1.TCM Treatment of Podocyte Injury in IgA Nephropathy Based on Multiple TCM Theories: A Review
Yongfang LIU ; Huiyang LIU ; Bangming CHEN ; Li ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):198-208
IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerular disease in China. Its clinical manifestations are mainly proteinuria, hematuria, hypertension, edema, hyperuricemia, etc. Most patients have hidden onset. 30%-40% of patients develop into end stage renal disease 10-20 years after diagnosis and rely on dialysis or kidney transplantation to maintain their lives, which is extremely harmful. Proteinuria is a common clinical manifestation of this disease, and most patients have small-to-moderate amounts of proteinuria, while 10%-24% of patients have large amounts of proteinuria. Proteinuria is the main risk factor affecting the progression of renal function in IgA nephropathy. Podocytes are the terminal part of the glomerular filtration barrier, and various factors can affect the fusion and detachment of podocyte processes that occur after podocyte injury. They are common histological lesions in IgA nephropathy and are key factors leading to proteinuria and the continuous progression of the disease. At present, Western medicine lacks targeted treatment for podocyte injury, with limited intervention methods. Drugs such as glucocorticoids are often used for treatment, and there are many adverse reactions. Based on the physiological function of podocytes, pathological and physiological changes after injury, and histological morphology of this disease, it is believed that it is closely related to traditional Chinese medicine's "Xuanfu Theory" "Kidney Collateral Syndrome" "Collateral Disease Theory", and "Dry Blood Theory". More and more studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine, which has the characteristics of multiple links, pathways, and targets, has a significant therapeutic effect on podocyte injury in IgA nephropathy. It can protect podocytes and reduce proteinuria and has good application and research prospects. This article systematically summarizes the mechanism and morphological changes of podocyte injury in IgA nephropathy, the understanding of podocyte injury in traditional Chinese medicine theory, and the research progress in traditional Chinese medicine treatment of podocyte injury in IgA nephropathy, so as to provide a reference for further research and application of traditional Chinese medicine intervention in podocyte injury in IgA nephropathy.