1.Pathogenesis and Syndrome Differentiation of "Gaozhuo" of Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Yuman YIN ; Yunfeng YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Jiawang HUANG ; Gang HU ; Juan HUANG ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):226-234
Oxidative stress is a pivotal factor in the onset and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and it plays an essential role in the prevention and treatment of DKD. The "Gaozhuo" pathogenesis posits that DKD is characterized by the invasion of Gaozhuo and damage to the kidney collaterals, with the underlying cause being the insufficiency of spleen Qi and the internal formation of Gaozhuo, which provides valuable guidance on oxidative stress. The insufficiency of spleen Qi and the internal formation of Gaozhuo represent a dynamic, evolving process. Gaozhuo invades the kidney collaterals, impairs kidney Qi, and progressively leads to the congealing and stagnation of Gaozhuo and blood, ultimately resulting in the failure of both the spleen and kidneys. The damage caused by Gaozhuo to the kidney collaterals and kidney Qi is analogous to the organ and functional damage of the kidneys induced by excessive reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. Damage to the kidney collaterals means organic injuries to the glomeruli, renal tubules, and renal interstitium, and the depletion of kidney Qi refers to damage to glomerular filtration and renal tubular reabsorption. The congealing and stagnation of Gaozhuo and blood in the kidney collaterals is similar to oxidative stress-induced thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and fibrosis. The interaction between spleen and kidney Qi deficiency and the congealing and stagnation of Gaozhuo and blood creates a vicious cycle that exacerbates the condition, ultimately evolving into the failure of both the spleen and kidneys. The failure of the spleen and kidneys is analogous to renal failure, and its extreme manifestation is end-stage renal disease and uremia. The treatment of oxidative stress in DKD with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on the principles of strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidneys, and dispelling turbidity and removing blood stasis. According to the syndrome type, it is recommended to use methods such as strengthening the spleen and tonifying Qi while dispelling dampness and removing turbidity, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidneys while dispelling dampness and removing turbidity, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidneys while dispelling turbidity and removing blood stasis, or consolidating the spleen and kidneys while clearing away turbidity and blood stasis.
2.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Mechanisms of Inflammatory Injury in Diabetic Cardiomypathy from Theory of "Gaozhuo"
Xiaoyue WANG ; Yunfeng YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Yixin XIANG ; Sihao ZHANG ; Qin XIANG ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):235-244
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus and is a major threat to global health. As a key mechanism in the occurrence and progression of DCM, the inflammatory response persists throughout the entire course of the DCM. The Gaozhuo theory suggests that the basic pathogenesis of inflammatory injury in DCM is the Qi deficiency of spleen and kidney and Gaozhuo invasion, and divides the pathological process into three phases: Gaozhuo invasion, turbid heat damage to the channels, and turbid blood stasis and heat junction. Among them, the Qi deficiency of spleen and kidney and the endogenous formation of Gaozhuo represent the process of inflammatory factor formation induced by glucose metabolism disorders. Turbid heat damage to the channels refers to the process of myocardial inflammatory injury mediated by inflammatory factors, and turbid blood stasis and heat junction are the process of myocardial injury developing toward myocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling. As the disease continues to progress, it eventually develops into a depletion of the heart Yang, leading to the ultimate regression of heart failure. According to the theory of Gaozhuo, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) should regulate inflammatory injury in DCM by strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney to address the root cause, and resolving dampness and lowering turbidity to treat the symptoms. If the turbidity has been stored for a long time and turns into heat, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney, and clearing heat and resolving turbidity should be the therapy. If the turbidity, stasis, and heat are knotted in the heart and collaterals, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney, and resolving stasis and lowering turbidity should be the therapy. TCM compounds and monomers can regulate the inflammatory response in DCM. TCM compounds can be divided into the categories for benefiting Qi to resolve turbidity, benefiting Qi and clearing heat to resolve turbidity, and benefiting Qi and activating blood to reduce turbidity. The compounds can inhibit upstream signals of inflammation and expression of inflammatory factors, improve the inflammatory damage to myocardium and blood vessels, myocardial fibrosis, and cardiac systole and diastole, and thus slow down the onset and progression of DCM.
3.Discussion on Theory of "Gaozhuo" and Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment for Microcirculatory Disorders in Diabetic Retinopathy
Kai WU ; Yunfeng YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Qianhong LIU ; Fangfang LI ; Rong YU ; Xiaolei YAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):245-252
Retinal microcirculatory disorder is a key factor in the occurrence and development of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and also an important link in the prevention and treatment of DR. The theory of "Gaozhuo" holds that the microcirculatory disorder in DR is based on the deficiency of spleen Qi and is characterized by the obstruction caused by "Gaozhuo" and blood stasis. The deficiency of spleen Qi is an essential precondition for the endogenous formation and accumulation of Gaozhuo, while Gaozhuo invasion is the direct cause of microcirculatory disorders in DR. The deficiency of spleen Qi and the endogenous formation of Gaozhuo mean the process in which glucose metabolism dysfunction induces an excessive production of inflammatory factors and lipid metabolites. The obstruction caused by "Gaozhuo" and blood stasis is the direct pathogenesis of microcirculatory disorders in DR, encompassing two stages: Gaozhuo obstruction and turbidity and stasis stagnation. Gaozhuo obstruction and turbidity and stasis stagnation represent the process in which inflammatory factors and lipid metabolites damage the retinal microcirculation and induce thrombosis, thus mediating microcirculatory disorders. Turbidity and stasis stagnation and blood extravasation outside the vessels reveal the progression to microvascular rupture and hemorrhage resulting from the microcirculatory disorders. According to the pathogenesis evolution of the theory of "Gaozhuo", microcirculatory disorders in DR can be divided into deficiency of spleen Qi with Gaozhuo obstruction, deficiency of spleen Qi with turbidity and stasis stagnation, and turbidity and stasis stagnation with blood extravasation outside the vessels. Clinically, treatment principles should focus on strengthening the spleen and benefiting Qi, resolving turbidity, and dispersing stasis. Different syndrome patterns should be addressed with tailored therapies, such as enhancing the spleen and benefiting Qi while regulating Qi and reducing turbidity, strengthening the spleen and benefiting Qi while resolving turbidity and dispelling stasis, and strengthening the spleen and resolving turbidity while removing stasis and stopping bleeding. Representative prescriptions include modified Wendantang, modified Buyang Huanwutang, modified Danggui Buxuetang, Zhuixue Mingmu decoction, Tangmuqing, Shengqing Jiangzhuo Tongluo Mingmu prescription, Danhong Huayu decoction, and Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Lishui formula.
4.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Mechanisms of Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Combined with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Theory of "Gaozhuo"
Yixin XIANG ; Yunfeng YU ; Xiaoyue WANG ; Xiangning HUANG ; Qin XIANG ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):253-260
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is the key link in the progression of NAFLD to liver fibrosis. According to the theory of "Gaozhuo", spleen deficiency and Qi stagnation, along with Gaozhuo invasion, are the causes of NAFLD progression to liver fibrosis, which reveals the pathogenesis essence of HSC activation in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Among them, spleen deficiency and Qi stagnation are the root causes of the endogenous formation of Gaozhuo. Spleen deficiency indicates the insulin sensitivity decrease and glucose metabolism disorders, and Qi stagnation means the dysregulation of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, which creates the preconditions for HSC activation. Gaozhuo invasion is the direct cause of HSC activation, including three stages: Internal retention of Gaozhuo, turbidity and stasis stagnation, and toxic stasis and consolidation. Internal retention of Gaozhuo refers to the abnormal metabolism and deposition of hepatic lipids, as well as the microcirculatory disorders. Turbidity and stasis stagnation is the process by which lipotoxicity stimulates the transformation of HSC into myofibroblast (MFB), and toxic stasis and consolidation represent the secretion of a large amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) by MFB to promote the fibrosis. According to the theory of Gaozhuo and the activation process of HSC, syndromes for T2DM combined with NAFLD can be classified into spleen deficiency and Qi stagnation with internal retention of Gaozhuo, spleen Qi deficiency with turbidity and stasis stagnation, and spleen Qi deficiency with toxic stasis and consolidation. Clinically, the treatment principle is to strengthen the spleen and promote Qi, resolve turbidity, and eliminate blood stasis. Both TCM compounds and monomers can effectively inhibit the HSC activation. TCM compounds can be classified into categories for regulating spleen and harmonizing liver, resolving turbidity and removing stasis, and detoxifying and removing stasis. They mainly work by improving lipid metabolism, reducing lipid accumulation in the liver, alleviating inflammatory and oxidative stress responses, inhibiting the activation and proliferation of HSC, and reducing ECM deposition, thereby delaying the progression of liver fibrosis.
5.Evaluation of long-term efficacy of plasma exchange and double-filtration plasmapheresis preprocessing in high-titer ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation
Lifei LIANG ; Guisheng QI ; Rong ZHOU ; Ruirui SANG ; Cheng YANG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):68-76
Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of plasma exchange (PE) and double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) pretreatment regimens for high-titer ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOi-KT). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 cases of ABOi-KT with a follow-up period ≥1 year admitted to Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from April 2016 to August 2025. The efficacy differences between the PE combined with rituximab (RTX) + oral triple immunosuppressive regimen and the DFPP combined with RTX + oral triple immunosuppressive regimen were compared and analyzed. The titers of blood group antibodies and serum creatinine levels before and after the operation were monitored. The survival curves and cumulative risk occurrence curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. The survival rates of recipients and transplanted kidneys and the occurrence of complications were analyzed. Results Both the PE regimen and the DFPP regimen may effectively reduce the preoperative blood group antibody titer of the recipients to ≤1∶16. The one-year survival rate of the recipients and the transplanted kidneys both reached 100% after the operation. The postoperative serum creatinine levels of recipients who received the DFPP regimen were lower and more stable. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two regimens during the same follow-up period. Conclusions Both the PE and DFPP regimens are effective pretreatment regimens for ABOi-KT. The DFPP regimen has more advantages in reducing treatment operations, lowering drug dosage and maintaining the stability of postoperative renal function. For recipients with a high initial antibody titer (≥ 1∶32), individualized determination of the number and frequency of plasma processing for pretreatment may achieve ideal therapeutic effects.
6.Analysis of related factors for the comorbidity of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):27-31
Objective:
To investigate the factors influencing the co-prevalence of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia, so as to provide a data foundation and theoretical basis for developing targeted intervention measures.
Methods:
In September and October 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 139 102 students from 539 schools across 12 leagues/cities and 103 banners/counties in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Participants who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis by a doctor at least once within one year and had a body mass index ≥ 28 kg/m 2 were considered to have comorbid conditions.
Results:
The coprevalence rate of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia was 6.4% (8 931 cases). Lasso-Logistic regression revealed that nonboarding status, higher maternal education, consuming high protein foods ≥1 time daily, occasionally or never eating breakfast, engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity for ≥60 minutes on fewer than half of holidays, and having been exposed to second hand smoke in person within the past seven days were associated with higher odds ratios for co-prevalence of allergic rhinitis and obesity( OR = 1.23 , 1.22-1.63, 1.20, 1.19, 1.38, 1.35); being female, higher grade level, residence in flag/county/district areas, non only child status, never having consumed a full glass of alcohol, non hypertensive status, and households without pets were associated with lower co-prevalence risks ( OR =0.65, 0.67-0.77, 0.81, 0.87, 0.73, 0.41, 0.68) (all P <0.05). The ROC curve indicated an area under the curve of 0.64 for the predictive model, demonstrating satisfactory discriminatory ability. The calibration curve showed consistency between predicted and actual occurrence probabilities.
Conclusions
The co-prevalence of allergic rhinitis and obesity among primary and secondary school students in Inner Mongolia is closely associated with demographic characteristics, dietary behaviours, and lifestyle habits. Future prevention and control strategies should prioritize these factors to implement targeted interventions.
7.Analysis of Differential Compounds of Poria cocos Medicinal Materials by Integrated Qualitative Strategy Based on UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS
Jiayuan WANG ; Xiaohan FAN ; Xiaoxiao WEI ; Rong CAO ; Jin WANG ; Lei WANG ; Fengqing XU ; Shunwang HUANG ; Deling WU ; Hongsu ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):148-156
ObjectiveTo establish a rapid analytical method for identifying the differential components in Poria cocos medicinal materials based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), combined with mass defect filtering(MDF) and molecular network integration techniques. MethodsUPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used for MS data acquisition and identification of P. cocos medicinal materials, with the help of MDF for the study of cleavage behavior and structural identification of triterpenoids. According to the similarity of MS/MS fragmentation patterns of each component, global natural product social molecular network(GNPS) was established, and Cytoscape 3.6.1 was used to screen molecular clusters with similar structures and the the structure of main compound classes were identified and confirmed. Multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to screen the differential components of the five P. cocos medicinal materials with the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and P<0.05 as the criteria. ResultsA total of 66 compounds were identified by database comparison, 8 compounds were newly identified by MDF, 28 compounds were newly identified by GNPS, and a total of 102 chemical compounds were identified, including 43 triterpenoids, 16 saccharides, 26 amino acids and peptides, 3 nucleosides, and 14 other compounds. Triterpenoids were predominant in Poriae Cutis and wild Fushen, amino acids and peptides were the most abundant in Poria and cultivated Fushen, carbohydrates were the most abundant in Poriae Cutis. Type Ⅰ and Ⅱ triterpenoids had higher amounts in Poria and cultivated Fushen, type Ⅲ triterpenoids were more abundant in Poriae Cutis, all four types of triterpenoids were higher in Fushenmu, and type Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅳ triterpenoids were higher in wild Fushen. A total of 12 common differential chemical constituents were screened, including serine, guanosine, gallic acid, 2-octenal, maltotriose, trametenolic acid, dehydroeburicoic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, poricoic acid A, poricoic acid B, poricoic acid E and G, but the relative contents of them varied significantly among different medicinal materials. ConclusionAmong the five P. cocos medicinal materials, the types of constituents are generally similar, but their relative contents differed significantly among these medicinal materials, especially in the distribution of triterpenoids. The integration of UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS, MDF and GNPS can provide a reference for the rapid qualitative analysis of other Chinese medicines.
8.Analysis of Differential Compounds of Poria cocos Medicinal Materials by Integrated Qualitative Strategy Based on UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS
Jiayuan WANG ; Xiaohan FAN ; Xiaoxiao WEI ; Rong CAO ; Jin WANG ; Lei WANG ; Fengqing XU ; Shunwang HUANG ; Deling WU ; Hongsu ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):148-156
ObjectiveTo establish a rapid analytical method for identifying the differential components in Poria cocos medicinal materials based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), combined with mass defect filtering(MDF) and molecular network integration techniques. MethodsUPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used for MS data acquisition and identification of P. cocos medicinal materials, with the help of MDF for the study of cleavage behavior and structural identification of triterpenoids. According to the similarity of MS/MS fragmentation patterns of each component, global natural product social molecular network(GNPS) was established, and Cytoscape 3.6.1 was used to screen molecular clusters with similar structures and the the structure of main compound classes were identified and confirmed. Multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to screen the differential components of the five P. cocos medicinal materials with the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and P<0.05 as the criteria. ResultsA total of 66 compounds were identified by database comparison, 8 compounds were newly identified by MDF, 28 compounds were newly identified by GNPS, and a total of 102 chemical compounds were identified, including 43 triterpenoids, 16 saccharides, 26 amino acids and peptides, 3 nucleosides, and 14 other compounds. Triterpenoids were predominant in Poriae Cutis and wild Fushen, amino acids and peptides were the most abundant in Poria and cultivated Fushen, carbohydrates were the most abundant in Poriae Cutis. Type Ⅰ and Ⅱ triterpenoids had higher amounts in Poria and cultivated Fushen, type Ⅲ triterpenoids were more abundant in Poriae Cutis, all four types of triterpenoids were higher in Fushenmu, and type Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅳ triterpenoids were higher in wild Fushen. A total of 12 common differential chemical constituents were screened, including serine, guanosine, gallic acid, 2-octenal, maltotriose, trametenolic acid, dehydroeburicoic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, poricoic acid A, poricoic acid B, poricoic acid E and G, but the relative contents of them varied significantly among different medicinal materials. ConclusionAmong the five P. cocos medicinal materials, the types of constituents are generally similar, but their relative contents differed significantly among these medicinal materials, especially in the distribution of triterpenoids. The integration of UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS, MDF and GNPS can provide a reference for the rapid qualitative analysis of other Chinese medicines.
9.Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy on liver cancer: the past, the present, and the future
Jingqin MA ; Linhong ZHANG ; Minjie YANG ; Jiabin CAI ; Ying FANG ; Rong LIU ; Xudong QU ; Lingxiao LIU ; Zhiping YAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):3-8
Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT) is a treatment technique that delivers radioactive microspheres precisely to the arterial vascular bed of neoplasms, utilizing beta radiation to administer a high local dose of radiation to the neoplasm tissues. This technology has demonstrated significant efficacy in patients with unresectable pirmary liver cancers and liver metastases. This article systematically reviews the development history and clinical application status of 90Y-SIRT in the treatment of liver cancer, and looks forward to future development directions.
10.Mechanisms of reproductive toxicity and ferroptosis induced by polystyrene microplastics in male mice
Jiabo WANG ; Rong LI ; Setiniaz NAZIRA ; Chengqing LIU ; Nan YANG ; Qi YAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(2):224-231
Background Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) attract widespread public attention due to their adverse effects on mammalian reproductive systems. However, it is currently unclear whether ferroptosis is related to testicular damage and decreased sperm quality in mice exposed to PS-MPs. Objective To clarify the reproductive damage in male mice exposed to PS-MPs and investigate the mechanism of ferroptotic effects. Methods Five-week-old male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four experimental groups, including one control group and three PS-MPs groups at low dose (0.5 mg·kg−1), medium dose (5 mg·kg−1), and high dose (50 mg·kg−1), respectively, with 6 mice in each group. The treatment was delivered by gavage for 35 consecutive days (one time per day). After the mice were neutralized, the wet weights of testis and epididymis were measured, and organ coefficients were then calculated. Sperm was counted by hematimetry, and sperm motility and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level were evaluated using CCK-8 and CellTiter Glo ® Kit 2.0 Assay respectively. In addition, serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were determined using ELISA kit, total testicular iron content was measured using tissue iron kit, and pathological changes in testicular tissue were observed after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. We also used glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assays to examine their changes to better understand the physiological status of testicular tissue. Finally, the expression levels of ferroptosis-associated proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) were detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with the control group, the testicular index in the high dose group decreased, and the epididymal index decreased in all dose groups (P<0.05). The results of sperm quality analysis showed that the sperm count in each dose group was lower than that of the control group; the sperm motility decreased, sperm malformation rate increased, and ATP level in sperm decreased in the medium and high dose groups. The results of HE staining showed that the spermatogenic epithelium was disordered and the arrangement of spermatogenic cells were loose in the low dose group, the spermatogenic gap was enlarged in the middle dose group, and the cells in the high dose group were vacuolated and even azoospermic. The results of serum sex hormone levels showed that the serum testosterone levels decreased in each dose group, the serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels decreased in the medium and high dose groups, and the serum luteinizing hormone levels decreased in the high dose group (P<0.05). The iron content in the testicular tissue homogenate of the high dose group increased (P<0.05). The levels of GSH and SOD in the homogenate of testicular tissue decreased in the medium and high dose groups, while the levels of MDA increased (P<0.05). The results of Western blotting showed that the protein expression level of GPX4 in the testis in the high dose group was lower than that in the control group. The protein expression levels of SLC7A11 in the medium and high dose groups were lower than that in the control group. The results of correlation analysis showed that the expression level of GPX4 was positively correlated with sperm count, and negatively correlated with MDA level (P<0.05). SLC7A11 expression level was positively correlated with sperm count, and negatively correlated with sperm malformation rate and MDA level (P<0.05). Conclusion PS-MPs exposure leads to decreased sperm quality, testicular damage, and decreased serum sex hormone levels in male mice, and its mechanism of action may involve ferroptosis.


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