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Hu W, Chen J, Sun C, Tong X, Lu W, Ju Z, Xia Y, Pei Z, Xu M, Xu X, Shi J, Li Y, Chen H, Lu Y, Ying Y, Gao H, Hsueh AJ, Zhang F, Lü Z, Feng Y. Spatial topological analysis of sympathetic neurovascular characteristic of acupoints in Ren meridian using advanced tissue-clearing and near infrared II imaging. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:2236-2245. [PMID: 33995916 PMCID: PMC8099720 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture has been used for treating various medical conditions in traditional Chinese medicine. Both manual and electro-acupuncture stimulate specific acupoints to obtain local and systemic biological effects, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we used three-dimensional tissue-clearing technology to study acupoints on the Ren meridian of mice to reveal the distribution, density, branching, and relationships between blood vessels and nerves. Using topological Mapper methods, we found that sympathetic neurovascular networks were denser in the CV 4 acupoint compared with surrounding non-acupoints. Furthermore, high resolution in vivo real-time vascular imaging using the near infrared-II probe LZ-1105 demonstrated increased blood flow in the CV 4 acupoint compared with neighboring non-acupoints after manual or electro-acupuncture. Consistent with earlier findings, our research indicated that acupuncture could enhance local blood flow, and our high-resolution 3D images show for the first time the important role of sympathetic neurovascular networks in the CV 4 acupoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Junda Chen
- School of Mathematical Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Caixia Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiaoyu Tong
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenhan Lu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ziyong Ju
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yong Xia
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhenle Pei
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mingzhen Xu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaoqing Xu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiemei Shi
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Haofeng Chen
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yizhou Lu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hongru Gao
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Aaron J.W. Hsueh
- Division of Reproductive and Stem Cell Biology, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and iChem, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhi Lü
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yi Feng
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Shanghai 200032, China
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Alimi OA, Abubakar AA, Yakubu AS, Aliyu A, Abulkadir SZ. Veterinary acutherapy in management of musculoskeletal disorders: An eye-opener to the developing countries' veterinarians. Open Vet J 2020; 10:252-260. [PMID: 33282695 PMCID: PMC7703614 DOI: 10.4314/ovj.v10i3.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believed that the maintenance of the health status of any individual or animal is by the harmonious flow of Chi (life force) along a pathway known as the meridian. Interruption or blockage of Chi brings about disorders, pain, and diseases. Acutherapy, therefore, aims at correcting the interruption or blockage of the harmonious flow of Chi along the meridian to restore the healthy condition of the body system. This correction could be accomplished by either acupuncture or acupressure, and are both collectively referred to as acutherapy. This form of therapy has been used in both humans and animals for several decades. It is, however, just gaining popularity in the treatment of humans and is still not yet in practice among veterinarians for animal patients in most developing countries like Nigeria. This review, therefore, is aimed at exposing veterinarians from the developing countries to the general application of acutherapy with emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and associated pain where it is most applied. It is highly recommended that the universities, where Veterinary Medicine is studied in developing countries, should endeavor to train their veterinary surgeons in this area and see to how acutherapy can be included in the curriculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olawale Alimi Alimi
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.,Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Adamu Abdul Abubakar
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Abubakar Sadiq Yakubu
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Abdullahi Aliyu
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Salman Zubairu Abulkadir
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.,Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto, Nigeria
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Magalhães-Sant'Ana M. The Emperor's New Clothes-An Epistemological Critique of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Acupuncture. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9040168. [PMID: 30991678 PMCID: PMC6523156 DOI: 10.3390/ani9040168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Complementary and alternative medicines have gained increased popularity in the veterinary field. Among them, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, including acupuncture, has emerged as one of the main alternatives to conventional veterinary medicine. This paper relies upon an epistemological approach to investigate conceptual, historical and scientific assertions about veterinary acupuncture made by their advocates. Argument by analogy is used to demonstrate that Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine is based on pre-scientific principles, similar to those of humoral medicine and bloodletting, and that acupuncture is, in effect, a placebo. The paper concludes with recommendations for veterinary regulators and colleagues. Abstract Within the last few decades, complementary and alternative medicines have gained increased popularity in the veterinary field. Although many authors have exposed the scientific fallacies and historical misconceptions used to justify such therapies, those efforts have not succeeded in detracting veterinary practitioners from embracing them. Notably, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), including acupuncture, has emerged as one of the main alternatives to conventional veterinary medicine. In this paper, analogical reasoning is used to investigate conceptual, historical and scientific assertions made by the advocates of TCVM. The paper is divided into two parts: The first aims to appraise conceptual and historical claims made by veterinary acupuncturists. I defend that TCVM is a pre-scientific construct, similar to humoral doctrine, and that acupuncture is analogous to bloodletting. The second part is focused on scientific evidence of clinical application of acupuncture in the dog, showing how science is yet to validate veterinary acupuncture and defending that claims of efficacy are due to placebo effect. It is suggested that veterinary acupuncture needs to abandon Traditional Chinese Medicine and embrace science-based medicine tout court. On the other hand, high quality scientific studies, including randomized controlled trials, need to be presented. Veterinary regulators must bring the issue of non-conventional therapies into their agendas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Magalhães-Sant'Ana
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal.
- Ordem dos Médicos Veterinários, Av. Filipe Folque, 10J, 4º Dto., 1050-113 Lisboa, Portugal.
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