1.Inheritance and Current Research Status of Major Spleen-Stomach Theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ling HU ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yunkai DAI ; Xu CHEN ; Shiqi LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):87-94
This paper systematically reviews the core concepts and lines of theoretical inheritance of major spleen-stomach theories in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including spleen deficiency theory, spleen-stomach damp-heat theory, and liver-spleen disharmony theory. It is found that these theories have all undergone a developmental trajectory characterized by classical foundation, refinement of therapeutic methods, systematization of pathogenesis, and modern innovation. The evolution of spleen-stomach theory has achieved a shift from a singular focus on tonifying the spleen to regulating dynamic middle-jiao (焦) balance, and from localized spleen-stomach regulation to the circular movement of qi involving all five zang organs. In terms of modern disease-syndrome integrative research, spleen deficiency syndrome is shown to be closely associated with impairment of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, metabolic disorders, and gene polymorphisms related to Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric diseases. Spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome is closely linked to hyperactive energy metabolism, inflammatory cytokines, and abnormal expression of aquaporins. Liver-spleen disharmony syndrome is mainly associated with dysregulation of the brain-gut axis and microbiota-related metabolic disorders. It is proposed that future research on spleen-stomach diseases and syndromes should further elucidate their potential multidimensional differential biological characteristics, thereby promoting the modernization of the TCM discipline of spleen-stomach studies.
2.Current Research Status,Challenges,Differentiation and Treatment Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Fengyun WANG ; Mi LYU ; Bingduo ZHOU ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yi WANG ; Tingting XU ; Cong HE ; Xiaokang WANG ; Xin LIU ; Yang WANG ; Kaiyue HUANG ; Lusi XU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):392-396
This article systematically reviews the current research status as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Studies demonstrate that TCM, based on the "disease-syndrome combination" approach, exhibits multi-target advantages in alleviating symptoms of various GERD subtypes, promoting mucosal repair, regulating emotions, and facilitating the reduction of western medication. To address clinical challenges such as symptom overlap and limited therapeutic efficacy, strategies have been proposed including "treating different diseases with the same method" and integrated regulation based on viscera correlation. Future efforts should focus on elucidating the mechanisms of compound prescriptions, promoting TCM drug development under the "three-combination" evaluation framework that integrates TCM theory, human experience and clinical trial evidence, and optimizing integrated traditional and western medicine models to enhance GERD management.
3.Application Value of Organoid Technology in the Research of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Digestive System Diseases
Yongtian WEN ; Xiangxue MA ; Beihua ZHANG ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1433-1438
Organoid technology, a rapidly advancing three-dimensional (3D) cell culture platform, can closely mimic the microarchitecture and functions of human digestive organs, effectively overcoming the limitations of conventional two-dimensional cell models and animal experiments. By systematically summarizing the distinctive strengths of organoid technology in simulating digestive physiological and pathological states, constructing digestive system disease models, enabling high-throughput drug screening, and facilitating personalized treatment, this review explored the potential applications of organoids in identifying active components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas, evaluating in vitro pharmacokinetics and toxicological parameters, and investigating multi-target synergistic mechanisms. By integrating cutting-edge engineering technologies, organoids are expected to provide a more scientific research platform for TCM, accelerate the modernization of its mechanistic studies, and enhance its scientific value and global impact.
4.Effect of Modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction (加味葛根芩连汤) on the Intestinal Mucus Barrier and Intestinal Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation in Ulcerative Colitis Model Mice
Jinke HUANG ; Jiaqi ZHANG ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):941-947
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction (加味葛根芩连汤, MGQD) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) based on intestinal mucus barrier. MethodsThirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and a MGQD group with 10 mice in each. Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (DSS) was used to construct the UC model in all groups except for the control group. Meanwhile, mice in the MGQD group were given 20 g/kg of MGQD decoction by gavage according to their body weight, while those in the control group and model group were given 0.2 ml/20 g of pure water by gavage, once a day for 7 consecutive days. On the day following the last gavage, the body weight, disease activity index (DAI) score, spleen weight, and colon length were compared. The pathological changes of the intestinal mucosal tissues were observed by HE staining; the protein expression levels of mucin 2 (MUC2) and leucine-rich repeat G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) in the intestinal mucosal tissues were detected by immunofluorescence; the cuprocytes in the intestinal mucosal tissues were detected by AB/PAS staining; and the expression level of Ki67 in the intestinal mucosal tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. ResultsHE staining showed that the colon mucosal tissue of the mice in the control group was intact. In the model group, the colon mucosal epithelial structure was severely damaged, with a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the mucosal propria. In the MGQD group, the mucosal tissue structure was partially lost, with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration.The body weight and colon length of mice in the model group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group, while DAI scores and spleen weight increased, and the levels of MUC2, Ki67, Lgr5 proteins, and the number of goblet cells were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the MGQD group had increased body weight of mice, colon length, and decreased DAI scores and spleen weight; the levels of MUC2, Ki67, Lgr5 proteins, and the number of goblet cells were increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionMGQD has a favorable ameliorative effect on UC-related symptoms and pathological tissue damage, and its mechanism of action may be related to the restoration of the prolife-ration and differentiation of intestinal stem cells into goblet cells, thereby promoting the repair of the intestinal mucus barrier.
5.Exploration on the relationship between exosomes and overlap of symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders based on the theory of "holism of five organs"
Yuedan WANG ; Xiangxue MA ; Beihua ZHANG ; Jiali LIU ; Ting CHEN ; Xiaolan YIN ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(4):433-438
The theory of "holism of five organs" highly encapsulates the understanding of TCM on the integrity, connectivity, and unity of the internal life functions and morphological structures of the human body. Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) frequently overlap, and TCM has significant advantages in their prevention and treatment based on the theory of the holistic view and syndrome differentiation and treatment. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles whose secretory form and biological functions fully reflect the "holism of five organs", and they are of great value in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of overlap of symptoms of FGIDs. This article interpreted the relationship between exosomes and overlap of symptoms of FGIDs with the "holism of five organs", aiming to provide new ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of overlap of symptoms of FGIDs, as well as partly explain the scientific connotation of the theory of "holism of five organs".
6.Changes in serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels in patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure undergoing PCI and their clinical significance
Yanhua YANG ; Jianmin TANG ; Yinchuan ZHU ; Fengyun WANG ; Dongsheng SU
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(3):244-250
Aim To detect the changes of serum cardiotrophin-1(CT-1)and angiopoietin-like protein 3(ANGPTL3)levels in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)complicated with heart failure(HF)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),and analyze their relationship with prognosis.Methods 199 patients with CHD compli-cated with HF who underwent PCI in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2022 to March 2023 were selected.The serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels of patients with different New York Heart Association(NYHA)cardiac function grades were compared before surgery.The prognosis was followed up after PCI,and the pa-tients who had major adverse cardiovascular event(MACE)were included in the poor prognosis group,and the rest were included in the good prognosis group.The general data and serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels were compared between the poor prognosis group and the good prognosis group.Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of poor prognosis after surgery in patients with CHD and HF.The predictive value of serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 alone and in combination were analyzed.Results Compared with the patients with cardiac function grade Ⅰ,the serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels of the patients with cardiac function grade Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the patients with cardiac function grade Ⅱ,the serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels of the patients with cardiac function grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the patients with cardiac function grade Ⅲ,the serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels of the patients with acrdiac function grade Ⅳ were increased(P<0.05).Spearman correlation a-nalysis showed that the serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels were positively correlated with NYHA cardiac function grade(r=0.518,95%CI:0.408~0.613,P<0.001,r=0.737,95%CI:0.666~0.794,P<0.001).The poor prognosis rate of patients was 17.93%.Compared with the good prognosis group,the serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels of the poor progno-sis group were increased(P<0.05).Logistic regression model analysis showed that smoking,diabetes,lesion vessel number ≥3,irregular medication outside the hospital,serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels were the influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients with CHD complicated with HF(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and area under the curve(AUC)of combined serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels for predicting poor prognosis of patients with CHD complicated with HF were higher than those of either marker alone,while the specificity was basically similar to that of sin-gle-marker prediction.Conclusion Serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels are abnormally elevated in patients with CHD complicated with HF after PCI,and are closely related to the cardiac function and prognosis.
7.Changes in serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels in patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure undergoing PCI and their clinical significance
Yanhua YANG ; Jianmin TANG ; Yinchuan ZHU ; Fengyun WANG ; Dongsheng SU
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(3):244-250
Aim To detect the changes of serum cardiotrophin-1(CT-1)and angiopoietin-like protein 3(ANGPTL3)levels in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)complicated with heart failure(HF)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),and analyze their relationship with prognosis.Methods 199 patients with CHD compli-cated with HF who underwent PCI in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2022 to March 2023 were selected.The serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels of patients with different New York Heart Association(NYHA)cardiac function grades were compared before surgery.The prognosis was followed up after PCI,and the pa-tients who had major adverse cardiovascular event(MACE)were included in the poor prognosis group,and the rest were included in the good prognosis group.The general data and serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels were compared between the poor prognosis group and the good prognosis group.Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of poor prognosis after surgery in patients with CHD and HF.The predictive value of serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 alone and in combination were analyzed.Results Compared with the patients with cardiac function grade Ⅰ,the serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels of the patients with cardiac function grade Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the patients with cardiac function grade Ⅱ,the serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels of the patients with cardiac function grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the patients with cardiac function grade Ⅲ,the serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels of the patients with acrdiac function grade Ⅳ were increased(P<0.05).Spearman correlation a-nalysis showed that the serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels were positively correlated with NYHA cardiac function grade(r=0.518,95%CI:0.408~0.613,P<0.001,r=0.737,95%CI:0.666~0.794,P<0.001).The poor prognosis rate of patients was 17.93%.Compared with the good prognosis group,the serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels of the poor progno-sis group were increased(P<0.05).Logistic regression model analysis showed that smoking,diabetes,lesion vessel number ≥3,irregular medication outside the hospital,serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels were the influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients with CHD complicated with HF(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and area under the curve(AUC)of combined serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels for predicting poor prognosis of patients with CHD complicated with HF were higher than those of either marker alone,while the specificity was basically similar to that of sin-gle-marker prediction.Conclusion Serum CT-1 and ANGPTL3 levels are abnormally elevated in patients with CHD complicated with HF after PCI,and are closely related to the cardiac function and prognosis.
8.Disinfectant-resistant genes in gram-negative bacteria isolated from dirt retention on air return filters of air conditioners and their drug resistance
Yu ZHOU ; Xiaoli LIU ; Yuhe XIA ; Wanyue QIU ; Fengyun YUAN ; Jiahao LI ; Honghui DING ; Lin GONG ; Fei TANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(13):2024-2029
OBJECTIVE To understand the disinfectant-resistant genes in the gram-negative bacteria isolated from the dirt retention on air recure filters of air conditioners and observe the drug resistance.METHODS The dirt re-tention samples were collected from the air return filters of air conditioners of some wards in 3 hospitals of Wuhan(Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Wuhan Central Hospital,and Hubei Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital)from 2018 to 2024.The gram-negative bac-teria were screened out,the disinfectant-resistant genes in the strains were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and the results of drug susceptibility test were analyzed.RESULTS Of 354 dirt retention samples that were collected from the air return filers of air conditioners,77 were detected with 138 strains of gram-negative bacteria,87 of which were Acinetobacter baumannii,50 were Enterobacteriaceae,and 1 was Pseudomonas aerug-inosa.The detection rates of qacEΔ1,qacEΔ1-sul1,aceI and qacA/B were 73.19%,82.61%,69.57%and 2.90%,respectively.None of the strains were detected with qacC,qacH or qacJ.The result of drug susceptibility test showed that 76.81%of the gram-negative bacteria were resistant to at least 1 type of antibiotic;93 strains of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria were isolated,most of which were isolated from intensive care unit(ICU).The detection rates of qacEΔ1 and qacEΔ1-sul1 were higher in the drug-resistant strains than those in the non-drug-resistant strains;there were significant differences in the drug resistance rates to carbapenems,quin-olones and β-lactams between the qacEΔ1-sul 1-positive strains and the qacEΔ1-sul1-negative strains(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS There are drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria contaminations in some wards of the 3 hospitals in Wuhan.The carrying rates of disinfectant-resistant genes of the strains are high,and the strains show varying degree of resistance to the commonly used antibiotics;the strains carrying the qacEΔ1-sul1 have certain statistical association with the drug resistance.It is suggested that the hospital should take targeted disinfec-tion measures for the environment and reasonably use antibiotics.
9.Disinfectant-resistant genes in gram-negative bacteria isolated from dirt retention on air return filters of air conditioners and their drug resistance
Yu ZHOU ; Xiaoli LIU ; Yuhe XIA ; Wanyue QIU ; Fengyun YUAN ; Jiahao LI ; Honghui DING ; Lin GONG ; Fei TANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(13):2024-2029
OBJECTIVE To understand the disinfectant-resistant genes in the gram-negative bacteria isolated from the dirt retention on air recure filters of air conditioners and observe the drug resistance.METHODS The dirt re-tention samples were collected from the air return filters of air conditioners of some wards in 3 hospitals of Wuhan(Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Wuhan Central Hospital,and Hubei Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital)from 2018 to 2024.The gram-negative bac-teria were screened out,the disinfectant-resistant genes in the strains were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and the results of drug susceptibility test were analyzed.RESULTS Of 354 dirt retention samples that were collected from the air return filers of air conditioners,77 were detected with 138 strains of gram-negative bacteria,87 of which were Acinetobacter baumannii,50 were Enterobacteriaceae,and 1 was Pseudomonas aerug-inosa.The detection rates of qacEΔ1,qacEΔ1-sul1,aceI and qacA/B were 73.19%,82.61%,69.57%and 2.90%,respectively.None of the strains were detected with qacC,qacH or qacJ.The result of drug susceptibility test showed that 76.81%of the gram-negative bacteria were resistant to at least 1 type of antibiotic;93 strains of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria were isolated,most of which were isolated from intensive care unit(ICU).The detection rates of qacEΔ1 and qacEΔ1-sul1 were higher in the drug-resistant strains than those in the non-drug-resistant strains;there were significant differences in the drug resistance rates to carbapenems,quin-olones and β-lactams between the qacEΔ1-sul 1-positive strains and the qacEΔ1-sul1-negative strains(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS There are drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria contaminations in some wards of the 3 hospitals in Wuhan.The carrying rates of disinfectant-resistant genes of the strains are high,and the strains show varying degree of resistance to the commonly used antibiotics;the strains carrying the qacEΔ1-sul1 have certain statistical association with the drug resistance.It is suggested that the hospital should take targeted disinfec-tion measures for the environment and reasonably use antibiotics.
10.Discussion on the Scientific Connotation of Spleen Deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Lin LYU ; Fengyun WANG ; Xiangxue MA ; Beihua ZHANG ; Xudong TANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(3):622-627
Spleen deficiency is an important part of the theoretical system of Traditional Chinese Medicine,which has experienced the process of origin,standardization,maturity,perfection and development in different historical periods.The physiological function of the spleen in Traditional Chinese Medicine involves"the spleen governs transportation and transformation,promotes blood circulation";The study of"spleen governing transportation and transformation"divided into"spleen governing transportation"and"spleen governing transformation"from the function of spleen,which is more conducive to explaining the scientific connotation of spleen governing transportation and transformation.Spleen governing transport and transformation is the basis of spleen governing clearing,and spleen governing clearing is the purpose of spleen governing transport and transformation.Spleen governing blood circulation is the outcome of spleen governing clearing,and there is a progressive logical hierarchy relationship between them.With the rise of proteomics,metabonomics and intestinal flora research,it provides technical support for the study of spleen deficiency syndrome;In addition,based on the correlation between spleen of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the functions of endoplasmic reticulum,the material basis of essence of spleen deficiency is discussed from the perspective of endoplasmic reticulum stress,which provides a new direction for the study of spleen deficiency.

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