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.LU Fang's Clinical Experience in Differentiation and Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus from the Perspective of Heat-Toxin and Blood-Stasis in the Collaterals
Yingchao NIU ; Yongzhu PIAO ; Xiang GENG ; Zhihui GAO ; Yan ZHANG ; Huibin WU ; Zhilong WANG ; Shuangshuang GE ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):16-20
This paper summarizes Professor LU Fang's clinical experience in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on the differentiation and treatment of heat-toxin and blood-stasis in the collaterals. SLE is generally characterized by deficiency in origin with excess in manifestation. The core pathogenesis is heat-toxin obstructing the collaterals. During the acute active stage, the predominant pattern is blazing heat-toxin causing blood stasis, while in the chronic remitting stage, the main pattern is toxic stasis blocking the collaterals with qi and yin deficiency. Clinical treatment follows the basic principle that treat with salty-cold herbs, when heat invades internally and that assist with acrid-dispersing herbs when stasis obstructs the collaterals. The self-formulated Yimian Decoction (抑免汤) serves as the base formula and is applied in stages. During the acute active stage, it is often combined with herbs for clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling blood and resolving stasis, and unblocking the collaterals. In the chronic remitting stage, it is often combined with herbs for activating blood circulation and unblocking the collaterals, as well as tonifying qi and nourishing yin.
5.Etiology and Pathogenesis, Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment, and Medication Rules of Diabetic Kidney Disease
Fengfeng ZHANG ; Qianwen YANG ; Yexin CHEN ; Yingchao WANG ; Zongjiang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):246-253
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a unique role in improving clinical symptoms, reducing proteinuria, and delaying the initiation of dialysis. Over time, scholars have held diverse views on the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies of DKD. This paper systematically reviews the etiology and pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation and treatment, and medication rules of DKD, aiming to provide a reference for clinical practice. Regarding etiology, DKD is closely related to insufficient innate endowment, improper diet, emotional disorders, overexertion, and prolonged diabetes. Its pathogenesis evolves dynamically. Specifically, early stage is characterized by Yin deficiency with dryness-heat and subtle discharge. Middle stage involves both Qi and Yin deficiency with dampness and blood stasis. Late stage presents Yin and Yang deficiency with intrinsic turbidity toxins. Blood stasis and sugar toxicity are the core pathological factors, persisting throughout the disease course and accelerating renal collateral damage and fibrosis. In terms of diagnosis and treatment, contemporary scholars advocate stage-specific treatment, emphasize the integration of prevention and therapy, recommend whole-course management, and support comprehensive TCM and Western medicine approaches. Analysis of medication rules shows that treatment consistently addresses the core principle of deficiency at the root and excess at the surface, strengthens the body while dispelling pathogenic factors, emphasizes promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, consolidates the kidney and astringes essence, clears Fu-organs and eliminates turbidity and toxins, invigorates the spleen, replenishes Qi, protects the stomach, and advocates treatment based on pathogenic wind. Further refinement of the academic thoughts of classical TCM masters and research into innovative pathogenesis theories and clinically effective prescriptions are needed to enhance TCM's ability to prevent and treat major clinical diseases, including DKD.
6.Research and Innovation Ability Cultivation for Professional Degree Graduate Student of Traditional Chinese Medicine through"Tri-party Collaboration and Four-Wheel Drive"
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2025;49(8):1066-1070
[Objective]Taking the research and innovation ability cultivation for professional degree graduate student of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)as an example,to actively explore a new model for building the research and innovation ability cultivation system for professional degree graduate students.[Methods]This study identifies key challenges in cultivating research innovation capabilities among Master's students in TCM under existing policies,proposes systemic reforms encompassing policy frameworks,curricular models,platform and project development,evaluation standards and other training methodologies,and explores the construction of a novel system for enhancing the research innovation capacity of TCM Master's students and summarizes practical outcomes achieved under this new system.[Results]The main issues in the current cultivation of research and innovation ability for professional degree graduate student of TCM include:inadequate policy support,fragmented of innovation courses,difficulty in platform support and unclear ability indicators.The team has developed a new"Tri-party Collaboration and Four-Wheel Drive"model,through the collaboration of the university,clinical medical colleges and graduate training bases,and constructed a new system for cultivating research and innovation ability,guided by"policy and institutional incentives",based on"curriculum model reform",supported by"platform and project integration",and measured by"evaluation standards".Practice has proven that this system has significantly increased the number of high-level academic papers published by graduate students,the number of excellent dissertations and the number of students pursuing doctoral degrees.[Conclusion]By gathering the combined efforts of three parties,The Second School of Clinical Medicine,Zhejiang Chinese Medical University is focusing on building a new system for cultivating research and innovation abilities of professional degree graduate students in TCM,which plays a positive role in cultivating skilled clinical and excellent scientific research talents in traditional Chinese medicine,and is worthy of further improvement and promotion.
7.Research progress on the application of opioid-free anesthesia in comfortable diagnosis and treatment
Haochen WANG ; Yingchao GUAN ; Xiaodong WANG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(8):1952-1957
Comfortable diagnosis and treatment aims to ensure that patients can receive medical exami-nations and treatments safely and comfortably.The traditional anesthesia plan often relies on opioid,but the latter is prone to cause risks such as respiratory depression,hypotension,and hypoxemia.Opioid-free anesthe-sia(OFA),as a multimodal strategy,significantly reduces opioid-related adverse reactions by combining non-opioid drugs(such as esketamine,dexmedetomidine,lidocaine)and techniques(such as surface anesthesia,re-gional block).This article systematically reviews the application progress of OFA in comfortable diagnosis and treatment such as painless gastroscopy and colonoscopy,endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography,bronchoscopy and induced abortion.
8.Analysis of FBN1 gene variants in 15 patients with suspected Marfan syndrome and the auxiliary diagnostic value of WES
Jiashan LI ; Tengying GAO ; Fang WANG ; Yingchao ZHOU ; Siying LIANG ; Yan MIAO ; Shuo LI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(7):552-560
Objective:To investigate the genetic etiology of 15 patients with suspected Marfan syndrome(MFS).Methods:Fifteen patients clinically suspected of having MFS who attended the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University between January 2020 and August 2024 were enrolled. Amniotic fluid samples from fetuses and EDTA-anticoagulated peripheral blood samples from the patients and their family members were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to whole exome sequencing(WES). Variants identified in positive cases were further validated by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the detected variants was assessed according to the guidelines and supplemental criteria of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics(ACMG).Results:All 15 patients were found to carry variants in the FBN1 gene, including 9 pathogenic variants, 5 likely pathogenic variants, and 1 variant of uncertain significance(VUS). Notably, eight novel pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants not previously reported in the literature were identified: c. 213G>C, c. 469G>T, c. 3337+ 2dup, c. 4087+ 1G>T, c. 7331_7334dup, c. 8146del, c. 8227dup, and c. 8425_8426insG. According to the revised Ghent criteria(2010), only 2 patients could be clinically diagnosed with MFS prior to WES. However, after incorporating WES-derived molecular evidence, 8 patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for MFS.Conclusion:The combination of WES and clinical phenotype assessment can substantially improve the diagnostic yield for MFS. Furthermore, the identification of these novel FBN1 variants expands the mutational spectrum of the gene and provides valuable evidence for future genetic counselling, prenatal diagnosis, and pathogenicity interpretation of neighboring variants.
9.Prediction of Placenta Accreta Spectrum by MRI Imaging Based on Deep Learning
Xiao LING ; Yurui HU ; Yingchao WANG
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;41(3):230-236
Objective:To explore the value of deep learning imageomics based on MRI sagittal T2WI images in predicting placenta accreta spectrum in high-risk pregnant women.Methods:The complete data of 265 pregnant women who underwent MRI due to suspected placenta implantation in The Second Hospital&Clinical Medical School,Lanzhou University and Zhangye People's Hospital Affiliated to Hexi University from January 2019 to De-cember 2023 were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were randomly divided into training group(n=172)and validation group(n=93)at 7∶3.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors among clinical and imaging characteristics.Radiomics features were extracted based on sagittal T2WI images.Using the DenseNet-121 model as the basic model for deep learning feature extraction,traditional clinical model,radiomic model and deep learning model were constructed to predict PAS.The diagnostic efficiency of each model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC).Finally,the model with the highest performance was determined as the optimal model.Results:In both the training and validation groups,the PAS group and normal group exhibited statistically significant differences(P<0.05)in terms of the number of cesarean section≥2,history of placenta previa,and placental thickness>40 mm.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that cesarean section history,placental thickness and placenta previa were independent risk factors for predicting PAS.Among all the models constructed,the diagnostic performance of the combination model of deep learning combined with clinic was higher than the other three models.The AUC in training group and verification group were 0.96(95%CI 0.93-0.98)and 0.91(95%CI 0.87-0.95)respectively.Conclusions:The combined clinical model of deep learning based on MRI may have better performance in the di-agnosis of PAS than clinical or traditional radiomic models.
10.Prediction of Placenta Accreta Spectrum by MRI Imaging Based on Deep Learning
Xiao LING ; Yurui HU ; Yingchao WANG
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;41(3):230-236
Objective:To explore the value of deep learning imageomics based on MRI sagittal T2WI images in predicting placenta accreta spectrum in high-risk pregnant women.Methods:The complete data of 265 pregnant women who underwent MRI due to suspected placenta implantation in The Second Hospital&Clinical Medical School,Lanzhou University and Zhangye People's Hospital Affiliated to Hexi University from January 2019 to De-cember 2023 were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were randomly divided into training group(n=172)and validation group(n=93)at 7∶3.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors among clinical and imaging characteristics.Radiomics features were extracted based on sagittal T2WI images.Using the DenseNet-121 model as the basic model for deep learning feature extraction,traditional clinical model,radiomic model and deep learning model were constructed to predict PAS.The diagnostic efficiency of each model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC).Finally,the model with the highest performance was determined as the optimal model.Results:In both the training and validation groups,the PAS group and normal group exhibited statistically significant differences(P<0.05)in terms of the number of cesarean section≥2,history of placenta previa,and placental thickness>40 mm.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that cesarean section history,placental thickness and placenta previa were independent risk factors for predicting PAS.Among all the models constructed,the diagnostic performance of the combination model of deep learning combined with clinic was higher than the other three models.The AUC in training group and verification group were 0.96(95%CI 0.93-0.98)and 0.91(95%CI 0.87-0.95)respectively.Conclusions:The combined clinical model of deep learning based on MRI may have better performance in the di-agnosis of PAS than clinical or traditional radiomic models.

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