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

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Xiaoxiang Zhu¹  Ya-Qin Dong¹  Chun-Ying Xiu¹  Jin-Sen Xu¹  Xiao-Hua Pan¹  Shu-Xia Zheng¹ 

[1] Fujian Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Class III Laboratory of Acupuncture Physiology, Key Unit of the Propagated Sensation along Meridian of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou Fujian 350003, China

关键词: Meridian;    Visceral function;    Transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure;    Microcirculatory blood perfusion;    Pericardium meridian;   

Others  :  1086828
DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6882-14-323

 received in 2013-04-18, accepted in 2014-08-27,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

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 RegistryChiCTRTRC13003193.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Zheng et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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