Biotensegrity or Fascintegrity?

Abstract

The biotensegrity view of the living is a theoretical model and there is no mathematical study in vitro or in vivo that demonstrates its validity, taking into account the presence of liquids (blood, lymph, water), the tension produced by nerves and blood vessels, just as the displacement of the viscera and their resistances and contractions are not taken into consideration. The concept of cellular transduction is reviewed as it is the key to understanding if the passage of different mechanical information occurs only through solid structures, such as the cytoskeleton, or even liquid and viscous. The article focuses on reviewing the weaknesses of the biotensegrity model in the light of new scientific information, trying to coin another term that better reflects the dynamics of living: fascintegrity.

The Shape and Function of Solid Fascias Depend on the Presence of Liquid Fascias

“…The means of spreading of this mechanical, electrical, and chemical information are fluids. The cell is full of cytoplasm, as well as the membrane that surrounds it is rich in fluids; externally we find the extracellular matrix with interstitial fluids and more consistent hydrostatic pressure changes due to the presence of vessels containing lymph and blood [3]. Without the fluids, the deformation of the cell would not occur, there would be no movement of the actomyosin complex, there would be no transport of biochemical or electrical activity [25].…”

“…The contraction is used to understand the surrounding mechanometabolic environment and to get the mechanical information to the nucleus of the cell; moreover, this deformation is felt by other cells [25]. The mechanical deformation of the cell is not only an adaptation but a means of communication [3]. This is biotensegrity.…”

“…The theoretical model of biotensegrity considers bones and muscle tissue (and connected) as the component of discontinuous tension and the component in prestress, respectively [2]. The philosophy of biotensegrity can be applied to the whole body, as well as to every single body area, up to the cell, as in a previous article, where I have shown in detail the different connections [3]. The model marries the definition of what is the fascial continuum, according to Fascia Nomenclature Committee: "The fascial system includes adipose tissue, adventitia, neurovascular sheaths, aponeuroses, deep and superficial fasciae, dermis, epineurium, joint capsules, ligaments, membranes, meninges, myofascial expansions, periosteum, retinacula, septa, tendons (including endotendon/peritendon/epitendon/paratendon), visceral fasciae, and all the intramuscular and intermuscular connective tissues, including endomysium/perimysium/epimysium" [4].…”

“…Another model called fascintegrity and created by the Foundation of Osteopathic Research and Clinical Endorsement (FORCE) group involves blood and lymph (specialized connective tissue) [4]. The human body is made up of fluids, from its entirety to the individual cell; without the presence of fluids, the human body or the single-cell could not adapt, could not survive and would not have the shape we know [3]. In the 21st century, we are still debating whether the biotensegrity model is a valid model [6].…”

“…But this is precisely the richness of a model, that is, to stimulate research and the advancement of the understanding of what happens in the biological sphere. The fascintegrity model includes fluids in its philosophy but, like the previous model, it is a theoretical approach, which needs further study [3]. The theme of the review is to highlight the importance of fluids on the ability of the cell and tissues to function and maintain the shape during biological activities.…”