Exploring Pathogenesis and Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis from Theory of Qi Deficiency and Stagnation and Mitochondrial Autophagy
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20260713
- VernacularTitle:基于线粒体自噬从“虚气留滞”理论探讨原发性骨质疏松症的病机与治疗
- Author:
Jiali ZHANG
1
;
Yubin ZHANG
1
;
Ruoying SONG
2
;
Jianqiang LI
1
;
Feng LI
3
;
Jiayi GUO
3
Author Information
1. Hunan University of Chinese Medicine， Changsha 410208， China
2. College of Orthopedics and Traumatology， Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046， China
3. Luoyang Orthopedic-traumatological Hospital of Henan Province （Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital）， Luoyang 471002， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
primary osteoporosis;
Qi deficiency and stagnation;
mitochondrial autophagy;
bone metabolism;
traditional Chinese medicine
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(20):230-241
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Primary osteoporosis （POP） is a metabolic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass， degenerated bone microstructure， and increased bone fragility. Its pathogenesis involves the interaction of multiple factors such as genetics， aging， endocrine， and environment， which remain incompletely elucidated. Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to insufficient adenosine triphosphate （ATP） production and abnormal accumulation of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， activating oxidative stress and inflammation pathways， thereby inhibiting osteoblast differentiation and promoting osteoclast activation， exacerbating the negative bone metabolism balance in POP. Mitochondrial autophagy， as the core mechanism of mitochondrial quality control， selectively identifies and clears damaged mitochondria to effectively reduce ROS accumulation and energy metabolism disorders， thus maintaining the balance between osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation. It plays a critical role in maintaining bone homeostasis and the prevention and treatment of POP. The traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） theory of Qi transformation shares similarities with the functions of mitochondria in energy generation and substance conversion. The pathological state of Qi deficiency and stagnation may be associated with mitochondrial autophagy dysfunction， and the pathogenic characteristics of combined phlegm and stasis align with the metabolic waste accumulation induced by obstructed autophagy flow. This article explores the correlation of the theory of Qi deficiency and stagnation with mitochondrial autophagy and elucidates its potential role in the pathogenesis of POP. Additionally， considering the pathogenesis features of POP， which involve deficiency causing stagnation and a mixture of deficiency and excess， this article proposes a novel therapeutic approach： tonifying Qi to support the body and unblocking collaterals to resolve stagnation from the perspective of mitochondrial autophagy. This article aims to provide theoretical support and research insights for further exploration of TCM in the prevention and treatment of POP.
