What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an integrative therapy combining traditional and conventional treatments in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis.

May 7, 2026

Therapeutic Efficacy and Multidimensional Mechanisms of Yiqi YangyinHuoxue Formula Combined with Western Medicine in Chronic AtrophicGastritis

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an integrative therapy combining traditional and conventional treatments in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis.
Randomized controlled trial involving 120 CAG patients assigned to integrative or conventional therapy for 12 weeks.
Assessment of primary and secondary outcomes at multiple time points: Gastric Mucosal Restoration Index, Qi-Blood Functional Score, and various microbiota metrics.
Follow-up included evaluation of gut microbiota using 16S sequencing and analysis of inflammatory markers.
The treatment group achieved significant improvements in all primary indices (P < 0.001), showing effective gastric function restoration.
Gastric emptying and symptom relief were markedly enhanced, with 65-68% reporting 'much improved' compared to 28-30% in the control group.
Microbiota analysis indicated increased α-diversity and reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in the treatment group, both statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is characterized by mucosal atrophy and microbiota dysregulation. This study evaluated the efficacy of an integrative therapy combining conventional treatment with a qi-tonifying, yin-nourishing, and blood-activating formula (Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue), examining its effects on gastric function, inflammation, and gut microbiota. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 120 CAG patients were allocated to a treatment group (integrative therapy) or a control group (conventional therapy) for 12 weeks, with an 8-week follow- up. Outcomes were assessed at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and 20. Primary outcomes included the Gastric Mucosal Restoration Index (GMRI), Qi-Blood Functional Score (QBFS), and Inflammatory- Immune Regulation Index (IIRI). Secondary outcomes encompassed gastrointestinal motility, nutritional markers, symptom scores, and gut microbiota metrics (16S sequencing, SCFAs, LPS). Results: The treatment group demonstrated significantly greater improvements across all primary indices (GMRI, QBFS, IIRI), showing strong time, group, and interaction effects (all P < 0.001). Superior outcomes were also observed in gastric emptying, pancreatic enzyme activity, prealbumin levels, and symptom relief (65–68% vs. 28–30% "much improved" on PGI-I). Microbiota analysis revealed enhanced α-diversity, a reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, distinct β-diversity shifts, increased SCFAs, and decreased LPS in the treatment group (all P < 0.001). Efficacy was consistent across subgroups. Conclusion: Integrative therapy provides superior clinical, functional, and microbiotamodulating benefits in CAG, supporting a coordinated “stomach–intestine–immune–microbiota– metabolism” regulatory mechanism.

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Cite This Study

Cheng et al. (Thu,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69fc2c718b49bacb8b348043 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2174/0113862073439314260224222339

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