Low Electrical Resistance Properties of Acupoints:Roles of NOergic Signaling Molecules and Neuropeptides in Skin Electrical Conductance

Sheng-xing MA

doi:10.1007/s11655-021-3318-5

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Low Electrical Resistance Properties of Acupoints:Roles of NOergic Signaling Molecules and Neuropeptides in Skin Electrical Conductance

Feature Article | Updated：2021-09-01

- Low Electrical Resistance Properties of Acupoints:Roles of NOergic Signaling Molecules and Neuropeptides in Skin Electrical Conductance
- Low Electrical Resistance Properties of Acupoints:Roles of NOergic Signaling Molecules and Neuropeptides in Skin Electrical Conductance
- Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine 2021年27卷第8期页码：563-569
- Affiliations：
  
  Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, United States
- Author bio：
- Funds：
  
  NIH Grant from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health(AT002478;AT004620;AT004504)
- DOI：10.1007/s11655-021-3318-5
  中图分类号：
- 纸质出版日期：2021-08-01，
  
  录用日期：2021-06-08
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Sheng-xing MA. Low Electrical Resistance Properties of Acupoints:Roles of NOergic Signaling Molecules and Neuropeptides in Skin Electrical Conductance[J]. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021,27(8):563-569.

Sheng-xing MA. Low Electrical Resistance Properties of Acupoints:Roles of NOergic Signaling Molecules and Neuropeptides in Skin Electrical Conductance[J]. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021,27(8):563-569.
Sheng-xing MA. Low Electrical Resistance Properties of Acupoints:Roles of NOergic Signaling Molecules and Neuropeptides in Skin Electrical Conductance[J]. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021,27(8):563-569. DOI： 10.1007/s11655-021-3318-5.

Sheng-xing MA. Low Electrical Resistance Properties of Acupoints:Roles of NOergic Signaling Molecules and Neuropeptides in Skin Electrical Conductance[J]. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021,27(8):563-569. DOI： 10.1007/s11655-021-3318-5.

摘要

Abstract

Early studies from several independent laboratories demonstrated that acupoints possess the characteristics of low electrical resistance. New devices are developing to increase the reliability of electrical skin impedance measurements for counteracting the factors including skin dryness

skin thickness

size of the sensing electrode

pressure applied on the electrode

interelectrode distance

room temperature

and humidity. Morphological studies have identified that blood vessels

hair follicles

and nervous components are enhanced in the meridians/acupoints

which represent areas of potentially high neuronal activity. Recent evidence shows that nitric oxide (NO) concentrations are enhanced in skin acupoints/meridians. L-arginine-derived NO synthesis modifies skin norepinephrine (NE) synthesis/release in acupoints/meridians

and NO-NE activations play an important role in mediating the skin conductance responses to electrical stimulation. NOergic signaling molecules interact with gap junction and transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1. Other studies reported that the high conductance at acupoints is a result of the release of the neuropeptides substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide during neurogenic inflammation in the referred pain area. Pathological body conditions caused considerable changes in skin conductance or impedance at acupoints. Although systematic research with an improved equipment and research design to avoid the influencing factors are requested for a definite answer in this field

the results from anatomical and biochemical studies consistently show that acupoints exist higher levels of nervous components

and NOergic signaling molecules and neuropeptides involved in the skin low resistance at acupoints. The increased interest in the acupoints/meridians has led to an open-minded attitude towards understanding this system

which is fundamental important to establish the valid aspects of scientific basis of Chinese medicine mechanisms and therapies.

关键词

Keywords

acupuncture pointsskin electric resistancenitric oxidenorepinephrinetransient receptor potential vanilloid type-1neuropeptides

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