Effect of Ca 2+ complexation on oxygen partial pressure in the urinary bladder meridian of goats

The aim of this paper was to explore the relationship between energy metabolism and the meridian phenomenon. The manner of change of oxygen partial pressure in acupoints and no-acupoints of the urinary bladder meridian of goats was observed with a needle-type tissue oxygen tension sensor after the acupuncture effect was blocked by Ca 2+ complexation with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-Na 2 . The results showed that: (1) the concentration of calcium ion in urinary bladder meridian acupoints was higher than that in no-acupoints ( P <0.01 or P <0.05); (2) the tissue oxygen tension in urinary bladder meridian acupoints was higher than that in no-acupoints ( P <0.01); (3) the oxygen partial pressure in acupoints decreased significantly after injection with EDTA-Na 2 , compared with injection of either normal sodium or nothing ( P <0.01); (4) the oxygen partial pressure in acupoints was higher than that in no-acupoints after EDTA-Na 2 injection ( P <0.01). Acupuncture could reduce oxygen partial pressure in acupoints by regulating microcirculation and increasing metabolic levels.