The Neuroimmune Basis of Acupuncture: Correlation of Cutaneous Mast Cell Distribution with Acupuncture Systems in Human

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (08) ◽  
pp. 1781-1793
Author(s):  
Yong Ming Li

The hypothesis that cutaneous mast cells (MCs) are responsible for skin phenomena in acupuncture was proposed 40 years ago, but very little is known about the correlation of MC distribution with acupuncture systems in human. The aim of this study is to quantify cutaneous mast cells at different body sites and compare them with the distributions of classical acupuncture points and micro-acupuncture systems. Skin biopsies from dermatological practice were evaluated under microscope with H&E or CD117 stains. Dermal MCs were counted and expressed as MCs per high power field. Densities of classical acupuncture points at different body sites were also calculated and expressed as points per dm2. MC densities at special sites of the body were compared with micro-acupuncture systems. After examining 285 skin biopsies, MC enriched special sites (MESS) were found at peripheral parts of the body and around orifices of body surfaces. Comparative mapping showed that patterns of MC distribution are highly correlated with the distributions of classic acupuncture points in 14 classic acupuncture meridians, with the exception of the trunk areas. Mapping also revealed that all micro-acupuncture systems were established at MESS, including ear, scalp, hand, foot, eye, face, and umbilicus. The conclusion is that the densities of cutaneous MCs are highly correlated with classical acupuncture points and micro-acupuncture systems. These findings provide tissue evidence of neuroimmune basis of acupuncture and suggest that MC is a tissue target for acupuncture stimulation and may serve as a tissue marker for acupuncture points.

2020 ◽  
pp. 142-147
Author(s):  
Dewi Farah Diba ◽  
Buana Basir

This study aims to examine the pattern of mast cell distribution in the intestinal tract of skipjack fish (Katsuwono pelamis) infested with endoparasitic worms and prove the correlation between endoparasitic worms and mast cells which are always involved in hypersensitivity responses. The study was conducted in May to July 2018 at the Paotere Fish Auction Place and at the Animal Climatology Histology Laboratory of Hasanuddin University. A total of 30 skipjack fish originating from the Paotere TPI were used as research samples, the fish were then dissected to be taken inside the organs infested with endoparasitic worms and then fixed and made histopatalogis slide preparations with microtechnic procedures and hematoxylin-eosin staining to be observed under a microscope. The results showed that infestation of endoparasitic worms in the body of skipjack fish could grasp the active mast cells. Mast cells are distributed only to the gonads, gills and heart of skipjack fish (Katsuwonus pelamis).


2021 ◽  
pp. 652-656
Author(s):  
Kazuki Yamamoto ◽  
Takeshi Okamoto ◽  
Katsuyuki Fukuda

Eosinophilic gastritis often presents with gastrointestinal symptoms in the absence of abnormal endoscopic findings. On the other hand, endoscopic changes due to eosinophilic infiltration in an asymptomatic patient are rare. A 29-year-old woman with a history of asthma on steroid inhalers presented for an annual medical checkup. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed diffuse white granular patches in the body of the stomach, suggestive of eosinophilic gastritis. Histology showed over 100 eosinophils per high-power field, also consistent with eosinophilic gastritis. As the absence of symptoms precluded the diagnosis of eosinophilic gastritis, the patient was diagnosed with asymptomatic eosinophilic infiltration of the stomach.


1965 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
William F. White ◽  
James A. Wash

Measures of body-cathexis, self-cathexis, and anxiety were administered to 74 junior and senior students in educational psychology The body and self tended to be cathected to the same degree, and anxiety was highly correlated with both cathexes. Correlations with grade-point average were nonsignificant. Thus, values placed on body and self tended to be commensurate but lack predictive validity for college academic success.


2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (04) ◽  
pp. 631-640
Author(s):  
Dong-Myong Jeong ◽  
Yong-Heum Lee ◽  
Myeong Soo Lee

The precise selection and the identification of acupuncture points are essential for the diagnosis and treatment of patients in Oriental medicine. In this study, we have developed a meridian identification system using Single-Power Alternating Current (SPAC), which discriminates between true acupoints and non-acupoints. The SPAC system is not affected by skin resistance or pressure and is more accurate than the existing meridian location system, which uses direct current (DC) excitation current. The accuracy of the meridian location is ensured with the SPAC system because it has the highest sensitivity and the lowest effect on the human body. A microprocessor is used to enhance reliability and increase the accuracy of the SPAC measurements. Current distribution is displayed using an image that overlays the measured skin current on the body image. The positions of the acupoints are then displayed on the body image. This method visualizes the meridian by measuring skin current with an improved electrode using the acupoint discrimination system. A computer display shows the transmitted current as a color related to the electrode position. We demonstrated that by changing the point of measurement on the skin and tracing the electrode on the screen, it is possible to visualize acupoints and meridian phenomena using the color display.


1986 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Kendall ◽  
A. Warley

Mast cell granules were examined by fully quantitative X-ray microanalysis of 20 cells in freeze-dried cryosections. The mast cells were situated mainly in the connective tissue of the thymic capsule of five adult male Carworth Sprague Europe rats. In addition 30 red blood cells were analysed from the same sections. Nineteen of the mast cells had granules rich in S and K. One cell had smaller granules, and in this cell the granules contained high [Ca] and [P] instead of high [S] and [K]. In the majority of cells (13) the S:K ratio was highly correlated and less than 2.2, whereas in the remaining six cells the individual granule ratios were very variable in any one cell and much higher. The mean granule [K] (994 +/− 57 mmol kg-1 dry wt) was about four times the mean cytoplasmic level of 227 +/− 81 mmol kg-1 dry wt. The existence of this difference in concentration between the granules and the cytoplasm suggests that the K in the granules must be bound. The relationship between the [K] and [S] is discussed with regard to the possible binding of heparin and amines in the granules.


1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (04) ◽  
pp. 843-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petteri Kauhanen ◽  
Petri Kovanen ◽  
Timo Reunala ◽  
Riitta Lassila

SummaryWe studied the effects of stimulated skin mast cells on bleeding time and thrombin generation which was measured using prothrombin fragment F 1+2 (F 1+2) and thrombin-antithrombin-III-complex (TAT). In 10 patients with urticaria pigmentosa (chronic cutaneous mast cell accumulation) the mean bleeding time was significantly prolonged in wounds made on urticaria pigmentosa lesions vs. normal skin (460 ± 34 vs. 342 ± 27 s, p = 0.005). In 10 atopic subjects skin incisions were made on prick-tested sites 30, 60, 120 and 240 min after administration of an allergen (acute mast cell stimulation), histamine or vehicle. The mean bleeding time was significantly prolonged at all time points, being maximal at 120 min (60% prolonged) in wounds made on allergen-stimulated skin areas (p <0.01) compared with histamine or vehicle sites. Administration of allergen or histamine lowered the TAT concentration in the bleeding-time blood. Furthermore, TAT and F 1+2 levels in the bleeding-time blood were lower at 60, 120 and 240 min after allergen or histamine application in comparison with samples collected at 30 min. We conclude that skin mast cells can regulate primary hemostasis by prolonging bleeding time and by inhibiting thrombin generation.


2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Ping Huang ◽  
Yong-Ping Zheng

Conventional ultrasound examination of the articular cartilage performed externally on the body surface around the joint has limited accuracy due to the inadequacy in frequency used. In contrast to this, minimally invasive arthroscopy-based ultrasound with adequately high frequency may be a better alternative to assess the cartilage. Up to date, no special ultrasound transducer for imaging the cartilage in arthroscopic use has been designed. In this study, we introduced the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for this purpose. An IVUS system with a catheter-based probe (Ø ≈ 1mm) was used to measure the thickness and surface acoustical reflection of the bovine patellar articular cartilage in vitro before and after degeneration induced by enzyme treatments. Similar measurement was performed using another high frequency ultrasound system (Vevo) with a probe of much larger size and the results were compared between the two systems. The thickness measured using IVUS was highly correlated (r = 0.985, p < 0.001) with that obtained by Vevo. Thickness and surface reflection amplitude measured using IVUS on the enzymatically digested articular cartilage showed changes similar to those obtained by Vevo, which were expectedly consistent with previous investigations. IVUS can be potentially used for the quantitative assessment of articular cartilage, with its ready-to-use arthroscopic feature.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-51
Author(s):  
Julie Glowacki ◽  
John B. Mulliken

Common pediatric vascular birthmarks, classified as hemangiomas or malformations, were analyzed for the presence of mast cells. Hemangiomas in the proliferative phase contained large numbers of mast cells (27 ± 15 cells/high-power field [HPF]) in comparison with hemangiomas in the involuting phase (2.6 ± 2.9), vascular malformations (1.7 ± 3.2), and normal skin (5.0 ± 1.0). Inasmuch as hemangiomas are characterized by endothelial proliferation and increased numbers of mast cells, these data raise the possibility that mast cells may have an important role in the formation and/or maintenance of these lesions.


2006 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shriram Jakate ◽  
Mark Demeo ◽  
Rohan John ◽  
Mary Tobin ◽  
Ali Keshavarzian

Abstract Context.—In some adult patients with chronic intractable diarrhea, the diagnosis remains elusive even after detailed evaluations, and colonic or duodenal biopsy specimens may appear unremarkable on routine hematoxylin-eosin staining. Objectives.—To assess the concentration of mast cells in colonic or duodenal biopsy specimens by immunohistochemical analysis for mast cell tryptase from patients with chronic intractable diarrhea and to evaluate their response to drugs affecting mast cell function. Design.—Mast cells per high-power field were assessed in biopsy specimens from 47 patients with chronic intractable diarrhea, from 50 control subjects, and from 63 patients with other specific diseases that cause chronic diarrhea (inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, collagenous colitis, and lymphocytic colitis). Patients with chronic intractable diarrhea who had more than 20 mast cells per high-power field were administered drugs affecting mast cell mediator function and release. Results.—The mean ± SD concentration of mast cells in the 50 control subjects was 13.3 ± 3.5 cells per high-power field; hence, patients with more than 20 mast cells per high-power field were considered to have increased mast cells. Thirty-three (70%) of 47 patients with chronic intractable diarrhea had increased mast cells, and symptoms were controlled by drug therapy in 22 (67%) of the 33 patients. No patient had systemic or cutaneous mastocytosis. No increase in mast cells was seen in patients with other common causes of chronic diarrhea. Conclusions.—In chronic intractable diarrhea, colonic or duodenal biopsy specimens may appear unremarkable on routine hematoxylin-eosin staining, but increased mast cells may be demonstrated by immunohistochemistry for mast cell tryptase, with the novel term mastocytic enterocolitis describing this condition. Similar increases in mast cells are not apparent in control populations or in patients with other specific diseases that cause chronic diarrhea. The cause of the increased mast cells remains to be elucidated.


Author(s):  
Emek Kocatürk ◽  
Clive Grattan

Abstract Chronic urticaria is a disease characterized by the appearance of weals, angioedema or both longer than 6 weeks. Degranulation of cutaneous or submucosal mast cells leads to release of mediators including histamine resulting in redness, swelling and itch. Because mast cells are widely distributed throughout the body, the question is why they are not activated systemically or does systemic activation occur without overt end organ dysfunction? We have conducted an exploratory literature search for reports that have evidence of organ-specific dysfunction in chronic urticaria that might justify prospective observational studies. This search revealed some evidence of systemic effects of chronic urticaria in cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, central nervous and musculo-skeletal systems. The relevance of these findings needs to be further determined. However, they justify prospective studies in larger numbers of patients and at different stages of disease activity.


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