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

Ogay, V.,Bae, K.H.,Kim, K.W.,Soh, K.S. Elsevier 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.2

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

Ogay, V.,Min, F.,Kim, K.,Kim, J.,Bae, K.H.,Han, S.C.,Soh, K.S. Elsevier 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.

Imaging of Fluorescent Nanoparticles Distributed in Mouse Skin

소광섭,백구연,V. Ogay,Y. W. Lee,J. K. Lee,S. H. Lee,Y. J. Kim 한국물리학회 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.53 No.2

Fluorescence imaging and electron microscopic image analysis are important tools to study the behavior and the distribution of nanoparticles in skin. We injected 50-nm-sized polyethylene-glycolcoated nanoparticles and studied their distribution and interaction at the injection site by using fluorescence microscopes and electron microscopes. We found two barriers, the basement membrane that kept the nanoparticles from diffusing to the epidermis layer and another barrier that prevented diffusion to the muscle layer. The uptake capability of various cells was also investigated. This biomedical physics study will be useful for investigating and preventing serious medical problems that can be caused by the increasing use of nanoparticle-laden drug administrations.

Confocal and Electron Microscope Study of the Take-Up Process of Intraperitoneally-Administered Nanoparticles

K. S. Soh,백구연,V. Ogay,Y. Lee,J. K. Lee 한국물리학회 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.54 No.2

By using confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, we were able to investigate the initial take-up and distribution of uorescent nanoparticles injected into the abdominal cavity of mice. We found that intraperitoneally administrated nanoparticles were principally taken up by the omental fat band in the initial stage whereas absorption by other organs was prevented by their covering membranes. The milky spots on the omental fat band, known as peculiar lymphoid tissues, absorbed uorescent nanoparticles within tens of minutes through their loose boundaries and immune cells. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy revealed that nanoparticles were engulfed by the immune cells in the milky spots and were transported mainly through lymph vessels to other organs. This route could be an initial pathway for the journey to reticular endothelial systems like the liver. The direct connection of the omental fat band to the pancreas, the stomach and the spleen implies signicant medical applications. For example, toxic or therapeutic eects of nanoparticle-laden drug delivery to these digestive organs are expected.

Visualization of Bonghan Microcells by Electron and Atomic Force Microscopy

Baik, K.Y.,Ogay, V.,Jeoung, S.C.,Soh, K.S. Elsevier 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.2

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.

Bonghan Ducts as Possible Pathways for Cancer Metastasis

Yoo, J.S.,Kim, H.B.,Ogay, V.,Lee, B.C.,Ahn, S.,Soh, K.S. Elsevier 2009 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.2 No.2

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.

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

Han, H.J.,Sung, B.,Ogay, V.,Soh, K.S. Elsevier 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 x 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.