Exploration on the treatment of diabetic kidney disease from the liver based on WANG Xugao′s "thirty liver-regulating methods"

Based on WANG Xugao′s "thirty liver-regulating methods, " this paper summarized the clinical thinking of treating diabetic kidney disease from the liver. The liver is closely associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease, including internal heat, essence depletion, latent wind, and the accumulation and dissipation of a conglomeration of kidney collateral zhengjia. WANG Xugao′s "thirty liver-regulating methods" comprehensively reveals the physiological and pathological changes of the liver, as well as clinical approaches for liver treatment. Liver qi stagnation can lead to the generation of internal heat, liver stagnation and deficiency can cause essence depletion and collateral obstruction, and disharmony of the liver wood can cause internal wind disturbance, which all contribute to the progression of diabetic kidney disease at different stages. Treatment generally follows the essence of "thirty liver-regulating methods." In the early stage, treatment should focus on treating liver heat by soothing the liver qi, clearing the liver fire, and removing damp-heat to resolve stagnation and heat. In the middle stage, treatment should focus on treating liver deficiency by nourishing the liver yin to clear heat, replenishing the essence and blood to tonify deficiency, and promoting blood circulation to remove stasis, thereby strengthening the foundation and nurturing the primal essence. In the later stage, treatment should focus on treating liver wind to prevent complications and improve the patient′s quality of life. Throughout the entire process, liver collaterals are treated using pungent herbs to invigorate qi and open the liver channels, relieving blood stasis and promoting circulation. In conjunction with the above methods, flexible selection of effective formulas and drug pairs should be used, each addressing specific treatment goals.