title: Finding Blue Tracks in Gephyrocharax melanocheir Fish Similar to the Locations of Acupuncture Meridians after Injecting Alcian Blue.
abstract: This study investigated whether a meridian-like distribution of Alcian blue (AB) existed after it was injected into a fish's body and suggested a new animal model for meridian study. Twenty Gephyrocharax melanocheir fish with translucent bodies were injected with AB at a point near the spinal column or the dorsal fin. Distribution of AB was observed using a digital camera and a stereomicroscope. Three or more obvious blue tracks were found: one along the spinal column, another along the posterior margin of the abdomen extending to the superior margin of the anal fin, and a third along both sides of the dorsal fin. They were similar to the locations of the governor, conceptual vessel, and urinary bladder meridians, respectively, on the human body according to the classic theory of traditional Chinese medicine. A few other blue tracks were also found, which apparently did not correspond to any known meridians. The results show that the tracks of AB share important similarities with the locations of classically described meridians and that they are mainly distributed in the interstitial space around bones and blood vessels and inside muscular interstices. This study may provide a new experimental animal model for exploring acupuncture meridians.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Ze
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. Electronic address: 1507307638@qq.com.
authors.forename: Weibo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shuyong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yuying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Guangjun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Hongyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000423:Alcian Blue / Q000737:chemistry*; D058500:Animal Fins / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D060125:Characiformes / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016740:Meridians; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D000423:Alcian Blue
keywords: Alcian blue; Gephyrocharax melanocheir fish; blue tracks; interstice; meridians