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Initiation mechanisms of acupuncture effect: a literature review of basic studies

针刺穴位效应启动机制研究概述

  • Literature Study
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Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To summarize the research status of the changes in local microenvironment of acupoints caused by acupuncture, provide theoretical guidance for the initiation mechanisms of local acupuncture effect at acupoints.

Methods

Using acupuncture, acupoint as key words to search China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), PubMed and other databases, the representative articles were selected for review.

Results

Acupuncture could excite afferent nerves, activate cells, and promote the release of chemical substances like neuropeptide, hormone, cytokines, etc. in the local site of acupoints. Besides, it may cause mechanical deformation of connective tissues, and change chemical ions as well as ion channels.

Conclusion

The microenvironment changes around acupoints are crucial to acupuncture effect; the concept of ‘acupoints network’ can be used to objectively describe the local changes around the acupoints after acupuncture.

摘要

目的

总结针刺穴位局部微环境变化的研究现状, 为穴位局部针刺效应启动机制提供理论指导.

方法

以针刺、穴位为关键词, 检索中国知网(CNKI)、万方学术期刊全文数据库(Wanfang)、重庆维普(CQVIP)、PubMed 等数据库, 选取代表性文章进行综述.

结果

针刺可引起穴位局部传入神经兴奋, 细胞功能激活, 促进神经肽、 激素、细胞因子等化学物质释放, 引起结缔组织机械变形,化学离子及离子通道状态改变.

结论

穴位局部微环 境变化对针刺疗效至关重要; 可用针刺穴位局部 “穴网络” 的概念客观描绘针刺后穴位局部的变化.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (国家自然科学基金项目, No. 81603677); China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (中国 博士后科学基金项目, No. 2019M651044).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Kuo Zhang  (张阔)

  2. Department of Acupuncture and Physical Therapy, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, 300100, China

    Sha-sha Ding  (丁沙沙)

  3. Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China

    Yi-nan Gong  (公一囡) & Xue Zhao  (赵雪)

  4. Acu-moxibustion and Tuina Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China

    Xue Zhao  (赵雪)

  5. Department of Gynaecology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300381, China

    Kai Li  (李凯)

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  1. Kuo Zhang  (张阔)
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  2. Sha-sha Ding  (丁沙沙)
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  3. Yi-nan Gong  (公一囡)
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  4. Xue Zhao  (赵雪)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xue Zhao  (赵雪).

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Zhang, K., Ding, Ss., Gong, Yn. et al. Initiation mechanisms of acupuncture effect: a literature review of basic studies. J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. 18, 75–82 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-019-1149-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-019-1149-0

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