Abstract:Objective:To observe the clinical effect of Gancao Fuzi tang for ankylosing spondylitis(AS) of type of kidney deficiency and governor vessel cold, and its effect on secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine(SPARC) and Dickkopf- 1 protein(DKK-1) in serum. Methods:A total of 144 cases of patients with AS were selected and divided into the control group and the observation group according to the random number table method,72 cases in each group. The control group was given salazosulfapyridine,and the observation group was additionally given Gancao Fuzi tang based on the treatment of the control group. Both groups were continuously treated for four weeks. Before and after treatment, Chinese medicine syndrome score, the time of morning stiffness, occiput- to- wall distance, Schober, and laboratory indexes[erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),serum SPARC,DKK-1,C-reactive protein(CRP),transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)] were observed in the two groups. The scores of Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index(BASDAI), and Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrological index (BASMI),as well as the excellent and good rate of the lumbar vertebral function were compared between the two groups. Results: After treatment, Chinese medicine syndrome scores, the time of morning stiffness, and occiput- to- wall distances in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05), and Schober was increased(P<0.05). After treatment, Chinese medicine syndrome score, the time of morning stiffness, and occiput- towall distance in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05),and Schober was higher(P<0.05). After treatment, the indexes of ESR, serum CRP, TNF- α, TGF- β1, SPARC, and DKK- 1 in the two groups were improved(P<0.05);levels of ESR,CRP,TNF- α,TGF- β1 and DKK- 1 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and levels of SPARC were higher; differences were significant(P<0.05). After treatment, scores of BASFI,BASDAI,and BASMI in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment,and the three scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05). After four- week treatment, the excellent and good rate of the lumbar vertebral function was 90.3% in the observation group,higher than that of 76.4% in the control group, the difference being significant(P<0.05). Conclusion: The therapy of Gancao Fuzi tang combined with western medicine has a protective effect on bone substance of patients with ankylosing spondylitis, which can relieve osteoblast apoptosis,improve osteoporosis,and enhance bone substance,thus promoting recovery of spinal function.