Epithelial tissues line the gut, skin, respiratory tract, and blood–brain interface. Their protective function depends not only on individual cells, but on specialized cell junctions that regulate permeability, mechanical stability, and communication between neighboring cells.

上皮組織分布於腸道、皮膚、呼吸道與血腦屏障，其功能不僅是「覆蓋」， 而是透過細胞之間精密的連結結構，維持屏障完整性、選擇性通透， 並確保細胞間能夠即時溝通與協調反應。

• Tight junctions regulate paracellular permeability and prevent unwanted substances from leaking between cells.
  緊密連結負責封閉細胞間隙，是腸道與皮膚屏障的核心結構。
• Adherens junctions and desmosomes provide mechanical stability and distribute tension across tissues.
  黏著連結與橋粒讓細胞能共同承受拉力，維持組織形態。
• Gap junctions allow ions and small signaling molecules to pass directly between adjacent cells, enabling coordination and synchronization.
  間隙連結是細胞間通訊的關鍵，使組織能同步反應。

Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and autonomic imbalance can disrupt tight junction proteins, alter cytoskeletal organization, and impair gap junction signaling. This may contribute to conditions such as increased intestinal permeability, chronic skin inflammation, or delayed tissue recovery.

當慢性發炎、氧化壓力或自律神經失衡存在時，上皮細胞的連結蛋白與骨架結構 可能受到影響，導致屏障鬆動、細胞通訊失調，進而增加組織敏感度與修復困難。

Modern research suggests that acupuncture can influence epithelial barrier health indirectly by modulating inflammation, autonomic nervous system activity, and local microcirculation.

從現代研究角度來看，針灸並非直接「修補」細胞連結，而是透過調節 發炎反應、自律神經張力與局部微循環，為上皮細胞恢復正常結構與通訊 創造有利的生理環境。

• Supporting tight junction stability by reducing pro-inflammatory signaling
  透過降低過度發炎訊號，間接支持緊密連結的穩定性
• Improving tissue perfusion and oxygenation, which supports epithelial repair
  改善組織灌流與氧合，為上皮修復提供必要條件
• Modulating neural–immune interactions that influence cell signaling dynamics
  調節神經—免疫互動，有助於細胞間訊號協調

From a systems perspective, epithelial barriers function best when cellular structure, immune regulation, and neural signaling are in balance. Acupuncture is applied as a supportive therapy to help restore this balance, rather than targeting a single molecular pathway in isolation.

從整體系統觀點來看，上皮屏障的健康取決於結構穩定、免疫調節與神經訊號的協調。 針灸的角色在於支持這種平衡，而非單點、單一路徑的干預。

In traditional Chinese medicine, barrier integrity and intercellular coordination are conceptually aligned with the regulation of Ying–Wei dynamics and Luo-network communication.

從中醫學術角度，上皮屏障與細胞協調可對應於 營衛運行的調和與絡脈系統的通暢。

This correspondence reflects a functional analogy rather than a direct structural equivalence, emphasizing system-level coordination over isolated anatomical targets.

此為功能層級的對照，用以輔助理解整體調節思路， 並非將現代細胞結構直接等同於傳統理論。

This content is for educational purposes and reflects an integrative understanding of modern physiology and acupuncture research.
本文為衛教與學術整合說明，非取代醫師診斷或治療。