1.Connotation and Clinical Application of "The Nature of Cold and Heat Complex Syndrome is Cold": from the Perspective of Zang-Fu (脏腑) Wind-Damp Theory
Tong LIN ; Yingying YANG ; Linhua ZHAO ; Lili ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):795-799
According to zang-fu (脏腑) wind-damp theory, it is believed that wind, cold, and dampness are internal pathogenic factors that, when stagnated, transform into heat and invade the zang-fu organs, leading to chronic conditions. Heat is seen as a manifestation, while cold is considered the root cause. When external factors trigger these latent pathogens, the disease of the zang-fu organs exacerbates or relapses, often presenting with a complex syndrome of cold and heat. Based on this theory, the viewpoint of "for complex syndrome of cold and heat, cold is the root" is proposed. It suggests that for diseases with a complex cold-heat syndrome, external invasion of wind, cold, and dampness are the initiating factors. During the acute phase, treatment should focus on dispelling and eliminating the pathogens to promote the expulsion of the latent wind, cold, and dampness. During the remission phase, the focus shifts to reinforcing the healthy qi and tonifying the root, allowing the cold and dampness to be cleared. Internal dampness originates from the spleen; therefore, regulating the spleen and stomach, and dispersing cold and removing dampness is the key to treating wind-damp disorders of zang-fu organs. Cold and dampness are both yin pathogens, which damage yang qi, and repeated invasions of wind, cold, and dampness obstruct the qi flow of the zang-fu organs, progressively weakening yang qi. Hence, it is necessary to protect yang qi, and thereafter dispelling cold and dampness by warming yang. The theory that "for complex syndrome of cold and heat, cold is the root" provides guidance for the clinical application and the treatment of complex and difficult diseases in traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Connotation and Application of the Theory of "Gout is Not Bi (痹) Syndrome"
Huifang GUAN ; Linhua ZHAO ; Jiaxing TIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):987-991
Gout in modern medicine is often attributed to "Li Jie Disease (历节病)", "Bai Hu Wind" (白虎风), and "Bi (痹) Syndrome" categories in traditional Chinese medicine, mainly because its joint pain often presents as wandering attacks, and the clinical symptoms are similar to those caused by wind. However, the essence of gout is actually dietary disorders caused by internal injuries, so it should not be classified as Bi (痹) syndrome due to wind, cold, dampness. Focusing on the theory of "gout is not Bi syndrome" proposed by TONG Xiaolin, combining ancient and modern medical literature and modern clinical research, this article analyzes the underlying etiology of gout, which originates from dietary irregularities and accumulation of turbid toxins, as well as the disease mechanism of "toxicity hurts joints and accumulation of toxins impairs the kidneys", in order to clarify the essential difference between gout and impediment syndrome. Using the theory of "state-targeted diagnosis and treatment", gout is classified into two categories: dampness-heat and deficiency-cold, and the treatment strategy of lowering the turbid toxin, facilitating the joints, and preserving the kidneys was proposed in order to guide the clinical practice.
3.Exploration on the Formation,Evolution,and Alienation of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment
Sicheng WANG ; Linhua ZHAO ; Rumeng TANG ; Lili ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1202-1206
Syndrome differentiation and treatment is an integral part of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic and therapeutic system, whose development exhibits distinct stages. This paper systematically reviews the evolutionary trajectory of syndrome differentiation and treatment, from symptom-based treatment in Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》), to ZHANG Zhongjing's establishment of the disease-pulse-syndrome-treatment framework, through its application and development in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and finally to its recognition as a fundamental characteristic of TCM in modern times. However, the overemphasis on syndrome differentiation and treatment, coupled with a diminished focus on disease concepts, has led to its gradual alienation as the primary diagnostic and therapeutic model. The alienation mainly manifests as a tendency to prioritize syndrome over disease, resulting in the overgeneralization and limited application of the concept, and causing a lack of specificity in practice. This paper emphasizes that a correct understanding of syndrome differentiation and treatment is a necessary premise for the deve-lopment and improvement of the TCM diagnostic and therapeutic system. By integrating modern medical diagnosis to clarify disease targets and applying TCM thinking to extract common patterns of diseases, precise alignment between syndrome differentiation and treatment and modern clinical demands can be achieved, providing a reference for addressing the contemporary challenges of syndrome differentiation and treatment.
4.Syndrome Element Distribution and Complication Risks in Type 2 Diabetic Patients:A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Yu WEI ; Lili ZHANG ; Ling ZHOU ; Linhua ZHAO ; Qing NI ; Xiaolin TONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1363-1368
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients based on maximum body mass index (maxBMI) and explore their association with complication risks. MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was used to collect clinical data from hospitalized T2DM patients, extracting age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, duration of disease, HbA1c level, complications, and TCM syndromes, and extracting the syndrome elements of disease location and disease nature based on their TCM syndromes. MaxBMI was calculated by telephone survey of patients' self-reported maximum body weight; patients with maxBMI ≥24 kg/m2 were classified into spleen-heat syndrome group, and those with maxBMI <24 kg/m2 were classified into consumptive-heat syndrome group. The distribution of TCM syndrome types and syndrome elements of patients in the two groups were analysed. Then the propensity score matching method was used to balance the baseline characteristics between the two groups and compare the differences in the distribution of syndrome types and syndrome elements and the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications between the two groups. ResultsAmong the 1178 T2DM patients, syndrome elements in spleen-heat patients (1034 cases) were primarily located in the spleen (351 cases, 33.95%), liver (240 cases, 23.21%), and stomach (139 cases, 13.44%), while in consumptive-heat patients (144 cases), they were concentrated in the spleen (57 cases, 39.58%), liver (34 cases, 23.61%), and kidneys (17 cases, 11.81%); regarding syndrome elements of disease nature, spleen-heat patients were predominantly characterized by qi deficiency (481 cases, 46.52%), phlegm (353 cases, 22.73%), and dampness (241 cases, 23.31%), whereas consumptive-heat patients showed more qi deficiency (84 cases, 58.33%) and yin deficiency (44 cases, 30.56%). After propensity score matching, 132 cases were included in each group, and no statistically significant differences were observed in the distribution of syndrome elements of disease location between the two groups (P>0.05), but the phlegm element was significantly more prevalent in spleen-heat patients than in consumptive-heat patients (P = 0.006). Regarding the risk of complications, spleen-heat patients had a significantly higher risk of developing macrovascular complications compared to consumptive-heat patients (OR=2.04, P=0.010), while no significant differences were found between groups in the occurrence of microvascular complications (P>0.05). ConclusionThe spleen-heat T2DM patients show a more frequent syndrome element of disease nature of phlegm, and a higher risk of developing macrovascular complications compared to consumptive-heat patients.
5.Professor TONG Xiaolin's Experience in Treating Prediabetes with Overweight and Obesity Using the Method of Relieving Depression and Reducing Turbidity
Sicheng WANG ; Yangyang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Zishan JIN ; Boxun ZHANG ; Qingwei LI ; Xiaoxuan XU ; Linhua ZHAO ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1424-1427
To summarise the clinical experience of Professor TONG Xiaolin in treating prediabetes combined with overweight or obesity using the method of relieving depression and reducing turbidity. It is believed that prediabetes belongs to the category of "spleen-heat syndrome" in traditional Chinese medicine, and its core pathogenesis is center fullness with internal heat, while obesity is the initiating factor for exacerbating center fullness and internal heat, therefore, it is of great significance to reduce the risk of diabetes by interrupting the transformation between overweight, obesity and glucose metabolism abnormality. It is proposed that the main pathogenesis of prediabetes combined with overweight or obesity is qi depression and turbidity obstruction in middle jiao, with qi depression as the root and turbidity obstruction as the cause, forming a treatment idea with the method of relieving depression and reducing turbidity as the core. In clinic, Dahuang Huanglian Xiexin Decoction (大黄黄连泻心汤) is used as the basic prescription, with a primary focus on directing the turbid downward, supplemented by regulating qi, which embodies the concept of "promoting movement through descent, then figuring out the root of spleen-heat syndrome. Furthermore, the treatment is flexibly modified based on the patient's deficiency-excess syndrome to ensure individualized therapy.
6.TONG Xiaolin's Experience in Using "Poisonous" Chinese Material Medica to Treat Metabolic Diseases
Jiaran LIN ; Boxun ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO ; Zezheng KANG ; Qingwei LI ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(12):1213-1218
This paper summarized TONG Xiaolin's clinical experience in using "poisonous" Chinese material medica to treat metabolic diseases, who believes that toxicity reducing and efficacy enhancing can be achieved through carefully considered dosage, reasonable combination of medicinals, and appropriate preparation and administration ways.By analyzing the functions of Chinese material medica and findings from modern pharmacology and toxicology, the clinical dosage features, combination of medicinals and medication, preparation and administration methods and other precautions have been summarized regarding Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis) in treating diabetes, Xixin (Radix et Rhizoma Asari), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) and Shuizhi (Hirudo) in treating diabetic kidney diseases, Zhichuanwu (Radix Aconiti Praeparata), Zhicaowu (Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii Praeparata), Xixin and Zhimaqianzi (Semen Strychni Praeparata) in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy, Yinyanghuo (Herba Epimedii) and Wugong (Scolopendra) in treating diabetic erectile dysfunction, Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) and Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) in treating diabetic gastroparesis, Hongqu (Monascus purpureus Went) and Weilingxian (Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis) in treating metabolic syndrome, as well as Leigongteng (Radix Tripterygii Wilfordii) and Huangyaozi (Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae) in treating Hyperthyroidism, thereby providing reference for precise clinical medication.
7.Application and Considerations of Cohort Study in Effectiveness Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes
Sicheng WANG ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Ying ZHANG ; Boxun ZHANG ; Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Zishan JIN ; Linhua ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(14):1438-1442
Through the systematic analysis of the current research results on the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its promotion dilemma, it is believed that cohort study, as an observational research method, is particularly suitable for evaluating complex and individualized interventions such as traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Considering the design features and relevant practices of prospective cohort studies, it is specifically proposed to carry out prospective cohort studies using a modern TCM diagnostic and treatment system for diabetes, centered on "state-targeted differentiation and treatment", and framed by "classification-staging-syndrome differentiation". Focused on personalized prevention and treatment, long-term multidimensional assessment of therapeutic effectiveness and syndrome changes, this paper gives in-depth exploration of the advantages and value of applying prospective cohort studies in the effectiveness evaluation of TCM in prevention and treatment of diabetes, aiming to provide insights for clinical researches on TCM for diabetes.
8.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Perimenopausal Syndrome
Shiwan HU ; Haiyan LIANG ; Kun MA ; Xiaona MA ; Zihan FANG ; Wenpei BAI ; Xinmin LIU ; Hongtian LI ; Fengmei LIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Lihua QIN ; Min SHANG ; Ailuan LAI ; Xiuxiang TENG ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):234-242
Perimenopausal syndrome (MPS), a common endocrine system disease, is one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in endocrinology, gynecology, and interdisciplinary fields of both Western and Chinese medicine to discuss the advantages and challenges of diagnosing and treating MPS with Western medicine, TCM, and integrative medicine. Experts at the conference believe that MPS is initiated by estrogen decline and rooted in deficiency, with the pathogenesis being imbalance between Yin and Yang in the kidney. The hormone replacement therapy in Western medicine for menopause can rapidly alleviate related symptoms by quickly restoring the estrogen level and timely detect and delay complications of menopause, whereas such a therapy has certain risks, necessitating close monitoring of adverse reactions. Moreover, the various contraindications and precautions limit the clinical application of the hormone replacement therapy. TCM has advantages in synergistically alleviating symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, sleep disorders, and emotional abnormalities of MPS without causing obvious adverse reactions. However, its efficacy is slower than the hormone replacement therapy, and the TCM evidence for preventing and treating complications of menopause remains unclear. Three suggestions were proposed for the future development of both Western and TCM for ameliorating MPS. First, an integrated diagnosis and treatment system for MPS with both Western and Chinese medicine should be established. Second, high-quality evidence-based interventions for MPS should be developed with TCM alone or in combination with Western medicine. Third, efforts should be made to promote the new TCM drug development and the interdisciplinary cooperation for treating MPS.
9.Analysis of the Rationality and Clinical Significance of Using "Sugar Collateral Disease" as the Name of Diabetes Mellitus in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Shiwan HU ; Sicheng WANG ; Linhua ZHAO ; Bing SONG ; Qiang WANG ; Ye LEI ; Lili ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(19):1963-1966
Based on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)'s understanding of consumptive thirst disease and modern medicine's understanding of the etiology of diabetes mellitus and the evolution of the disease, this article discussed the rationality and clinical significance of using "sugar collateral disease" as the name of diabetes mellitus in TCM, to provide a reference for modernization and development of TCM diseases' names. It is argued that the clinical manifestations described in the TCM disease name of consumptive thirst disease are only at a certain stage of diabetes mellitus, and it is difficult to cover the clinical characteristics of modern diabetes mellitus comprehensively. In 2003, academician TONG Xiaolin proposed to use "sugar collateral disease" as the TCM disease name of diabetes mellitus, which on the one hand can reflect the essence of diabetes mellitus, and on the other hand can embody the disease location, disease mechanism and the evolution of the disease, highlight the harms of complications, and serve as a warning for the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease, which can help to enhance the level of diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus in TCM.
10.Pedigree Analysis and Molecular Mechanism Study of Hereditary Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Caused by Compound Heterozygous Mutation of the ITGA2B Gene
Xiaomei LU ; Dongyan FU ; Yaofang ZHANG ; Lidong ZHAO ; Lei WANG ; Jia YANG ; Jie LIU ; Jiawei ZHENG ; Linhua YANG ; Gang WANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(4):370-377
Objective:The phenotype and genotype of a pedigree with Glanzmann thrombasthenia caused by compound heterozygous mutation in the ITGA2B gene and its molecular pathogenesis were explored.Methods:The platelet aggregation rate of the proband and his family was detected by using a platelet aggregation test with adenosine diphosphate, collagen, epinephrine, arachidonic acid, and ristocetin. The expression levels of CD41 (αⅡb), CD61 (β3), and CD42b (GPⅠb) on the platelet surface was detected by flow cytometry. Gene sequencing technology was used for the genetic identification of the family. RT-PCR was used in the detection of mRNA splicing, and qRT-PCR was used in detecting the relative mRNA level of the ITGA2B gene. Bioinformatics analysis was used to evaluate the pathogenicity of mutation sites and their effects on protein structure and function. The expressions of total αⅡb and β3 in platelets were analyzed by Western blot.Results:Except ristocetin, the other four inducers could not induce platelet aggregation in the proband. Flow cytometry showed that the expression levels of αⅡb and β3 were only 0.25% and 9.76%, respectively, on the platelet surface of the proband, whereas GPⅠb expression was relatively normal. The expression levels of glycoproteins in the other family members were almost normal. c.480C>G and c.2929C>T mutations were detected in the proband through gene sequencing. The c.480C>G mutation was inherited from his mother, and the c.2929C>T mutation was inherited from his father. The RT-PCR and sequencing results showed that the c.480C>G mutation caused mRNA splicing in the proband and his mother, resulting in the deletion of 99 bases in c.476G-574A (p.S160-S192). qRT-PCR showed that the c.2929C>T variant reduced the mRNA level of the ITGA2B gene in the proband and his father. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the c.480C>G mutation might form a binding sequence with hnRNP A1 protein and generate the 5′SS splice site. The three-dimensional structural model of the αⅡb subunit showed that the β-propeller domain of the p.S160-S192 deletion lost two β-strands and one α-helix in blade 2. The c.2929C>T nonsense mutation caused premature translation termination and produced a truncated protein with the deletion of p.R977-E1039, including the cytoplasmic domain, transmembrane domain, and a β chain of the extracellular Calf-2 domain. The total αⅡb expression of the proband was absent, and the relative expression of β3 was 11.36% of the normal level.Conclusion:The compound heterozygous mutation c.480C>G in exon 4 and c.2929C>T in exon 28 of the ITGA2B gene probably underlies Glanzmann thrombasthenia in this pedigree.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail