of the exogenous evils. 

According the theories and aetiologies of TCM, and the modern pharmacological action of the herbs, our therapeutic centre makes effective herbal formulas to regulate the immune function and achieve good results.