Application of Germ-free Animal Models in Sepsis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research：A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20260891
- VernacularTitle:无菌动物模型在脓毒症及中医药研究中的应用进展
- Author:
Qinyuan DU
1
;
Congcong QIN
2
;
Guochen LI
1
;
Tejin BA
3
;
Shuanglin ZHANG
3
;
Bagenna BAO
3
;
Meiyu BAO
3
;
Yimin ZHANG
4
;
Meiling SUN
4
;
Sichao ZHANG
4
;
Li KONG
1
Author Information
1. First Clinical Medical College，Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM），Jinan 250014，China
2. Institute of Chinese Medical Literature and Culture，Shandong University of TCM，Jinan 250355，China
3. Inner Mongolia International Hospital of Mongolian Medicine，Inner Mongolia 010010，China
4. College of TCM，Shandong University of TCM，Jinan 250355，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
germ-free animals;
humanized germ-free;
sepsis;
gut microbiota;
traditional Chinese medicine
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(22):308-317
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Sepsis remains a challenge in critical care worldwide，with intestinal microbiome dysbiosis implicated in its onset，progression，and organ dysfunction. Germ-free （GF） and human microbiota-colonized animals，by eliminating confounding from resident microbiota and combining induction methods such as CLP/LPS/live-bacterial challenge with fecal microbiota transplantation （FMT） and mono- or combined colonization，enable causal tests and dissection of microbiota-host interactions and drug mechanisms. This review summarizes the application of GF and related models in sepsis research. At the immune level，TLR-related signaling and pathogen community-induced suppression of IRF3-dependent defense affect innate immunity and pathogen clearance. At the barrier level，reprogramming of tight junction proteins and increased permeability drive gut-derived amplification. At the metabolic level，short-chain fatty acids and bile acids function as metabolic valves influencing GPR/HDAC signaling. At the epigenetic level，EZH2 and histone deacetylation emerge as druggable targets. We further synthesize anti-sepsis evidence for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM），mainly from conventional animals and clinical studies，discussing how formulae （e.g.，Xuebijing，Shenfu，and Huanglian Jiedu Tang） and active constituents （e.g.，berberine，luteolin，ginsenosides，and resveratrol） may act through microbiota-related and direct host pathways，with FMT/metabolite replenishment enabling further causal testing. Finally，we propose a closed-loop GF-humanized-clinical stratification paradigm for integrated evaluation of microecology，epigenetics，immunity，and organ outcomes，providing a translational path for precision prevention and treatment based on TCM and the microbiome.
