Objective: To probe the diagnostic value of the infrared radiation spectrum of acupoint for ulcerative colitis (UC).
Methods: A high sensitivity PHE 201 infrared spectrum instrument was used to determine the infrared radiation spectrum of Hegu (LI 4) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) in 34 cases of UC.
Results: Of 59 waves detected, there were significant differences in infrared radiation intensity of 28 different waves between the healthy people and the patients with UC in right Hegu (LI 4) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and 13 waves in left Hegu (LI 4) (P < 0.05); there were significant differences in 16 different waves in right Shangjuxu (ST 37) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and in 17 waves in left Shangjuxu (ST 37) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); there was a significant difference in 18 waves between right and left Hegu (LI 4) of the patients (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and 7 waves between right and left Hegu (LI 4) of the healthy people (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in 4 waves between right and left Shangjuxu (ST 37) of the patients and one wave between right and left Shangjuxu (ST 37) of the healthy people (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Both Hegu (LI 4) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) show changes of infrared radiation spectrum when the intestine gets lesion, and Hegu (LI 4) can better show the change.