Macrophages are not merely phagocytic cells; they are highly specialized immune regulators that rely heavily on receptor-mediated endocytosis to recognize, internalize, and process extracellular substances such as lipoproteins, immune complexes, and inflammatory signals.
巨噬細胞並非只是單純的吞噬細胞，而是高度專門化的免疫調節者，其功能高度依賴受體介導的胞吞作用，以辨識、攝取並處理脂蛋白、免疫複合物及各類發炎訊號。
In inflammatory states, macrophage function often shifts toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype (M1), characterized by altered receptor expression and biased endocytosis toward danger-associated and inflammatory ligands. This imbalance amplifies inflammation and impairs effective tissue repair and metabolic regulation.
在發炎狀態下，巨噬細胞常偏向促發炎型（M1），其受體表達與內吞路徑發生改變，使內吞行為偏向攝取危險相關與發炎性配體，進而放大發炎反應，並削弱組織修復與代謝調節能力。
Experimental studies suggest that acupuncture can modulate macrophage activity by regulating receptor-related inflammatory signaling pathways, including TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB, and by promoting a shift from pro-inflammatory (M1) toward anti-inflammatory or tissue-repairing (M2) phenotypes.
實驗研究顯示，針灸可透過調節與受體相關的發炎訊號通路（如 TLR4 / MyD88 / NF-κB），影響巨噬細胞功能，並促進其由促發炎型（M1）向抗發炎或組織修復型（M2）轉變。
At the cellular level, this suggests that acupuncture may help restore balanced receptor-mediated endocytosis, allowing macrophages to process signals and substances in a more regulated and adaptive manner rather than perpetuating chronic inflammation.
在細胞層級上，這代表針灸可能有助於恢復受體介導內吞的平衡，使巨噬細胞能以較為調控且具適應性的方式處理訊號與物質，而非持續推動慢性發炎。
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, this regulatory role of macrophages parallels the concept of 絡脈 as fine networks responsible for local regulation and communication, while balanced receptor-mediated uptake reflects the harmonious interaction of 營氣 (nutritive function) and 衛氣 (defensive regulation).
從中醫角度來看，巨噬細胞的調控角色可對應於「絡脈」所主的精細聯絡與局部調節功能，而受體介導的選擇性攝取，則反映營氣（濡養）與衛氣（防禦與辨識）之間的協調運作。
When inflammation dominates, essential substances may reach tissues but cannot be effectively utilized, a condition that resonates with the TCM concept of “essence arriving but not being properly transformed or distributed.”
當發炎反應主導時，精微物質雖可到達局部組織，卻無法被有效利用，這與中醫所謂「精微已至而運化失司」的概念相互呼應。
In this context, acupuncture is understood not as forcibly suppressing inflammation, but as supporting the restoration of regulatory balance—allowing immune and metabolic systems to correctly recognize, internalize, and utilize essential signals and substances.
因此，針灸在此並非被理解為強行抑制發炎，而是協助恢復調節平衡，使免疫與代謝系統重新具備正確辨識、攝取與利用精微物質的能力。
🔽 學術延伸閱讀（PMC 文獻）
- The Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Mechanisms of Acupuncture — Review of immune pathways including monocytes/macrophages and inflammatory signaling.
- The role of macrophage polarization in regulating the anti-inflammatory action of acupuncture — Focus on M1/M2 polarization and proposed upstream mechanisms.
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Acupuncture at ST36 — Discusses ST36-related mechanisms including TLR4/NF-κB signaling inactivation.
- The immunomodulatory mechanisms for acupuncture practice — Broad immunomodulation review including neuro-immune regulation and systemic inflammation models.
- Electroacupuncture activates neurons to switch off inflammation — Neuro-immune pathway framing for anti-inflammatory effects.
- Acupuncture’s Immunomodulatory Effects on Macrophages in Allergic Disorders — Systematic review focusing on macrophage-related immunomodulation in allergic conditions.
Jade Health Acupuncture 
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