Exploring Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions on Mitochondrial Quality Control in Chronic Heart Failure Based on Theory of "Mingmen Dongqi"
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20260617
- VernacularTitle:基于“命门动气”理论探讨中药干预线粒体质量控制对慢性心衰的影响
- Author:
Yubin ZHANG
1
;
Kun LIAN
1
;
Jiahao YE
1
;
Junyu ZHANG
1
;
Weijun LI
1
;
Jiali ZHANG
1
;
Zhixi HU
1
Author Information
1. Hunan University of Chinese Medicine， Changsha 410208，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
chronic heart failure;
Mingmen DongQi;
mitochondrial quality control;
mitochondrial dynamics;
mitochondrial autophagy
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(20):269-280
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Chronic heart failure （CHF）， as the terminal stage of various cardiovascular diseases， is characterized by a prolonged course and a high mortality rate， posing a serious threat to human health and life. According to physician Sun Yikui's theory of "Mingmen Dongqi" （dynamic Qi of life gate） in the Ming Dynasty and the modern medicine concept of mitochondrial quality control （MQC）， this paper systematically explores the pathogenic mechanisms and evolutionary patterns of CHF， as well as its intrinsic connection with microstructural homeostasis， and further proposes potential traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） intervention strategies. CHF is often caused by damage to the heart Qi at the early stage. As the disease progresses， prolonged illness affects the kidneys， leading to the dynamic Qi decline of life gate. Further， it results in the failure of the functions of sustaining and consolidating， causing the disintegration of the physical form， which corresponds to mitochondrial kinetic disorders. The deficiency in primary driving force results in impaired Qi transformation， corresponding to mitochondrial autophagy dysfunction， forming a pathological transmission chain of "life gate-mitochondrion" that ultimately leads to myocardial structural disintegration and energy metabolism failure. Modern research indicates that patients with CHF exhibit significant MQC imbalance. Disrupted mitochondrial dynamics lead to network fragmentation， and impaired autophagy causes metabolic blockage， constituting the key microscopic mechanisms underlying ventricular remodeling and pump failure. Chinese herbal medicines， such as those with the effects of warming and tonifying kidney Yang or reinforcing healthy Qi， can intervene in multiple signaling pathways-including PTEN-inducible kinase 1 （PINK1）/Parkin and AMP-activated protein kinase/dynamin-related protein 1 （AMPK/Drp1）-to regulate mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy activity. This repairs damaged MQC networks and improves the microenvironment of myocardial energy metabolism. These intervention strategies align closely with the TCM therapeutic principles of warming and tonifying life gate， replenishing Qi， and activating blood， demonstrating the advantages of holistic regulation based on kidney-centered treatment and mitochondrial-targeted approaches. By integrating the "Mingmen Dongqi" theory with the MQC mechanism， this paper establishes a theoretical framework for the integrated prevention and treatment of CHF， offering new perspectives and insights for clinical practice and future research.
