Effects of Different Scraping Techniques on Body Surface Blood Perfusion Volume and Local Skin Temperature of Healthy Subjects

Objective: To study the mechanism and effects of different scraping techniques on body surface blood perfusion volume and local skin temperature of healthy subjects and to provide a baseline for microcirculation and energy metabolism for the evaluation of the therapeutic effects of scraping. Methods: Changes of the local blood perfusion volume and skin temperature of healthy subjects before and after applying different scraping techniques were observed with a laser Doppler imager combined with an infrared thermographic device and the resulting data was analyzed with imaging and processing software for statistical analysis. Results: Local blood perfusion volume and skin temperature all increased after both reinforcing and reducing scraping techniques. The value of blood flow 60 and 90 min after the reducing technique was significantly higher than that after the reinforcing technique (P<0.01), while the skin temperature increased after both techniques but was not significantly different between the two (P>0.05). Conclusion: Scraping can significantly improve the local blood perfusion volume, increase skin temperature and promote local blood circulation and metabolism of tissues.

Correlation of the Cerebral Microvascular Blood Flow with Brain Temperature and Electro-Acupuncture Stimulation

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the temperature and the microvascular blood flow of the cerebral cortex, and the influence of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the cortical microcirculation. Methods: High temperature spots on the anterior ectosylvian and low temperature spots on the posterior suprasylvian on the cortical surface of 20 cats were identified using cortical infrared thermography (CIT); the blood flow in the microcirculation on these spots was measured with laser-Doppler flowmetry. EA was given at Zusanli (ST 36) and changes in the blood flow in the cerebral cortex microcirculation were detected. Results: 1) The mean temperatures on the high (34.83±0.24°C) and low (32.28±0.27°C) temperature spots were significantly different (P<0.001); this was indicative of a temperature difference on the cortical surface; 2) The average blood flow in the microcirculation of the high (266.8±19.2 PU) and low (140.8±9.9 PU) temperature spots was significantly different (P<0.001). 3) On the cortical high temperature spots, the mean blood flow in the microcirculation significantly increased from 266.8±86.8 PU before EA, to 422.5±47.4 PU following 5 minutes of EA (58.35%; P<0.01), and 431.8±52.8 PU 5 minutes after ceasing EA (61.84%; P<0.01). 4) On the low temperature spots, there were no significant differences in blood flow following 5 minutes of EA (146.3±11.5 PU), and 5 minutes after ceasing EA (140.5±11.6 PU), when compared with that before acupuncture (140.8±9.9 PU; P>0.9). Conclusion: The high temperature spots of the cortex are active functional regions of neurons with higher blood flow and a stronger response to EA. EA induces a significant increase in blood flow in the high temperature spots of the cortex.

Use of laser speckle contrast imaging to reveal changes in temperature and blood perfusion in the skin of healthy subjects after administration of heated moxa sticks and Daiwenjiu ointment

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of heated moxa sticks( "moxibustion") and Daiwenjiu ointment(DO) on changes in temperature and blood perfusion volume on the skin of the backs of healthy subjects.METHODS: DO was spread on the left side of the body, and the right side of the body was treated with a heated moxa stick. Images denoting blood perfusion and body temperature were collected 7-8 cm lateral to the spinous process of the sixth thoracic vertebra using laser speckle contrast imaging(LSCI). Data obtained from eight-frame images were analyzed and used to calculate the mean blood perfusion volume. Simultaneously,blood-perfusion images were collected from the body surface and used to compare the change in blood flow on the body surface and the actual position of imaging.RESULTS: After moxibustion, a rapid increase in blood perfusion volume and body temperature was noted in the local skin surface. The maximum blood perfusion volume and body temperature was noted at 20 min(P<0.05). At 80-110 min after the spreading of DO, a gradual increase was noted in blood perfusion volume(P<0.05) and body temperature(P<0.05) compared with the baseline level. The maximum blood perfusion volume was at 110 min.CONCLUSION: Using LSCI, these data revealed a rapid and sharp increase in blood perfusion volume and body temperature after treatment with moxibustion, but the respective changes seen in the DO group were gradual and moderate.