Application of Mitophagy in Regulating Ulcerative Colitis Based on "Spleen Dysfunction in Essence Distribution Leading to Endogenous Turbid Pathogens"
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20251019
- VernacularTitle:基于“脾失散精、浊邪内生”探讨线粒体自噬调控在溃疡性结肠炎中的应用
- Author:
Xuli YANG
1
;
Yanwei HAO
1
;
Qiaobo YE
2
;
Lingling YUAN
1
;
Ruijie FANG
2
;
Yi ZHANG
1
Author Information
1. Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM）， Chengdu 610072，China
2. School of Basic Medical Sciences， Chengdu University of TCM， Chengdu 611137，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
ulcerative colitis;
mitophagy;
spleen dysfunction in essence distribution;
endogenous turbid pathogen;
traditional Chinese medicine
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(14):176-184
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Ulcerative colitis （UC） is a chronic， non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease. Its pathogenesis is complex， involving interactions among genetic， immune， and environmental factors， and remains incompletely elucidated. Mitochondrial damage can trigger the abnormal release of mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns （mtDAMPs）， activating inflammatory pathways and thereby exacerbating the inflammatory response in UC. Mitophagy， a core mitochondrial quality control mechanism， can clear damaged mitochondria and effectively reduce the abnormal release of mtDAMPs and the accumulation of harmful substances， thereby mitigating inflammatory damage resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier function and in the prevention and intervention of UC. Notably， the function of the spleen governing transportation and transformation in traditional Chinese medicine shares similarities with the role of mitochondria in energy transformation and substance metabolism. Furthermore， the pathological state of the spleen failing in transportation and transformation may be related to mitochondrial dysfunction， while the pathogenic characteristics of "endogenous turbid pathogen" align with the inflammatory cascade responses triggered by abnormal release of mtDAMPs. Based on this theoretical correlation， this paper aims to explore the correlation between the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "spleen dysfunction in essence distribution leading to endogenous turbid pathogens" and mitophagy. Using the correlation as an entry point， the potential role of mitophagy in the pathogenesis of UC was elucidated. Additionally， by considering the epidemiological characteristics of UC in the Southwest region of China， a new thinking for the treatment of UC from the perspective of turbid pathogens was proposed based on the "fortifying the spleen and resolving turbidity" method to provide theoretical support and research enlightenment for further exploring the prevention and treatment of UC with traditional Chinese medicine.
