Research advances in animal models of high-altitude qi-deficiency and blood-stasis pattern

This study summarizes the theoretical basis, modeling strategies, pathological mechanisms, and therapeutic advances related to high-altitude qi-deficiency and blood-stasis pattern. Traditional concepts such as “qi drives blood” and “deficiency leads to stasis” closely align with modern evidence demonstrating that hypoxia disrupts energy metabolism, impairs microcirculation, and amplifies inflammation and oxidative stress. Current animal models commonly use hypobaric hypoxia combined with fatigue loading, dietary restriction, ice-water stimulation, or adrenaline injection to mimic the combined effects of qi deficiency, blood stasis, and hypoxic injury. These composite approaches reproduce systemic abnormalities, including reduced arterial oxygen partial pressure, increased blood viscosity, impaired cardiac and pulmonary function, microcirculatory obstruction, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Enhanced inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, and disturbances in metabolic and epigenetic networks further characterize the pattern. The findings indicate that its pathogenesis arises from multi-system, multi-target interactions rather than a single pathway. Representative herbal formulas, such as Buyang Huanwu decoction, Xuefu Zhuyu decoction, and prescriptions rich in Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge (A. membranaceus, Huang qi) or Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (S. miltiorrhiza, Dan Shen) have demonstrated the ability to improve energy metabolism, attenuate endothelial injury, enhance microcirculation, and suppress inflammation through network-level regulation. Future research should focus on standardizing exposure parameters, developing quantitative syndrome evaluation systems, and integrating multi-omics, systems biology and artificial intelligence to improve model reproducibility and mechanistic precision. These efforts may help establish objective criteria for high-altitude qi-deficiency and blood-stasis pattern and support the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.