Primo Vascular System in Human Umbilical Cord and Placenta

The primo vascular system (PVS) has been observed in various animals such as mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, swine, and cow, but not in humans. In this work, we report on the observation of a human PVS on both the epithelial fascia and inside the blood vessels of the umbilical cord (UC). The main morphological characteristics of the primo vessels (PVs) and primo nodes (PNs) from the human UC were in agreement with those of the PVS in various animal organs, including the thicknesses and the transparency of the PVs, the sizes of the PNs, the broken-line arrangement of the rod-shaped nuclei, the sparse distribution of nuclei, and the presence of hollow lumens in the central inner parts of the PNs. It was rather surprising that the human PV was not thicker than the PVs from small animals. The difference between the PVS and blood/lymph vessels was confirmed using immunofluorescence staining of von Willebrand factor, CD31, LYVE-1, and D2-40. The positive expression of the PVS to proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a cell-proliferation marker, was consistent with the recent finding of very small embryonic-like stem cells in the PVS of mice.     

Primo Bundles Identified by Microcomputed Tomography in Primo Vascular Tissue on the Surface of Rat Abdominal Organs

BackgroundThe primo vascular system (PVS) is a novel network composed of primo nodes (PNs) and primo vessels (PVs). Currently, its anatomy is not fully understood.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to elucidate the three-dimensional PN–PV structure.MethodsOrgan-surface PVS tissue was isolated from healthy and anemic rats. The tissues were analyzed by X-ray microcomputed tomography (CT), hematoxylin and eosin staining, and scanning electron microscopy.ResultsFrom CT images, we identified one or more bundles in a PV. In the PN, the bundles were enlarged and existed in isolation and/or in anastomosis. The transverse CT images revealed four areas of distinct intensities: zero, low, intermediate, and high. The first two were considered to be the sinuses and the subvessels of the PVS and were identified in the hematoxylin and eosin–stained PN sections. The enlargement of the PN from anemic rats was associated with an increase in the intermediate-intensity area. The high-intensity area demarcated the bundle and was overlapped with the mesothelial cells. In scanning electron microscopy, the PV bundles branched out, tapering down to a single bundle at some distance from the PN. Each bundle was composed of several subvessels (∼5 μm). Clustered round microcells (1–25 μm), scattered flat oval cells (∼15 μm), and amorphous extracellular matrix were observed on the surface of the PVS tissue.ConclusionsThe results newly showed that the primo bundle is a structural unit of both PVs and PNs. A bundle was demarcated by high CT intensity and mesothelial cells and consisted of multiple subvessels. The PN bundles contained also sinuses.     

The Primo Vascular System as a New Anatomical System

Traditional Eastern medicine has had a successful existence for a long time and has provided functional paths for curing disease. However, some scientists do not accept acupuncture, primarily because the meridian system lacks a physical anatomical basis. To date, scientific theories have not been able to explain the functional paths used by traditional Eastern medicine to cure disease. According to Western medicine, no known anatomical foundation exists for the meridians and unknown nervous, circulatory, endocrine, and immune mechanisms mediate the effects of acupuncture. In the early 1960s, only one hypothesis was proposed to explain the anatomical basis of the meridians. By using different experimental approaches during the past 10 years, the number of scientific papers that report the discovery of different anatomical and physiological evidence confirming the existence of an anatomical basis for the meridian system has increased. Morphological science is greatly challenged to offer a new biomedical theory that explains the possible existence of new bodily systems such as the primo vascular system (PVS). The PVS is a previously unknown system that integrates the features of the cardiovascular, nervous, immune, and hormonal systems. It also provides a physical substrate for the acupuncture points and meridians. Announcements of the morphological architectonics and the function of the PVS fundamentally changed the basic understanding of biology and medicine because the PVS is involved in the development and the functions of living organisms. We propose a new vision of the anatomical basis for the PVS and the vital energy—called “Qi”—as an electromagnetic wave that is involved very closely with the DNA in the PVS. DNA provides genetic information and it functions as a store of information that can be obtained from the electromagnetic fields of the environment. The PVS is the communication system between living organisms and the environment, and it lies at the lowest level of life. The theory of the PVS could be a good basis for forming a new point of view of Darwin's evolutionary theory. Discoveries in morphological theory—such as discoveries with respect to the PVS—have not been made since the 18th century. For that reason, the PVS needs more attention.     

Primo Vascular System Floating in Lymph Ducts of Rats

An epoch-making development in the gross anatomy of the lymph system has emerged: the observation of the primo vascular system (PVS), which is a threadlike structure floating in lymph ducts. The PVS, which was proposed as the conduit for the acupuncture Qi, is a complex network distributed throughout an animal's body. The lymph-PVS, which is a subsystem of the PVS, is one of the most convincing visual demonstrations of the PVS. Because its existence is not easily demonstrated, even with a microscope, due to its transparency, in current anatomy its existence is largely unknown despite its potential significance in physiology and medicine. The lymph-PVS has been observed in rabbits, rats, and mice by several independent teams. Because the involved techniques are rather complicated, we provide detailed protocols for surgery, for injection of the staining dye, and for detection, extraction, and identification of the PVS in a rat.     

Historical Observations on the Half-Century Freeze in Research between the Bonghan System and the Primo Vascular System

This article provides potential reasons for the past 45-year halt in research between the time of the Bonghan system of Bong Han Kim (B.H. Kim) and that of the primo vascular system (PVS) of Kwang-Sup Soh (K.S. Soh), briefly but more accurately in its history. Over the years, numerous questions related to the Bonghan system and the PVS have arisen, especially from researchers interested in pursuing PVS research: When and how did B.H. Kim's study results on the Bonghan system become known to public? Why did B.H. Kim and his publications disappear after 1966? Why was little study performed on the system for almost 50 years after Kim? Why and how was the research on the system reinitiated in 2002 by Kwang-Sup Soh? Why did the Bonghan system become the PVS? These questions, as well as technical difficulties in identifying the system, have discouraged many researchers from becoming involved in research on the system. The motivation for preparing this article was to remove doubts about the existence of this important organ, which might have been caused by its unusual and unclear historical background, by providing an accurate history.     

Visualization of the Primo Vascular System Afloat in a Lymph Duct

Because of the potential roles of the primo vascular system (PVS) in cancer metastasis, immune function, and regeneration, understanding the molecular biology of the PVS is desirable. The current state of PVS research is comparable to that of lymph research prior to the advent of Lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1). There is very little knowledge of the molecular biology of the PVS due to difficulties in identifying and isolating primo endothelial cells. Present investigations rely on the morphology and the use of differential staining procedures to identify the PVS within tissues, making detailed molecular studies all but impossible. To overcome such difficulties, one may emulate the explosive development of lymph molecular biology. For this purpose, there is a need for a reliable method to obtain PVS specimens to initiate the molecular investigation. One of the most reliable methods is to detect the primo vessels and primo nodes afloat in the lymph flow. The protocols for observation of the PVS in the large lymph ducts in the abdominal cavity and the thoracic cavity were reported earlier. These methods require a laparectomy and skillful techniques. In this work, we present a protocol to identify and harvest PVS specimens from the lymph ducts connecting the inguinal and the axillary nodes, which are located entirely in the skin. Thus, the PVS specimen is more easily obtainable. This method is a stepping-stone toward development of a system to monitor migration of cancer cells in metastasis from a breast tumor to the axillary nodes, where cancer cells use the PVS as a survival rope in hostile lymph flow.     

The Primo Vascular System as a Possible Exosomal Route Across the Body: Implications for Tumor Proliferation and Metastasis

This literature study article will present the possibility of a correlation between the energy meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which can be traced back to the recently described primo vessels (formerly known as Bong-Han ducts), their composition, and the ability of tumors to proliferate and metastasize. It is proposed that microvesicular bodies such as exosomes, known to be involved in cell-to-cell communication, immune response, and tumor proliferation, could be moving across the body via the primo vascular system. The ubiquity of the primo vascular system and its penetration through the blood–brain barrier could also explain the ability of some peripheral tumors (e.g., breast tumor) to metastasize in the brain.     

Effective Isolation of Primo Vessels in Lymph Using Sound- and Ultrasonic-wave Stimulation

The effects of stimulation with sound and ultrasonic waves of a specific bandwidth on the microdissection of primo vessels in lymphatic vessels of rabbit were investigated. The primo vessels stained with alcian-blue dye injected in the lymph nodes were definitely visualized and more easily isolated by sound-wave vibration and ultrasonic stimulation applied to rabbits at various frequencies and intensities. With sound wave at 7 Hz and ultrasonic waves at 2 MHz, the probability of detecting the primo vessels was improved to 90%; however, without wave stimulation the probability of discovering primo vessels was about 50% only. Sound and ultrasonic waves at specific frequency bands should be effective for microdissection of the primo vessels in the abdominal lymph of rabbit. We suggest that oscillation of the primo vessels by sound and ultrasonic waves may be useful to visualize specific primo structure, and wave vibration can be a very supportive process for observation and isolation of the primo vessels of rabbits.     

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.     

Mesothelial Cells Covering the Surface of Primo Vascular System Tissue

The primo vascular system (PVS) is reported to have a periductium composed of cells with spherical or spindle-shaped nuclei and abundant cytoplasm. However, little is known about these periductium cells. In this study, we examined the morphological features of cells covering the PVS tissue isolated from the surface of abdominal organs of rats. By hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, we observed a layer of dark nuclei on the basement membrane at the borders of the sections of primo node (PN), primo vessel (PV), and their subunits. The nuclei appeared thin and linear (10-14 μm), elliptical (8-10 × 3-4 μm), and round (5-7 μm). The borders of the PVS tissue sections were immunostained with a selective antibody for mesothelial cells (MCs). Areas of immunoreactivity overlapped with the flattened cells are shown by hematoxylin and eosin staining. By scanning electron microscopy, we further identified elliptical (11 × 21 μm) and rectangular squamous MCs (length, 10 μm). There were numerous stomata (∼200 nm) and microparticles (20-200 nm) on the surface of the PVS MCs. In conclusion, this study presents the novel finding that the PVS periductium is composed of squamous MCs. These cells tightly line the luminal surface of the PVS tissue, including PNs, PVs, and small branches of the PVs in the abdominal cavity. These results will help us to understand the physiological roles such as hyaluronan secretion and the fine structure of PVS tissue.     

Differential Gene Expression by RNA-Seq Analysis of the Primo Vessel in the Rabbit Lymph

For the connectome of primo vascular system, some long-type primo vessels dyed with Alcian blue injected into inguinal nodes, abdominal node, and axially nodes were visualized, which passed over around the vena cava of the rabbit. The Alcian blue dye revealed primo vessels and colored blue in the rabbit lymph vessels. The length of long-type primo vessels was 18 cm on average, of which diameters were about 20–30 μm, and the lymph vessels had diameters of 100–150 μm. Three different tissues of pure primo vessel, mixed primo + lymph vessel, and only lymph vessel were made to undergo RNA-Seq analysis by next-generation sequencing. We also analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the RNA-Seq data, in which 30 genes of the primo vessels, primo + lymph vessels, and lymph vessels were selected for primo marker candidates. From the plot of DEG analysis, 10 genes had remarkably different expression pattern on the Group 1 (primo vessel) vs Group 3 (lymph vessel). With Fragments Per Kilobase of exon per Million the cutoff p-value for each gene was < 0.05. Fragments Per Kilobase of exon per Million of the 10 genes such as IGHM, HLA-DRA, HIST1H41, LPL, CD36, SRGN, DGAT2, SNCG, CD48, and GPD1 for primo vessels compared with those of lymph vessels increased twice or thrice. These results suggest that the selected genes could be used for the specific marker to construct primo connectome of circuit system in the rabbit.     

Primo Vessel as a Novel Cancer Cell Migration Path from Testis with Nanoparticle-Labeled and GFP Expressing Cancer Cells

Background/aimRecently, a novel circulatory system, the primo vascular system (PVS), was found to be a potent metastatic route of cancer cells. The aim of the current work is to demonstrate that cancer cells injected into the testis migrate through the primo vessel (PV).Materials and methodsNCI-H460 cells labeled with fluorescent nanoparticles (FNP) or green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene transfection were injected into testicular parenchyma in 24 rats. After 24 hours of injection, the abdominal cavity was investigated via a stereomicroscope, to detect the PVS, and the samples were analyzed histologically with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and hematoxylin and eosin.ResultsInjected cancer cells were detected inside the PVS distributed on the abdominal organs. Some were detected inside intestinal parenchyma into which the attached primo vessels (PVs) entered.ConclusionThe results supported the fact that the PVS may be a novel migration path of cancer cells, in addition to the lymphatic and hematogenous routes.     

复智胶囊对血管性痴呆大鼠炎性因子、胆碱能系统的时效性影响

目的:观察复智胶囊对血管性痴呆(vascular dementia,VD)大鼠学习记忆及不同时段海马胆碱乙酰转移酶(aholine acetyl transferase,CHAT)表达,乙酰胆碱酯酶(acetylcholinesterase,AchE)活性,转化生长因子α(transformation growthfactor,TNF-α),白细胞介素6(interleukin,IL-6)的影响。方法:健康Ⅱ级Wistar雄性大鼠110只,采用4血管闭塞法建立急性缺血再灌注VD模型。将造模成功的60只动物按体质量排序,按随机数字表法随机分为模型对照组及治疗组,每组30只动物,假手术组动物10只。治疗组每天给复智胶囊4.5 g·kg-1 ig。模型对照组、假手术组每天生理盐水ig。安理申对照组每天给予安理申(加0.5%羧甲基纤维素液研磨配制)0.05 mg·g-1ig。在第3,7,28天,3个时段随机从治疗组、模型组各抽取10只检验其主动回避反应(active avoid reaction,AAR)习得率、血清TNF-α,IL-6含量及海马CHAT表达、AchE活性。结果:缺血再灌注3d即可形成海马胆碱能神经元的不可逆性损伤,复智胶囊在早期可以减轻该损伤过程,但在疗程内对已经造成的胆碱能神经损伤却无显著的改善作用。海马AchE含量在3 d时显著升高,此后保持在低水平状态,复智胶囊治疗后第7,28天时出现下降并接近假手术组。复智胶囊显著降低IL-6在缺血再灌注早期的表达。TNF-ɑ在炎症反应的早期和晚期均有异常表达;复智胶囊治疗后较模型组同时间点显著下降。结论:复智胶囊能确切改善VD大鼠的学习记忆能力;其机制与减轻缺血炎性反应对神经元的危害、上调海马胆碱能系统低水平状态有关。     

A New Definition of an Acupuncture Meridian

This article provides a new definition of an acupuncture meridian. It suggests that a meridian consists of a distal tract of tissue that is affected by organ function. In the 1960s, Kim discovered the primo vascular system and regarded the superficial primo vessels as equating to the meridians. Instead, this article suggests that the superficial primo vessels merely underlie the meridians, in that they enable their creation, which is why some meridians are said to occur along the paths of superficial primo vessels. But the meridians themselves do not have a dedicated anatomical structure; instead they are merely tracts of tissue whose normal function is impeded when the related abdominal organ is stressed. It is hypothesized that the organ information is communicated in electrical waves that may travel through the connective tissue sheaths of the superficial primo vessels. Hence, the primo vessels serve as an inadvertent transport for this information, but the organ information is independent of the physiological purpose of the primo vascular system, as are the resultant meridians.     

斑蝥黄微胶囊在家兔体内的药代动力学

目的:研究斑蝥黄微胶囊在家兔体内的药代动力学。方法:家兔单剂量灌胃给予斑蝥黄微胶囊后,在不同时间点经后肢静脉采血,用LC-MS法测定血浆中斑蝥黄质量浓度。药代动力学参数运用DAS2.1软件处理。结果:家兔灌胃给予斑蝥黄微胶囊后斑蝥黄浓度-时间曲线符合二室模型,主要药代动学参数Tmax=300 min,Cmax=(75.761±0.739)μg·L-1,t1/2z=(527.408±208.401)min,AUC(0-t)=(23 057.221±1 582.299)μg·L-1·min-1,Vz/F=(1 569.453±258.575)L·kg-1。结论:家兔灌胃给予斑蝥黄微胶囊后,斑蝥黄在体内消化吸收缓慢、体内分布广泛,说明斑蝥黄微胶囊具有稳定和缓释的特点。     

紫河车在慢性难愈性溃疡中的应用

目的: 对紫河车在治疗慢性难愈性溃疡中应用的情况进行文献整理,并探讨紫河车治疗慢性难愈性溃疡的入药形式。方法: 应用CNKI中国学术文献网络出版总库,检索近20年来紫河车治疗慢性难愈性溃疡的相关文献,以紫河车为题名,检索到文献138篇,以紫河车及溃疡为题名,检索到文献1篇。首先介绍古代文献对紫河车的记载,然后探讨了紫河车的主要成分以及这些成分在慢性溃疡治疗过程中的作用及紫河车的临床应用情况,初步论述了紫河车在治疗慢性难愈性溃疡中的应用形式。结果: 在慢性难愈性溃疡的治疗中,紫河车发挥重要作用,其多以内服入药,作为外用入药甚少。结论: 紫河车以其善五体之功,内服补阴阳气血,外用可以促进伤口愈合。     

兔桡骨缺损实验模型标准化研究

本实验选用新西兰成年雄性大白兔桡骨制作骨缺损模型,骨膜下桡骨切除的不同长度分别为6mm、10mm、15mm、20mm和25mm。研究结果显示,制作兔桡骨缺损模型,桡骨切除的有效长度为10mm以上,并随着桡骨切除长度的增加,骨不愈合率也随之增高。     

淫羊藿甙对家兔血管平滑肌细胞凋亡相关基因表达水平的影响

目的：观察葡萄糖调节蛋白基因78（GRP78）在动脉粥样硬化组织中的表达,探讨淫羊藿甙防治动脉粥样硬化的可能机制。方法：淫羊藿甙诱导培养的兔血管平滑肌细胞凋亡,组织原位杂交观察凋亡基因GRP78在兔斑块组织中的表达水平。结果：兔斑块组织原位杂交显示该基因片段在动脉粥样硬化斑块组织中表达水平增高。结论：葡萄糖调节蛋白78基因在AS细胞质中表达增高,可能是淫羊藿甙作用靶点之一,如上调该基因促进则可促进平滑肌细胞凋亡,将对动脉粥样硬化治疗产生一定作用。     

Electroacupuncture Analgesia in a Rabbit Ovariohysterectomy

This study investigated the effectiveness of electroacupuncture analgesia (EAA) at local and paravertebral acupoints for a rabbit undergoing an ovariohysterectomy. Twelve clinically healthy New Zealand white rabbits were chosen and divided into two groups: the control group (5 rabbits) and the experimental group (7 rabbits). A neuroleptanalgesic (ketamine + xylazine) was administered to the control group (NLA group); the experimental group received EAA treatment (EAA group). The EAA treatment includes one acupuncture formula for local stimulation at the incision site and systemic stimulation. Results of clinical research have shown postoperative analgesia using EAA treatment to be superior to that using NLA. The average postoperative recovery time was 5.2 times longer in the NLA group than in the EAA group. Because consciousness was maintained, EAA presented an advantage in thermoregulation. Animals administered NLA had prolonged thermal homeostasis because of neurovegetative disconnection. For the EAA group, the operative times were characterized as excellent (28%, p = 0.28) or good (72%, p = 0.72). Local stimulation at the incision site provided excellent analgesia of the abdominal wall (100%). In conclusion, EA can provide general analgesia with a considerable analgesic effect for a rabbit undergoing an ovariohysterectomy, resulting in a short postoperative recovery time.