title: [A new way for study of meridian essence].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore a new way for study of meridian essence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review and analyze survey of studies of meridian essence at home and abroad in the last 20 years, and introduce structural characteristics and function of the gap junction channels, hemichannels as well as some similarities with meridians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effects of acupuncture are related with the nerve system, endocrine system, immune system, connective tissue, and so on. Homocellular and/or heterocellular gap junction channels, hemichannels between the heterocells and homocells may be the structural substance by which mechanical signals similar to acupuncture can be translated into bioelectrical and/or biochemical signals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effects of acupuncture are comprehensive response of the nerve system, blood vessel system, endocrine system and immune system and other systems with the gap junction channels and hemichannel of high density as substance basis and the fluid between cells and tissues as the buffer system.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China. zch7587@tom.com
authors.forename: Cui-Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Ming-Min
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Guang-Ying
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D026881:Acupuncture; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D003238:Connective Tissue; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D016740:Meridians