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

오가이,배경희,Ki Woo Kim,소광섭 사단법인약침학회 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.2

Abstract 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.

Observation of Coiled Blood Plexus in Rat Skin with Diffusive Light Illumination

오가이,Flora Min,KwanHyung Kim,JaiSoon Kim,배경희,Sang Chul Han,소광섭 사단법인약침학회 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.1

Blood plexuses are characteristic anatomical features of acupuncture points (APs). We developed an optical technique using diffusive light illumination to increase the brightened area of skin for observation of the blood plexuses in skin. We found that the blood plexuses were coiled blood vessels which came out of the perforations in the fascia of muscle. The coiled vessels could be straightened by stretching the skin. We observed a series of blood plexuses at the putative APs along the left and right kidney meridian lines in the abdominal skin of rats. In addition, the locations of the plexuses on the muscle fascia were just above the putative acupuncture muscle channels along the kidney meridians. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of the skin specimens of the plexuses revealed its neurovascular bundle nature as expected from known anatomical features of the APs.

Visualization of Bonghan Microcells by Electron and Atomic Force Microscopy

백구연,오가이,Sae Chae Jeoung,소광섭 사단법인약침학회 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.2

Abstract Objectives: The origin of adult stem cells remains an open question. If they derive from embryos, it is difficult to determine the mechanism which interrupts their differentiation during tissue formation. In the 1960s, the Bonghan microcell was suggested as one possible, yet to be described, route of stem cell production, such that they have the potential to proliferate to produce normal cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, Bonghan microcells were isolated from Bonghan tissues on rat organ surfaces, and their detailed morphology examined by electron and atomic force microscopy. Results: The ultrastructure observed distinguished them from apoptotic bodies and other microorganisms, and their unique, possible proliferation feature, as protruding threads, was imaged by atomic force microscopy. Conclusions: The unique threadlike structure of the Bonghan microcell is consistent with Prof. Kim's observation in the first step of making a cell. Understanding of the functions of this threadlike structure may give a clue to understand the origin or the differentiation cue of adult stem cells.

Intradermal Alcian-Blue Injection Method to Trace Acupuncture Meridians

성백경,김민수,오가이,강대인,소광섭,Sung, Baeck-Kyoung,Kim, Min-Su,Ogay, Vyacheslav,Kang, Dae-In,Soh, Kwang-Sup KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2008 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.11 No.2

목적 : 본 논문에서는 경락을 추적하기 위한 피내(皮內) 알시안 블루(Alcian blue) 염색 방법을 기술한다. 방법 : 1% 알시안 블루 용액을 31게이지 바늘이 달린 0.5mL 인슐린 주사기를 사용하여 경혈 지점에 피내 주사한 후 실체 현미경하에서 수술, 관찰하였다. 면역조직화학적 방법을 사용하여 해당 조직을 레이저 공초점주사현미경으로 관찰하였다. 결과 : 알시안 블루로 염색되고 피하로 이어지는 실 모양 구조물을 관찰하였다. 이 조직 내에서 특징적인 막대모양 핵 배열 및 $1-2{\mu}m$크기의 데옥시리보핵산 입자가 관찰되었다. 또한 경혈 조직 내에서 풍부한 모세혈관총 및 말초신경 말단, 그리고 약 $300{\mu}m$크기의 소체형 구조물을 확인하였다. 결론 : 경혈 지점의 피내에서 발견된 특징적 실 모양 구조물 및 소체형 구조물은 각각 표층 봉한관 및 소체로 판단된다. Objective In this article, we report on the intradermal Alcian blue staining method for tracing the meridians of acupuncture. Methods 1% Alcian blue solution was injected into acupoints by using a 0.5mL insulin syringe with a 31-gauge needle, then the skin was incised and was observed under a stereoscopic microscope. The specimens were examined by using immunohistochemical methods and were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Results A threadlike structure, which was visualized with Alcian blue, existed in dermis layer and proceeded to hypodermis. In this structure, characteristic alignments of rod- shaped nuclei and $1-2{\mu}m$ sized DNA granules were observed. Furthermore, abundant blood capillary plexuses, peripheral nerve endings, and a corpuscle-like structure(about $300{\mu}m$ in diameter) were visualized in the skin tissues of acupoints. Conclusion It was concluded that the specific threadlike and corpuscle-like structures corresponded to superficial Bonghan duct and corpuscle, respectively.

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

Hyun-Jung Han,성백경,오가이,소광섭 사단법인약침학회 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.3

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.

Bonghan Ducts as Possible Pathways for Cancer Metastasis

유정선,Hong Bae Kim,오가이,이병천,Saeyoung Ahn,소광섭 사단법인약침학회 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.2

Abstract 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 subcutaneous 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.