Objective: Pathology of an internal organ/body part changes electrical features of the corresponding skin areas-organ projection areas (OPAs)-which are often identified with traditional acupuncture points/zones. Once the resistance "breakthrough effect" has been induced in these specific skin areas, rectification of applied electrical currents (a diode phenomenon) occurs. In addition, increased impedance can be observed. It is presumed that these skin bioelectrical phenomena are the result of increased local capillary permeability with extravasation of blood-plasma albumins. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the microvasculature, using labeled albumins as markers, allows visualization of skin areas with higher albumin concentrations. The goal of this research was experimental verification of the abovementioned physiologic hypothesis by visualization of the OPAs. Materials and Methods: Preselected, comparative, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the auricular microvasculature were performed in the Division of Diagnostic Radiology of Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, in a group of 42 volunteers with proven clinical conditions of 49 (in total) chosen internal organs/body parts. Previously, 28 auricular OPAs related to internal organs/body parts with proven pathologies showed the abovementioned bioelectrical phenomena and 21 auricular OPAs in a control group did not show those phenomena to a significant extent. Contrast-enhanced MRI assessment of the study participants' ear auricle vascular permeability was performed after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 minutes after a standard contrast, which binds to albumins transiently, was injected intravenously. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images of the diseased body part-related OPAs versus images of the same but healthy body part-related OPAs (control group) were subjected to a final statistical comparison. Results: It was presumed that 24 OPAs related to internal organs/body parts with serious pathologies were visualized by means of labeled albumins and 25 OPAs corresponding to healthy body parts or minor pathologies were not seen. OPA visibility depended on the extent of pathology within the related internal organ/body part, but not on the kind of organ/body part nor etiology or kind of disease. Conclusions: Pathology of internal organ/body parts appears to cause higher concentrations of albumins within related OPAs and, in this way, creates specific electrical phenomena observed at the OPAs. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the microvasculature, using labeled albumins, can be useful for visualizing OPAs.
Keywords: acupuncture point; contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging; convergence modulation theory; organ electrodermal diagnostics (OED).