Objective To investigate the effects of prostaglandin E1 （PGE1） on the progression of aristolochic acid nephropathy （AAN）. Methods Twenty-four patients diagnosed as AAN with serum creatinine （Scr） between 1.5 mg/dL and 4 mg/dL during September 2001 to August 2003 were randomly divided into 2 groups. All patients had ingested long dan xie gan wan con-taining aristolochic acid （0.219 mg/g） for at least 3 months. Twelve patients were injected with Alprostadil （10 μg/d for 10 days in one month

summing up to 6 months）. Except for PGE1

the other therapy was same in both groups. Renal function was assessed using reciprocal serum creatinine levels （1/Scr）. Results The level of Scr and serum hemoglobin （Hgb） was similar in both groups prior to therapy. During follow-up

1/Scr levels in PGE1 group were significantly higher than control group （P < 0.01）

and Hgb levels in PGE1 group were sig-nificantly increased compared with control （P < 0.05）.Conclusion PGE1 can slow the progression of renal failure and increase Hgb level of AAN patient.