Title |
Probing the mystery of Chinese medicine meridian channels with special emphasis on the connective tissue interstitial fluid system, mechanotransduction, cells durotaxis and mast cell degranulation
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Published in |
Chinese Medicine, May 2009
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DOI | 10.1186/1749-8546-4-10 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Peter Chin Wan Fung |
Abstract |
This article hypothesizes that the Chinese medicine meridian system is a special channel network comprising of skin with abundant nerves and nociceptive receptors of various types, and deeper connective tissues inside the body with the flowing interstitial fluid system. These meridian channels provide efficient migratory tracks mainly due to durotaxis (also including chemotaxis) for mast cells, fibroblasts and other cells to migrate and carry out a number of physiological functions. Acupuncture acting on meridian channel causes cytoskeletal remodeling through mechanotransduction, leading to regulation of gene expression and the subsequent production of related proteins. Also, stimulation on cell surface can trigger Ca2+ activities, resulting in a cascade of intra- and inter-cellular signaling. Moreover, nerve endings in the meridian channels interact with mast cells and induce the degranulation of these cells, leading to the release of many specific biomolecules needed for homeostasis, immune surveillance, wound healing and tissue repair. Acupoint along a meridian channel is a functional site to trigger the above functions with specificity and high efficiency. |
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Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Spain | 2 | 29% |
Mexico | 1 | 14% |
Unknown | 4 | 57% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 6 | 86% |
Scientists | 1 | 14% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United Kingdom | 2 | 4% |
Malaysia | 1 | 2% |
Chile | 1 | 2% |
Australia | 1 | 2% |
France | 1 | 2% |
Taiwan | 1 | 2% |
United States | 1 | 2% |
Unknown | 45 | 85% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Researcher | 9 | 17% |
Student > Master | 8 | 15% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 7 | 13% |
Student > Bachelor | 6 | 11% |
Professor | 5 | 9% |
Other | 13 | 25% |
Unknown | 5 | 9% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
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Medicine and Dentistry | 22 | 42% |
Engineering | 7 | 13% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 7 | 13% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 4 | 8% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 1 | 2% |
Other | 6 | 11% |
Unknown | 6 | 11% |