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An interesting paper, possibly relevant to acupuncture

Structure and Distribution of an Unrecognized Interstitium in Human Tissues
doi:10.1038/s41598-018-23062-6

This paper is very interesting in its own right and I think may have relevance to acupuncture. Although the focus is mainly on internal organs the findings also relate to the skin and connective tissue generally. The authors describe a previously unknown but widespread system of fluid-carrying channels of potential clinical significance.


"We propose here a revision of the anatomical concepts of the submucosa, dermis, fascia, and vascular adventitia, suggesting that, rather than being densely-packed barrier-like walls of collagen, they are fluid-filled interstitial spaces. The presence of fluid has important implications for tissue function and pathology. Our data comparing rapidly-biopsied and frozen tissue with tissue fixed in a standard fashion suggest that the spaces we describe, supported and organized by a collagen lattice, are compressible and distensible and may thus serve as shock absorbers."


This mechanism is thought to occur in the skin under mechanical compression and in the musculosketal system during activity.


"In sum, while typical descriptions of the interstitium suggest spaces between cells, we describe macroscopically visible spaces within tissues – dynamically compressible and distensible sinuses through which interstitial fluid flows around the body. Our findings necessitate reconsideration of many of the normal functional activities of different organs and of disordered fluid dynamics in the setting of disease, including fibrosis and metastasis."



Whether this discovery will ultimately prove to have relevance for acupuncture remains to be seen, but it's certainly something we need to be aware of. For example, it may be an additional reason for rejecting skin pressure as a valid control in acupuncture trials. So watch this space (literally).


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