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REVIEW article

Front. Endocrinol.
Sec. Renal Endocrinology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1342873

Conventional and complementary alternative medicine therapies for renal anemia: a literature review

Provisionally accepted
Lu Ching Ming Lu Ching Ming 1Hsu Yuan Hsuan Hsu Yuan Hsuan 1Kuo Ko Lin Kuo Ko Lin 1Liao Jian Fu Liao Jian Fu 2Lin I Hsin Lin I Hsin 3Huang Hui Fen Huang Hui Fen 3Lu Ping Hsun Lu Ping Hsun 1*
  • 1 Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
  • 2 Tai An Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 3 School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Renal anemia stems mainly from chronic inflammation with elevated hepcidin levels, iron deficiency, and reduced red blood cell lifespan. Inadequate erythropoietin (EPO) production, worsened kidney function, leads to symptoms such as low energy, fatigue, and impaired physical function, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. We conducted a comprehensive search across electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Airiti library, and Wanfang, to compile recent clinical trials and pilot studies on conventional and complementary alternative medicine approaches for renal anemia. This discussion focuses on the hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase domain (HIF-PHD) axis theory, from lab research to clinical applications. It explores non-extracorporeal treatments for renal anemia, including pharmaceutical interventions, dietary strategies, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The article details the effects of Roxadustat, Ferumoxytol, and Epodion.Clinical studies show that modulating the gut microbiome can reduce inflammation and improve renal anemia. Clinical trials suggest that CAM therapy can improve renal anemia through mechanisms such as enhanced iron metabolism, anti-inflammatory effects, reduced hepcidin levels, and increased EPO and HIF expressions. By synthesizing this information, the review aims to furnish valuable insights and treatment recommendations aimed at ameliorating renal anemia in individuals grappling with chronic kidney disease.

    Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease, Diet control, dietary supplement, complementary and alternative medi-cine, Renal anemia, conventional medical therapy

    Received: 12 Dec 2023; Accepted: 17 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Ching Ming, Yuan Hsuan, Ko Lin, Jian Fu, I Hsin, Hui Fen and Ping Hsun. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Lu Ping Hsun, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.