"Exploring the Application of Collateral Disease Theory in the Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease"
Q: How should we understand the theory of collateral disease, which is a more specialized and abstract concept?
Prof. Wu, a researcher in the theory of network diseases: People are more or less aware of meridians. In fact, networks are tributary systems of meridians, and all major meridians in the human body are connected by networks. The meridian connection resembles a "spider web" throughout the body, serving as a special channel for the circulation of qi, blood, energy, and information. The theory of network diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a unique theory within the TCM academic theoretical system concerning the physiology, pathology, and treatment of human meridians. Firstly, we apply the theoretical system of network diseases to the discussion of the pathogenesis and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Not long ago, I proposed the "three-dimensional network system" in academia, comprehensively analyzing the theory of network diseases and forming a genuine theory of network diseases.
Q: From the perspective of past drug concepts for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, the methods of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis have been used to treat coronary heart disease and cerebral thrombosis. Why is the treatment of coronary heart disease and cerebral thrombosis a significant development following the treatment of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis?
Prof. Wu: Network diseases primarily encompass network stasis and network deficiency. Blood stasis syndrome corresponds to network stasis but does not encompass network deficiency. Network deficiency reflects vascular diseases. Network diseases not only reflect blood stasis but also reflect vascular contraction dysfunction, including vascular endothelial dysfunction and vasospasm. From the perspective of TCM mechanisms in coronary heart disease angina pectoris, network stasis leads to blood viscosity and coagulation, giving coronary heart disease angina pectoris the characteristic of long-term pain. Due to network spasm, i.e., lesions in the blood vessels themselves, the onset of coronary heart disease angina pectoris is characterized by sudden pain. Cerebral thrombosis is also caused by cerebral stasis and cerebral urgency. Promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis can only address the issue of blood viscosity and coagulation but cannot fully resolve the problems of coronary heart disease, cerebral thrombosis, and the blood vessels themselves, including vascular endothelial dysfunction and vasospasm. Therefore, treating coronary heart disease and cerebral thrombosis guided by the theory of collateral diseases is another significant development following the treatment of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.
Q: From a modern medical perspective, how does the theory of collateral diseases guide the treatment of coronary heart disease and cerebral thrombosis?
Prof. Wu: Modern medical research has found that one of the primary factors in coronary heart disease and cerebral thrombosis is vascular lesions caused by vascular endothelial dysfunction. Under normal circumstances, vascular endothelia can secrete nitric oxide and endothelin. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, while endothelin can constrict blood vessels. Under normal circumstances, these two factors maintain a balance in vascular constriction. If vascular endothelial function is impaired, nitric oxide secretion decreases, and endothelin secretion increases, leading to vasoconstriction and spasm. Experimental studies have confirmed that network deficiency precisely reflects vasospasm caused by vascular endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, applying the theory of collateral diseases can guide the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases from both blood and vascular aspects.
Q: How can the theory of collateral diseases guide the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?
Prof. Wu: Tongxinluo Capsule is the only representative drug developed through the theory of collateral diseases for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It can not only improve blood viscosity and coagulation, address the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels, but also enhance vascular endothelial function. Clinical trials have confirmed that Tongxinluo Capsule can treat coronary heart disease angina pectoris, correct ischemic electrocardiogram manifestations, and alleviate symptoms such as chest tightness, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and sweating. For cerebral infarction, it can reduce the infarct area, restore brain cell function, and promote early recovery from hemiplegia and speech disorders.
