• 경락경혈학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.141-141
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• 2006

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.5-12
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• 2008

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.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2009

Objective : In 1960's Bonghan Kim's team found BongHan(BH) ducts which were presumed as acupuncture meridians and BH corpuscles. They asserted Bonghan theory and SanAl theory which was involved in cell division and cell restoration. However, many other experiments which had been operated to demonstrate and find the existence of BH ducts had failed because of the secret of blue stain drugs. During the last several years, BongHan theory has been revived through experimental researches to find the anatomical structures of BH ducts and corpuscles by Soh's Biomedical Physics Lab. Soh's research team used the staining with Janus Green B, Alcian blue, nanoparticles and Acridine Orange. We used DAPI staining to find the existence of BH ducts and the corpuscles and to observe nuclear arrangement. Methods : We used japan white rabbits as experimental animals. BH ducts and corpuscles were stained with DAPI. The nucleus configuration in BH ducts stained with DAPI were observed with microscope. Results : In this study, we found thread like structures in silver white color distinguished from the blood vessels, nerves and lymph vessels. These thread like vessels in the linear duct shape were connected to same colored mass in the ball shape. Thread like structures we found could be separated easily from the surrounding other organ mass. The nuclei of the thread like structure in DAPI staining, are about 10${\sim}$20${\mu}m$ length, in rod shape and linear arrangement. Conclusion : We concluded that the thread like structure we found was same vessel reported by Soh's research team, BongHan ducts and corpuscle.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.3 s.21
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• pp.5-10
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• 2006

Though anatomical and histological investigations on the novel threadlike and corpuscular structures, Bonghan duct(BHD) and Bonghan corpuscles(BHC) of internal organs of rats and rabbits were extensively studied. In this article we introduce the refined method to observe the BHD and BHC on the internal organs of mice. This development is needed because immunohistochemical analysis and other modern biological techniques were mostly applicable only to mice but not to rats and rabbits. We made uses of grazing effect of light as well as discriminating technique of BHD/C from fibrin and take the novel structures, BHD/C on mouse internal organ. The specimens taken were examined by hematoxyline and eosin(H & E) and revealed as novel structures. Our method described herein to take BHD/C characterization of mouse, especially for stem cell related researches.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2008

Objectives : Showing that Bong-Han corpuscles(BHC) are suppliers of the stem cells in adulthood, and the Bong-Han ducts(BHD) are transportation routes of stem cells. Methods : BHC and BHD were obtained from the internal organ-surfaces of rats. The sliced BHC and BHD were immunostained with various stem cell markers. Extracellular matrices were also analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Result : The presence of mesenchymal stem cells was confirmed by the expression of Integrin beta 1, Collagen type 1 and Fibronectin. But CD54 was not expressed. The hematopoietic stem cell marker, Thy 1 was strongly expressed. BHDs showed Collagen type 1, Fibronectin, and vWF expression. Conclusion : Both hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cell markers were expressed strongly in BHC similarly as in bone marrow. An endothelial cell marker(vWF) demonstrated the possibility of the stem cell transportation routes of BHD.