Objective: The topographical mapping technique of brain evoked potential was used to observe the changes of the functional activities in the cortical somatosensory area I (SⅠ) during imitating the sensation conduction along the Meridian (SCM). The formation mechanism of sensation conduction was discussed here. Method: 26 healthy adult volunteers were chosen as observe object. Cerebral electric signal processing system was used to record topographical mapping of evoked potential in SⅠ outside the skull. Soft paintbrush was used to slightly brush the Gall Bladder Meridian (GBM) to imitate the sensation conduction. Result: Evoking responses appeared in both foot and face representation areas in SⅠ of 11 healthy volunteers without conduction sensation during imitation of sensation conduction along the GBM (SCGBM), which coincided with the distribution of responses evoked in SI during sensation conduction along Meridian . 15 healthy volunteers were offered imitation of SCGBM as well as brushing through the upper arm additionally, while, the results showed that the evoking responses appeared in the foot, the upper arm and the face representation area of SⅠ. So, it formed a high potential response belt that was similar to the course occurred during the imitation of SCM. Conclusion: The external stimulation along the meridian course can change the distribution of evoking responses in SⅠduring stimulating point. The results provide experimental evidence for the supposition that “activation in sequence in periphery” is the decisive factor for the formation of SCM.

The Chinese and English published literature regarding the effects of acupuncture on microcirculation in recent years were analyzed, and it was found out that the theory of TCM meridian had subtle connection with microcirculation on structure and function, which could provide a possible breakthrough for the research of meridian essence. Acupuncture, through multiple links, multiple paths and multiple levels, could regulate microcirculation under physiological or pathological condition, which was a bidirectional benign adjustment function, and reflected the characteristic of acupoint specificity. Due to many shortcomings in the current studies, studies with rigorous design, large sample size and multicenter are expected in the further to make a standard systematized research.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Meridians ; Microcirculation

BACKGROUND: Without any external stimuli in natural environment, it is applicable to observe the infrared radiant track over human body surface that is in conformity basically with the running courses of ancient fourteen meridians.OBJECTIVE: To probe into the influence of electroacupuncture on infrared radiant track along meridian courses over human body surface.DESIGN: Self-controlled opening experiment.SETTING: Department of Meridian Research of Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Fujian Province.PARTICIPANTS: The experiment was performed in Key Laboratory of Meridian Research of Fujian Province from January 2000 to December 2002. Totally 53 students from Department of Acupuncture and Massage of Fujian College of Chinese Medicine were observation, of which, 38 students were males, 15 students were females, aged varied from 19 to 23years.METHODS: The receptors exposed completely the body areas required and sat quietly for 20 to 30 minutes to adapt to the environmental temperature. In natural state, 6T67 infrared thermo tracer produced by Japanese San-Ei Company was used to observe 1 to 2 infrared radiant tracks in advance as the control before acupuncture (scanned once per second). Afterwards, acupuncture was done on Guangming (GB 37), Neiguan (PC 6) and Dazhui (GV 14). The stimulation was given by a pair of stainless filiform needles, 6.6 cm long. The frequency of effectric pulse was 2 Hz, and 0.2 ms in duration. The video record was taken once every 5 to 10 minutes during stimulation. After acupuncture, 1 to 2 infrared radiant tracks were scanned.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tracks of isothermal display and whole thermal display on infrared thermography.infrared radiant track along meridian courses over the human body surface high basic temperature, acupuncture decreased skin temperature on infrared radiant track along meridian courses over the human body surface in a part of subjects. The skin temperature of a part of subjects was decreased acupuncture increased skin temperature on infrared radiant track along though it did not great affect the skin temperature on infrared radiant track along meridian courses over the human body surface in a part of subjects,acupuncture induced infrared radiant track to be more continuous and human body surface, acupuncture stimulates the infrared radiant track displayed along the meridians over human body surface, too.CONCLUSION: Infrared radiant track along meridian courses over the human body surface is a kind of normal life phenomenon existed commonly among peoples. Acupuncture not only induces the infrared radiant track of the related meridian, but also alters the skin temperature of the displayed infrared radiant track along meridian courses and makes it become more continuous and regular. Changes in tissue temperature are relevant necessarily with altered energetic metabolism. It is suggested that infrared radiant track along meridian courses is closely contributed to functional regulation of the human body.

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) of different acupoints on electroretinogram(ERG) and cerebral visual evoked potentials(VEP) in healthy subjects so as to evaluate the relative specificity of the function of acupoints.Methods A total of 33 healthy adult volunteers were observed in the present study.The subject was asked to lie on a testing bed for a while,two disk electrodes were respectively fixed to the suborbital region and the occiput(the crossing point,5cm apart from the right median line of the head and 5cm above the ear),and the reference electrode was fixed to the medial side of the earlobe for recording ERG and cerebral VEP separately.The testing room was asked to keep faint light during the whole recording process.A flash stimulation(frequency 1 Hz) was applied to the subject's eye(with a distance of about 50 cm between the light source and the tested eye,and the other eye was covered by an eyepatch).EA(0.5 Hz,0.2 ms and 3-4 V) was applied to Guangming(GB 37),Neiguan(PC 6) and Zusanli(ST 36) for 30 min respectively in different testing days(with the interval being 3 days at least).ERG and cerebral VEP were recorded by using Polygraphy(RM-6200).Results Following EA of Guangming(GB 37),Neiguan(PC 6) and Zusanli(ST 36),the changing values(increase and decrease) of the amplitude of b waves of ERG and P100 waves of cerebral VEP were(19.68?12.61)% and(12.84?14.08)%,(6.09?14.06)% and(5.61?8.01)%,(2.39?3.52)% and(5.43?8.22)%,respectively,while those of b waves of ERG and P100 waves of cerebral VEP of GB 37 were significantly bigger than those of PC 6 and ST 36(P

Objective: To investigate the distribution features of somatosensory cortical evoked potential map with augmented blocking of the sensation transmission along meridians.Method: The EEG-4400 electro-encephalogram (EEG) and ND-1 brain electrical activity mapping were adopted on 11 volunteers with remarkable sensation transmission along meridians, showing that the sensation can transmit to head and face after stimulating the points below the knee joints. Also, special observation was made on accurate location of somatosensory cortical evoked potential map in 10 people without sensation transmission.Result: Observation on 11 volunteers with remarkable transmission along the Three Foot-yang Meridians showed that they presented with concurrent high potential reactions in somatosensory cortical lower limbs and face without blocking the augmented sensation transmission along the meridians; however, when mechanical pressure was exerted to block the sensation transmission,only one reaction in the lower limbs occurred in the somatosensory cortical evoked map and the other one in the face disappeared. Conclusion: Peripheral tissue evoking is the decisive factor for transmission along the meridians.

Objective and Methods: Thirty-three patients with peri-menopausal syndrome were treated by electroacupuncture of points Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) according to the principle of regulating and tonifying the Thoroughfare and Conception vessels, and the curative effects were analyzed.Results and Conclusion: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the clinical symptoms of the patients with peri-menopausal syndrome between pre- and post-electroacupuncture of points Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (CV 6) and the clinical effective rate reached 93.9%. The measurement of sexual hormones showed E2, FSH and LH levels were better after treatment than before treatment in the patients with peri-menopausal syndrome. The analyses indicated that electroacupuncture of points Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (CV 6) could relieve the clinical symptoms in the patients with peri-menopausal syndrome and improve the patient's life quality.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at point Zusanli (ST36) on gastric expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA in rats with stress gastric ulcer and explore the molecular mechanism of its prevention and treatment of gastric ulcer. Method Fifty-one SD rats were randomly allocated to normal control (normal), stress gastric ulcer (model) and electroacupuncture at point Zusanli (electroacupuncture) groups. A model of stress gastric ulcer was made by cold restraint. From the second day after model making, the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at point Zusanli 20 min once daily for three consecutive days, with left and right points Zusanli alternately needled; the model group, the same restraint treatment as in the electroacupuncture group; the normal group, no treatment. Gastric mucosal ulcer index (UI) was calculated using the GUTH’s method. The pathological morphology of gastric tissue was observed by HE staining. Gastric HSP70 mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. Result Different numbers and sizes of obvious gastric mucosal ulcers were observed, UI increased significantly (P<0.001) and HSP70 mRNA expression decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the model group compared with the normal group. The pathological change in gastric tissue improved somewhat, gastric mucosal UI decreased significantly (P<0.05) and HSP70 mRNA expression increased significantly (P<0.01) in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at point Zusanli can upregulate gastric HSP70 mRNA expression and promote the repair of gastric mucosa injuries in rats with stress gastric ulcer.

Objective:The topographical mapping technique of cortical evoked potential was used to observe the changes of the functional activities in the primary somatosensory area of cortex (SI) during external stimulation,the immanent relation between external stimulation and topographical mapping of cortical somatosensory evoked potential (CSEP). Methods:33 healthy adult volunteers were under observation. Cerebral electric signal processing system was used to lead CSEP on the scalp. The external stimulation was applied as following:①A soft paintbrush was used to slightly brush the face only. ②Paintbrush was used to slightly brush the lower limb only. ③Paintbrush was used to slightly brush the trunk only. ④Paintbrush was used to slightly brush the lower limb or the trunk or the Gallbladder Meridian (GBM) and passing the upper arm by imitating the speed of meridian transmission phenomenon respectively. Results:①Evoking responses appeared in the foot areas in SI,without meridian transmission phenomenon when brushing the face,lower limb or trunk only. ②Healthy volunteers were offered imitation of sensation conduction along the GBM as well as brushing through the upper arm in addition,while,the results showed that the evoking responses appeared in the foot,the upper arm and the face representation area of SI simultaneously. Conclusion:The external stimulation along the meridian course was able to change the distribution of evoking responses in SI during stimulating acupoint. But the local stimulating on face,lower limb or trunk can not change the distribution of CSEP. The results provided experimental evidence for the supposition that 'activation in sequence in periphery'was the decisive factor for the formation of meridian transmission phenomenon.

Objective To explore the effect of practicing Chinese gymnastic Qigong-Yijinjing on the infrared radiant track along meridian course (IRRTM)of Ren Meridian stimulated by moxibustion on CV-8 among dysmenorrhea patients.Methods Twenty dysmenorrhea undergraduate patients were recruied and practiced Chinese gymnastic Qigong-Yijinjing for 3 months.The numbers of patients of mild,moderate and severe symptoms were collected before and after the intervention.The effects of IRRTM stimulated by moxibustion on CV-8 were compared before and after practicing Chinese Gymnastic Qigong-Yijinjing.Results After practicing Chinese Gymnastic Qigong-Yijinjing,symptoms of 15 patients (including 11 with moderate dysmenorrhea and 4 with severe dysmenorrheal)were relieved to different extent.After the practice,all IRRTM of Ren Meridian turn to be more continuous,clear and regular either the Ren Meridian was stimulated with moxibustion or not.The average surface temperature along Ren Meridian rose significantly after the practicing.The conduction time to achieve the best states of IRRTM along Ren Meridian significantly shortened compared to before the intervention.Conclusion Chinese Gymnastic Qigong-Yijinjing can effectively enhance the transmission of IRRTM along Ren Meridian on dysmenorrhea patients,and may have a positive effect on dysmenorrhea treatment.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Zhongwan(CV 12) on the energy metabolism along the conception vessel(CV) in volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution,and to explore the relationship of electroacupuncture regulation and body constitution.

METHODSEighteen volunteers with mild constitution and 18 volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution were collected out of 200 students of Fujian University of TCM by body constitution questionnaire. Skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units (MBPU) at Danzhong (CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) of CV were measured by a laser Doppler flowmetry in the normal condition and after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min.

RESULTS(1)Before treatment, (1)MBPU values at Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were lower than those in the mild constitution group,but there was no statistical significance (both P>0. 05) except Danzhong(CV 17) (P<0. 01). (Z)As for the three acupoints in the mild constitution group, MBPU level of Danzhong(CV 17) was higher than that of Xiawan(CV 10) without statistical significance(P->0. 05),and MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17) and Xiawan(CV 10) were higher than that of Qihai(CV 6) (both P<0. 01). (3About the three acupoints in the yang-deficiency constitution group, MBPU result of Danzhong(CV 17) was lower than the value of Xiawan(CV 10), but higher compared with Qihai(CV 6)(P<0. 05, P<0. 01). MBPU of Xiawan(CV 10) was higher than Qihai (CV 6) as well(P<0. 01). (2) MBPU values of Danzhong(CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) were increased apparently compared with those before treatment after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min in the two groups(all P<0. 01). (3) The rise rates of MBPU level about Danzhong(CV 17) and Qihai(CV 6) in the yang-deficiency constitution group were higher than those in the mild constitution group without statistical significance after EA at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min(both P>0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe energy metabolism in CV of volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution is declined, especially Danzhong(CV 17). EA can rise energy metabolism in CV of mild or yang-deficiency constitution volunteers through regulating MBPU along meridian.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Microcirculation ; Skin ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Volunteers ; Yang Deficiency ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult