ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the relation between gap junction and meridian phenomenon. METHODS: The oxygen partial pressure in acupoints [see text for formula] and in their corresponding non-acupoints of the Bladder Meridian was observed with the needle-type tissue oxygen tension sensor in the gap junction blocking goats by 1-Heptanol injection and the Connexin 43 (Cx43) gene knockout mice. RESULTS: (1) The oxygen partial pressure in acupoints of Bladder Meridian on goats was higher than that in non-acupoints after 1-Heptanol injection with significant differences between them (both P < 0.01). (2) The oxygen partial pressure in acupoints of Bladder Meridian on goats increased significantly after injecting 1-Heptanol as compare with that either injecting normal saline or injecting nothing with significant differences between them (all P < 0.01). (3) The oxygen partial pressure in acupoints of the Bladder Meridian was significantly higher than that in the non-acupoint controls in Cx43 wild type (WT) mice (all P < 0.01). In Cx43 heterozygote (HT) mice, the oxygen partial pressure between acupoints and non-acupoint controls showed no significant differences (all P > 0.05). (4) In acupoints, the oxygen partial pressure in Cx43 WT mice was significantly higher than that in Cx43 HT mice (all P < 0.05), while in the corresponding non-acupoints, this difference had no statistically significant (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Gap junction maybe the essential factor in signal transduction of acupuncture.
Subject(s)
Gap Junctions/metabolism , Meridians , Oxygen/metabolism , Urinary Bladder/metabolism , Acupuncture Points , Animals , Connexin 43/genetics , Connexin 43/metabolism , Female , Gap Junctions/chemistry , Gap Junctions/genetics , Goats , Male , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Models, Animal , Oxygen/analysis , Partial Pressure , Urinary Bladder/chemistryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between energy metabolism and meridian phenomenon. Methods Ten Boer hybridism goats mitigated under chlorpromazine (0.85 mg/kg, intramuscular injection) were subjected to the present study. Changes of oxygen partial pressure (PO2) in "Ganshu" (BL 18), "Dachangshu" (BL 25) and "Guanyuanshu" (BL 26) of Bladder Meridian and in 3 non-acupoints (3 cm apart from BL18, BL25 and BL26 separately on the unilateral side) were recorded by using a needle-type tissue oxygen tension sensor before and following local injection of EDTA-Na2 (200 microL, 0.05 kg/mol, for complexing Ca2+) and 0.9% saline. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the corresponding non-acupoints, Ca2+ potentials in BL18, BL25 and BL26 were all significantly higher (P < 0.05, 0.01). (2) In comparison with the corresponding non-acupoints, the values of tissue PO2 of BL18 and BL26 were significantly higher (P < 0.01). (3) After injection of EDTA-Na2, PO2 values in both BL18, BL26, and their respective non-acupoints increased significantly in comparison with those of either injection of saline or their respective basal values (P < 0.01, 0.05). Compared with those of their corresponding non-acupoints PO2 values in both BL18 and BL26 increased markedly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Ca2+ potential of the Bladder Meridian was significantly higher than that of non-acupoints, and after complexing Ca2+, PO2 in acupoints and non-acupoints increased markedly, suggesting that Ca2+ may play an important role in meridian signaling and production of acupuncture effect.
