Applying collateral disease theory to investigate the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy in traditional Chinese medicine, it is illuminated that deficiency of both qi and yin is the pathological basis of diabetic nephropathy(DN), collaterals blocked by phlegm-stasis is the major pathological factor, and masses developed from obstruction of collaterals is the main pathological change.

It is believed that Medical Treasures of the Golden Chamber constructs the basic theoretical frame of the etiological theory of the six exopathogens,and greatly promotes the development of the etiological theory of Chinese traditional medicine.