Integrative Nephrology at Longhua Hospital Shanghai | CMCS

Protecting Kidney Function Through Integrative Medicine

The Department of Nephrology at Longhua Hospital — affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine — is one of China's most respected centers for the integrative management of kidney disease. Combining the diagnostic precision and therapeutic tools of modern nephrology with the kidney-protective traditions of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the department offers a uniquely comprehensive approach to chronic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, and other renal conditions — with a particular focus on slowing disease progression, preserving residual kidney function, and improving quality of life.

For international patients with chronic kidney disease who are seeking integrative care that goes beyond standard nephrology — particularly those looking to delay dialysis, manage proteinuria, or reduce the side effects of immunosuppressive therapy — Longhua Hospital's nephrology department represents one of the most compelling options in Asia. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) provides seamless end-to-end support for international patients throughout their treatment journey.

About the Department

Longhua Hospital's nephrology department is a national key TCM clinical specialty with decades of experience in the integrative management of kidney disease. The department operates dedicated inpatient renal wards, a dialysis center, a kidney biopsy service, and a dedicated TCM renal treatment center. A comprehensive renal laboratory provides full hormonal, immunological, and metabolic testing to support precise diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

The department's research program has produced a substantial body of evidence supporting the use of specific TCM herbal formulas in kidney disease — including landmark studies on TCM for CKD progression delay, IgA nephropathy management, and diabetic nephropathy. Faculty members publish regularly in leading nephrology and integrative medicine journals including Kidney International, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), and Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Conditions Treated

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stages 1–5 — Comprehensive integrative management with a focus on slowing GFR decline, reducing proteinuria, and delaying dialysis initiation
• IgA Nephropathy — China's most common primary glomerulonephritis; TCM herbal therapy with evidence for proteinuria reduction and renal function preservation alongside SGLT2 inhibitors and RAS blockade
• Diabetic Kidney Disease — Integrated management with endocrinology; TCM kidney-protecting herbal formulas for cardiorenal protection alongside SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists
• Membranous Nephropathy — Anti-PLA2R antibody-guided therapy; TCM herbal therapy to reduce proteinuria and support immune modulation alongside rituximab or calcineurin inhibitors
• Lupus Nephritis — Multidisciplinary management with rheumatology; TCM renoprotective herbal therapy to complement immunosuppression and reduce flare frequency
• Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) — Immunosuppressive therapy combined with TCM kidney-tonifying and blood-activating herbal formulas
• Hypertensive Nephrosclerosis — Blood pressure optimization with TCM liver-calming and kidney-nourishing herbal therapy
• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) — Tolvaptan therapy combined with TCM herbal formulas for cyst growth modulation and symptom management
• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) — Intensive management including CRRT; TCM herbal therapy for renal recovery promotion in the post-AKI phase
• Nephrotic Syndrome — Corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy with TCM spleen-strengthening and dampness-resolving herbal support
• Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD) — TCM kidney-tonifying herbal formulas with evidence for improving bone metabolism in CKD patients
• Urinary Tract Infections & Recurrent UTI — TCM damp-heat clearing herbal therapy for recurrent UTI prevention
• Pre-Dialysis Preparation & Dialysis Support — TCM herbal therapy to optimize residual renal function before dialysis initiation; symptom management during hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

The Integrative Nephrology Approach

TCM for CKD Progression: The Evidence Base

Slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease is one of the most important goals in nephrology — and one where TCM has accumulated a meaningful evidence base over decades of clinical research. Longhua Hospital has been at the forefront of TCM-CKD research in China, conducting multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses demonstrating that specific TCM herbal formulas can:

• Reduce proteinuria — a key driver of CKD progression — when used alongside RAS blockade
• Slow GFR decline in CKD stages 3–4 compared to conventional therapy alone
• Reduce serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels in CKD patients
• Improve anemia of CKD through kidney-tonifying herbal formulas that support erythropoietin production
• Delay dialysis initiation by months to years in selected CKD stage 4–5 patients

Key herbal formulas used in Longhua's CKD program include Niaoduqing granules (a proprietary TCM formula for CKD with multiple clinical trials), Huang Qi (Astragalus) injections and oral preparations for renal protection, and individualized compound formulas targeting the patient's specific TCM pattern of kidney deficiency, blood stasis, and damp-toxin accumulation.

IgA Nephropathy: TCM as First-Line Adjunctive Therapy

IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis in China and worldwide, and Longhua Hospital has developed one of the most comprehensive integrative management programs for this condition. The department's approach combines:

• Optimized RAS blockade (ACE inhibitors or ARBs) for blood pressure and proteinuria control
• SGLT2 inhibitors for cardiorenal protection in patients with proteinuria ≥ 0.5g/day
• Targeted-release budesonide (Nefecon) for high-risk patients
• Individualized TCM herbal therapy targeting the specific pattern of IgA nephropathy — typically involving wind-heat or damp-heat triggering episodes, with underlying kidney and spleen deficiency — with evidence for reducing proteinuria and hematuria

Diabetic Kidney Disease: Cardiorenal Protection

Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease worldwide, and Longhua's integrative approach combines the latest evidence-based pharmacotherapy with TCM kidney-protecting herbal formulas. The department works closely with endocrinology to optimize glycemic control, blood pressure, and cardiorenal risk reduction through SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, and finerenone — while adding individualized TCM herbal therapy targeting kidney qi and yin deficiency with blood stasis, the most common TCM pattern in diabetic nephropathy.

TCM External Therapies for Kidney Disease

• TCM Medicated Bath & Foot Soaks — Herbal soaks to promote toxin elimination through the skin in CKD patients with uremic symptoms
• Acupoint Injection Therapy — Injection of herbal extracts at key renal acupoints for renal function support
• Acupuncture & Moxibustion — For CKD-related fatigue, edema, insomnia, and pruritus
• TCM Enema Therapy — Herbal retention enemas for uremic toxin clearance in pre-dialysis CKD patients — a uniquely TCM approach with clinical evidence for reducing blood urea nitrogen

Why International Patients Choose Longhua Nephrology

• CKD Progression Research Leadership — Decades of clinical trials demonstrating TCM's ability to slow CKD progression and delay dialysis
• IgA Nephropathy Expertise — Comprehensive integrative management combining the latest pharmacotherapy with evidence-based TCM herbal therapy
• Dialysis Delay Strategy — Proven TCM approaches to extend the pre-dialysis period and preserve quality of life in advanced CKD
• Unique External Therapies — TCM enema therapy and medicated baths for uremic toxin management unavailable at conventional nephrology centers
• Holistic Symptom Management — TCM approaches for CKD-related fatigue, pruritus, insomnia, and anemia that complement standard nephrology care
• Cost-Effectiveness — World-class integrative nephrology care at significantly lower cost than equivalent treatment in Western countries

The CMCS Patient Journey

1. Initial Inquiry — Share your kidney disease history, recent lab results (creatinine, GFR, proteinuria, urine ACR), biopsy reports, and current medications with CMCS.
2. Medical Record Preparation — We translate and organize your records for specialist pre-consultation review.
3. Specialist Matching — We identify the most appropriate integrative nephrologist based on your specific condition and CKD stage.
4. Priority Scheduling — We secure a consultation with minimal waiting time.
5. Travel & Logistics — Assistance with visa invitation letters, accommodation near Longhua Hospital, and Shanghai airport transfers.
6. On-Site Concierge — Bilingual coordinators accompany you throughout your hospital visits, managing registration, translation, and communication.
7. Treatment Coordination — Full coordination of kidney biopsy, herbal prescription dispensing, acupuncture sessions, and external therapy programs.
8. Post-Treatment Follow-Up — Lab result translation, herbal prescription renewal, and remote follow-up coordination after you return home.

Book a Consultation

If you are seeking integrative nephrology care in Shanghai — whether for CKD management, IgA nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, or dialysis delay strategies — CMCS can arrange a specialist consultation with Longhua Hospital's nephrology team.

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