1.Dynamic Sequential Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome Based on the "Sweat Pore-Qi and Liquid-Kidney Collaterals"
Zhenhua YUAN ; Mingyang CAI ; Yingying JIANG ; Jingjing WU ; Wenqing PAN ; Zichao DING ; Shuzi ZHANG ; Xianqing REN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1007-1010
Based on the viewpoint of "sweat pore-qi and liquid-kidney collaterals", it is believed that children's nephrotic syndrome is caused by the core mechanism of sweat pore constraint and closure, qi and liquid imbalance, and kidney collaterals impairment, and it is proposed that the treatment principle is to nourish the sweat pore, regulate qi and fluid, and supplement the kidney and unblock the collaterals. In clinic, guided by sequential therapy and according to the different disease mechanism characteristics of the four stages, including early stage of the disease, hormone induction stage, hormone reduction stage, hormone maintenance stage, the staged dynamic identification and treatment was applied. For early stage of the disease with edema due to yang deficiency, modified Zhenwu Decoction (真武汤) was applied to warm yang and drain water; for hormone induction stage with yin deficiency resulting in effulgent fire, modified Zhibai Dihuang Pill (知柏地黄丸) plus Erzhi Pill (二至丸) was used to enrich yin and reduce fire; for hormone reduction stage with qi and yin deficiency, modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (参芪地黄汤) was used to boost qi and nourish yin; for hormone maintenance stage, modified Shenqi Pill (肾气丸) was used to supplement yin and yang. Meanwhile, the treatment also attaches importance to the combination of vine-based or worm medicinals to dredge collaterals, so as to providing ideas for clinical treatment.
2.Analysis of Clinical Diagnosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Medication Rule of Children with Nephrotic Syndrome in Single Center
Tingting XU ; Xia ZHANG ; Ying DING ; Long WANG ; Shanshan XU ; Yijin WANG ; Yue WANG ; Feiyu YAO ; Chundong SONG ; Wensheng ZHAI ; Xianqing REN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):176-184
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical treatment plan and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medication rule of children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine. MethodsThe gender and age of children firstly diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in the pediatric nephrology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from November 2019 to December 2022 were collected, and the use of immunosuppressive agents and related frequencies were counted. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, an independent TCM prescription database for children with nephrotic syndrome was established. Excel was used to analyze the relevant information of the literature. The frequency counting, association rule analysis, and cluster analysis were carried out on TCM in the prescription, and the high-frequent drugs were analyzed. Results(1) General information: A total of 711 children were included, consisting of 522 males (73.42%) and 189 females (26.58%). The ratio of male to female was about 2.76∶1. The disease mainly occurred in infants and preschool age, and the average age of onset was (4.74 ± 3.48) years old. (2) Clinical treatment plan and use of immunosuppressive agents: Of the 711 children with PNS, 237 were treated with hormone alone (32.33%), and 474 (66.67%) received immunosuppressive agents combined with hormones. In the initial treatment, hormone combined with Tacrolimus (TAC) was the preferred treatment (32.91%). For children with refractory PNS who exhibited poor clinical efficacy, Rituximab (RTX) was mostly used for treatment, with a ratio of up to 23.63%. (3) TCM syndrome and medication rule: In PNS syndrome differentiation, Qi and Yin deficiency was identified as the main syndrome. This involved a total of 477 cases, accounting for 67.09%. Yang deficiency of spleen and kidney was observed in 118 cases, accounting for 16.60%. A total of 711 children were included, of which 706 children were treated with TCM. This involved a total of 706 prescriptions, 226 TCM, and 9 793 frequencies. There were 30 herbs used more than 95 times. The top five TCM were Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (81.16%), Radix Astragali (71.81%), Poria (68.84%), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (63.60%), and Fructus Corni (57.37%). The drug association rules and network diagram showed that the combination of ''Radix Astragali-Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae-Poria'' was the closest, and five types of combinations were obtained by cluster analysis. ConclusionIn the diagnosis and treatment of PNS in children, TAC combined with hormones shows good clinical efficacy and high safety. For children with refractory PNS, RTX combined with hormones can be used. TCM medication for PNS should follow the basic principles of strengthening the body and vital Qi and make good use of drugs such as Radix Astragali, Poria, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, and cornus to regulate the Yin and Yang balance and achieve better clinical efficacy.
3.Analysis of Clinical Diagnosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Medication Rule of Children with Nephrotic Syndrome in Single Center
Tingting XU ; Xia ZHANG ; Ying DING ; Long WANG ; Shanshan XU ; Yijin WANG ; Yue WANG ; Feiyu YAO ; Chundong SONG ; Wensheng ZHAI ; Xianqing REN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):176-184
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical treatment plan and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medication rule of children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine. MethodsThe gender and age of children firstly diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in the pediatric nephrology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from November 2019 to December 2022 were collected, and the use of immunosuppressive agents and related frequencies were counted. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, an independent TCM prescription database for children with nephrotic syndrome was established. Excel was used to analyze the relevant information of the literature. The frequency counting, association rule analysis, and cluster analysis were carried out on TCM in the prescription, and the high-frequent drugs were analyzed. Results(1) General information: A total of 711 children were included, consisting of 522 males (73.42%) and 189 females (26.58%). The ratio of male to female was about 2.76∶1. The disease mainly occurred in infants and preschool age, and the average age of onset was (4.74 ± 3.48) years old. (2) Clinical treatment plan and use of immunosuppressive agents: Of the 711 children with PNS, 237 were treated with hormone alone (32.33%), and 474 (66.67%) received immunosuppressive agents combined with hormones. In the initial treatment, hormone combined with Tacrolimus (TAC) was the preferred treatment (32.91%). For children with refractory PNS who exhibited poor clinical efficacy, Rituximab (RTX) was mostly used for treatment, with a ratio of up to 23.63%. (3) TCM syndrome and medication rule: In PNS syndrome differentiation, Qi and Yin deficiency was identified as the main syndrome. This involved a total of 477 cases, accounting for 67.09%. Yang deficiency of spleen and kidney was observed in 118 cases, accounting for 16.60%. A total of 711 children were included, of which 706 children were treated with TCM. This involved a total of 706 prescriptions, 226 TCM, and 9 793 frequencies. There were 30 herbs used more than 95 times. The top five TCM were Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (81.16%), Radix Astragali (71.81%), Poria (68.84%), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (63.60%), and Fructus Corni (57.37%). The drug association rules and network diagram showed that the combination of ''Radix Astragali-Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae-Poria'' was the closest, and five types of combinations were obtained by cluster analysis. ConclusionIn the diagnosis and treatment of PNS in children, TAC combined with hormones shows good clinical efficacy and high safety. For children with refractory PNS, RTX combined with hormones can be used. TCM medication for PNS should follow the basic principles of strengthening the body and vital Qi and make good use of drugs such as Radix Astragali, Poria, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, and cornus to regulate the Yin and Yang balance and achieve better clinical efficacy.
4.Observation of the therapeutic effect of rituximab combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation on treating steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome in children and the regularity of traditional Chinese medicine use
Xia ZHANG ; Xuejun LI ; Tingting XU ; Guang LI ; Yifan LI ; Chundong SONG ; Wensheng ZHAI ; Xianqing REN ; Ying DING
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):80-90
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy, safety, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medication patterns of rituximab (RTX) combined with TCM on treating children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS).
Methods:
One hundred and forty-three children with SDNS who visited the Pediatric Nephrology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to December 2022 were enrolled. A cohort study design was adopted, with " RTX treatment" as the exposure factor. Children who met this exposure factor were assigned to the RTX cohort (RTX, glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment), whereas those who did not were assigned to the basic treatment cohort (glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment ), and followed up for 6 months. The frequency of urinary protein recurrences, urinary protein remission duration, proportion and duration of steroid reduction and cessation, cumulative usage of steroids, proportion of recurrence, recurrence amount of steroid used, efficacy of TCM syndrome, and laboratory and safety indicators after treatment, and height and CD19+ B cell count before and after treatment were compared between the two cohorts. The medication patterns of TCM in the two cohorts were analyzed using frequency statistics, association rule analysis, and systematic clustering analysis.
Results:
Compared with the basic treatment cohort, the RTX cohort showed a decrease in the frequency of urinary protein recurrence, extended sustained remission of urinary protein, an increase in the proportion of steroid reduction and cessation, a shorter duration of steroid reduction and cessation, a decrease in cumulative steroid dosage, a lower recurrence rate, a decrease in CD19+ B cell count, and a decrease in 24-h urinary total protein quantification and the level of cholesterol (P<0.05). No significant difference in the recurrence amount of steroid used, height, TCM syndrome efficacy, albumin, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, platelet count, and safety indicators between the two cohorts. Children with SDNS were mostly characterized by qi and yin deficiency syndrome, followed by spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome. A total of 175 TCMs were included, including 28 high-frequency drugs such as Huangqi, Fuling, Gancao, Baizhu, Dangshen, and Jiuyurou. The primary use of medication is to nourish the qi and spleen, nourish the kidney, and warm yang. The analysis of association rules yielded eight binary associations and ten three-phase associations, with Huangqi, Baizhu, Fuling, and Dangshen, being the most closely related. Cluster analysis identified four TCM combinations, primarily focusing on tonifying kidney and replenishing essence, benefiting qi and nourishing yin, and removing blood stasis.
Conclusion
RTX combined with TCM syndrome differentiation treatment can reduce the recurrence frequency of SDNS, prolong the remission period, reduce the glucocorticoid dosage, and have no marked effect on height growth. No apparent adverse reactions were observed. TCM should focus on nourishing qi and yin while removing blood stasis.
5.Randomized Controlled Trial of Traditional Chinese Medicine Sequential Syndrome Differentiation Protocol for Reducing Relapse Rate of Frequently Relapsing/Steroid-dependent Nephrotic Syndrome in Children
Zhuiyue WANG ; Xianqing REN ; Wenqing PAN ; Tingting XU ; Xia ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):126-134
ObjectiveTo assess the relapse rate, clinical efficacy, and safety of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sequential syndrome differentiation protocol for frequently relapsing/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS/SDNS) in children. MethodsA total of 151 children with FRNS/SDNS treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from December 2020 to June 2024 were randomized into an observation group (77 cases) and a control group (74 cases). Both groups received Western medicine (prednisone tablets and tacrolimus capsules). In addition, the observation group additionally underwent TCM sequential syndrome differentiation and the control group received 1/10 of the TCM dose. The 6-month intervention was followed by a 12-month follow-up, totaling 18 months of observation across seven time points (before treatment and after 1, 2, 4, 24, 52, 76 weeks of treatment). The evaluation was carried out based on the following indicators. ① The relapse rates were mainly recorded after 24, 52, 76 weeks of treatment. ② The efficacy was evaluated based on the clinical remission rates after 1, 2, 4 weeks of treatment, the time to proteinuria clearance, the levels of 24-hour urine total protein (24-h UTP), serum total protein (TP), serum albumin (ALB), cholesterol (CHO), and triglycerides (TG) and the TCM symptom scores before treatment and after 24 weeks of treatment. ③ The treatment safety was evaluated based on blood routine and levels of liver enzymes, renal function indicators and blood glucose (Glu) before treatment and after 24 weeks of treatment. Results① Relapse rate: After 24 weeks of treatment, no significant difference in relapse rate was found between the two groups. The observation group showed lower relapse rates than the control group after 52 weeks of treatment [24.2% (16/66) vs. 52.5% (31/59), χ2=10.634, P<0.01] and 76 weeks of treatment [42.4% (28/66) vs. 74.6% (44/59), χ2=13.186, P<0.01] than the control group. ② Efficacy indicators: The two groups showed no significant difference in remission rate after 1 week of treatment. The observation group demonstrated higher remission rates after 2 weeks of treatment [88.2% (67/76) vs. 74.0% (54/73), Z=-1.999, P<0.05] and 4 weeks of treatment [94.7% (72/76) vs. 82.2% (60/73), Z=-2.3589, P<0.05). In addition, the observation group had shorter time to proteinuria clearance (P<0.01). After treatment, both groups showed declined 24 h-UTP, CHO, TG, and TCM symptom scores and elevated TP and ALB levels (P<0.01), and the observation group had lower CHO, TG, and TCM symptom scores and higher TP and ALB than the control group (P<0.05). ③ Safety indicators: After treatment, both groups showed declined white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevated Glu (P<0.01) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P<0.05). After 24 weeks of treatment, none of WBC, RBC, HB, PLT, ALT, AST, BUN, Cr or Glu had significant differences between groups. Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions showed no significant difference between the two groups. ConclusionThe TCM sequential syndrome differentiation protocol effectively reduces the relapse rate, improves the remission rate, shortens the time to proteinuria clearance, raised serum protein levels, lowers blood lipid levels, and alleviates symptoms, demonstrating good clinical safety in children with FRNS/SDNS.
6.Progress of animal experimental research into treatment of Henoch-Schonlein purpura with traditional Chinese medicine
Hang SU ; Shuzi ZHANG ; Xianqing REN
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(6):135-143
Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP)is the most common systemic vasculitis of childhood,and is called"spot toxin","purpura wind",and"grape plague"in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Modern medical research suggests that the disease is related to factors such as an imbalance in cellular and humoral immunity,the abnormal secretion of cytokines,and disturbances to coagulation and fibrinolysis mechanisms,but the exact pathogenesis is still unclear.The incidence of this disease is increasing year by year,and it has a high recurrence rate and a high proportion of kidney damage,which seriously affects the physical and mental health of affected children and poses a great risk to human health.Numerous studies have shown the clinical efficacy of TCM treatment for HSP,but the mechanism of action is not completely clear.In recent years,following the establishment of animal models of HSP,a large number of animal experiments have been carried out to study the efficacy and mechanisms of TCM for HSP,but there is a lack of systematic and detailed reviews.Therefore,animal experimental literature related to the treatment of HSP with TCM in the past decade was reviewed.The effects of TCM in alleviating the abnormal glycosylation of IgA 1,regulating the imbalances in Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 immune cells,reducing circulating immune complexes,and inhibiting inflammatory responses were compiled and summarized to provide a reference for further research on TCM for the treatment of HSP and inspire new research ideas.
7.Study on the Medication Law of National TCM Master Ding Ying in the Treatment of Henoch-Sch?nlein Purpura
Bo ZHANG ; Min GAO ; Xianqing REN ; Chundong SONG ; Xiaoqing ZHENG ; Ying DING
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(6):47-53
Objective To explore the medication law of Professor Ding Ying in the treatment of Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura;To analyze Professor Ding Ying's academic thought and clinical experience in the treatment of Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura.Methods Professor Ding Ying's prescriptions for the treatment of Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura in The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2013 to January 2020 were selected.Through the analysis of the Integrated Platform for Inheriting Famous Doctors,drug-drug and drug-symptom networks were constructed,and in-depth analysis of its core drug groups and their associated patterns was conducted.Results Totally 195 cases were included in the study,involving 585 times of diagnosis and 585 prescriptions.153 kinds of Chinese materia medica were involved in the prescriptions,with a total frequency of 8 017 times.The medicinal properties were mainly cold,warm and neutral,the medicinal taste was mainly bitter,and the meridians are mainly liver meridian and heart meridian.The analysis of drug weight grade showed that Rehmanniae Radix,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Forsythiae Fructus,Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis,Moutan Cortex,Arnebiae Radix,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Kochia Fructus,Piperis Kadsurae Caulis,Trachelospermi Caulis et Folium,Cynanchi Paniculati Radix et Rhizoma,Tripterygium wilfordii,Coicis Semen,Scutellariae Radix,Bubali Cornu,Amomi Fructus,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Spirodelae Herba and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were the core prescriptions for the treatment of Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura.Drug-drug co-occurrence analysis showed that Rehmanniae Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Rehmanniae Radix-Moutan Cortex,Forsythiae Fructus-Moutan Cortex,Kochia Fructus-Lonicera Japonicae Caulis,Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Lonicera Japonicae Caulis,Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis-Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Kochia Fructus-Forsythiae Fructus,Moutan Cortex-Arnebiae Radix,Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Moutan Cortex,Rehmanniae Radix-Forsythiae Fructus,Forsythiae Fructus,Rehmanniae Radix-Lonicera Japonicae Caulis were commonly used in the treatment of Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura.Clustering analysis showed 10 potential drug groups.Conclusion Professor Ding Ying emphasizes the combination of disease,syndrome,and symptoms in the treatment of Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura,as well as the application of couplet medicines.Clinical treatment follows the concept of"dispelling pathogens and calming the collaterals",making good use of heat clearing and detoxifying drugs,heat clearing and wind dispelling drugs,and heat clearing and dampness dispelling drugs to"dispel pathogens",and making good use of blood activating and cooling drugs,as well as blood nourishing and unblocking drugs to"calm the collaterals".
8.Discussion on the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Children Enuresis Based on the Theory "Kidney-Marrow-Brain" Axis and "Yin Heel Channel (阴跷脉)"
Bo ZHANG ; Xianqing REN ; Wen FU ; Yuying SUN ; Xiaoyu LIU ; Chundong SONG ; Xia ZHANG ; Qingyin GUO ; Ying DING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(9):909-914
Guided by the theory of "kidney generates marrow", the study elaborates the viewpoint that the route of Yin Heel Channel (阴跷脉) is consistent with the "kidney-marrow-brain" axis from the perspective of the circulation of the meridians and the relationship between the zang-fu organs. Accordingly, it is believed that disease of Yin Heel Channel and dysfunction of the "kidney-marrow-brain" axis are the core pathogenesis of children enuresis, and it is elaborated from the following three major aspects, firstly, insufficient kidney essence, dysfunction of the "kidney-marrow-brain" axis, secondly, disease of Yin Heel Channel and deficiency and cold in lower jiao, and thirdly, disease of Yin Heel Channel and loss of nourishment of Chong Vessel. It is proposed to use the mode of "firstly needle, secondly moxibustion, and lastly consolidation" to treat children enuresis. Needle is to adjust yin and yang, warm yang and tonify kidney, and wake up the brain and open the orifices. The acupoints in Yin Heel Channel such as Zhaohai (KI 6), Jiaoxin (KI 8) and confluence points of the eight extraordinary vessels such as Waiguan (TE 5), Zulinqi (GB 41) are used, together with Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (EX-HN 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qixue (KI 13), Dazhong (KI 4). Moxibustion is to reinforce healthy qi and warm yang, bank up the root and consolidate the original qi by moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8), Mingmen (GV 4), and Xuanshu (GV 5). Consolidation is to use acupoints application to consolidate the therapeutic effect, and Guanyuan (CV 4) & Pangguangshu (BL 28), Qihai (CV 6) & Zhishi (BL 52), and Shenque (CV 8) & Ciliao (BL 32) are commonly used as the three groups of acupoints to warm the kidney and stop collapse, regulate and tonify the qi and blood.
9.Experience in Treating Children Chronic Cough based on the Theory of Healthy Qi Deficiency and Pathogenic Qi Retention
Shuzi ZHANG ; Yiwen YU ; Qiongqiong XING ; Hang SU ; Zichao DING ; Zhenhua YUAN ; Ying DING ; Suping YU ; Xianqing REN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(24):2589-2592
The main pathogenesis of chronic cough in children is the disorder of ascending and descending of qi movement caused by healthy qi deficiency and pathogenic qi retention. The deficiency of lung, spleen, and kidney is the root of the disease, and the retention of phlegm-fluid, food accumulation, and fire from constraint is the branch pathogenesis of the disease. In the treatment, we should reinforce and tonify healthy qi, dispel pathogen and regulate qi, with Yupingfeng Powder (玉屏风散) as the basic prescription. For lung qi deficiency syndrome, modified Yupingfeng Powder could be used for supplementing lung to consolidate the exterior; for lung and spleen qi deficiency syndrome, modified Yupingfeng Powder plus Shenling Baizhu Powder (参苓白术散) could be used for supplementing lung and fortifying the spleen, treating with both supplementation and transformation; for lung kidney qi deficiency syndrome, modified Yupingfeng Powder combined with Suzi Jiangqi Decoction (苏子降气汤) could be used for supplementing lung and replenishing kidneys, absorbing qi to the root. All the above prescriptions could combine the method of dispelling phlegm, promoting digestion and guiding out food stagnation, soothing the liver and draining fire to remove the solid pathogens, in order to treat the root and branch simultaneously, and the cough will stop if the ascending and descending of qi movement recover as usual.
10.The Application of Sugen Theory in the Pathogenesis of Asthma
Qiongqiong XING ; Rongyi ZHOU ; Leying XI ; Yiwen YU ; Shuzi ZHANG ; Suping YU ; Rui LIN ; Xianqing REN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(6):645-652
Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease characterized by repeated attacks and prolonged illness.Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the formation of Sugen is the core pathogenesis of repeated asthma attacks.By tracing the origin of Sug-en theory,summarizing the connotation of ancient asthma Sugen theory and the innovative understanding of modern medical scholars on asthma Sugen,this paper explores the potential connection between the traditional Chinese medicine Sugen theory and the pathogenesis of modern asthma,in order to provide new ideas and methods for the treatment and research of asthma.


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