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The meridians and acupoints of human bodies at natural condition are investigated among 30 healthy volunteers by infrared thermal imaging technique. The results give clear evidence of the existence of infrared radiant tracks along human meridian courses. The time dependent evolution of the infrared radiant track is observed for the first time. The time rhythm of acupoints is also studied. Our findings not only support the view that infrared radiant tracks along human meridian courses is a normal vital and physiological phenomenon appearing in human beings, but also offer a potential method for noninvasive diagnostic by studying the physiological function and pathological change of meridians or acupoints by means of thermography.

To observe the difference of the microcirculatory blood perfusion between acupoints and non-acupoints of the Stomach Meridian and its bilateral control points and to analyze the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on subcutaneous microcirculatory perfusion in healthy volunteers.A total of 21 healthy adult volunteers were recruited in the present study. Subcutaneous microcirculatory blood perfusion units (BPU) of Shangjuxu (ST 37), Liangqiu (ST 34), Yinshi (ST 33), Futu (ST 32) and non-acupoint (the midpoint between ST 33 and ST 32) of the Stomach Meridian and their bilateral on-meridian points were measured by using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF, PeriFlux 5000). EA (0.5 Hz,duration 0.2 ms, 3-4 V) was applied to Zusanli (ST 36) for 10 min. The subcutaneous microcirculatory perfusion was detected under room temperature of (28 +/- 1) degree C and humidity of about 60% after inserting a single-use syringe needle into the subcutaneous tissues (about 1 cm in depth).In comparison with the bilateral control points, the subcutaneous microcirculatory BPU values of Shangjuxu (ST 37), Liangqiu (ST 34), Yinshi (ST 33), Futu (ST 32) and non-acupoint regions of the Stomach Meridian were significantly higher (P0.01). In comparison with pre-EA, the cutaneous microcirculatory BPU was increased mildly after EA of ST 36 (P0.05). Following EA for 5 to 10 min, the waveforms of LDF of the Stomach Meridian got regular and smooth.The microcirculatory blood perfusion of acupoints and non-acupoint of the Stomach Meridian in the deeper subcutaneous tissues are significantly higher than that of their bilateral corresponding control points, suggesting that subcutaneous microvascular blood flow may be the heat source for forming infrared radiation trace along the meridian in the human body observed in our past studies.

To observe the effect of Spleen-Meridian-acupoint injection of Lentinan on the immunologic function in spleen-deficiency rabbits.A total of 54 Newzealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal (n = 10), model (n = 8), intramuscular injection (n = 10), Sanyinjiao (SP6, n = 10), Diji (SP8, n = 8) and Xuehai (SP 12, n = 8) groups. Spleen-qi deficiency model was established by intragastric administration of 100% crude Radix et Rhizoma Rhei decoction (15 mL/kg/day x 10 d), and then Lentinan (LNT, 0.025 mg/kg/2 day x 5) was injected into the aforementioned acupoints of the Spleen Meridian. The erythrocyte immunologic function (RBC-C3 bR, RBC-IC), hemolysin (lgM) and changes of physical signs of the rabbits were observed.In comparison with the control group, the rabbits' body weight, rectal temperature, RBC-C3 bR% and serum IgM level were decreased significantly in model group (P0.05); while in comparison with the model group, the body weight in SP 8 group,retal temperature in SP 9 and SP 8 groups, RBC-C3 bR% in SP 9 and SP 12 groups, and serum IgM levels in SP 9, SP 8 and SP 12 groups increased considerably (P0.05, P0.01). Comparison among the 4 treatment groups showed that the effect of SP 12 was superior to that of intramuscular injection group in upregulaing RBC-C3 bR%, and the effects of SP 9, SP 8 and SP 12 groups were significantly superior to those of intramuscular injection group in upregulating serum IgM level (P0.05).The Spleen-Meridian-acupoint injection of LNT is superior to that of intramuscular injection of LNT in improving the spleen-qi deficiency rabbits' symptoms and immunologic function.

To observe changes of the partial oxygen pressure in the deep tissues along the Large Intestine Meridian (LIM) during acupuncture stimulation, so as to reveal the characteristics of energy metabolism in the tissues along the LIM.Thirty-one healthy volunteer subjects were enlisted in the present study. Partial oxygen pressure (POP) in the tissues (at a depth of about 1.5 cm) of acupoints Binao (LI 14), Shouwuli (LI 13), Shousanli (LI 10), 2 non-acupoints [the midpoints between Quchi (LI 11) and LI 14, and between Yangxi (LI 5) and LI 11) of the LIM, and 10 non-meridian points, 1.5-2.0 cm lateral and medial to each of the tested points of the LIM was detected before, during and after electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of Hegu (LI 4) by using a tissue oxygen tension needle-like sensor.In normal condition, the POP values in the deep tissues along the LIM were significantly higher than those of the non-meridian control points on its bilateral sides. During and after EA of Hegu (LI 4), the POP levels decreased significantly in the deep tissues along the LIM in comparison with pre-EA (P0.01), and had no apparent changes in the non-meridian control points (P0.05).POP is significantly higher in the deep tissues along the LIM of healthy subjects under normal conditions, which can be downregulated by EA of Hegu (LI 4), suggesting an increase of both the utilization rate of oxygen and energy metabolism after EA.

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of different acupoints on electroretinogram (ERG) and cerebral visual evoked potentials (VEP) in healthy subjects so as to evaluate the relative specificity of the function of acupoints.A total of 33 healthy adult volunteers were observed in the present study. The subject was asked to lie on a testing bed for a while, two disk electrodes were respectively fixed to the suborbital region and the occiput (the crossing point, 5 cm apart from the right median line of the head and 5 cm above the ear), and the reference electrode was fixed to the medial side of the earlobe for recording ERG and cerebral VEP separately. The testing room was asked to keep faint light during the whole recording process. A flash stimulation (frequency 1 Hz) was applied to the subject's eye (with a distance of about 50 cm between the light source and the tested eye, and the other eye was covered by an eyepatch). EA (0.5 Hz, 0.2 ms and 3-4 V) was applied to Guangming (GB 37), Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 30 min respectively in different testing days (with the interval being 3 days at least). ERG and cerebral VEP were recorded by using Polygraphy (RM-6200).Following EA of Guangming (GB 37), Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36),the changing values (increase and decrease) of the amplitude of b waves of ERG and P100 waves of cerebral VEP were (19.68 +/- 12.61)% and (12.84 +/- 14.08)%, (6.09 +/- 14.06)% and (5.61 +/- 8.01)%, (2.39 +/- 3.52)% and (5.43 +/- 8.22)%, respectively, while those of b waves of ERG and P100 waves of cerebral VEP of GB 37 were significantly bigger than those of PC 6 and ST 36 (P0.01).EA of Guangming (GB 37)can significantly change the amplitude of both ERG and cerebral VEP in volunteer subjects, which is markedly bigger than those of EA of Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6), suggesting a relative specificity of the effect of EA of different acupoints.

To observe the difference of the microcirculation blood perfusion volume between the Governor Vessel (GV) running course and its bilateral control points in healthy volunteers.A total of 53 healthy volunteers were recruited in the present study. Cutaneous and muscular microvascular blood perfusion units (BPU) of Mingmen (GV 4), Jizhong (GV 6), Zhiyang (GV 9), Shenzhu (GV 12) and non-acupoint (at the 12th thoracic vertebra level) of GV and their bilateral non-meridian points (1 cm lateral to the above mentioned GV-acupoints and non-acupoint on both sides) were measured by using a Laser Doppler Flowmetry (PeriFlux 5000).1) In comparison with bilateral control points, the cutaneous microvascular BPU values of Mingmen (GV 4), Jizhong (GV 6), Zhiyang (GV 9), Shenzhu (GV 12) and non-acupoint of GV Meridian were significantly higher (P0.01). 2) Compared with bilateral control points, BPU values of GV4, GV6, GV9, GV12 and non-acupoint of GV Meridian 1 cm, 1.5 cm and 2 cm beneath the skin were significantly higher (P0.05). No significant differences were found between the bilateral corresponding control points of GV4, GV6, GV9, GV12 and non-acupoint of GV in cutaneous BPU values, and between bilateral control points and GV4 in BPU values of deep (2.5 cm beneath the skin) tissues (P0.05).Blood flow perfusion volumes in the skin and deeper tissues along GV are significantly higher than those of their bilateral corresponding control points, indicating that cutaneous microvascular blood flow and shallower muscular blood flow may be the heat source for forming infrared radiation trace along meridian (IRRTM) in our past studies.

This study investigates the infrared radiant characteristics of human acupoints and meridian-like structure by use of infrared thermal imaging. Thirty healthy youth volunteers are studied in our experiment. We find that human acupoints and meridian-like structure can be visualized or revealed in the infrared spectrum range in some of them under natural condition. The infrared radiant tracks of meridian courses over body surface coincide or basically coincide with that of human meridians described by the traditional Chinese medicine textbook. The facts show evidence for the objective existence of acupuncture meridians structure in human body. The results suggest that infrared radiant track along human meridian courses is a normal vital and physiological phenomenon appearing in human being.

To compare the thermal conductivity of the related tissues along meridian line and non-meridian area.Forty healthy volunteers were observed with a infrared thermal imaging system.During heating the acupoint or the non-acupoint along the meridian line, the velocity of spreading of the temperature-increasing response along the meridian line was more easy and rapid, with a definite direction. However, during heating the non-meridian spots, the change of temperature was confined to the local area, with no definite direction. The spreading of skin temperature response along the meridian line was more rapid than the non-meridian area during both the two were heated simultaneously, and finally, 3 infrared radiant tracks along the meridian courses conformed basically with that of the classical three yin- meridians of the hand appeared.The thermal conductivity of the related tissues along the meridian line is better than that of non-meridian area and has definite direction, with differences in physical characteristics between them.