Intercellular communication, NO and the biology of Chinese medicine

Author: Dina Ralt1
Affiliation: 1Izun & Tmura, Integrative Health Inst. 6 Nezach Israel st. Tel Aviv, Israel 64352 Corresponding author. Dina Ralt: Izun.Tmura@gmail.com
Conference/Journal: Cell Commun Signal.
Date published: 2005
Other: Volume ID: 3 , Pages: 8 , Special Notes: Published online 2005 May 18. doi: 10.1186/1478-811X-3-8 , Word Count: 145


New multiple categories of health disciplines have become popular in the west and integration between the medicinal approaches has become essential.

The hypothesis presented here suggests a novel integrative view that combines Western biochemistry with the Chinese medicinal concept of qi.
The core for this hypothesis is that transmission of qi along the meridians is based on informational molecules that travel via an intercellular communication system. Acupuncture at specific points enhances the flow of the signaling molecules through this communication system.

Nitric oxide is suggested as a prime candidate for such a signaling molecule in the meridian system. The biochemistry of nitric oxide can shed light on the biology underlying Chinese medicine while Chinese medicinal data can provide a clue to the sought after framework for nitric oxide.

Full article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1180462
Copyright © 2005 Ralt; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.