RESEARCH METHODOLOGY POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
THURSDAY, 10:15-11:00 AM
Ma SX.
Enhanced non-enzymatic generation of nitric oxide on
the skin surface of acupuncture points and meridians: a novel method
in humans.
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen School
of Medicine at University of California at Los Angeles ma@humc.edu
The meridian system is the central theory of
acupuncture, Qi Gong, meditation, and other mind-body interactions related
practices and therapies. Acupuncture points (acupoints)/meridians possess
low electric resistance, higher neural components, and more hair follicles/sweat
glands in contrast to non-acupoint areas. Recent studies demonstrate
that there is an increase of nitric oxide (NO) content and an enhanced
expression of neuronal NO synthase in skin acupoint/meridian regions
in rats. NO is generated on the skin surface by nonenzymatic reduction
of nitrate by bacteria. Here we report that a novel device, a small
plastic tube (0.5 X 7cm) cut in half lengthwise, was taped to the underside
of the forearm or leg, and hemoglobin solution was placed inside the
tubing attached to the surface of the skin for 20 minutes in order to
absorb NO in 24 healthy volunteers. NO concentrations (_M/cm2), identified
as total nitrite and nitrate (NOx-), were increased in 4 acupoints (8.76
+ 2.13) compared to non-meridian control (6.16 + 1.49). BL meridian
with 2 acupoints (8.88 + 2.81) were also greater than in non-meridian
control (5.58 + 1.77). After treatment with sodium hypochlorite, NOx-
concentrations were reduced two fold in both PC acupoints and meridian
without acupoint.
This is the first evidence showing that NO contents
are consistently increased over PC and BL acupoints in humans, and increased
NO content is reduced by anti-bacteria on skin surface. An innovative
method has been developed to collect NOx- from acupoints and meridians
on the skin surface in humans. We conclude that the nonenzymatic reduction
of nitrate by bacteria is involved in chemical generation of NO on skin
acupoint/meridians in addition to neuronal NOergic system.
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