ACUPOINT-LIKE STRUCTURE AND MERIDIAN-LIKE DISTRIBUTION ON THE BODY SURFACE OF PLATYFISH

Objective To probe into whether an acupoint-like and meridian-like structure was existed in platyfish. Methods Adult platyfish was put in 30 μM 4-Di-2-ASP water solution for 3 h, then, in pipe water for 20min, afterward, the fish was anesthetized in 10% aether water solution, and the fluorescent labeling was observed under fluorescent microscope with B-3A combination filter. Results The labels observed under the microscope were in round bright dot, a majority of dots were distributed separately and a part of them was in cluster （2- 5 dots/cluster） on various parts of the body in regular arrangement. The labels on the head were circularly distributed around the eye and two arches were formed posterior to the eye and in the inferior 3/4 quadrant. These two arches joined one arch in the anterior superior 1/4 quadrant. On the fish trunk, it was observed that the labels were distributed from the back to the abdomen along the longitudinal axis of the trunk, forming 6 lines, located on No. 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 scale rows successively on the dorsal part of fish. Each line was composed of 7 to 22 label clusters and 1 -5 labels were counted in each cluster. The labels were arranged as 3-4 lines on the tail. Conclusion 1） Acupoint-like and meridian-like structure was existed in platyfish. 2）The skin sensory organs of animal were not distributed evenly all over the body. Instead, a number of sensory organs were put together in cluster and a number of them were in linear distribution regularly along the long axis of the trunk, which was similar to the distribution of traditional meridians and acupoints.

The Theoretical Summary and Mathematics Expression on the Regulation of Life in Meridian (Jingluo 经络) Science

The meridian (Jingluo 经络) is a core principle of traditional Chinese medicine. The meridian plays a central role in the regulation of human health and vitality. In the past 50 years, the scientific evidence has been gathered via our physiological experiments to confirm the biological basis of the human meridian pathway phenomenon. Meridian Science has been established as a new branch of natural science to advance and promote the study of this important phenomenon for human life.In this paper, the authors describe the theoretical concept of the meridian and mathematics expression, its relationship to an efficient meridian circadian cycle, and its significance to human life.

Enhanced expression of epidermal growth factor receptor gene in gastric mucosal cells by the serum derived from rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints

AIM: To investigate the effect of serum derived from rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in gastric mucosal cells. METHODS: The stress-induced gastric mucosal injury in rat model was established by water-immersion and restrained stress methods. 52 rats were randomly divided into: normal group (n = 8), model group (n = 8), model serum group (n = 12), stomach serum group (n = 12), and gallbladder serum group (n = 12). The gastric mucosal cells were separated by pronase-EDTA digestion method and incubated with serum. The EGFR gene expression in gastric mucosal cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. RESULTS: Compared with normal group (0.6860 ± 0.0594), the serum derived from rats of the stomach group (1.2272 ± 0.0813, P = 0.00 < 0.01) and gallbladder group (0.9640 ± 0.0387, P = 0.00 < 0.01) had a tendency to enhance the EGFR gene expression in gastric mucosal cells. Such tendency existed in the model group (0.7104 ± 0.0457) but with no signifi cant difference (P = 0.495 > 0.05) and in model serum group (0.8516 ± 0.0409) with an extremely obvious difference (P = 0.001 < 0.01). Furthermore, the EGFR gene expression in stomach serum group was significantly higher than that in gallbladder serum group (P = 0.00 < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that serumderived from rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints can distinctly increase the EGFR gene expression of gastric mucosal cells. Therefore, there is certain meridian specificity in the serum, which could provide a proof for the TCM theory “particular relation between meridian and internal organ”.

SEGMENTAL DISTRIBUTION OF AFFERENT ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE SIGNALS FROM ACUPOINTS OF THE PERICARDIUM MERIDIAN IN THE RAT

Objective: To observe the segmental distribution of afferent Electroacupuncture (EA) signals from acupoints of the Pericardium (PC) Meridian and try to analyze the relative specificity of running route of PC Meridian.Methods: A total of 85 Wistar rats anesthetized with mixed solution of Chloralose (5 mg/100 g) and Urethane (42 mg/100g) were used in this study. Under microscopic observation, the micro-filaments of the distal end of the dorsal root were carefully separated after tearing the spinal pia mater to attach to a recording electrode. The reference electrode was placed beneath the skin of the incision. Two caudal and two rostral dorsal roots near the recorded one were cut off separately. Electrical activity of the isolated micro-filaments was observed before and after EA of "Daling" (PC 7) -"Jianshi" (PC 5), "Quze" (PC 3) of PC Meridian, "Yangchi"(TE 4)- "Zhigou" (TE 6), "Tianjing" (TE 10)-" Qin-glengyuan" (TE 11) of the Triple Energizer (TE) Meridian with electric current 1 mA and 2 mA and double pulses. Results: ① After EA (1 mA) of "Daling"(PC 7)-"Jianshi"(PC 5), the firing rates of 3 out of 10 (33.3%) micro-filaments in C5 segment, 5 out of 10 (50.0%) in C6, 7 out of 10 (70.0%) in 07, 3 out of 10 (30.0%) in C8 and 3 out of 13 (23. 1%) in T1 increased considerably；and after EA of "Quze" (PC 3), those of 3/10 of C5, 4/10 of C6, 6/10 of C7, 3/10 of C8, and 3/10 of T1 increased significantly. ② After EA (1 mA) of "Yangchi"(TE 4)- "Zhigou" (TE 6) and "Tianjing" (TE 10)- "Qinglengyuan" (TE 11). the firing rates of 2/10, 2/10 of micro-filaments In C5, 7/10, 3/10 of C6, 5/10 and 4/10 of C7, 1/10 and 1/10 of C8, and 2/13 and 1/10 of T1 increased significantly. It indicates that C7 dorsal root may play the first important role in conveying EA signals from PC Meridian acupoints to the spinal cord, while C6 and C7 may be mainly responsible for conveying EA signals from TE Meridian acupoints to the spinal cord. Conclusion: The peripheral afferent pathway for transmitting EA signals from PC Meridian acupoints probably has a relative specificity.

RELATIONSHIP OF ACUPOINTS AND MERIDIANS TO CONNEXIN 43

Objective To explore the relationship between connexin 43 and acupoints and meridians. Methods we detected one major skin gap junction connexin （connexin43, Cx43） in meridians and acupoints, and studied the expression of Cx43 in Zusanli （足三里 ST 36） acupoints compared with control non-acupoint regions in rats after acupuncture treatments. The expression of Cx43 was detected by using immunohisto- chemistry, immunoblotting, and RT-PCR for Cx43 protein and mRNA level. Results The results showed much more abundant Cx43 expression in some cells in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of rat at ST 36 acupoints and bladder and kidney meridians than that of in the controls. The mRNA and protein levels of Cx43 in acupoints were significantly higher than those of in the control points in non-acupuncture groups and even more so after acupuncture treatments. Conclusion Our research implied that connexins and gap junctions could have a close relationship to acupoints and meridians, and gap junctional intercellular communication might play an important role in the effect of acupuncture.

A Novel Apprehension of the Primary Lung Meridian, Sinew Channel, Divergent Channel, Luo-Connecting Channel Acting as a Single Unit System to Serve Respiration Function Based on Modern Neurophysiology and Kinesiology

The TCM philosophy of a meridian and associated channels pertains to the specific function of one or more organs. We define the Lung Primary Meridian (LUM) together with the Lung Sinew (LUSC), Divergent (LUDC), Luo-connecting (LULCC) Channels as a system of routes plus some parts of the body (such as muscles) to fulfil respiration, as a main function under different situations. There is very limited information about the Lung associated channels in classical literature of TCM. With a clear focus on the function of respiration, we have carried out a detailed analysis of the biomedical consequence of stimulating the LUM, analysed the roles played by LUSC, LUDC, and LULCC. The updated LUM and LUDC include acupoints of other meridians, serving the same purpose of performing satisfactory respiration starting from checking the quality of the inflow through the nose. The LUSC includes the respiratory muscles (plus the associated connective tissues) extending to various parts of the body. The muscles of the limb (as part of the LUSC) embrace the nerves that provide routes for somatosensory reflexes and play the role of locomotion, providing voluntary respiration via the pectoralis muscles. The muscles of LUSC are bounded by stiff connective tissue layers, forming compartments, and are part of the pulley system for various body locomotions. Within a compartment, the interstitial fluid, blood, lymph flows must be potent to protect the associated nerves related to LUM;the healthy state of the LUSC also provides freedom of various types of locomotion. The LULCC exists because the vagus nerve has a part of it passing through the spinal cords all the way down to the sacrum domain, with exiting nerve innervating two-third of the large intestine. The crucial steps of our deductions are supported by experimental evidence based on modern neurophysiology and kinesiology. We discover that all the four channels stated above work as a unit system to allow respiration to be possible under various postures/conditions. The complexity of structures and processes is eased off by providing 29 figures and 13 tables for the relevant muscles and nerves. In addition to respiration, the Lung system in TCM context includes interaction of this system with the sweat gland and neuroendocrine system;such aspects will be left to another study.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE ACUPUNCTURE EFFECTS ON CALCIUM ION CONCENTRATION IN RABBITS' ACUPOINTS

In this article, the concentration of calcium ion(Ca21 ) in rabbits’ acupoints hasbeen observed in vivo by means of the Ca21 selective acupuncture electrode (Ca21 SAE). We discov-ered that stimulating the acupoints in the meridian could cause the Ca21 concentration increasing inother points of the same meridian but reducing in the control points （lateral to the meridian points）.The results indicate that Ca21 may involve in the activities of the meridians.

THE PRINCIPLE OF AURICULAR POINTS IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF DISEASES

Based on published investigations of other researchers, the authors have carriedout experimental research for 20 years, and proved that the mechanisms of ear acupuncture in diag-nosing and treating diseases involved not only a single system, but rather a comprehensive functionalrelative system at varrious levels through a number of approaches. Examples are given to analyze howthe theory is utilized to guide clinical practice and to explain various clinical phenomena.

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE SELECTION OF ABDOMINAL ACUPOINTS TO RELIEVE LOWER LUMBAR PAIN

This paper discusses the selection of abdominal area kidney and meridian acupoints120 patients suffering from lower lumbar pain using the fingers to press the acupoints. Althoughthe types of ailments, mildness or severity of the patients’ conditions f and duration of illness var-ied, in all cases satisfactory treatment results were achieved. The average effective rate was 97.5%. The average rate of cure (complete recovery rate) was 73.3%. Patients who had sufferedfrom symptoms for a period of less than one year and patients afflicted with mild or moderate con-ditions enjoyed the most outstanding treatment results. The advantages of this treatment method or technique are as follows: 1. This method ortechnique brings the distinctive dynamics of traditional Chinese medicine theory and meridian the-ory into full play. 2. This method of treatment uses neither acupuncture needles nor moxibus-tion. It merely utilizes the fingers to press certain acupoints. It is simple, convenient and easy toimplement.It is

Functional brain imaging studies on specificity of meridian and acupoints

At present, the specificity of meridians and acupoints has been studied using functional brain imaging techniques from many standpoints, including meridians, acupoints, and sham acupoints, as well as different meridians and acupoints, coordination of acupoints, and factors influencing meridian and acupoint specificity Preliminary experimental data have demonstrated that acupuncture at meridians and acupoints is specific with regard to brain neural information. However, research findings are contradictory, which may be related to brain functional complexity, resolution of functional brain imaging techniques, and experimental design. Future studies should further improve study method, and should strictly control experimental conditions to better analyze experimental data and acquire more beneficial data. Because of its many advantages, the functional brain imaging technique is a promising method for studying meridian and acupoint specificity.

Fluctuations Hypothesize the New Explanation of Meridians in Living Systems

Biosystems are complex. Their physiology is well-controlled with various negative feedback signals and processes, it describes by opposite interfering effects which are characterized in the Eastern philosophy by Yin-Yang (Y-Y) pairs. Y-Y pairs could be described by the promoter-suppressor pairs in a wide range of physiologic signals creating the homeostasis of the complex system. This type of control appears as fluctuations from the average (mean) value of the signal. The mean carries an ineluctable fluctuation (called pink-noise or 1/f noise). All signals in homeostasis have equal entropy (SE = 1.8), which is the character of the complex equilibrium. The various controlling opposite signals (Y-Y) have different time-scales which change by aging. The processes with smaller time-scale are degraded by aging, but the pink-noise ensures that the deviations of the signals of the healthy homeostatic system remain constant. Meridians are connected to the general transport systems that combined the material and the information transport with the considerable transport networks, like blood, lymph, nerve, cell-junctions, mesenchymal “ground substance” cytoskeletons. The meridians in this meaning only virtual line averaged from multiple realized paths to connect two acupuncture points by the material, energy and information transport processes. The meridian network is designed by various coupling points (acupoints), which could be perturbed by actuating stimulus. Our objective is to describe the meridian system from complexity point of view.

Clinical observation on the treatment of sympathetic cervical spondylosis with meridian acupoint massage combined with curvature traction

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of meridian acupoint massage combined with curvature traction on sympathetic cervical spondylosis its influence on heart rate variability and norepinephrine concentration.Methods:80 patients with sympathetic cervical spondylosis were divided into the treatment group and control group randomly,with 40 patients in each group.Patients in the two groups were treated with massage on the basis of curvature traction.Among them,the treatment group was treated with meridian acupoint massage,while the control group was treated with routine massage.Each subject was treated once a day for 2 weeks.Before and after treatment,VAS,NRS,"20 score method",NDI,JOA,and Borden's method were used to evaluate the pain,sympathetic symptoms and cervical function of the two groups.At the same time,the changes of RR interval standard deviation and urine noradrenaline concentration were also observed.Finally the clinical efficacy of the two groups were evaluated.Results:The cure rate of the treatment group was 62.50%,while it was 40.00%in the control group,and the effective rate of the treatment group was 95.00%,the total effective rate of the control group was 80.00%,the treatment group was superior to the control group in both cure rate and total effective rate(P<0.05).During post-therapy,VAS score,NRS score,sympathetic symptom score,cervical physiological curvature,NDI score,and noradrenaline concentration in urine in both groups were lower than those of pre-treatment(P<0.01),JOA score and heart rate variability SDNN value were significantly higher(P<0.01),and the treatment group was superior to the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion:Meridian acupoint massage combined with curvature traction has a significant clinical effect on sympathetic cervical spondylosis,which is worth further promotion and application.

Comparison of clinical efficacy of neddle knife at acupoints selected from recent regions along meridians and according to anatomical structures in treating early and middle stage knee osteoarthritis

Objective:To stimulate tenderness points around knee joint in two metholds-corresponding acupoints selected from recent regions along meridians and anatomical structures,to compare the clinical efficacy of neddle knife of to cure early and middle stage knee osteoarthritis.Method:70 patients were randomly(Random Number Tables)divided into test group(acupoints selected from recent regions along meridians,n=35)and control group(anatomical structures,n=35),who were diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis.Observe the VAS(visual analogue scale),Lysholm,WOMAC(the Western Ontario and McMaster Unive rsities Osteoarthritis Index)and ROM(rang of motion)between two groups in first week,first month,third month after treatment.Recording the degree of improvement of knee joint’s pain,dysfunction and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rang of motion.Results:Within groups,the VAS,Lysholm,WOMAC and ROM were obviously different from pre-therapy scores in the third,sixth and twelfth week post-therapy(P<0.05).Between groups no significant difference were observed in the third week post-therapy about VAS,Lysholm,WOMAC scores(P>0.05).However,there were differences in the sixth,twelfth weeks post-therapy(P<0.05);compared with control group,the ROM of test group were difference in the third,sixth,twelfth weeks post-therapy(P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical efficacy of stimulating corresponding acupoints tenderness points selected from recent regions along meridians to treat early and middle stage knee osteoarthritis was superior to anatomical structures,which can effectively relieve pain,dysfunction,symptoms of osteoarthritis of knee joint and rang of motion.

Singing Meridian Study Theoretical and Practical Study for Applying Meridian Theory into Singing Pronunciation

The author created singing meridian theory system and practice method for the purpose of tapping singing control system potential of human body to the greatest extent, developing controlling function of meridian system in all-round way, integrating blood circulating improvement function with singing organic function through acupoint stimulation, and improving singing voicing and disease prevention capabilities, The thesis argued that both singing motion method and disease rehabilitation treatment are final results of organ interactions of meridian system. Argument Methods： The author applies meridian theory and acupoint stimulation method into singing teaching research. Adopting experiment of stimulating acupoint with fixed acupoint, position, nature and quantity while making singing pronunciation, the author studies acupoints of Yifeng, Yintang and Zhongfu, etc. to identify singing pronunciation changes under acupoint stimulation. The method pioneers experiment research of singing controlled by meridian system, proposes singing meridian control system theory and expands singing meridian controlling function of heal care and rehabilitation treatment. Through strengthening of organic connections between different systems such as body, meridians and other functional organs of the body, singing meridian control system constitute meridian theory and training mechanism combing ＂breath, blood, sound＂, and aims to fully taps the potential of singing, avoids normal problems, shortens learning cycle and improves the efficiency of the singing and treatment. In order to popularize and learn singing and health care knowledge through acupoint stimulation, a new systematic and scientific way of learning and practice is provided to widen the application field of singing meridian theory.

CLINICAL STUDIES ON CEREBRAL INFARCTION TREATED WITHACUPUNCTURE AT ACUPOINTS OF GOVERNOR MERIDIAN

In this paper, 148 cases of cerebral infarction were treated with acupuncture at acupoints of Governor meridian (treatment group), and the other 97 cases were treated simultaneously with conventional body acupuncture (control group). The results show that the marked improvement rate was 42. 6 % and the total effective rate was 96. 6 % in the treatment group; while in the control group, the marked improvement rate and the total effective rate were 28. 9 % and 89. 1 % respectively.It suggests that the therapeutic effect in the treatment group is better than that of the control group.The roles of regulation and ameliorating hemorheology of acupuncture at acupoints of Governor meridian are the foundation of its treatment mechanism.

A SURVEY OF THE THIRD WFAS WORLD CONFERENCE

There were about 3000 delegates,from 39countries and regions,attending this confer-ence,held at Kyoto International ConferenceHall, Kyoto,Japan,20-23,Nov.,1993.About 407 lectures and papers in total,involv-ing therapeutic mechanism,basic theories,meridian and acupoint exploration etc.were ex-changed in oral presentation,video and posterdisplay.In the symposium,invited lectures

Purines Change at Acupoints along the Pericardium Meridian in Healthy and Myocardial Ischemic Rats

Objective: To quantify the purine concentrations of the acupoints along the pericardium and nonpericardium meridians under healthy and myocardial ischemia conditions to investigate the relationship between acupoint purine change and body functional status in rats.Methods: A total of 70 rats underwent an operation for myocardial ischemia,while 40 of them survived.They were randomly assigned to the following 5 subgroups:Neiguan(PC 6),Quze(PC 3),Tianquan(PC 2),Quchi(LI 11),and Jianyu(LI 15).Simultaneously,another40 healthy rats were also randomized into the same 5 subgroups as the control group.The tissue ?uids at the acupoints were collected by microdialysis for 30 min.Subsequently,the concentration of adenosine triphosphate(ATP),adenosine diphosphate(ADP),adenosine monophosphate(AMP),and adenosine(ADO) were quanti?ed using the high-performance liquid chromatography method.Results: Compared with the healthy group,the ADO at PC 6(P=0.012),PC 3(P=0.038),PC 2(P=0.024),and LI 15(P=0.042) obviously increased in the model group,while no signi?cant difference was observed at LI 11(P=0.201).However,ATP,ADP,and AMP manifested no significant changes in these areas,except for ATP at LI 15(P=0.036).Conclusions: Myocardial ischemia could induce an increase in ADO at acupoints of the upper arm and shoulder area,suggesting that the body functional status could affect the responsiveness of acupoints.The status of these acupoints could be pathogenically activated by disease,and distribution following some speci?c courses.

Exploration on the spectrum of disease and acupoints in post-stroke disorder treated with acupuncture and moxibustion on the basis of data mining technology

Objective Data mining technology is used to analyze the spectrum of disease and acupoints in the treatment ofpost-stroke disorder with acupuncture and moxibustion in modern times.Methods The literature resources were collected,the name of disease and acupoint

Biophysical characteristics of common meridians and acupoints in gynecology

The common acupoints and meridians for gynecology as well as their biophysical characteristics were summarized,the importance of biophysical characteristics for common meridians and acupoints were pointed out,some new research fields for fundamental study on common acupoints in gynecology were put forward,such as proteomics,genomics,transcriptomics,and other fields,and further evidence support for large-sample randomized controlled trials were appealed.

Effects of Acupuncture with Meridian Acupoints and Three Anmian Acupoints on Insomnia and Related Depression and Anxiety State

Objective： To assess the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture with meridian acupoints combined with three Anmian acupoints. Methods： Sixty subjects were randomly divided into two groups： the acupuncture with meridian acupoints group （Group A）, and the acupuncture with meridian acupoints and three Anmian acupoints group （Group B） with 30 cases in each group. After 4-week treatment, the clinical therapeutic effects and scores for the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）, depression index and anxiety index were assessed in the two groups before and after treatment. Results： The total effective rate of therapy was higher in Group B （93.3%） compared with that in the Group A （66.7%, P〈0.05）. When comparing after treatment with before treatment, there were significant differences in the PSQI score of sleep quality, time to sleep, sleep time, sleep disorders in Group A （P〈0.05） and significant differences in the PSQI score of sleep quality, time to sleep, sleep time, sleep disorders and daytime disorders in Group B （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. There were significant differences in total PSQI score between Group A and Group B （P〈0.05）. Both groups improved the depression and anxiety state of the patients, but acupuncture with meddian acupoints combined with three Anmian acupoints was more effective than meridian acupoints alone （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture with meridian acupoints combined with three Anmian acupoints can improve the sleeping quality of patients with insomnia.