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Open Access Issue
Exploration on clinical thinking for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome from the perspective of "spleen and stomach-membrane system-vessel and collaterals"
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026, 49(8): 1130-1137
Published: 30 July 2026
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The onset and progression of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome involve the interaction among metabolic abnormality, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Current clinical management of this condition has limitations, such as fragmented diagnosis and treatment and insufficient control of target organ damage. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes holistic syndrome differentiation and individualized intervention. It has unique advantages in preventing and treating comorbidities. This paper is based on the core concepts of Huangdi Neijing, combined with the theory of the membrane system. It clarifies the internal correlation among the spleen and stomach, the membrane system and the vessels and collaterals in terms of structure, function, and pathological process. It also analyzes the pathogenesis evolution rule of CKM syndrome from stage 0 to 4. CKM syndrome starts with the dysfunction of transportation and transformation of the spleen and stomach, and stagnation of the membrane system at stages 0 and 1. It then progresses to the retention of turbid pathogens in the membrane system and qi flow blockage in vessels and collaterals at stage 2. The disease further develops into intermingled phlegm and blood stasis and concurrent disorder of the membrane system and collaterals at stage 3. It eventually leads to the decline of primordial qi and complete exhaustion of the membrane system and collaterals at stage 4. Clinically, a staged treatment strategy has been proposed based on the core therapeutic principles of "eliminating pathogenic factors, harmonizing the body, and providing protection." The strategy includes dredging and regulating the sanjiao and diffusing and smoothing the membrane system at the early stage. It adopts clearing and resolving turbid pathogen and smoothing qi flow in collaterals at the middle stage. Resolving phlegm, eliminating blood stasis, unblocking collaterals, and dissipating masses are applied at the late stage. At the end stage, the core strategy is to strengthen healthy qi, consolidate the root, and combine unblocking and tonifying therapies. This paper aims to provide a reference for the clinical intervention of CKM syndrome.

Open Access Original Article Issue
Conceptual framework of modern Zangxiang concept: a qualitative content analysis
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2018, 5(1): 43-52
Published: 31 January 2018
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Background

Some scholars believe modern Zangxiang concept is conceived under the thought of bio-medicine (Western medicine), which differs greatly compared to the ancient one. The view put forward stirs up great argument. Therefore, we attempt to explore whether the modern Zangxiang concept can fully reflect the specific content and structural relationship of ancient one through analyzing the frame structure of modern Zangxiang concept.

Methods

The qualitative content analysis was used. The document was selected from Zangxiang Chapter in Fundamental Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (7th edition). The textual document was added to QSR International’s NVivo qualitative data analysis software. Text was manually coded line by line according to the content described, and new categories were identified which were further divided into initial code, sub-theme, and theme. The relationships among them were explored, and a visual map of the body of knowledge (BoK) in Zangxiang theory was depicted. The similarities and differences between modern and ancient Zangxiang concepts were discussed by interpreting these themes, relationships and the visual map.

Results

After analysis, there were 126 initial codes, 13 sub-themes, and 4 themes including structure, function, functional outcome and the corresponding external sign. Two principal relationships, generation and mutual promotion, restriction, and inter-dependence in function were obtained. By analyzing four themes and two kinds of principal relationships, we found five different aspects between modern Zangxiang concept and ancient Zangxiang theory.

Conclusion

The BoK of the modern Zangxiang concept contains four themes: structure, function, functional outcome, and the corresponding external sign. The principal relationship is referring to generation between structure and function, and between function and its corresponding outcomes. Great differences exist when talking about modern Zangxiang concept which doesn’t reflect TCM characteristics and is more inclined to bio-medicine in structure from the perspective of ancient TCM theory.

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