1.Two cases of acute radiation-induced skin injury caused by external exposure to 192Ir
Li LI ; Wei SHANG ; Yan LING ; Mi WANG ; Huisheng ZHANG ; Chiqiao LU ; Xiaohu ZHONG ; Shenglong XU ; Juan GUO ; Chang LIU ; Yulong LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(1):56-61
Objective To introduce the causes of accidents and the diagnosis and treatment of two patients with radiation-induced skin injury admitted to our hospital in 2023, and to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of subsequent radiation-induced skin injury. Methods The clinical treatment process of two patients with acute skin injury caused by external radiation exposure were summarized and analyzed. Results The exposure history of the two patients was reconstructed, the flaw detection scenario was simulated, the biological dose and hand skin exposure dose were estimated, and the infrared thermal imaging device was used for dynamic monitoring. A comprehensive analysis was conducted based on clinical manifestations and other data. The diagnosis of “Xie” was excessive exposure combined with acute radiation-induced skin injury on both hands (Grade IV for the right hand palm, index finger, and middle finger and Grade II for the left hand little finger). The diagnosis of “Hao” was acute radiation-induced skin injury on both hands (Grade I). The two patients received different clinical treatment measures: “Xie” was treated with both local and systemic therapies, while “Hao” was mainly treated with systemic therapy. Conclusion After systematic and effective treatment, the radiation-induced skin injuries healed in both patients.
2.Association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province
DING Shaocai, SHI Zelin, YANG Yongfu, YANG Yijun, LU Qiuan, XUE Yanfeng, WANG Yuan,〖JZ〗 XUE Wei, HUANG Xiaoli, XU Honglü ;
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):384-387
Objective:
To explore the association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province, and to provide theoretical support for preventing and relieving anxiety symptoms in junior high school students.
Methods:
From October to December 2022, a random cluster sampling method was used to select 8 500 first year junior high school students from 11 counties in Yunnan Province as the survey subjects for a questionnaire survey. The study used Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) to assess the meat consumption and anxiety symptoms of junior high school students.The distribution differences in anxiety symptoms among first year junior high school students with different demographic characteristics were analyzed statistically by using the Chi-square test,and the association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in students was analyzed by using a generalized linear model.
Results:
The detection rate of anxiety symptoms was 48.47%. After controlling for demographic variables and confounding factors, the consumption of livestock meat, poultry meat, processed meat, cured meat, barbecued meat and raw skin meat was statistically significant with anxiety symptoms ( β =-0.05, 0.04, 0.04, 0.08, 0.14, 0.17, all P <0.05). Stratified by ethnicity, The consumption of livestock meat, cured meat and barbecue was statistically correlated with anxiety symptoms in Han adolescents ( β =-0.07, 0.14, 0.22 ); the consumption of processed meat and raw skin meat was statistically correlated with anxiety symptoms in ethnic minority adolescents ( β =0.08, 0.18) (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
There is a statistical association between meat comsumption and the risk of anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province. Guidance on meat consumption should be strengthened to prevent the occurrence of anxiety symptoms.
3.Assessment of health exposure risks from preservatives in beverages sold near primary schools in Anshun
XU Lin, QU Guangsheng, DAI Qian, LU Shunhua, CAI Guixiang, ZHANG Jialin, WEI Gang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):129-133
Objective:
To quantitatively assess the health risk of preservatives from beverages around primary schools in Anshun City, and to provide scientific basis for precise food safety supervision.
Methods:
From December 2023 to July 2024, 602 beverage samples were randomly collected from within 100 meters of 19 primary schools in Anshun City. The content of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and dehydroacetic acid was detected according to GB 5009 series standards. Combined with children s physiological parameters (body weight 30 kg, daily intake 0.15 L), the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) models were used to evaluate health risks.
Results:
The total detection rate of preservatives from beverages around primary schools was 63.0%, and the total over limit rate was 9.0%. The detection rate of preservatives in flavored beverages was the highest (72.6%), and the highest over limit rate of preservatives in special purpose beverages was the highest (17.2%). The single preservative HQ (benzoic acid up to 0.47 ) and mixed HI (up to 0.55) of all samples were below 1(safety threshold). However, the HQ value of benzoic acid in flavored beverages (0.47) was 2.9 times that of sorbic acid (0.16), contributing significantly to health risk. Sensitivity analysis showed that if the daily consumption increased to 0.3 L, the HI value of flavored beverages would rise to 1.11, exceeding the safety threshold. Enterprise scale analysis showed that the exceedance rate of special purpose beverages in large enterprises reached 30.0%, while micro enterprises, accounting for a dominant market share (52.2%), constituted the main source of children s daily exposure to their products.
Conclusions
The overall health risk of perservatives in beverages sold near primary schools in Anshun City is controllable, but there is a noticeable risk of gradient. The risk of children’s exposure to preservatives through beverage consumption should not be ignored.
4.Effect and mechanism of Biejiajian Pill on subcutaneous xenograft tumor model of hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells
Lu LU ; Huanling CHEN ; Jian XU ; Yuanqin DU ; Xiaoli LIU ; Yingsheng WU ; Chengting WU ; Wei BAN ; Jingjing HUANG ; Hongna HUANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):125-133
ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of Biejiajian Pills (BJJW) on the growth of liver cancer, as well as its potential mechanism in mediating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway through mitochondrial energy metabolism. MethodsHuman hepatoma Huh7 cells were used to establish a nude mouse model of subcutaneous xenograft tumor. A total of 18 tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly divided into model group, BJJW group (2.2 g/kg), and metformin group (250 mg/kg), and the corresponding drug was given by gavage for 14 consecutive days. Tumor volume and weight were monitored during the experiment; HE staining was used to observe histopathological changes; the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in tumor tissue were measured; immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to measure the expression levels of proteins associated with the AMPK/mTOR pathway. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the Tukey’s test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the Dunn’s test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group, the BJJW group had a tumor inhibition rate of 45.73%, with significant reductions in both tumor volume and weight (P<0.01). Pathological examination showed that compared with the model group, the BJJW group had a significant reduction in the number of tumor cells and the presence of extensive necrosis. Mechanistic studies showed that compared with the model group, the BJJW group had a significant increase in ROS level (P<0.001) and a significant reduction in ATP level (P<0.001), as well as significant increases in p-AMPK/AMPK ratio (0.81±0.20 vs 0.13±0.04, P<0.01) and p-ULK1/ULK1 ratio (0.69±0.17 vs 0.18±0.13, P<0.01) and a significant reduction in p-mTOR/mTOR ratio (1.34±0.16 vs 3.20±0.62, P<0.01). ConclusionBJJW may inhibit the growth of liver cancer by inducing mitochondrial energy metabolism dysfunction, increasing the level of ROS, reducing the level of ATP, and activating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
5.Pathological changes and macrophage polarization in the liver and spleen of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Xiaoyu QIN ; Yuchun CAI ; Yang HONG ; Fanna WEI ; Yahong HU ; Yumeng CAI ; Yuan HU ; Ting ZHANG ; Xiaojin MO ; Bin XU ; Yan LU ; Jiahui SUN ; Yan ZHOU ; Zelin ZHU ; Muxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(2):169-183
Objective To investigate the temporal changes in pathological damage and macrophage polarization in liver and spleen tissues of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis, and to preliminarily unravel the peripheral immune responses during the early stage of A. cantonensis infection. Methods Forty female BALB/c mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups, including the control group and 7-, 14-, and 21-day infection groups, with 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was inoculated with 30 third-stage (L3) larvae of A. cantonensis by oral gavage, and five mice were randomly selected from each infection group on days 7, 14, and 21 post-infection, while mice in the control group were given the same volume of physiological saline and five mice were randomly selected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. Mouse liver and spleen tissues were sampled. The histopathological changes of mouse liver and spleen tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and the percentage of positive staining area and the co-localization positive rates of the macrophage surface antigens F4/80, CD86, and CD206 were quantified in mouse liver and spleen tissues using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. In addition, five mice were collected from each infection group on days 7, 14, and 21 post-infection, and five mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. Mouse liver and spleen tissues were sampled for detection of macrophage markers CD86 and CD206 and macrophage phenotyping using flow cytometry, and the expression of M1 macrophage markers, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and M2 markers, including arginase 1 (Arg1), mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1) and chitinase-like protein 3 (Chil3) was quantified in mouse liver and spleen tissues using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay. Results Proliferative lesions of the hepatocyte were observed in mouse liver tissues and the follicular structures of the mouse spleen white pulp were disrupted 21 days post-infection with A. cantonensis. Immunohistochemical staining showed that there were significant differences in the percentages of F4/80, CD86 and CD206 positive staining areas in the liver and spleen tissues among the four groups of mice (F = 242.40, 197.14, 183.19, 157.65, 242.35 and 146.24; all P values < 0.001), and the percentages of positive staining in the liver and spleen tissues of mice in the 14-day infection group [(4.45 ± 0.51)%, (3.74 ± 0.67)%, (8.32 ± 0.72)%, (16.56 ± 1.14)%, (11.62 ± 0.52)%, and (8.29 ± 0.72)%, respectively] and the 21-day infection group [(3.70 ± 0.11)%, (3.22 ± 0.43)%, (11.53 ± 1.03)%, (12.59 ± 1.05)%, (9.02 ± 0.83)%, and (11.67 ± 1.10)%, respectively] were higher than in the control group [(0.35 ± 0.16)%, (0.40 ± 0.02)%, (0.93 ± 0.05)%, (2.78 ± 0.26)%, (2.33 ± 0.20)%, and (1.85 ± 0.20)%, respectively] (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed significant differences in the positive rates of F4/80 co-localization with CD86 and CD206 in mouse liver and spleen tissues among the four groups (F = 24.42, 25.28, 54.51 and 130.55; all P values < 0.001). Flow cytometry detected significant differences in the proportions of CD86+ and CD206+ macrophages in mouse liver and spleen tissues among the four groups (F = 67.98, 18.41, 29.77, 172.80; all P values < 0.001), and the proportions of CD206+ macrophages in the liver and spleen of the 21-day infection group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(9.25 ± 2.55)% vs (3.83 ± 0.72)%, and (4.22 ± 0.56)% vs (0.47 ± 0.18)%, respectively] (both P values < 0.05). In addition, RT-qPCR assay quantified significant differences in the relative mRNA expression of M1 macrophage markers (IL-1β, TNF-α and Nos2) and M2 macrophage markers (Arg1, Chil3 and Mrc1) in mouse liver and spleen tissues among the four groups (F = 41.30, 31.82, 199.33, 19.96, 62.01, 119.76, 23.67, 95.90, 72.27, 82.59, 123.41 and 29.75; all P values < 0.05). Conclusions A. cantonensis infection may cause progressive pathological damage in mouse liver and spleen tissues, accompanied by dynamic temporal changes in macrophage polarization. M1 macrophage polarization predominates at the early stage of A. cantonensis infection and shifts towards M2 polarization at the later stages, suggesting that M2 polarization may participate in immune regulation at late stages of A. cantonensis infection by suppressing excessive inflammatory responses and promoting tissue repair.
6.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
7.Analysis of the Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes and Their Correlation with Bone Mineral Density and Bone Metabolism Markers in Postmenopausal Women with Dyslipidemia
Jiajin LU ; Chuanrui SUN ; Xiaoyang WANG ; Chiyun SUN ; Yuqi YANG ; Yunwen LI ; Xu WEI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(19):2103-2108
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome patterns among postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia, and to examine the correlations of lipid parameters with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism markers across common TCM syndrome patterns, thereby providing a clinical reference for individualized integrative traditional Chinese and western medicine interventions stratified according to TCM syndrome patterns. MethodsA multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted among postmenopausal women aged 45-64 years with dyslipidemia. TCM syndromes were determined using a scale-based scoring method. BMD measurements were collected, and fasting venous blood samples were assayed for lipid parameters including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and bone metabolism biomarkers including osteocalcin (OST), total procollagen type Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (β-CTX), 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Chi-square tests were used to compare the distribution of dyslipidemia across different TCM syndromes. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between TCM syndrome patterns and dyslipidemia, as well as the correlations of lipid parameters with BMD and bone metabolism markers within each syndrome pattern. ResultsA total of 506 postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia were included, comprising 172 cases of spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome (33.99%), 163 cases of phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome (32.21%), 118 cases of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome (23.32%), 33 cases of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome (6.52%), and 20 cases of yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity syndrome (3.95%). Phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome was negatively correlated with TC abnormality (r=-0.120, P=0.007) and positively correlated with TG abnormality (r=0.246, P<0.001). Spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome were both negatively correlated with TG abnormality (r=-0.101, P=0.023; r=-0.116, P=0.009, respectively). Further correlation analysis confirmed that phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome was negatively correlated with TC abnormality (r=-0.120) and significantly positively correlated with TG abnormality (r=0.246). Both the spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome were negatively correlated with TG abnormality (r=-0.101 and r=-0.116, respectively). In patients with phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome, HDL-C was negatively correlated with BMD at the left femoral neck (r=-0.178, P=0.023) and at left total hip (r=-0.190, P=0.015). In patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, TG was positively correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and left total hip (r=0.214, P=0.020; r=0.221, P=0.016, respectively). More significant correlations were observed in patients with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome, TG was positively correlated with ALP (r=0.210, P=0.006); TC was positively correlated with TSH and 25(OH)D (r=0.153, P=0.045; r= 0.231, P=0.002, respectively); HDL-C was positively correlated with OST and 25(OH)D (r=0.156, P=0.040; r=0.228, P=0.003, respectively); and LDL-C was positively correlated with TSH and 25(OH)D (r=0.156, P= 0.041; r=0.182, P=0.017, respectively). In patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, HDL-C was negatively correlated with TSH (r=-0.204, P=0.027). ConclusionThe association between dyslipidemia and skeletal health in postmenopausal women varies across TCM syndromes. Lipid abnormalities in women with phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome or liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome are accompanied primarily by site-specific alterations in BMD, whereas those in women with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome are reflected mainly in changes in bone metabolism markers. These findings suggest that targeted intervention strategies should be developed according to TCM syndrome characteristics for postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia.
8.Analysis of the Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes and Their Correlation with Bone Mineral Density and Bone Metabolism Markers in Postmenopausal Women with Dyslipidemia
Jiajin LU ; Chuanrui SUN ; Xiaoyang WANG ; Chiyun SUN ; Yuqi YANG ; Yunwen LI ; Xu WEI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(19):2103-2108
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome patterns among postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia, and to examine the correlations of lipid parameters with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism markers across common TCM syndrome patterns, thereby providing a clinical reference for individualized integrative traditional Chinese and western medicine interventions stratified according to TCM syndrome patterns. MethodsA multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted among postmenopausal women aged 45-64 years with dyslipidemia. TCM syndromes were determined using a scale-based scoring method. BMD measurements were collected, and fasting venous blood samples were assayed for lipid parameters including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and bone metabolism biomarkers including osteocalcin (OST), total procollagen type Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (β-CTX), 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Chi-square tests were used to compare the distribution of dyslipidemia across different TCM syndromes. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between TCM syndrome patterns and dyslipidemia, as well as the correlations of lipid parameters with BMD and bone metabolism markers within each syndrome pattern. ResultsA total of 506 postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia were included, comprising 172 cases of spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome (33.99%), 163 cases of phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome (32.21%), 118 cases of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome (23.32%), 33 cases of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome (6.52%), and 20 cases of yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity syndrome (3.95%). Phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome was negatively correlated with TC abnormality (r=-0.120, P=0.007) and positively correlated with TG abnormality (r=0.246, P<0.001). Spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome were both negatively correlated with TG abnormality (r=-0.101, P=0.023; r=-0.116, P=0.009, respectively). Further correlation analysis confirmed that phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome was negatively correlated with TC abnormality (r=-0.120) and significantly positively correlated with TG abnormality (r=0.246). Both the spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome were negatively correlated with TG abnormality (r=-0.101 and r=-0.116, respectively). In patients with phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome, HDL-C was negatively correlated with BMD at the left femoral neck (r=-0.178, P=0.023) and at left total hip (r=-0.190, P=0.015). In patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, TG was positively correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and left total hip (r=0.214, P=0.020; r=0.221, P=0.016, respectively). More significant correlations were observed in patients with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome, TG was positively correlated with ALP (r=0.210, P=0.006); TC was positively correlated with TSH and 25(OH)D (r=0.153, P=0.045; r= 0.231, P=0.002, respectively); HDL-C was positively correlated with OST and 25(OH)D (r=0.156, P=0.040; r=0.228, P=0.003, respectively); and LDL-C was positively correlated with TSH and 25(OH)D (r=0.156, P= 0.041; r=0.182, P=0.017, respectively). In patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, HDL-C was negatively correlated with TSH (r=-0.204, P=0.027). ConclusionThe association between dyslipidemia and skeletal health in postmenopausal women varies across TCM syndromes. Lipid abnormalities in women with phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome or liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome are accompanied primarily by site-specific alterations in BMD, whereas those in women with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome are reflected mainly in changes in bone metabolism markers. These findings suggest that targeted intervention strategies should be developed according to TCM syndrome characteristics for postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia.
9.Etiology, Pathogenesis, Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Rules of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Qinjun YANG ; Mingxiang HAN ; Limei WEI ; Shuyu XU ; Lu ZHANG ; Cheng YANG ; Jiabing TONG ; Zegeng LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):226-234
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease characterized by airflow limitation, and its high morbidity and disability rates pose a severe challenge to global public health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated definite efficacy and distinctive characteristics in the treatment of COPD. Based on the understanding of ancient and modern physicians regarding the etiology, pathogenesis, and stage-based syndrome differentiation of COPD, this article systematically elaborates on the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment of COPD. COPD is characterized by deficiency at root and excess in manifestation, with the coexistence of deficiency and excess. Qi deficiency is the fundamental pathogenesis underlying the occurrence and development of COPD and runs throughout the entire disease course. The disease begins with deficiency of lung qi and gradually affects the spleen and kidney, leading to the internal generation of dampness, phlegm, and blood stasis. Phlegm and blood stasis are not only pathological products but also deep-rooted causes of recurrent disease. Together with qi deficiency, they are mutually causal and form a vicious cycle. During the acute exacerbation stage of COPD, phlegm and blood stasis constitute the predominant underlying pathology and are often induced by invasion of pathogenic factors due to deficiency of healthy Qi. In addition, innovative understandings of the etiology and pathogenesis of COPD have emerged from the perspectives of collateral disease, latent pathogens, smoke toxins, and dysfunction of the Shaoyang pivot. During the stable stage, deficiency of Qi in the lung, spleen, and kidney predominates and is often accompanied by phlegm and blood stasis. In the clinical differentiation and treatment of COPD, treatment should be based on different disease stages and syndrome characteristics. During the acute exacerbation stage, eliminating pathogenic factors is the primary principle, with treatment determined according to syndrome differentiation. For wind-cold attacking the lung, the treatment is to ventilate the lung, disperse cold, and relieve cough. For phlegm-dampness accumulating in the lung, the treatment is to dry dampness, resolve phlegm, and direct qi downward. For phlegm-heat obstructing the lung, the treatment is to clear the lung, resolve phlegm, and relieve asthma. For phlegm and blood stasis obstructing the lung, the treatment is to eliminate phlegm, remove blood stasis, and relieve asthma. During the stable stage, reinforcing healthy Qi is the key principle. For lung-spleen qi deficiency, the treatment is to tonify the lung and strengthen the spleen, resolve phlegm, and direct Qi downward to relieve asthma. For deficiency of both lung and kidney, the treatment is to tonify the lung and benefit the kidney, resolve phlegm, promote Qi reception, and relieve asthma. When accompanied by phlegm and blood stasis, the treatment should focus on tonifying deficiency, resolving phlegm, and removing blood stasis. This article aims to systematically summarize the TCM etiology, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation and treatment principles of COPD, as well as the current shortcomings in related research, in order to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of COPD with TCM, give full play to the advantages of TCM in the prevention and treatment of COPD, and optimize the whole-course management of COPD.
10.Etiology, Pathogenesis, Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Rules of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Qinjun YANG ; Mingxiang HAN ; Limei WEI ; Shuyu XU ; Lu ZHANG ; Cheng YANG ; Jiabing TONG ; Zegeng LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):226-234
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease characterized by airflow limitation, and its high morbidity and disability rates pose a severe challenge to global public health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated definite efficacy and distinctive characteristics in the treatment of COPD. Based on the understanding of ancient and modern physicians regarding the etiology, pathogenesis, and stage-based syndrome differentiation of COPD, this article systematically elaborates on the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment of COPD. COPD is characterized by deficiency at root and excess in manifestation, with the coexistence of deficiency and excess. Qi deficiency is the fundamental pathogenesis underlying the occurrence and development of COPD and runs throughout the entire disease course. The disease begins with deficiency of lung qi and gradually affects the spleen and kidney, leading to the internal generation of dampness, phlegm, and blood stasis. Phlegm and blood stasis are not only pathological products but also deep-rooted causes of recurrent disease. Together with qi deficiency, they are mutually causal and form a vicious cycle. During the acute exacerbation stage of COPD, phlegm and blood stasis constitute the predominant underlying pathology and are often induced by invasion of pathogenic factors due to deficiency of healthy Qi. In addition, innovative understandings of the etiology and pathogenesis of COPD have emerged from the perspectives of collateral disease, latent pathogens, smoke toxins, and dysfunction of the Shaoyang pivot. During the stable stage, deficiency of Qi in the lung, spleen, and kidney predominates and is often accompanied by phlegm and blood stasis. In the clinical differentiation and treatment of COPD, treatment should be based on different disease stages and syndrome characteristics. During the acute exacerbation stage, eliminating pathogenic factors is the primary principle, with treatment determined according to syndrome differentiation. For wind-cold attacking the lung, the treatment is to ventilate the lung, disperse cold, and relieve cough. For phlegm-dampness accumulating in the lung, the treatment is to dry dampness, resolve phlegm, and direct qi downward. For phlegm-heat obstructing the lung, the treatment is to clear the lung, resolve phlegm, and relieve asthma. For phlegm and blood stasis obstructing the lung, the treatment is to eliminate phlegm, remove blood stasis, and relieve asthma. During the stable stage, reinforcing healthy Qi is the key principle. For lung-spleen qi deficiency, the treatment is to tonify the lung and strengthen the spleen, resolve phlegm, and direct Qi downward to relieve asthma. For deficiency of both lung and kidney, the treatment is to tonify the lung and benefit the kidney, resolve phlegm, promote Qi reception, and relieve asthma. When accompanied by phlegm and blood stasis, the treatment should focus on tonifying deficiency, resolving phlegm, and removing blood stasis. This article aims to systematically summarize the TCM etiology, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation and treatment principles of COPD, as well as the current shortcomings in related research, in order to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of COPD with TCM, give full play to the advantages of TCM in the prevention and treatment of COPD, and optimize the whole-course management of COPD.


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