Résumé
This paper examined the origins of the conception vessel (also known as the Ren meridian) based on references to the conception vessel in the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi Neijing, the seminal medical text of ancient China). It takes into consideration new findings related to medical principles, Chinese philology and graphology, and history. We reached the following opinions. It is clear from references in texts such as Lingshu Wuyin Wuwei's mention of underdeveloped innate reproductive functions in men, and the Bone Cavity thesis of the Suwen that states "diseases of the conception vessel appear inside the male as the "seven stomach aches"and in females as mucous discharges from the female genitals and lumps within the bowels", that the conception vessel has existed in both males and females since its discovery. The conception vessel runs along the body's midline, where the following are also located:the vestige of the umbilical cord connected to the fetus, the opening of the vagina and urethral opening (from which menstrual blood and semen are discharged, respectively), and the uterus which holds the fetus. Given that these are all located along the midline, it is thought that the conception vessel was formed based on knowledge of the meridian in ancient cosmology. Insight into the origin of the conception vessel can be provided by elucidating the mechanisms of how the human body gives birth to new life by placing focus on both male vitality and female menstruation while avoiding differences in genital structure. These are interpreted using the same criteria as kidney qi, heavenly dew, conception vessel, and the vital channel, suggesting that both share the same roots and are based in the bladder on the body's midline.
Résumé
[Purpose] It is generally known that the acupuncture treatment to the low back is useful for lumbagoand lower limb pain. It is considered that improvement of blood flow to the muscle, connective tissue and/or nerve is associated with the effect of acpuncture. However, the effect of acupuncture on blood flow to the nerve has not clarified. So, this study was performed to clarify the effect of acupuncture on microcirculation in the sciatic nerve trunk.<BR>[Method] Twenty-nine rabbits (weighing 2.1 to 3.5kg) were used. The rabbits were anesthetized withpentobarbital sodium (30mg/kg, i.v.). Then, the sciatic nerve was exposed and an electrode for blood flow measurement was inserted in the interfascicular space. An catheter was inserted into the common carotid artery to measure blood pressure, and thermister thermometer was placed in the anus to monitor body temperature. Blood flow was measured 6 times every 15 min. by the H2 gas clearance method. In the stimulation groups, acupuncture needles were inserted 1 cm from interspinous process (between the vertebra lumbalis 3 and 4. : A group, and between the vertebra lumbalis 7 and vertebra sacralis 1. : B group). Acupuncture stimulation by the “sparrow pecking” was performed immediately before the third measurement and by the “retaining needle” for 15 min., then the needles were removed just before the fourth measurement.<BR>[Result] S In the stimulation groups (A and B groups), a significant increase in blood flow occurred afteracupuncture stimulation, compared to that in the control group. The increase in blood flow to the sciatic nerve in the stimulation groups was maintained until the final measurement. Arterial blood pressure and body temperature did not change. The changes in blood flow values from the second to the third measurement were -1.5 ± 0.4 (mean ± S.E, ) in the control group (n=10), +2.4 ± 1.2 in A group (n=11), and +4.0 ± 2.0 ml/min/100g in B group (n=8).<BR>[Discussion] Blood flow increased after acupuncture stimulation, although there was no change inarterial blood pressure. Therefore, the increment in blood flow seems to have been caused by vasodilation of the blood vessel in the sciatic nerve trunk due to a parasympathetic nerve response. However, because the interfascicular blood flow in the present study was measured, change in the intrafascicular blood flow is not clear. It is necessary to measure the intrafascicular blood flow in future.<BR>[Conclusion] As a result of this study, it was demonstrated that acupuncture stimulation near the vertebra lumbalis induced increased interfascicular blood flow to the sciatic nerve trunk. It was suggested that the increase in blood flow to the nerve is also associated with the effect of acupuncture treatment for lumbago and lower limb pain.