腧穴结构研究的思考

Our Considerations About Studies on Structure of Acupuncture Points

腧穴结构是针灸发挥生物学效应的载体。虽然研究者们从来没有停止对腧穴结构的探索并经历了从宏观到微观几个不同的认识阶段,但是对它的认识程度仍然严重滞后于时代的要求。伴随着科技的进步,形态学研究新技术不断涌现,为研究腧穴结构提供了更多有效的方法。这些方法不仅有助于从体表和局部解剖学水平更好地认识腧穴的结构,而且可以从微观水平揭示腧穴结构中所包含的多种细胞及其化学成分,以及它们与神经、免疫和内分泌系统的关系,从而促进从穴区局部和全身神经-免疫-内分泌网络的角度出发,更深入探讨针灸的生物学效应。从显微结构入手观察与腧穴相关的多种细胞及其化学成分以及它们之间的相互联系和相互作用,有助于从静态到动态变化的角度增进对腧穴本质的认识。这可能成为今后深入了解腧穴功能的一条新途径。

The anatomical structure of acupuncture points is the carrier for needling stimulation induced neurobiological effects.Although researchers have never stopped investigating its structure and experienced different stages from macroscopic to microcosmic morphological material basis,our understanding still largely lags behind the requirements of the times.In the present paper,we review development of researches on acupuncture points in recent decades from 1）macroscopic anatomical structure including skin,bones,muscles,nerves,blood vessels,etc.;2）macro-microcosmic structure as the thickness of skin and muscles,distribution of blood vessels and nerve fibers,and innervation;3）microstructure including cell categories（mast cells,fibroblasts,macrophages,etc.）,peptidergic nerve fibers,various receptors,chemical substances,and their relationship with the brain and immune-endocrine system（cutaneous-neuro-immune-endocrine-mental biological communication）,etc.These research outcomes will not only help us demonstrate the acupoint＇s structure better at the level of the body surface and regional anatomy,but also,at the microstructural level,reveal different kinds of cells and their chemical compositions in its structure as well as their relationship with the regulatory system of the whole body.From the perspective of the cutaneous and systemic neuro-immuno-endocrine networks,it undoubtedly prompts us to profoundly explore the underlying biological mechanisms of acupuncture.To observe the regional mutual connection and interaction of different kinds of cells and their chemical mediators and molecules in the acupuncture point will improve our understanding about the nature of acupuncture points from the static to the dynamic point of view.This might be a new approach for us to further reveal the functional roles of acupuncture points.