• 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.7 no.3
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• pp.73-76
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• 2004

We report the new threadlike structures outside the blood vessels of mice. For this, we developed an in-situ searching method of the structure by vital staining with the dye of acridine orange and using a fluorescent stereomicroscope designed specifically for this purpose. We consider that the newly found threadlike structure might be rediscovery of the extra-vascular Bonghan duct which was reported in 1963 by Bonghan Kim.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.183-194
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• 2006

The threadlike structures of fascia were examined by tight and electron microscopy. In order to distinguish its tissue organization, we used staining methods including hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, Van Gieson's collagen fiber stain and Kluver-Barrera's luxol fast blue for nerve stain. Under the light microscope, the threadlike structures were composed of many collagen fibers and nerve. In higher magnification, they looked like as the bundle of tubular structures. Many myoid cell-spindle nuclei were observed in the tissue, which were taken from the fascia. It was identical with Bonghan duct known as one of meridian network theory. In the early 1960's the North Korean Bong-Han Kim showed the anatomical structures of the acupuncture points, and explained the meridian system as the concrete duct network system. According to Bonghan theory the Bonghan ducts spread throughout the body Because it is believed that the duct could have the role of signal pathway, the theory was reinvestigated in these days. All of the threadlike structures isolated from fascia shows the abundance of collagen fibers. The electron microscope examination (TEM) could confirm the well arranged collagen fiber and nerve. This investigation reveals that superficial Bohghan duct are nerve fiber parallel running with collagen fibers. We conjectured that the intermingled structure of collagen fiber, blood vessel and nerve fiber might have the role of meridian system. And the more, regardless of histological research, the study on collagen fiber as response transmitter in acupuncture treatment are in need.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.415-420
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• 2010

During a last decade, there have been considerable reports of novel thread-like structures (NTSs) in animals. The NTSs are thought to be a part of the Bonghan Ducts (BHD) system, which is described as a newly-discovered circulatory system. Networks of BHD system are completely different from blood vessels or lymphatic system in animal. To demonstrate intravascular NTSs, it is necessary to develop the effective method to observe the NTSs morphology. We considered several methods to study morphologically with NTSs. There are not explaining such structure in the current knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But we found very effective and easy method to study NTSs and BHD by agar-mediated embedding method.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.5-16
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• 2008

Objective: We took intravascular threadlike structures from rat aortas to investigate their histological characteristics consistent with the intravascular Bonghan duct. Methods: Gomori s silver impregnation method, in addition to routine hematoxylin and eosin staining, was applied to demonstrate the characteristic feature of the intravascular threadlike structures. Results: These two staining methods clearly showed that the intravascular threadlike structures had unique features of argyrophilic reticular fibers and heavily stained oval or rod-shaped nuclei in them. Conclusion: The results are strong evidences for identifying threadlike structure as the intravascular Bonghan duct.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.5-9
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• 2005

Observation of intra-vascular threadlike structures in the blood vessels of rats is reported with the images by differential interference contrast microscope, and fluorescence inverted microscope of the acridine-orange stained samples. The confocal microscope image and the hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed the distinctive pattern of nuclei distribution that clearly discerned the threadlike structure from fibrin, capillary, small venule, arteriole, or lymph vessel. Physiological function of the intra-vascular thread in connection with acupuncture is discussed. Especially, this threadlike duct can be a circulation path for herb-liquid flow, which may provide the scientific mechanism for therapeutic effect of herbal acupuncture.

• 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.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.