1.Diabetic Kidney Disease and Gut-kidney Axis: A Review
Yingchao WANG ; Yexin CHEN ; Hua ZHANG ; Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Xingru PAN ; Weijun HUANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):310-320
With the rising incidence of diabetes, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become a significant global health burden. Although current prevention and treatment strategies can partially delay the progression of DKD, the risk of patients advancing to end-stage renal disease remains high. Since the concept of the "gut-kidney axis" was first introduced at the International Congress on Dialysis in 2011, research on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of DKD has received increasing attention. This review summarizes the current research on gut microbiota, explores the mechanisms through which it contributes to DKD development, and outlines clinical approaches for DKD prevention and treatment based on the "gut-kidney axis" theory. Evidence indicates that dietary interventions, intake of probiotics or prebiotics, use of metformin and novel antidiabetic drugs, and application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas can effectively improve gut microbiota composition, influence metabolite production, and restore the intestinal mucosal barrier. These interventions can further regulate intestinal innate immunity and inflammatory responses, thereby modulating the progression of DKD. Despite challenges posed by the traditional oral administration of water-decocted TCM compound formulas and the complexity of their ingredients, increasing evidence suggests that TCM may indirectly affect the occurrence and development of DKD by modulating gut microbiota. This finding provides a new perspective on the potential mechanisms of TCM in DKD treatment and may offer novel strategies for DKD prevention and therapy.
2.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanisms of Qigui Didang Decoction in Treatment of Stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ Diabetic Kidney Disease with Kidney Collateral Stasis Syndrome in Real World
Yingchao WANG ; Jiaqi WANG ; Zongjiang ZHAO ; Hua ZHANG ; Jiannan ZHOU ; Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Weijun HUANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):162-169
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and mechanisms of Qigui Didang decoction in the treatment of kidney collateral stasis syndrome in patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in a real-world setting. MethodsPatients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ DKD with kidney collateral stasis syndrome admitted to Beijing Aerospace General Hospital from January 2022 to December 2024 were selected for clinical study. According to treatment methods, patients were divided into the Qigui Didang decoction group (Qigui Didang decoction + conventional treatment) and the control group (conventional treatment alone). A 1∶1 propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to reduce bias caused by confounding factors. Clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores, renal function indicators, mRNA expression related to pathway mechanisms, glycolipid metabolism indices, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 120 patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ DKD with kidney collateral stasis syndrome were included, including 62 cases in the Qigui Didang Decoction group and 58 cases in the control group. Before matching, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in DKD stage, baseline urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), 24-hour urine total protein (24 h-UTP), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (P<0.05). After matching, 47 cases were included in each group, and there was no statistically significant difference in baseline data between the two groups. After matching, the total clinical effective rate of the Qigui Didang decoction group was significantly higher than that of the control group (χ2=4.681, P<0.05). Compared with data before treatment, the scores of primary and secondary TCM symptoms in the Qigui Didang decoction group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with data before treatment, serum creatinine (SCr), 24 h-UTP, and UACR levels were significantly decreased, while eGFR was significantly increased in the Qigui Didang decoction group (P<0.05). Compared with data before treatment, the mRNA expression of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) was significantly upregulated, while the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and tumor suppressor protein p53 (p53) was significantly downregulated in the Qigui Didang decoction group (P<0.05). Compared with data before treatment, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2 hPG), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were decreased, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were increased (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups. ConclusionQigui Didang decoction combined with conventional treatment can significantly improve renal function, glycolipid metabolism, and TCM syndromes in patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ DKD with kidney collateral stasis syndrome, with good safety. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Sirt1/NF-κB/p53 signaling pathway.
3.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanisms of Qigui Didang Decoction in Treatment of Stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ Diabetic Kidney Disease with Kidney Collateral Stasis Syndrome in Real World
Yingchao WANG ; Jiaqi WANG ; Zongjiang ZHAO ; Hua ZHANG ; Jiannan ZHOU ; Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Weijun HUANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):162-169
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and mechanisms of Qigui Didang decoction in the treatment of kidney collateral stasis syndrome in patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in a real-world setting. MethodsPatients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ DKD with kidney collateral stasis syndrome admitted to Beijing Aerospace General Hospital from January 2022 to December 2024 were selected for clinical study. According to treatment methods, patients were divided into the Qigui Didang decoction group (Qigui Didang decoction + conventional treatment) and the control group (conventional treatment alone). A 1∶1 propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to reduce bias caused by confounding factors. Clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores, renal function indicators, mRNA expression related to pathway mechanisms, glycolipid metabolism indices, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 120 patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ DKD with kidney collateral stasis syndrome were included, including 62 cases in the Qigui Didang Decoction group and 58 cases in the control group. Before matching, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in DKD stage, baseline urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), 24-hour urine total protein (24 h-UTP), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (P<0.05). After matching, 47 cases were included in each group, and there was no statistically significant difference in baseline data between the two groups. After matching, the total clinical effective rate of the Qigui Didang decoction group was significantly higher than that of the control group (χ2=4.681, P<0.05). Compared with data before treatment, the scores of primary and secondary TCM symptoms in the Qigui Didang decoction group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with data before treatment, serum creatinine (SCr), 24 h-UTP, and UACR levels were significantly decreased, while eGFR was significantly increased in the Qigui Didang decoction group (P<0.05). Compared with data before treatment, the mRNA expression of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) was significantly upregulated, while the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and tumor suppressor protein p53 (p53) was significantly downregulated in the Qigui Didang decoction group (P<0.05). Compared with data before treatment, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2 hPG), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were decreased, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were increased (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups. ConclusionQigui Didang decoction combined with conventional treatment can significantly improve renal function, glycolipid metabolism, and TCM syndromes in patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ DKD with kidney collateral stasis syndrome, with good safety. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Sirt1/NF-κB/p53 signaling pathway.
4.Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome with Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the Core Pathogenesis Evolution of "Constraint,Heat,Deficiency,Stasis,and Toxin"
Zhichao RUAN ; Jiangteng LIU ; Hua ZHANG ; Weijun HUANG ; Qiang FU ; Shidong WANG ; Jinxi ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):680-684
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a rich theoretical foundation and clinical experience for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM), demonstrating unique advantage. Building on previous work in managing diabetes, its complications, and chronic kidney disease, our team has proposed a five-phase evolution theory of "constraint, heat, deficiency, stasis, and toxin" as the core pathogenesis. These phases correspond to the pathological progression of constraint of phlegm-dampness, constraint transforming into heat, heat damaging qi and yin, stasis accumulated in the collateral vessels, and toxin induced by deficiency and stasis. In the prevention and treatment of CKM by TCM, it is emphasized to integrate the concept of "treating disease before it arises" with constitution theory, and incorporate the "2-5-8" prevention and treatment strategy, which combines prevention with treatment, tailors interventions to different phases, and employs comprehensive treatment modalities. Our goal is to leverage TCM's holistic advantages in preventing and treating CKM.
5.CDH17-targeting CAR-NK cells synergize with CD47 blockade for potent suppression of gastrointestinal cancers.
Liuhai ZHENG ; Youbing DING ; Xiaolong XU ; Huifang WANG ; Guangwei SHI ; Yang LI ; Yuanqiao HE ; Yue GONG ; Xiaodong ZHANG ; Jinxi WEI ; Zhiyu DONG ; Jiexuan LI ; Shanchao ZHAO ; Rui HOU ; Wei ZHANG ; Jigang WANG ; Zhijie LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2559-2574
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, cancer relapse remains a significant challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. In this study, we engineered nanobody-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cells targeting cadherin 17 (CDH17) for the treatment of GI tumors. In addition, to enhance the efficacy of CAR-NK cells, we also incorporated CV1, a CD47-SIRPα axis inhibitor, to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of this combination. We found that CDH17-CAR-NK cells effectively eliminated GI cancers cells in a CDH17-dependent manner. CDH17-CAR-NK cells also exhibit potent in vivo anti-tumor effects in cancer cell-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Additionally, the anti-tumor activity of CDH17-CAR-NK cells is synergistically enhanced by CD47-signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) axis inhibitor CV1, likely through augmented macrophages activation and an increase in M1-phenotype macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, our findings suggest that CDH17-targeting CAR-NK cells are a promising strategy for GI cancers. The combination of CDH17-CAR-NK cells with CV1 emerges as a potential combinatorial approach to overcome the limitations of CAR-NK therapy. Further investigations are warranted to speed up the clinical translation of these findings.
6.Discussion on Pathogenesis and Treatment of"Stomach Exuberance and Spleen Deficiency"in Diabetes Mellitus Based on Intestinal Flora Disorder and Inflammatory Reaction
Wenxuan LUO ; Jinxi ZHAO ; Weijun HUANG ; Zhu LIU ; Yonghua XIAO ; Guanxun SU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(5):173-177
Diabetes mellitus has the characteristics of chronic inflammatory diseases,often accompanied by intestinal flora disorders.Based on the TCM theory of"stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency",combined with modern medical research,this article explained the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus from intestinal flora and inflammatory reaction.Diabetes mellitus was divided into three categories:stomach heat and deficiency of spleen yin,stomach heat and deficiency of spleen qi,and stomach heat and deficiency of spleen yang,and summarized the three methods of"clearing and draining heat,nourishing yin and moistening intestine","clearing dampness and heat,strengthening spleen and qi"and"clearing dampness and heat,strengthening spleen and warming yang",which could treat diabetes mellitus by improving intestinal flora disorder and reducing inflammatory reaction.
7.Study on Zhao Jinxi's Medication Law in Treating Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on Multivariate Data Mining
Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Yuanyuan LIN ; Xingru PAN ; Ying TANG ; Zhixun GUO ; Jinxi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):71-76
Objective To explore the medication law of Professor Zhao Jinxi in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease(DKD).Methods The outpatient prescriptions of Professor Zhao Jinxi from Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine in the treatment of DKD were collected from Jan 2021 to May 2024.The Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform 2.3.9,Origin 2024,R 4.4.2,SPSS Modeler 18.0,SPSS Statistics 26.0 and Cytoscape 3.10.2 were used to count the frequency,property and taste,meridian tropism,efficacy and dosage of drugs.Association rules,complex networks and clustering analysis were carried out.Results Totally 1 168 prescriptions were included,involving 237 kinds of Chinese materia medica.The high-frequency drugs were Astragali Radix,Salviea Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Dioscoreae Spongiosae Rhizoma,Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma,etc.The medicinal properties were mostly warm,neutral and cold.The medicinal tastes were mainly bitter,sweet and pungent.They mainly belonged to the liver meridian,spleen meridian and lung meridian.The efficacy was mainly heat-clearing drugs,tonic drugs,and water-clearing and dampness-percolating drugs.18 and 12 drug combinations were obtained by association rules and cluster analysis,respectively.Conclusion Professor Zhao Jinxi's treatment of DKD pays attention to the formation of pathogenesis of"micro abdominal mass",emphasizes"treatment from wind",commonly uses"five methods of kidney treatment"such as tonifying qi,activating blood circulation,dispelling wind,promoting qi and detoxification,and attaches importance to the treatment idea of"three-dimension maintenance kidney",which can provide references for clinical treatment of DKD.
8.Study on Zhao Jinxi's Medication Law in Treating Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on Multivariate Data Mining
Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Yuanyuan LIN ; Xingru PAN ; Ying TANG ; Zhixun GUO ; Jinxi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):71-76
Objective To explore the medication law of Professor Zhao Jinxi in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease(DKD).Methods The outpatient prescriptions of Professor Zhao Jinxi from Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine in the treatment of DKD were collected from Jan 2021 to May 2024.The Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform 2.3.9,Origin 2024,R 4.4.2,SPSS Modeler 18.0,SPSS Statistics 26.0 and Cytoscape 3.10.2 were used to count the frequency,property and taste,meridian tropism,efficacy and dosage of drugs.Association rules,complex networks and clustering analysis were carried out.Results Totally 1 168 prescriptions were included,involving 237 kinds of Chinese materia medica.The high-frequency drugs were Astragali Radix,Salviea Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Dioscoreae Spongiosae Rhizoma,Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma,etc.The medicinal properties were mostly warm,neutral and cold.The medicinal tastes were mainly bitter,sweet and pungent.They mainly belonged to the liver meridian,spleen meridian and lung meridian.The efficacy was mainly heat-clearing drugs,tonic drugs,and water-clearing and dampness-percolating drugs.18 and 12 drug combinations were obtained by association rules and cluster analysis,respectively.Conclusion Professor Zhao Jinxi's treatment of DKD pays attention to the formation of pathogenesis of"micro abdominal mass",emphasizes"treatment from wind",commonly uses"five methods of kidney treatment"such as tonifying qi,activating blood circulation,dispelling wind,promoting qi and detoxification,and attaches importance to the treatment idea of"three-dimension maintenance kidney",which can provide references for clinical treatment of DKD.
9.Discussion on Pathogenesis and Treatment of"Stomach Exuberance and Spleen Deficiency"in Diabetes Mellitus Based on Intestinal Flora Disorder and Inflammatory Reaction
Wenxuan LUO ; Jinxi ZHAO ; Weijun HUANG ; Zhu LIU ; Yonghua XIAO ; Guanxun SU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(5):173-177
Diabetes mellitus has the characteristics of chronic inflammatory diseases,often accompanied by intestinal flora disorders.Based on the TCM theory of"stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency",combined with modern medical research,this article explained the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus from intestinal flora and inflammatory reaction.Diabetes mellitus was divided into three categories:stomach heat and deficiency of spleen yin,stomach heat and deficiency of spleen qi,and stomach heat and deficiency of spleen yang,and summarized the three methods of"clearing and draining heat,nourishing yin and moistening intestine","clearing dampness and heat,strengthening spleen and qi"and"clearing dampness and heat,strengthening spleen and warming yang",which could treat diabetes mellitus by improving intestinal flora disorder and reducing inflammatory reaction.
10.The Influence of Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol on the Efficacy of Genotype-Guided Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Preventing Stroke Recurrence
Qin XU ; Xia MENG ; Hao LI ; Xuewei XIE ; Jing JING ; Jinxi LIN ; Yong JIANG ; Yilong WANG ; Xingquan ZHAO ; Zixiao LI ; Liping LIU ; Anxin WANG ; Yongjun WANG
Journal of Stroke 2024;26(2):231-241
Background:
and Purpose Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), which represents the total cholesterol content of all pro-atherogenic lipoproteins, has recently been included as a new target for lipid-lowering therapy in high-risk atherosclerotic patients in multiple guidelines. Herein, we aimed to explore the relationship between non-HDL-C level and the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor-aspirin versus clopidogrel-aspirin in preventing stroke recurrence.
Methods:
This study comprised a post hoc analysis of the CHANCE-2 (Ticagrelor or Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events II) trial, from which 5,901 patients with complete data on non-HDL-C were included and categorized by median non-HDL-C levels, using a cutoff of 3.5 mmol/L. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were recurrent stroke and severe or moderate bleeding within 90 days.
Results:
Ticagrelor-aspirin significantly reduced the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with low non-HDL-C (71 [4.8%] vs. 119 [7.7%]; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40–0.74), but not in those with high non-HDL-C (107 [7.3%] vs. 108 [7.6%]; adjusted HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.67–1.16), compared with clopidogrel-aspirin (P for interaction=0.010). When analyzed as a continuous variable, the benefit of ticagrelor-aspirin for recurrent stroke decreased as non-HDL-C levels increased. No significant differences in the treatment assignments across the non-HDL-C groups were observed in terms of the rate of severe or moderate bleeding (5 [0.3%] vs. 8 [0.5%] in the low non-HDL-C group; 4 [0.3%] vs. 2 [0.1%] in the high non-HDL-C group; P for interaction=0.425).
Conclusion
CHANCE-2 participants with low non-HDL-C levels received more clinical benefit from ticagrelor-aspirin versus clopidogrel-aspirin compared to those with high non-HDL-C, following minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

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