[A Systematical Review of Researches on Oxygen Specificity in the Acupoint Area]

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2016 Jun 25;41(3):280-3.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Oxygen, an important substance for metabolism, and its related nitric oxide (NO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) play a key role in regulating physiological activities. The study on the characteristics of oxygen in the acupoint region has been being conducted for nearly 30 years. In the present paper, the authors review recent development of researches on changes of partial oxygen pressure (PO2), NO, and CO2 levels in the acupoint regions. Some researches demonstrated that the PO2, CO2 and NO contents are relatively higher in some acupoints as Zusanli (ST 36), etc. in comparison with the neighbor tissues or non-acupoints under normal and pathological states in severe infection patients and rats. After acupuncture stimulation, CO2 and NO contents were increased, while PO2 content was increased or lowered in some acupoints not in non-acupoints. However, there were also some arguments about the conclusions of acupoint oxygen specificity. In order to verify the results of acupoint oxygen specificity researches, more attentions should be paid to the precise experimental design, repeatable experimental conditions, homogeneity of subjects, human body observation, Deqi effect of acupuncture needle manipulation, etc. in the future studies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Points*
  • Acupuncture Therapy
  • Animals
  • Carbon Dioxide / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology*
  • Oxygen / physiology*
  • Partial Pressure
  • Rats

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Oxygen