Research on CKD-MBD from the Prospective of TCM

Mineral and bone disorder (MBD), as a serious secondary complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), is the main risk factor affecting the quality of life and survival time among CKD patients. However, the prevention and treatment of CKD-MBD is not yet fully identified and is a problem to be resolved urgently. Based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of "Kidney storing essence and governing bone", Chinese herbal medicines have a long history of treating osteoporosis, fracture and other systemic and disabling bone diseases with certain clinical efficacy. Disorders in calcium-phosphorus metabolism play a key role in CKD-MBD. Recent studies have confirmed that these disorders are associated with the abnormal expression of Klotho (Kl) gene in the kidney and fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23) secreted by bone. Interestingly, these findings are consistent with the theory of "Kidney storing essence and governing bone". Therefore, in-depth research on the TCM theory and its clinical application via modern medical technology is of great value for the prevention and treatment for CKD-MBD by integrated Chinese and western medicine.