OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of herbal cake-separated moxibustion at Baliao acupoints combined with western medication versus western medication alone in treating erectile dysfunction (ED) with kidney deficiency and blood stasis. METHODS: A total of 108 ED patients were randomly divided into a combination group (54 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a western medication group (54 cases, 1 case was eliminated, 2 cases dropped out). The western medication group received oral tadalafil tablets 5 mg a time, once daily. The combination group received additional herbal cake-separated moxibustion at Baliao acupoints (Shangliao [BL31], Ciliao [BL32], Zhongliao [BL33], Xialiao [BL34]) twice weekly (administered on Tuesdays and Fridays). Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The 5-question international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) score, erectile hardness assessment (EHS) score, TCM syndrome score, serum sex hormone levels (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], prolactin [PRL], testosterone [T]), penile hemodynamic parameters [peak systolic velocity (PSV) of penile cavernosal artery, end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI)] were compared before and after treatment between the two groups, and the safety and clinical efficacy were evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the IIEF-5 scores, EHS scores, serum T levels, PSV and RI of penile cavernosal artery were increased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). Except for RI, the combination group exhibited significantly higher improvements in the above indexes than those in the western medication group (P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores, the serum FSH, LH levels, and EDV in the two groups and the serum PRL level in the combination group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), while the above indexes in the combination group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the combination group was 88.5% (46/52), which was superior to 72.5% (37/51) in the western medication group (P<0.05). No significant adverse reactions occurred in either group. CONCLUSION Herbal cake-separated moxibustion at Baliao acupoints combined with western medicine can regulate sex hormone levels, improve penile blood supply, enhance erectile function and hardness, and is superior to western medication alone, with no observed adverse reactions.
Humans ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Erectile Dysfunction/drug therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Luteinizing Hormone/blood* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of governor vessel moxibustion on improving cardiopulmonary fitness in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of qi deficiency of lung and kidney. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with stable COPD of qi deficiency of lung and kidney were randomized into an observation group (20 cases) and a control group (20 cases). The routine basic treatment and nursing were adopted in the control group. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment in the control group, governor vessel moxibustion was applied at the area from Dazhui (GV14) to Yaoshu (GV2) of the governor vessel, 1 hour a time, once a week. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks consecutively. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and Borg score, pulmonary function indexes (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁], forced vital capacity [FVC] and ratio of FEV₁ and FVC [FEV₁/FVC]), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) score, and TCM syndrome score were observed in the two groups before and after treatment respectively. RESULTS: After treatment, the VO₂max, 6MWT, FEV₁, FVC and FEV₁/FVC were increased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.001, P<0.05), the above indexes in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the Borg, CAT and TCM syndrome scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.001), the above indexes in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Governor vessel moxibustion can effectively improve the cardiopulmonary fitness, clinical symptoms and the quality of life in patients with stable COPD of qi deficiency of lung and kidney.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Qi ; Lung/physiopathology* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points

This paper explores the research progress of acupuncture for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis. According to the fundamental pathogenesis of AD in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which attributes to kidney deficiency, marrow depletion, and impaired mental faculties, as well as the governor vessel's connection between the kidney and brain, the concept of the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis is proposed. The theoretical basis of the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis is analyzed based on the meridian pathway and physiological functions of the governor vessel, as well as the interdependent and mutually reinforcing relationships among the kidney, governor vessel, and brain. The relationship between AD and the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis is elucidated from both traditional medical theories and modern biological perspectives. Integrating clinical and mechanistic research on AD prevention and treatment based on this axis, it is suggested that the "kidney-governor vessel-brain" axis provides valuable insights and references for future research on AD prevention and treatment.
Humans ; Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Kidney/blood supply* ; Brain/blood supply* ; Meridians ; Blood Vessels/physiopathology*

Based on the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED) from the meridian-zangfu relationship and the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis, it proposes that dysfunction of the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis is closely related to the occurrence of ED. Among these, brain-heart disharmony is the key pathogenic factor, kidney deficiency and essence depletion constitute an important basis, and essence chamber stasis is a critical mechanism. The treatment approach emphasizes harmonizing the brain and heart, regulating the mind, tonifying the kidney and replenishing qi, unblocking qi and blood to harmonize the essence chamber. The primary acupoints include Baihui (GV20)-Neiguan (PC6)-Shenmen (HT7), Taixi (KI3)-Guanyuan (CV4)-Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zhongji (CV3)-Dahe (KI12)-Gongsun (SP4), with additional acupoints selected based on syndrome differentiation. This approach aims to restore the clarity of the brain and heart, replenish kidney qi, and unblock the essence chamber, thereby facilitating the restoration of normal functions of the brain, heart, kidney, and essence chamber, and alleviating ED symptoms and improving overall clinical efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Heart/physiopathology*

This paper introduces Professor LIU Zhibin 's clinical experience in the treatment of subjective tinnitus with acupuncture based on the "kidney-bone-brain" axis. Professor LIU proposes that the disease is most closely related to the kidney and brain. The lesion is located in the brain, and the pathogenesis is kidney essence deficiency, marrow sea loss, and ear orifice dystrophy. The "kidney-bone-brain" shows close correlation in physiological function, pathological changes and treatment. According to the "kidney-bone-brain" axis, Professor LIU proposes that the treatment of subjective tinnitus should be tonifying kidney qi, tonifying essence and filling marrow, and the principle of local acupoint selection, touching bone acupuncture, matching distal acupoints and proximal acupoints, tonifying kidney and benefiting brain should be adopted. The acupoints of Tinggong (SI19) and Yifeng (TE17) are selected to be treated with touching bone acupuncture, combined with Taixi (KI3), Shenshu (BL23), Baihui (GV20) and Shenting (GV24), so as to achieve common benefit of kidney, bone and brain, and multi-angle treatment.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Tinnitus/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Bone and Bones/physiopathology* ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical therapeutic effect of Rendu Tongtiao acupuncture (acupuncture for regulating and improving the circulation of the conception and governor vessels) on hyperandrogenism (HA) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with kidney-yin deficiency induced fire hyperactivity. METHODS: A total of 80 PCOS-HA patients were selected and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. In the control group, ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate tablets were administered orally,2 mg each time, once daily and for 21 consecutive days as one menstrual cycle. In the observation group, Rendu Tongtiao acupuncture was delivered at Qihai (CV6), Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3), Mingmen (GV4), Yaoyangguan (GV3), etc. once daily till ovulation, which was taken as the treatment session of one menstrual cycle. The treatment was completed after 3 menstrual cycles in each group. Before and after treatment, the serum levels of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and the scores of acne and hirsutism were compared in the two groups; besides, menstrual recovery rate, ovulation recovery rate, basic body temperature (BBT) biphasic rate and clinical effect were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with those before treatment, the levels of T, DHT, LH and PRL, as well as the scores of acne and hirsutism were reduced in the two groups after treatment (P<0.05), and the levels of FSH and SHBG were increased (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of T, DHT, LH and PRL, as well as the scores of acne and hirsutism in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); and FSH and SHBG were higher (P<0.05). After treatment, the menstrual recovery rate and ovulation recovery rate, as well as BBT biphasic rate in the observation group increased in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 97.5% (39/40) in the observation group, which was higher than 82.4% (33/40) of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Rendu Tongtiao acupuncture can effectively regulate the secretion of hormones, alleviate the clinical symptoms of HA, and accelerate the recovery of menstruation and natural ovulation in patients with PCOS-HA of kidney-yin deficiency induced fire hyperactivity .
Humans ; Female ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/complications* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Hyperandrogenism/blood* ; Yin Deficiency/therapy* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Testosterone/blood* ; Luteinizing Hormone/blood* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of warming acupuncture combined with western medication for oligoasthenoteratozoospermia of kidney-yang insufficiency and its effects on the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in seminal plasma. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia of kidney-yang insufficiency were randomly divided into a combination group and a medication group, with 30 cases in each group. The medication group was treated with levocarnitine oral solution orally, 10 mL once, 3 times a day. On the basis of the treatment in the medication group, warming acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4) and Mingmen (GV4) in the combination group, once every other day, 3 times a week. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the TCM syndrome score was observed, the semen routine indexes (the sperm concentration, progressive [PR] sperm motility, PR + non-progressive [NP] sperm motility and sperm malformation rate), the serum sex hormones indexes (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], testosterone [T] and estradiol [E₂]), as well as the IL-6 and IL-10 levels in seminal plasma were detected, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, except for the hyposexuality score in the medication group, the each item scores and total scores of TCM syndrome were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), the sperm malformation rates, serum FSH and LH levels, IL-6 levels in the seminal plasma were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), the PR sperm motility, PR + NP sperm motility, serum T levels, IL-10 levels in the seminal plasma were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the two groups; the sperm concentration was increased compared with that before treatment in the combination group (P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the medication group, except for the hyposexuality and frequent nocturia scores, the each item scores and total score of TCM syndrome were lower (P<0.01, P<0.05); the sperm concentration, PR sperm motility and PR + NP sperm motility, serum T level, IL-10 level in the seminal plasma were higher (P<0.01, P<0.05); sperm malformation rate, serum FSH and LH levels, IL-6 level in the seminal plasma were lower (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the combination group. The total effective rate was 83.8% (25/30) in the combination group, which was superior to 60.0% (18/30) in the medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Warming acupuncture combined with western medication can effectively treat oligoasthenoteratozoospermia of kidney-yang insufficiency, regulate the levels of sex hormones, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of IL-6 level and the up-regulation of IL-10 level in seminal plasma.
Humans ; Male ; Interleukin-10/genetics* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Adult ; Semen/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Oligospermia/drug therapy* ; Yang Deficiency/physiopathology* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Young Adult ; Asthenozoospermia/drug therapy* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Nuclear receptor co-activator 4 (NCOA4) acts as a selective cargo receptor that binds to ferritin, a cytoplasmic iron storage complex. By mediating ferritinophagy, NCOA4 regulates iron metabolism and releases free iron in the body, thus playing a crucial role in a variety of biological processes, including growth, development, and metabolism. Recent studies have shown that NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy is closely associated with the occurrence and development of iron metabolism-related diseases, such as liver fibrosis, renal cell carcinoma, and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, a number of clinical drugs have been identified to modulate NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy, significantly affecting disease progression and treatment efficacy. This paper aims to review the current research progress on the role of NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy in related diseases, in order to provide new ideas for targeted clinical therapy.
Humans ; Nuclear Receptor Coactivators/physiology* ; Ferritins/metabolism* ; Animals ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism* ; Iron/metabolism* ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/metabolism* ; Kidney Neoplasms/physiopathology*

This study aims to investigate the effects of renin inhibitor aliskiren on kidney injury in human angiotensinogen-renin (AGT-REN) double transgenic hypertensive (dTH) mice and explore its possible mechanism. The dTH mice were divided into hypertension group (HT group) and aliskiren intervention group (HT+Aliskiren group), while wild-type C57BL/6 mice were served as the control group (WT group). Blood pressure data of mice in HT+Aliskiren group were collected after 28 d of subcutaneous penetration of aliskiren (20 mg/kg), and the damage of renal tissue structure and collagen deposition were observed by HE, Masson and PAS staining. The ultrastructure of kidney was observed by transmission electron microscope. Coomassie bright blue staining and biochemical analyzer were used to detect renal function injury. The expression of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was determined by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in kidney were determined by chemiluminescence method. The content of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunit p47^phox, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) were detected by Western blot analysis. The results showed that compared with WT group, the blood pressure of mice in HT group was significantly increased. The renal tissue structure in HT group showed glomerular sclerosis, severe interstitial tubular injury, and increased collagen deposition. In addition, 24 h urinary protein, serum creatinine and urea levels increased. Serum and renal tissue levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) were increased, serum angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] expression was decreased, and renal Ang-(1-7) expression was elevated. The expressions of ACE, Ang II type 1 receptor (AT₁R) and MasR in renal tissue were increased, while the expression of ACE2 was decreased. MDA content increased, SOD content decreased, and the expressions of p47^phox, iNOS, 3-NT, NOX2 and NOX4 were increased. However, aliskiren reduced blood pressure in dTH mice, improved renal structure and renal function, reduced Ang II and Ang-(1-7) levels in serum and renal tissue, reduced the expression of ACE and AT₁R in renal tissue, increased the expression of ACE2 and MasR in renal tissue, and decreased the above levels of oxidative stress indexes in dTH mice. These results suggest that aliskiren may play a protective role in hypertensive renal injury by regulating the balance between ACE-Ang II-AT₁R and ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-MasR axes and inhibiting oxidative stress.
Animals ; Fumarates/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Renin/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Amides/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Hypertension/physiopathology* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Kidney/pathology* ; Angiotensinogen/genetics* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; NADPH Oxidases/metabolism* ; Male ; Antihypertensive Agents/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; NADPH Oxidase 4

This study investigates the reproductive protective effect and potential mechanism of Cistanches Herba extract(CHE) on a rat model of kidney-Yang deficiency induced by adenine. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal, model, low-dose CHE(0.6 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), high-dose CHE(1.2 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and L-carnitine(100 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). The rats were administered adenine(200 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) by gavage for the first 14 days to induce kidney-Yang deficiency, while simultaneously receiving drug treatment. After 14 days, the modeling was discontinued, but drug treatment continued to 49 days. The content of components in CHE was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The adenine-induced kidney-Yang deficiency model was assessed through symptom characterization and measurement of testosterone(T) levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Pathological damage to the testis and epididymis was evaluated based on the wet weight and performing hematoxylin-eosin staining. Sperm density and motility were measured using computer-aided sperm analysis, and sperm viability was assessed using live/dead sperm staining kits, and sperm morphology was evaluated using eosin staining, thereby determining rat sperm quality. Metabolomics was used to analyze changes in serum metabolites, enrich related metabolic pathways, and explore the mechanism of CHE in improving reproductive function damage in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome. Compared to the normal group, the model group exhibited significant kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms, reduced T levels, decreased testicular and epididymal wet weights, and significant pathological damage to the testis and epididymis. The sperm density, motility, and viability decreased, with an increased rate of sperm abnormalities. In contrast, rats treated with CHE showed marked improvements in kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms, restored T levels, alleviated pathological damage to the testis and epididymis, and improved various sperm parameters. Metabolomics results revealed 286 differential metabolites between the normal and model groups(191 upregulated and 95 downregulated). Seventy-five differential metabolites were identified between the model and low-dose CHE groups(21 upregulated and 54 downregulated). A total of 24 common differential metabolites were identified across the three groups, with 22 of these metabolites exhibiting opposite regulation trends between the two comparison groups. These metabolites were primarily involved in linoleic acid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, and pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis, as well as metabolites including 13-hydroperoxylinoleic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine, and pantethine. CHE can improve kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms in rats, alleviate reproductive organ damage, and enhance sperm quality. The regulation of lipid metabolism may be a potential mechanism through which CHE improves reproductive function in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency. The potential bioactive compounds of CHE include echinacoside, verbascoside, salidroside, betaine, and cistanoside A.
Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Yang Deficiency/physiopathology* ; Metabolomics ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Cistanche/chemistry* ; Kidney Diseases/metabolism* ; Testis/metabolism* ; Humans ; Reproduction/drug effects* ; Testosterone/blood*