Cai Boyan,Sun Boyun,Hu Hongyi.Differentiation and treatment for autoimmune gastritis based on theory of "spleen as the defensive barrier"[J].Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine,2026,60(7):37-43.
Cai Boyan,Sun Boyun,Hu Hongyi.Differentiation and treatment for autoimmune gastritis based on theory of "spleen as the defensive barrier"[J].Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine,2026,60(7):37-43.DOI: 10.16305/j.1007-1334.2026.z20260210003.
Differentiation and treatment for autoimmune gastritis based on theory of "spleen as the defensive barrier"
Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is characterized by immune-mediated destruction of the gastric mucosa. Given the limitations of current conventional therapies, this paper explores a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) differentiation and treatment approach based on the theory of "spleen as the defensive barrier" from the
Huangdi Neijing
(
Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon
). In TCM, the spleen and stomach are considered the root of post-natal constitution. They govern the production, transformation and distribution of defensive qi, a concept that aligns closely with modern immunological defense and regulation. This paper systematically elucidates the core pathogenesis of AIG: spleen-stomach deficiency as the root, dysregulation of defensive qi as the pivot, and phlegm-stasis obstructing collaterals as the manifestation. Key pathological stages include insufficient production and transformation of defensive qi due to spleen deficiency, disordered distribution (leading to "internal self-aggression" in severe cases), and the blockage of "defensive qi pathways" by phlegm and blood stasis. Therefore, a comprehensive treatment strategy centered on "s
trengthening the spleen to restore defense" is proposed. Clinical treatment focuses on three aspects: tonifying the spleen and replenishing qi to secure the source of defensive qi, regulating qi movement to restore the distribution pivot, and resolving phlegm and stasis to clear the defensive qi pathways. A representative case is included for clarification.
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references
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