Primo Vascular System as a New Morphofunctional Integrated System

Use of nano-enabled approaches to advance acupuncture therapy for disease management

Acupuncture is an ancient form of therapy, which has long been part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); however, its use has spread globally, to the point where it is currently practiced worldwide. Although metal needles continue to be used most commonly, through multidisciplinary research, novel technologies, including nanotechnology, have allowed acupuncture to evolve to the point of achieving greater efficiency and more sophisticated functions in clinical practice. We summarized recent advancements in the literature using nano-enabled strategies to create novel needles that enhance and expand their therapeutic effects and found that nanotechnology may help provide new evidence to verify acupuncture theory, improve the features of acupuncture needles and their clinical effects by combining with drug delivery, and even enable new therapeutic methods when combined with acupuncture needles. The use of nano-technology with acupuncture delivery looks very promising for potential clinical applications. We also envisage that with nanotechnology, innovations in acupuncture needles could generate a multi-functional toolbox for use in both diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. Such new types of acupuncture needles could be used at acupoints and data collected to guide the planning of clinical trials may be more consistent with acupuncture theory and traditional clinical applications of this therapeutic modality.

A new definition about the relationship of intercellular fluid in the brain with the mandibular and parotid lymph nodes

This study was carried out to reveal the relationship of the brain with both the mandibular lymph node (MLN) and parotid lymph node (PLN) by the hyperspectral fluorescence imaging techniques of Qdot 800 (QD) nanoparticles using in vivo. This relationship of the brain with both lymph nodes offers the preliminary morphological definition of lymphatic drainage. QD was injected into the left parietal brain lobe of each rat at a depth of 2.50 mm. In 65% of the rats that were imaged in vivo, signals were received first from the right MLN and PLN, and then from the left MLN and PLN. In contrast, in two female rats, the first signal was received from the right PLN. There was no difference between the female and male rats overall. The most noteworthy finding of this study was that the tracer injected into the left parietal lobe reached the right mandibular and parotid lymph nodules earlier. This result indicates a different and unknown pathway in the brain that communicates with the lymph nodes. Moreover, this study shows that these lymph nodes pathways can be used in the treatment of diseases such as brain trauma, cerebral edema, and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin administered via the Baihui acupoint on follicular ovarian dynamics and the luteal function of cattle during an ovulation synchronization treatment regimen for fixed-time artificial insemination

Objectives were to evaluate effects of a smaller than typically used dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) during a fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) treatment regimen. Transrectal ultrasonic (US) examinations were conducted on dairy cows on Day 0 (D0) and the treatment regimen was initiated with administrations of an intravaginal progesterone (P₄) implant, estradiol benzoate (im), and prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α; im). On D8, the P₄ implant was removed and PGF_2α and estradiol cypionate were administered to all animals. Subsequently, cows were randomly assigned to three groups and eCG was administered to Groups 1, 2, and 3 in doses of 300 (im); 100 (im); and 100 (Baihui acupoint) IUs, respectively. The B-mode and power-flow US cineloops were performed to assess follicular dynamics and evaluate various morphological and vascular characteristics of the corpus luteum. Blood samples were collected to quantify serum P₄ concentrations. There were no differences between the ovulation synchronization treatment regimens for all follicular dynamic variables tested; however, cows in Group 3 differed from Group 2 having a larger follicle diameter (FD) on D10 (P = 0.06) and larger preovulatory FD (P = 0.09), as well as a blood perfusion area of the dominant follicle wall on D8 (P = 0.07). There were no differences in responses to the ovulation synchronization treatment regimens for the luteal variables evaluated subsequent to ovulation. In conclusion, the Baihui acupoint was effective as an alternative route for eCG dose reduction when FTAI treatment regimens were imposed without detrimentally affecting values for reproductive variables.

Production and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Primo Vascular System of Rat

BACKGROUND

The primo vascular system (PVS) has been difficult to detect due to its small diameter and translucent features of the threadlike network. Thus, contrast-enhancing dyes including Alcian blue, Trypan blue and Janus green B had to be used for finding and taking out PVS from rat and mouse.

OBJECTIVE

Generation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against PVS of rat was intended to use as a detector for PVS and a biological tool for functional study of PVS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Primo vessel (PV) and Primo node (PN) were isolated from organ surfaces of rat and then their proteins were isolated and injected into mouse as an immunogen. The classical traditional method was applied for production of mAbs against PVS. The various techniques, such as cell fusion, screening of hybridoma, ELISA, Western blotting (WB), immunofluorescence microscopy (IF), and limiting dilution, were used to generate mAbs against PVS.

RESULTS

Among 16 mAbs generated, 4 representative mAbs were characterized with their specificities in ELISA, WB, and IF. α-rPVS-m1-1 and α-rPVS-m4-6 had strong binding affinities to PVS in both ELISA and WB but did not show specificities in IF at all. On the contrary, α-rPVS-m3-2 and α-rPVS-m3-4 almost did not respond in WB but had strong binding affinities in ELISA and specificities in IF. Two mAbs stained predominantly at extra cellular matrix and cell membrane of PVS of rat in IF, and they were able to discriminate PVS from blood vessel (BV) and lymphatic vessel (LV).

CONCLUSIONS

4 representative mAbs against PVS of rat were characterized by ELISA, WB, and IF. α-rPVS-m3-2 and α-rPVS-m3-4, which had strong specificities in IF, can be used as a tool in discriminating PVS from other similar tissues and in elucidate biological function of PVS.

Recent Approaches on Signal Transduction and Transmission in Acupuncture: A Biophysical Overview for Medical Sciences

Acupuncture is one of the areas among the alternative therapies that arise high curiosity in the biomedical scientific community. It is particularly popular for treatment of chronic diseases and addictions. However, contrasting with its evidence-based effectiveness, the lack of reasonable explanations for its mode of action divides that scientific community. Difficulties also arise to those responsible for providing information for clinicians and professionals who wish to acquire competencies leading to the acupuncture practice and have a background based on biochemistry and physiology. The classic theories of nerve conduction do not fully explain how information is read and transmitted during the acupuncture treatment. Other theories have been proposed, but they are based on concepts such as biophotonic waves and quantum biochemistry that are difficult to read and understand by those who do not have knowledge in physics. It is the main objective of this review to provide a summary of the main theories and explanatory approaches to the signal transduction and conduction in acupuncture and to describe them in terms of their explanatory hypotheses, limitations, and weaknesses. The most of the literature found support theories for neural conduction, including gate control. They explain the effects of acupuncture in pain relief; few studies have been conducted concerning the conduction based on biophotons. The primo vascular system has been referred as a possible anatomic support for conduction of information during an acupuncture treatment, which could be connected to biophoton transmission.

Psycho-physiological mechanism of energy transfer in the human body: myth or reality?

The authors consider the existence of an energy transfer system (ETS) in the human body and its consequenc-es for health, performing a review of the available literature and studies. The article is an attempt to describe the possible psychophysiological mechanism of ETS (i.e. mechanism of transmission of stimuli in connective tissue) based on biochemical reactions, which was first described in Eastern Medicine a long time ago. Some previously reported results suggest that it is possible to modulate the psychophysiological effects on the con-nective tissue, and that the internal ETS can be activated not only through internal acupoints but also through breath self-regulation techniques. Among the people specialized in such breathing are martial art fighters. In a very preliminary pilot study we investigate four cases in a Vietnamese Thiên Môn Đạo (TMD) group, where breathing techniques result in cardiovascular and blood pressure changes, which can indirectly suggest activa-tion of ETS. An additional energy system in the human body is postulated. However, future research is serious-ly needed. Findings could be applicable e.g. in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Monitoring the primo vascular system in lymphatic vessels by using window chambers

This study aims to develop a window chamber system in the skin of rats and to monitor the primo vascular system (PVS) inside the lymphatic vessels along the superficial epigastric vessels. The PVS in lymphatic vessels has been observed through many experiments under in vivo conditions, but monitoring the in vivo PVS in situ inside lymphatic vessels for a long time is difficult. To overcome the obstacles, we adapted the window chamber system for monitoring the PVS and Alcian blue (AB) staining dye solution for the contrast agent. The lymphatic vessels in the skin on the lateral side of the body, connecting the inguinal lymph nodes to the axillary lymph nodes, were the targets for setting the window system. After AB had been injected into the inguinal lymph nodes with a glass capillary, the morphological changes of the stained PVS were monitored through the window system for up to twenty hours, and the changes in the AB intensity in the PVS were quantified by using image processing. The results and histological images are presented in this study.

Primo Vascular System: A Unique Biological System Shifting a Medical Paradigm

The primo vascular system has a specific anatomical and immunohistochemical signature that sets it apart from the arteriovenous and lymphatic systems. With immune and endocrine functions, the primo vascular system has been found to play a large role in biological processes, including tissue regeneration, inflammation, and cancer metastases. Although scientifically confirmed in 2002, the original discovery was made in the early 1960s by Bong-Han Kim, a North Korean scientist. It would take nearly 40 years after that discovery for scientists to revisit Kim's research to confirm the early findings. The presence of primo vessels in and around blood and lymph vessels, nerves, viscera, and fascia, as well as in the brain and spinal cord, reveals a common link that could potentially open novel possibilities of integration with cranial, lymphatic, visceral, and fascial approaches in manual medicine.

Finding Blue Tracks in Gephyrocharax melanocheir Fish Similar to the Locations of Acupuncture Meridians after Injecting Alcian Blue

This study investigated whether a meridian-like distribution of Alcian blue (AB) existed after it was injected into a fish's body and suggested a new animal model for meridian study. Twenty Gephyrocharax melanocheir fish with translucent bodies were injected with AB at a point near the spinal column or the dorsal fin. Distribution of AB was observed using a digital camera and a stereomicroscope. Three or more obvious blue tracks were found: one along the spinal column, another along the posterior margin of the abdomen extending to the superior margin of the anal fin, and a third along both sides of the dorsal fin. They were similar to the locations of the governor, conceptual vessel, and urinary bladder meridians, respectively, on the human body according to the classic theory of traditional Chinese medicine. A few other blue tracks were also found, which apparently did not correspond to any known meridians. The results show that the tracks of AB share important similarities with the locations of classically described meridians and that they are mainly distributed in the interstitial space around bones and blood vessels and inside muscular interstices. This study may provide a new experimental animal model for exploring acupuncture meridians.

Neurobiological mechanisms of acupuncture for some common illnesses: a clinician's perspective

This paper presents some previously proposed neurobiological mechanisms on how acupuncture may work in some clinical applications from a clinician's perspective. For the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, the proposed mechanisms included microinjury, increased local blood flow, facilitated healing, and analgesia. Acupuncture may trigger a somatic autonomic reflex, thereby affecting the gastric and cardiovascular functions. Acupuncture may also change the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, thereby affecting the emotional state and craving. This mechanism may form the basis for the treatment of smoking cessation. By affecting other pain-modulating neurotransmitters such as met-enkephalin and substance P along the nociceptive pathway, acupuncture may relieve headache. Acupuncture may affect the hypothalamus pituitary axis and reduce the release of the luteinizing hormone in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition, two other approaches to the acupuncture mechanism, the fascia connective tissue network and the primo vascular system, are briefly reviewed. Finally, the idea of true versus sham acupuncture points, which are commonly used in clinical trials, is examined because the difference between true and sham points does not exist in the neurobiological model.

Gross morphological features of the organ surface primo-vascular system revealed by hemacolor staining

The primo-vascular system (PVS), which consists of primo-vessels (PVs) and primo-nodes (PNs), is a novel thread-like structure identified in many animal species. Various observational methods have been used to clarify its anatomical properties. Here, we used Hemacolor staining to examine the gross morphology of organ-surface PVS in rats. We observed a sinus structure (20-50  μ m) with a remarkably low cellularity within PNs and PVs and several lines of ductules (3-5  μ m) filled with single cells or granules (~1  μ m) in PV. Both sinuses and ductules were linearly aligned along the longitudinal axis of the PVS. Such morphology of the PVS was further confirmed by acridine orange staining. In PN slices, there was a honeycomb-like structure containing the granules with pentagonal lumens (~10  μ m). Both PVs and PNs were densely filled with WBCs, RBCs, and putative mast cells (MCs), which were 90.3%, 5.9%, and 3.8% of the cell population, respectively. Granules in putative MCs showed spontaneous vibrating movements. In conclusion, the results show that Hemacolor, a simple and rapid staining system, can reveal the gross morphological features reported previously. Our findings may help to elucidate the structure and function of the PVS in normal and disease states in future studies.

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.

Review and Comment on the Relationship between Primo Vascular System and Meridians

This paper aims to summarize the recent progress of researches on the primo vascular system (PVS) and to analyze characteristics between PVS and traditional Chinese meridians. With the distribution, position features, identification and origin of PVS, and its function related to meridians elaborated on, we propose that there is still a lack of enough evidence to support the correlation between PVS and traditional Chinese meridians.