title: Heterogeneity of skin oxygen density distribution: relation to location of acupuncture points.
abstract: To investigate possible functions of acupuncture, oxygen (O(2)) levels were measured at two different acupuncture points (APs) [Hegu and Laogong] and at the corresponding non-APs (3-5 cm away from the APs) in real time using a high sensitive electrochemical O(2) microsensor. The sensor had a small planar sensing platinum disk (diameter = 25 microm) and therefore was able to monitor the O(2) levels at the localized APs. Significantly higher O(2) levels (p < 0.05) were observed at both APs (n = 5, without exceptions) in comparison with the non-APs. Sufficient sensor sensitivity to distinguish the O(2) level differences between APs and non-APs was achieved. This research provides useful information on possible functions of APs and meridians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. gjjhon@ewha.ac.kr
authors.forename: Youngmi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gwanyung
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sarah S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Gil-Ja
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Jhon
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen