A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Study On Taichong (LR3) Under The Running Route Of "Foot-Jueyin Meridian Surrounding The Yin Apparatus" And Male External Genitalia

ObjectiveIn this study,we used functional magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)technology to observe the central activation areas of acupuncture at the Tai Chong point and tactile stimulation of the external genital area in healthy young men,and compared the similarities and differences to further explore the scientific mechanism between the foot-Tsurvic Yin Liver meridian and the "around the yin apparatus" route in the context of "meridians and internal organs and brain-related" research.The scientific mechanism of the pathway of the Foot-Turk-Yin Liver Meridian and the "Yin Winding Vessel" was further explored.MethodsA total of 30 healthy young male subjects were recruited in strict accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria formulated in this study,and each subject was subjected to tactile stimulation of external genitalia and two task-state MRI scans of acupuncture at Taichong point.The single task state scan lasted for 6min20s(190 time points),and adopted the block design.The mode of 30 s "resting" and 30 s "task" was carried out alternately until the end.The interval between each task of the same subject was 30 min.After the end,the subjects’ sensation and stimulus intensity were recorded.All the collected data were analyzed and analyzed by DPARSF,AFNI and other software.The voxel level P < 0.001,voxel value > 42,and FWE corrected was corrected,and the location and degree of activation of the brain region activated by the two tasks were obtained.To compare the difference of brain activation area between Taichong point and external genitalia.Results1.Tactile stimulation of the central brain activation areas of the external genitalia are: the left cerebellum(Cerebelum＿8＿L),the left supramarginal gyrus(Supra Marginal＿L),the left inferior temporal gyrus(Temporal＿Inf＿L),and the right frontal middle gyrus(Frontal＿Mid＿R).2.Acupuncture the central brain activation areas of the Tai Chong acupoint: the right supramarginal gyrus(Supra Marginal＿R),the left central gyri(Rolandic＿Oper＿L),and the right central paracentral lobule(Paracentral＿Lobule＿R).3.Stimulation of the external genitalia and acupuncture of the Tai Chong acupuncture point co-activate the following areas: the left cerebellum(Cerebelum＿L),the right supramarginal gyrus(Supra Marginal＿R),the middle temporal gyrus(Temporal＿Mid＿R),and the medial and paracentral cingulate gyrus(Cingulum＿Mid＿L).Conclusion1.co-activation of brain centers in the superior limbic gyrus,middle temporal gyrus,and cingulate gyrus during acupuncture of the Tai Chong point and stimulation of the external genitalia;2.The paracentral lobule is the key brain region where acupuncture at the Tai Chong point affects the "winding of the Yin apparatus" of the Foot-Turkish Yin meridian.