EDN1 and yang deficiency: Six syndrome factors (including Qi deficiency, yin deficiency, yang deficiency, blood stasis, phlegm, and Qi stagnation) and 4 inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), endothelins-1 (ET-1), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), and homocysteine (Hcy)) were observed at week 0 and at the 1st, 4th and 12th weeks.