[Objective]To explore the scientific connotation of ZHANG Zhongjing's stomach Qi theory with gut microbiota theory and to provide a basis for its clinical application.[Methods]Relevant records on the spleen and stomach,and their functions were collected from traditional Chinese medical classics such as Huangdi Neijing,Shanghan Lun and Jingui Yaolue.Based on the theory of gut microbiota and gut microecology,the scientific connotation of ZHANG Zhongjing's stomach Qi theory was explored from both physiological and pathological perspectives.Furthermore,the scientific basis of this theory in preventing disease transmission and predicting prognosis in clinical practice was preliminarily analyzed.[Results]The modern connotation of ZHANG Zhongjing's theory of stomach Qi can be explained from the roles of gut microbiota and the gut microecological environment in human physiology and their mechanisms of influence in pathological processes.The gut microbiota converts food and maintains normal metabolism,corresponding to stomach Qi's role in generating biochemical fluids.It also promotes the development of the intestinal mucosal immune barrier and inhibits pathogenic bacteria,reflecting stomach Qi's defensive role.Furthermore,the microbiota maintains intestinal barrier integrity,aligning with stomach Qi's regulation in the lower-Jiao,and influences cognition through the gut-brain axis,which corresponds to the calming aspects of stomach Qi.At the level of pathological states,gut microecological imbalance,primarily characterized by dysbiosis,exemplifies the pathological features of Taiyin disease related to stomach deficiency and cold,Yangming disease associated with stomach excess and heat,and Jueyin disease marked by mixed cold,heat,deficiency and excess,as described in the Zhongjing system.It is acknowledged that gut microbial imbalance is both a cause of diseases,which can further exacerbate disease progression,and a consequence of diseases.This highlights the impact of the pathological state of stomach Qi on disease characteristics,transmission and prognosis,underscoring the significance of ZHANG Zhongjing's academic thought on"preserving stomach Qi."[Conclusion]Taking the theory of gut microecology as an entry point,this study explores the scientific connotation of stomach Qi theory,aligning it with modern biological understanding.The gut microbiota and gut microecology theory can serve as a bridge between Zhongjing's academic thought of"preserving stomach Qi"and modern medicine,providing theoretical basis and new research ideas for enhancing the clinical efficacy and interpretability of classical prescriptions.

[Objective]To explore the scientific connotation of ZHANG Zhongjing's stomach Qi theory with gut microbiota theory and to provide a basis for its clinical application.[Methods]Relevant records on the spleen and stomach,and their functions were collected from traditional Chinese medical classics such as Huangdi Neijing,Shanghan Lun and Jingui Yaolue.Based on the theory of gut microbiota and gut microecology,the scientific connotation of ZHANG Zhongjing's stomach Qi theory was explored from both physiological and pathological perspectives.Furthermore,the scientific basis of this theory in preventing disease transmission and predicting prognosis in clinical practice was preliminarily analyzed.[Results]The modern connotation of ZHANG Zhongjing's theory of stomach Qi can be explained from the roles of gut microbiota and the gut microecological environment in human physiology and their mechanisms of influence in pathological processes.The gut microbiota converts food and maintains normal metabolism,corresponding to stomach Qi's role in generating biochemical fluids.It also promotes the development of the intestinal mucosal immune barrier and inhibits pathogenic bacteria,reflecting stomach Qi's defensive role.Furthermore,the microbiota maintains intestinal barrier integrity,aligning with stomach Qi's regulation in the lower-Jiao,and influences cognition through the gut-brain axis,which corresponds to the calming aspects of stomach Qi.At the level of pathological states,gut microecological imbalance,primarily characterized by dysbiosis,exemplifies the pathological features of Taiyin disease related to stomach deficiency and cold,Yangming disease associated with stomach excess and heat,and Jueyin disease marked by mixed cold,heat,deficiency and excess,as described in the Zhongjing system.It is acknowledged that gut microbial imbalance is both a cause of diseases,which can further exacerbate disease progression,and a consequence of diseases.This highlights the impact of the pathological state of stomach Qi on disease characteristics,transmission and prognosis,underscoring the significance of ZHANG Zhongjing's academic thought on"preserving stomach Qi."[Conclusion]Taking the theory of gut microecology as an entry point,this study explores the scientific connotation of stomach Qi theory,aligning it with modern biological understanding.The gut microbiota and gut microecology theory can serve as a bridge between Zhongjing's academic thought of"preserving stomach Qi"and modern medicine,providing theoretical basis and new research ideas for enhancing the clinical efficacy and interpretability of classical prescriptions.