[Changes of Skin Temperature of Acupoint Regions of the Governor Meridian after Moxibustion Stimulation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe changes of skin temperature along the Governor Vessel (GV) after moxibustion stimulation. METHODS: A total of 36 healthy volunteer subjects were recruited in the present study. The skin temperature of Mingmen (GV 4), Dazhui (GV 14), Shenzhu (GV 12), Zhiyang (GV 9), Zhongshu (GV 7), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) regions and their bilateral control sites (1.5 cun lateral to GV 4) was detected by using a Thermo Tracer TH 9100. RESULTS: Following moxibustion stimulation of GV 4 region, a marked infrared radiant track along the central part of the back covering the GV was observed in the healthy volunteer subjects, and the skin temperature levels of both GV 4 and its bilateral control points were significantly increased (P < 0.001). The skin temperature of GV 4 was remarkably higher than those of both left and right control points (P < 0.001). After moxibustion stimulation, the average skin temperature levels of GV 9, GV 7, GV 4 and GV 3 were all up-regulated in comparison with pre-moxibustion (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion stimulation of Mingmen (GV 4) can induce an infrared radiant track along the central part of the back covering the GV and raise skin temperature of acupoint areas of the GV.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Stimulation of Acupoints at the Distal Limbs on Heart Function of Volunteers with Acute Hypoxia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of different acupoints at the distal ends of the limbs on cardiac function in volunteers with acute hypoxia, so as to determine if its actions are realized by way of segmental innervations or meridians. METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers were divided into control, Quze (PC 3), Shousanli (LI 10), Guangming (GB 37) and Zusanli (ST 36) groups (both PC 3 and LI 10 are innervated by spinal C3-C6, and both ST 36 and GB 37 innervated by L5-S1). Acute hyoxia (simulating the conditions of about 5,000 m height above the sea level) was induced by asking the volunteers to inhale low-oxygen gas mixture (10.8% O2 + 89.2% N2) for 30 min, when, the participants' cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), left cardiac work (LOW), left ventricular ejection time (LVET)were measured using a ICG Monitor and EA stimulation (10 Hz/20 Hz, 1-2 V) was also conducted for 20 min following inhaling low-oxygen for 10 min. RESULTS: Before low-oxygen inhale, the levels of CO, HR, LCW and LVET ratios (test value/basic value) of the control, PC 3, LI 10, ST 36 and GB 37 groups were comparable (P > 0.05). After inhaling low-oxygen gas mixture for 10 min, the levels of CO, HR, and LCW ratios were significantly increased, and the LVET ratios were notably decreased in the five groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the 10 min-low-oxygen inhale of the same one group, CO and HR ratios at both EA 10 min and 20 min in the PC 3 and ST 36 groups, LCW ratios at EA 10 min in both PC 3 and ST 36 groups were notably down-regulated (P < 0.05), while the LVET ratios of both PC 3 and ST 36 groups was significantly prolonged (P < 0.05). No significant changes of CO, HR, LCW and LVET ratios were found in the LI 10 and GB 37 groups after EA for 10 min and 20 min (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA stimulation of Quze (PC 3) and Zusanli (ST 36), but not Shousanli (LI 10) and Guangming (GB 37) can lower CO, HR and LCW levels and increase LVET in volunteer subjects undergoing acute hypoxia, suggesting that the therapeutic effect of EA maybe not rely on the segmental innervations, but rather, depend on the meridians to which the acupoints belong.

Variations in energy metabolism along the pericardium meridian and its relationship with visceral function adjustments during electroacupuncture.

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment guided by meridian theory. As it gradually gains more worldwide acceptance, a clarification of its mechanisms is extremely urgent. We observed variations in transcutaneous oxygen pressure/carbon dioxide pressure (tcpO2/tcpCO2) and microcirculation blood perfusion units (BPU) along the pericardium meridian, and cardiac function during EA at Neiguan (PC6) to explore variations in energy metabolism and its relationship with visceral function adjustments during EA. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy volunteers participated in this study. Three channel laser Doppler flowmetry and tcpO2/tcpCO2 detection systems were used to detect tcpO2/tcpCO2 and microcirculation BPU along the pericardium meridian. A hemodynamic monitor was used to detect cardiac function. RESULTS: In the normal state, the microcirculatory BPU along the pericardium meridian were significantly higher than that of their bilateral corresponding control points (p < 0.05). During EA at PC6, the values of the microcirculatory BPU along the pericardium meridian did not vary, and few increased. In the normal state, the values of tcpO2 along the pericardium meridian were significantly higher than those of their bilateral corresponding control points (p < 0.05). In addition, the values of tcpCO2 along the pericardium meridian were lower than those of their bilateral corresponding control points. In comparison with the normal state, EA could decrease tcpO2 along the meridian significantly (p < 0.05) and increase tcpCO2. During EA at PC6 in healthy volunteers treated by artificial acute mild hypoxia, cardiac output and cardiac index (p < 0.05) decreased and systemic vascular resistance increased significantly (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the normal state, the values of microcirculatory BPU and tcpO2 along the pericardium meridian were both higher than those of their bilateral corresponding control points. Energy metabolism was vigorous along the meridian. During EA, the decrease in oxygen partial pressure along the pericardium meridian might be a result of strengthened energy metabolism of associated tissue and increased oxygen consumption. The variations in energy metabolism along the pericardium meridian during the course of EA had a close relationship with visceral function adjustments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTRTRC13003193.