Bonghan Ducts Research Articles

МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ СУБСТРАТ ТОЧЕК ИГЛОУКАЛЫВАНИЯ И СИСТЕМЫ МЕРИДИАНОВ КИТАЙСКОЙ ТРАДИЦИОННОЙ МЕДИЦИНЫ

The review summarizes studies related to current issues and concepts of the neuroanatomic basis of the meridian system and acupuncture points. The proponents of their existence have not yet come to any consensus on how they might work or be tested in a scientific context. Kim Bonghan, a professor at Pyongyang Medical University of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, discovered the anatomical structure of meridian collaterals, which he called the Bonghan corpuscles (now known as primo nodes) and the the Bonghan ducts (primo vessels), and called it the Bonghan (Kyungrak) system. In 2010, it was renamed into the primo vascular system (PVS), which exists throughout the organism, including blood and lymph vessels. PVS is an anatomical structure being a network of ducts with fluid flowing in them. This system consists of primo-vessels and primo-nodes, corresponding to acupuncture meridians, and acupuncture points, respectively. Thus, the PVS can serve as a morphological substrate for acupuncture points and meridians of traditional Chinese medicine; however, since there is no scientific consensus on the neuroanatomical basis of acupuncture, further morphological, physiological, and clinical studies are needed to promote a broader mutual understanding of this issue in the research community and beyond.

The Primo Vascular System as a Possible Exosomal Route Across the Body: Implications for Tumor Proliferation and Metastasis

This literature study article will present the possibility of a correlation between the energy meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which can be traced back to the recently described primo vessels (formerly known as Bong-Han ducts), their composition, and the ability of tumors to proliferate and metastasize. It is proposed that microvesicular bodies such as exosomes, known to be involved in cell-to-cell communication, immune response, and tumor proliferation, could be moving across the body via the primo vascular system. The ubiquity of the primo vascular system and its penetration through the blood–brain barrier could also explain the ability of some peripheral tumors (e.g., breast tumor) to metastasize in the brain.

New Developments in the Primo Vascular System: Imaging and Functions with regard to Acupuncture.

The Primo Vascular System (PVS) is an enigma. Does it exist or not? But Richard C. Niemtzow has seen it at the Nano Primo Research Center, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology under the Direction of Dr. Kwang-Sup Soh in Seoul, South Korea. Superficial primo-vessels, also known as Bonghan ducts and Bonghan channels, were first reported in 1962 by the North Korean scientist, Kim [1]. His work is shrouded in a cloak of mystery. Scientists are not able to reproduce all of his data, or at least for the moment without substantial difficulties. The PVS appears to be distributed throughout the entire body. Some scientists may say it is an illusion; others say it is a “new” anatomical system, while still others are convinced that these infinitesimal channels may act like optical fiber cables and transmit DNA related information continuously throughout the body using biophotons. As a comparison, we cannot see the millions of transistors on a CPU, but they are part of a manmade system that we use every day. Similarly many biological systems are indeed very minuscule. We need electronic microscopes to visualize some of their structures; otherwise, we would not know they exist. This special issue, focused on the Primo Vascular System, contains several unique articles that challenge its understanding: in the article “Primo Vascular System: An Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Potential Transitional Tissue Involved in Gastric Cancer Metastasis,” P. An and colleagues investigate the exciting area of gastric carcinoma and the possible role of PVS vessels as precursors of blood vessels. As such they claim that PVS may facilitate the metastatic spread of gastric cancer in the endothelial to mesenchyme tissues. The association of the PVS with cancer is one of the important discoveries by modern PVS researchers that Kim did not investigate [2]. The article “Identification of Primo-Vascular System in Abdominal Subcutaneous Tissue Layer of Rats” by C. J. Lim and colleagues describes a methodology employing Hemacolor staining to identify the PVS in rat abdominal subcutaneous tissues. The authors substantiate it by providing images. Staining methods have been critical for revealing the hard-to-observe PVS. The first effective dye used to visualize the PVS was Trypan blue [3] followed by Hemacolor [4]. Additionally, the authors present a newly developed method using Hemacolor staining to identify the PVS in the subcutaneous tissue. They explain that the importance of this observation is that these skin-PVS could be the Conception Vessels in the skin of the rats. And this may provide substantial evidence that the PVS is located at acupuncture meridians. This article provides the incentive for further research into the relationship between the PVS and anatomy [5]. The article “Fascia and Primo Vascular System” by C. Yang and colleagues reviews fascia research and its relationship with acupuncture points, meridians, and PVS. The fascia bands together the tissues in the body and is receiving attention as the basis for clinical effectors. This article provides a timely review on the relationship between basic anatomy and clinical strategies. The article “Primo-Vascular System as Presented by Bong Han Kim” by V. Vodyanoy and colleagues discusses staining methods used by Kim [1] in his original work, which with the aid of a high-resolution microscope have subsequently been confirmed. This article provides valuable information on effective histological methods for investigating the PVS. The article “Comparison of Alcian Blue, Trypan Blue, and Toluidine Blue for Visualization of the Primo Vascular System Floating in Lymph Ducts” by R. Cha and colleagues describes the different characteristics of these dyes that may elucidate the mechanism of preferential PVS staining. Finally, we are evoked by the words of Konrad Lorenz, “Truth in science can be defined as the working hypothesis best suited to open the way to the next better one.”

Are conduits superconductor-like and supported by tetrahedra structure of hyaluronic matrix in living systems? New perspectives

All biological-medical treatments need a ground regulation in the intermeshed control loop system in animate matter. The focus of our contribution is to suggest a possible mechanism in this interconnected system that will work in order to supply/assist a higher ordered servo loop. Bonghan ducts indicate similarities to so-called meridians or conduits that are the central part in Chinese Medicine for the energy Qi. It is assumed that the nervous system demands a highly redundant and rapid communication system (RCS) probably established via the extracellular matrix (ECM) and triggered by a threshold value for the entire body. Metabolic processes could work in the picosecond's range while the nervous system is on the time scale at least one order of magnitude lower; probably most of them in the millisecond range. Long-range coherent electromagnetic phenomena and recent experiments indicate a structured superconducting-like system with the Josephson-effect behavior in biological systems. In the ECM are the components proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (PG/GAGs) and among them the ubiquitarian hyaluronic acid plays probably an important role and can behave as liquid crystals while the charge transport is performed via proton "jumping" in the proton-chains. Therefore, the water molecules have to be confident on a nanometer scale, lowering their energy states, and set up a phase transition with a rapid jumping of the protons through the water-carbon-chains. These partial chains could probably be modeled by tiny pyramids of the atoms. We propose that in order to set up those long-range coherent effects, a vortex is created. By doing Qi Gong, an energetic vortex through the body is established and the entire body can be modeled by two-base plane-faced pyramids acting as a tunable cavity resonator obeying electrodynamics laws. Therefore, the phenomenon's of pyramids should be considered in animate and inanimate matter in order to achieve long-range coherent effects, which by now controversially discussed and to go new ways to come over the clutter.

Can the Primo Vascular System (Bong Han Duct System) be a Basic Concept for Qi Production?

Background: A new system of circulation has been found in some small animals recently and it was suggested that this new system could exist in the human body too. The system could potentially explain all the abilities and mechanisms of traditional medicine along with Chinese traditional medicine. In the early 1960s, the time of its discovery, it was called Bong Han Duct (BHD) which afterwards, during an international meeting in Korea in 2009, was changed to Primo Vascular (or Vessel) System (PVS). Methods: This is a library study. Previous studies on the BHD are the basis of this report, but by considering some other views, such as biophoton, it attempts to discuss scientifically some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) frameworks, such as Qi, Meridian and AP. Results: This system is similar to a network composed of a duct containing some sub-ductuls and corpuscles which are like a control canon and act as a control room for these ducts. In these ducts, very small floating granules are present and these contain genomic information. The information of one or two chromosomes is in each granule. These granules stay afloat in a fluid termed primo fluid and contain amino acid, hyaluronic acid, more than 270 proteins and some other substances vital for cells and tissues. Conclusion: It is the first report to describe the issue of Qi, Meridian and acupuncture points. In this brief review article, the system of BHG has been studied and introduced as a possible fundamental part and justification of the mechanism(s) involved in the abilities of traditional and biomedicine and also Qi formation. Additionally, PVS is considered as a possible circulatory organ explaining the anatomical arrangement of the acupuncture meridian system.

Expression of Stem Cell Markers in Primo Vessel of Rat

Accumulating line of evidence support that adult tissues contain a rare population of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), which differentiate into all types of cells in our body. Bonghan microcell (primo microcells (PMCs)) discovered in 1960s was reported to have a pluripotency like a stem cell in vivo as well as in vitro condition. Here, we describe the detailed morphology and molecular features of PMCs. PMCs reside in Bonghan duct (primo vessel (PV)) reported as a corresponding structure of acupuncture points and meridian system. We found that PMCs were frequently observed in the liver surface of the rat between 300 g and 400 g from April to June, suggesting that the their detection frequency depends on the weight, the season, and the organ of rat. As reported, PMCs freshly isolated from PVs were spherical ~1-2 μm microsized cells. In contrast, a unique bithread or budding-shaped PMCs emerged during tissue culture around 8 days. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that PVs-derived cells express the Oct4, the most important PSCs gene, in addition to several PSCs markers (Sox2, Stella, Rex1, and Klf4). Thus, we for the first time provide the evidence about Oct4-expressing stem-like characteristics for cells resident in PVs, a possible novel stem cell enriched niche.

History of Bioelectrical Study and the Electrophysiology of the Primo Vascular System

Background. Primo vascular system is a new anatomical structure whose research results have reported the possibility of a new circulatory system similar to the blood vascular system and cells. Electrophysiology, which measures and analyzes bioelectrical signals tissues and cells, is an important research area for investigating the function of tissues and cells. The bioelectrical study of the primo vascular system has been reported by using modern techniques since the early 1960s by Bonghan Kim. This paper reviews the research result of the electrophysiological study of the primo vascular system for the discussion of the circulatory function. We hope it would help to study the electrophysiology of the primo vascular system for researchers. This paper will use the following exchangeable expressions: Kyungrak system = Bonghan system = Bonghan circulatory system = primo vascular system = primo system; Bonghan corpuscle = primo node; Bonghan duct = primo vessel. We think that objective descriptions of reviewed papers are more important than unified expressions when citing the papers. That said, this paper will unify the expressions of the primo vascular system.

Historical Review about Research on “Bonghan System” in China

The meridian-collateral theory is the theoretical basis of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. Professor Bonghan Kim, a professor of the Pyongyang Medical University of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, claimed that he found the anatomical structure of meridian-collaterals, named Bonghan corpuscles (BHCs) and Bonghan ducts (BHDs) system or primo vascular system (PVS), in 1962. From 1963 to 1965, researchers from our institute conducted a series of comparative anatomical experiments, trying to reproduce the so-called BHC- and BHD-like structures in different strains of animals. In the present paper, the authors introduced their research findings about BHC- and BHD-like structures in the young rabbit's umbilicus including its external appearance, ectoplasm and endoplasm, and about strip-like and node-like objects in the blood vessels and lymph vessels near the larger abdominal and cervical blood vessels and chromaffin tissue in the back wall of the rabbit's abdominal cavity and between the bilateral kidneys. In spite of existence of the BHC- and BHD-like structures in the rabbit, there has been no proved evidence for their association with the meridian-collateral system described in acupuncture medicine. In the present historical review, the authors also make a discussion about the significance of those findings.

Toward a Theory of the Primo Vascular System: A Hypothetical Circulatory System at the Subcellular Level

This paper suggests a theoretical framework for the primo vascular system (PVS), a hypothetical circulatory system, in which extracellular DNA microvesicles interact to form and break down cell structures. Since Bonghan Kim reported the existence of Bonghan ducts and the SNU research team reinvestigated and named it the PVS, there has been series of studies trying to examine its structure and functions. In this paper, we hypothesize that the PVS is the network system in which extracellular DNA microvesicles circulate and interact at the subcellular level, forming and breaking down cell structures. This idea integrates A. Béchamp's idea of microzymas and Bonghan Kim's idea of sanals. A proof of this idea may complement modern medical theory, perhaps providing an essential clue for an alternative solution dealing with modern healthcare problem.

Fine Structure of Extracellular Fibers in Primo-nodes and Vessels

To investigate the extracellular matrices in the primo-nodes (PNs) and vessels (PVs) (Bonghan corpuscles and ducts), fine structure of the fibers comprising the extracellular matrices was studied in relation to the diameter and the periodicity to identify the types of the fibers. Electron micrographs of the fibers from the previously published works on the PNs and PVs were analyzed by using MATLAB programming and ImageJ software. The extracellular fibrous components of the PNs and PVs could be classified generally into two groups—thin collagen fibrils and thick non-collagenous wavy bent fibers. The thick bent fibers were fibrin-like. The diameters of the thick bent fibers were 30–200 nm and they were highly bent. This group included organ surface PNs and lymphatic PNs/PVs. The diameters of the collagen fibrils were 30–70 nm. Organ surface, heart, and hypodermis PVs were categorized in this group. The periodicity of bent fibers in an organ surface PN was 16.1 ± 0.2 (SE) nm, and the periodicity of collagen fibrils in the hypodermis PVs was 37.4 ± 0.5 (SE) nm. Further investigations are required to reveal the physiological implications of the two types of fibers in the PNs and PVs.

Identification of keratin 10 in a novel threadlike‐structure, Bonghan ducts and corpuscles

Keratin 10 (K10) is one of the major keratins involved in keratinoncytes differentiation and keratinization. In the present study, we examined the expression of K10 in the novel thread‐like structures (NTS) composed of Bonghan ducts and corpuscles located on the surface of the rat abdominal organs. The K10 mRNA and protein was identified by RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis. The K10 immunoreactivities were detected in a follicle‐like structure that covers several cells inside the NTS. Taken together, NTS expresses K10, in particular, in its internal structure. This is the first report demonstrating the expression of K10 in the NTS and may help to understand the structure and function of the NTS.

Bonghan circulatory system as an extension of acupuncture meridians

The Bonghan system is a newly-discovered circulatory system, which corresponds to classical acupuncture meridians and was discovered in the early 1960s by Bonghan Kim. Despite its potential importance in biology and medicine, it has been ignored or forgotten for a long time. Only recently have most of its significant parts, such as the Bonghan system (BHS) inside blood or lymph vessels, on the surfaces of internal organs, and in brain ventricles, been confirmed. For this, novel methods using modern technology were necessary because Bonghan Kim did not describe his methods. For example, Among other methods, the discovery of a BHS-specific dye, trypan blue, was one of the most important original contributions that made BHS observation possible. With this technique, the BHS in adipose tissue became traceable, and the BHS was discovered on the fascia surrounding tumor tissues, a finding which may have great significance in relation to serious health problems in modem society, namely, obesity and cancer. Key words: Acupuncture meridian; Bonghan corpuscle; Bonghan duct; cancer; Regeneration; Trypan blue

Anatomical Discrimination of the Differences Between Torn Mesentery Tissue and Internal Organ-surface Primo-vessels

The most difficult step in the morphological study of the internal organ-surface primo-vessel (Bong-Han duct) system is the correct identification of samples, due to similarities between torn mesentery and primo-vessel tissue. Without proper sample discernment, the subsequent parts of morphological studies cannot be trusted. Here, we present differences between torn mesentery and primo-vessel tissues as determined by minimal operation, using stereoscopic and microscopic observation. Stereoscopic observation revealed that torn mesentery is tightly connected to the organ surface and does not branch; the detached margin has a fan-shaped membrane without any swollen portions. Primo-vessels are slightly connected to the organ surface and branched, while detached margins lack a membrane and possess a swelling termed the primo-node (Bong-Han corpuscle). Microscopic observation shows bundle patterns in primo-vessel tissue, but irregular arrangement in torn mesentery tissue. These characteristics can be used to distinguish torn mesentery from primo-vessels.

Visualization of Acupuncture Meridians in the Hypodermis of Rat Using Trypan Blue

Bonghan Kim claimed that the primo-vessel (Bonghan duct) and the primo-node (Bonghan corpuscle) are anatomical structures corresponding to acupuncture meridians and acupoints, respectively, but this claim has not been confirmed. Recently we found that Trypan blue preferentially stained primo-vessels and primo-nodes on the surfaces of internal organs, not staining other structures like blood or lymph vessels or nerves. In this work, we applied Trypan blue to visualize the putative acupuncture meridian along skin skeletal muscles in the hypodermal layer of a rat. The Trypan blue stained-structures are morphologically similar to the meridian primo-vessels, as claimed by Bonghan Kim. Further study is needed to investigate the network of these Trypan blue-stained structures in order to establish them as acupuncture meridians.

DiI Staining of Fine Branches of Bonghan Ducts on Surface of Rat Abdominal Organs

Novel thread-like structures and corpuscles, designated Bonghan ducts (BHDs) and corpuscles (BHCs), are known to form a system of networked channels. Here, we tested the effectiveness of a fluorescent carbocyanine dye, DiI (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate), in staining BHDs and BHCs. DiI solution was infused into a BHC on the surface of a rat abdominal organ at a steady rate and the resulting labeling of neighboring BHCs connected via BHDs was examined, as identified by the red fluorescence of DiI. BHDs diameters tapered away from BHCs and formed tree-like branches with fine arborizations embedded in the membranous tissues at their terminal parts. In the proximal parts, DiI fluorescence appeared as continuous lines within BHDs, but a large portion of BHDs remained unstained. In the distal parts of BHDs, discontinuous elongated DiI microparticles were identified along the sinuses within BHDs. The results showed that inner spaces within the BHDs allowed DiI to flow and that BHDs have tree-like branches and terminal arborizations. In conclusion, DiI can be used in visualizing BHDs fine structures.

The Origin of Endothelial Cells in Novel Structures, Bonghan Ducts and Bonghan Corpuscles Determined Using Immunofluorescence

Bonghan ducts (BHDs), and their associated Bonghan corpuscles (BHCs), which are novel threadlike structures, were recently observed in rats and rabbits by using various methods. As further support for the putative circulatory function of the novel threadlike structures (NTS), we investigated the presence and the origin of the endothelial cells within these structures. We immunostained the NTS with anti-CD146, an endothelial cell marker, and with anti-podoplanin, a lymphatic cell marker. Positive expression of CD146 in the BHDs was obtained, and the distribution of endothelial cells showed that the inner boundaries of the channels in the subducts branched from the BHDs and curled around, in a complicated manner, inside a BHCs. The negative expression of podoplanin implies that the endothelial cells in the BHDs are likely to be of vascular and not of lymphatic origin.

The Flow Path of Alcian Blue From the Acupoint BL23 to the Surface of Abdominal Organs

Two hours after Alcian Blue (AB) dye was injected at the rat acupoint BL23, the abdominal cavity was examined and AB-stained threadlike structures were observed on the right abdominal cavity. Those threadlike structures were mainly distributed on the surfaces of the duodenum, colon and cecum. These threadlike structures were thin (about 50 μm) and moved freely, and were connected to corpuscles that were about 500 × 200 μm wide and also stained with AB. On analyzing the histology of the threadlike structures, rod-shaped nuclei, bundles of collagen fibers, reticulofibers, and squamous-like epithelial cells were observed. Immune cells and some sinuses were inside the threadlike structures. These characteristics describe those of Bonghan ducts. The flow paths from the acupoint to internal organs can possibly be used as paths for drug delivery.

Development of a Laparoscopic System for In Vivo Observation of the Bonghan Structure

Bonghan structures composed of corpuscles and ducts have been observed in numerous animal experiments. The structure has been suggested to be the physical substrate for acupuncture points and meridians used in traditional Chinese medicine. The corpuscle-duct structure on the organ surface has been extensively studied. However, it was only observed after the abdomen of a rat was fully exposed. It may be desirable to observe these structures under minimally invasive conditions. Our laparoscope is specifically designed for in situ, in vivo observation of the Bonghan structure on the surface of internal organs in rats. We made a laparoscope consisting of a borescope combined with an illumination module and an imaging data acquisition part. The Bonghan structure is transparent and is hard to see, even with the borescope. Spraying a specific dye, trypan blue and washing with saline is a necessary process to visualize the structure. For this reason, we devised a staining and washing system attached in parallel with the borescope in the laparoscopic system. The system operated successfully to reveal a Bonghan structure without surgery. This tool opens a host of possible applications such as observation of flow of stained liquid or drug in the Bonghan duct flowing from the skin to internal organs, and long-term observation of the physiological changes in Bonghan corpuscles.

Bonghan Ducts as Possible Pathways for Cancer Metastasis

Objective The present study has been designed to find a possible new route for the metastasis of cancer cells on the fascia surrounding tumor tissue using a novel technique of trypan blue staining. Materials and Methods Tumor tissues were grown in the skin of nude mice after sub-cutaneous inoculation with human lung cancer cells. Trypan blue was recently identified as a dye with specificity for Bonghan ducts (BHDs) and not other tissues, such as blood or lymph vessels or nerves. Results We demonstrate that the trypan blue staining technique allows the first visualization of BHDs which are connected to tumor tissues. Conclusion Since BHDs are known to make up a circulatory system corresponding to acu puncture meridians or collaterals, we propose that, in addition to the currently known blood or lymph vessels, BHDs on tumor tissue fascia may be a novel pathway for metastasis.

Comparison of the Characteristic Features of Bonghan Ducts, Blood and Lymphatic Capillaries

Objective To show that the characteristic morphological and ultrastructural features of a Bonghan corpuscle and duct presented here are consistent with the description given in the early reports of Bonghan Kim. Materials and Methods We compared the morphological aspects of Bonghan ducts with those of blood and lymphatic capillaries on the ultrastructural level to display the manifestly distinctive nature of the Bonghan system. Results The walls of the ductules were observed to be composed of a single layer of endothelial cells with characteristic rod-shaped nuclei and were not surrounded by a basal lamina or by accessory cells, such as pericytes or smooth muscle cells. The abluminal cell membranes of Bonghan ductules were not attached by anchoring filaments to the fibers of extracellular matrices as observed in lymphatic capillaries. The cytoplasmic processes of ductule endothelial cells appear to form overlapping and interdigitated interconnections which completely lack junctional elements. Although the cytoplasm of ductule endothelial cells contained a well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and many free ribosomes and polysomes, there was a relatively small number of pinocytotic vesicles and lacks specific organelles, such as Weibel-Palade bodies. Conclusions The Bonghan corpuscles are specialized structures consisting of different types of immune cells randomly scattered as single cells in the matrix or clustered in follicle-like formations. Moreover, the Bonghan ductules in the corpuscle contain flowing immune cells and occasionally basophilic bodies.