Meridian and Primo Vascular System

Abstract

Direct link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2015/361974

Abstract

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.

Citation (APA Style): Stefanov, M., Potroz, M., Kim, J., Lim, J., Cha, R., & Nam, M.-H. (2013). The primo vascular system as a new anatomical system. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 6(6), 331–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2013.10.001

Direct link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2005290113002082

Abstract

What is Primo Vascular System (PVS)? Let us take a journey through oriental medicine in a time machine. Over the past 2000 years, acupuncture and moxibustion in Chinese medicine have been developed based on the concept of the meridian system; however, the anatomical reality of the meridian system has been controversial in various aspects. Even today, the meridian system is still being investigated with well-known anatomical structures. Among them, connective tissues called the fascia system are representative ones for which the putative function of the meridian system has been established and is understood [1].

A fundamental insight into the acupuncture meridian system and its novel anatomical structures was conceived by Kim in the 1960s [2]. According to his idea, the meridian system has the role of circulating DNA microparticles, named “Signals,” with several hormones independently from the cardiovascular and the lymph systems. In the 1970s, Fujiwara tried to duplicate and verify Kim's findings; however, his works have also been neglected [3]. Since 2002, Soh's group at Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, has tried to verify the findings of Bonghan Kim's work, and they found much evidence suggesting that Bonghan Kim's ideas on the acupuncture meridian system are reasonable [4].

At present, what do we study about the PVS? to answer this question and for insight into current works on this novel system, we have a new special issue, Primo Vascular System, in which we have published several research papers and a few review articles. The research papers can be classified as those directly related to the function of PVS and those focusing on the discovery of this new PVS. Representative articles in the former category are the C. H. Leem group's stem cell work “Expression of stem cell markers in primo vessel of rat,” and K.-S. Soh group's endothelial cell work “Discovery of endothelium and mesenchymal properties of primo vessels in the mesentery.” In the latter category are the works of Y. H. Ryu laboratory “Primo vascular system accompanying a blood vessel from tumor tissue and a method to distinguish it from the blood or the lymph system” S. Z. Yoon's medical team “Composition of the extracellular matrix of lymphatic novel threadlike structures: is it keratin?” and B.-C. Lee's laboratory “Evidence for the primo vascular system above the epicardia of rat hearts.” Also, a Chinese team led by X. Jing has published a very meaningful idea that the PVS could represent artifacts from pathological conditions “Preliminary research of relationship between acute peritonitis and celiac primo vessels,” but another Chinese team led by W.-B. Zhang has suggested via heparin treatment that the PVS might have real anatomical structures “Study on the formation of novel threadlike structure through intravenous injection of heparin in rats and refined observation in minipigs.” Based on these data, admittedly, at present, for the PVS to be established absolutely, an international exchange is needed.

On the other hand among controversial research articles, we published a few review papers in which we should pay more attention to two teams, K.-S. Soh's and B. Zhu's (“50 years of Bong-Han theory and 10 years of primo vascular system” and “Historical review about research on “Bonghan system” in China”). Through their review articles, even beginner in PVS could figure out the overall feature of PVS. Especially for the research history of PVS we recommend a review article by Kim [5] in related journal to ECAM, Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies. We also suggest researchers to pay some attention to two review articles: one is J. Jeon's approach on the relationship between the history of acupuncture meridian system and PVS “The meanings and prospects of primo vascular system from the viewpoint of historical context.” The other is novel insight into the function of PVS as DNA particles circulation system suggested by S. Z. Yoon “Toward a theory of the primo vascular system: a hypothetical circulatory system at the subcellular level.”

In the future, what will we study about the PVS? Based on our long research careers, we editors suggest the following areas of study to establish an international unified consensus for the novel system that is called the Primo Vascular System:

1. the establishment of the Primo Vascular System in terms of a novel circulation system,
2. the concept of “Sanal” and the relationship between stem cells and Sanals,
3. the involvement of Sanals in cancer metastasis,
4. The potential of the PVS in the brain for diagnosing and treating degenerative brain diseases.

Now let us think of “time” by leaving the time machine. Time really flows in only one direction, toward the future! Thus, our research minds should be directed beyond the past and the present and toward the future. With free, dedicated efforts toward human-oriented holistic medicine, we should be able to build a real evidence-based alternative medicine. Given the present circumstances, a new circulation concept, the Primo Vascular System, is waiting for us to establish fully its potential for benefitting all mankind in ways not previously known.

Citation (APA Style): Lee, B.-C., Akers, W. J., Jing, X., Perez, M. I. M., & Ryu, Y. (2013). Primo vascular system: Past, present, and future. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/240168

Direct link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2013/240168

Abstract

Citation (APA Style): Roberts, P., Chikly, B., & Quaghebeur, J. (2016). Primo vascular system: A unique biological system shifting a medical paradigm. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 116(1), 12–21. https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2016.002

Direct link: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7556/jaoa.2016.002/html?lang=en

Abstract

Recently, several previously undiscussed concerns in acupuncture research have been brought to light. Among these, the core issue stems from the ambiguity surrounding the identity of acupoints. Hence, the question “What is the identity of acupoints?” remains of particular importance in acupuncture research. To answer this question, we reviewed the original concept of acupoints explained in Oriental medicine, from which acupuncture treatment originated, and examined scientific research on acupuncture and acupoints. We then proposed a perspective on the identity of acupoints and speculated about a possible reason for their elusive nature: qi, which congregates at and flows in and out of acupoints, might be bioelectricity, making these points inherently difficult to measure anatomically or histologically. Consequently, acupoints are suggested to be spaces where bioelectricity congregates, thus inevitably exhibiting electrical characteristics.

Citation (APA Style): Lee, B. H. (2024). A perspective on the identity of the acupoint. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 17(4), 111–115. https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2024.17.4.111

Direct link: https://www.journal-jams.org/journal/view.html?uid=1158&vmd=Full#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20original%20concept,or%20paths%20traversed%20by%20people.

Abstract

Citation (APA Style): Ahn, A. C., Colbert, A. P., Anderson, B. J., Martinsen, Ø. G., Hammerschlag, R., Cina, S., Wayne, P. M., & Langevin, H. M. (2008). Electrical properties of acupuncture points and meridians: A systematic review. Bioelectromagnetics, 29(4), 245–256. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.20403

Direct link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bem.20403

Abstract

The acupuncture treatment formulae for some common conditions are reviewed. These conditions include low back pain, sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, facial nerve palsy, asthma, nausea and vomiting, gastritis and dysmenorrhoea. It is found that in many cases, the acupuncture points traditionally used for the treatment have a neuroanatomical significance from the viewpoint of Western medicine. And from that one can hypothesise a plausible mechanism of action as to how acupuncture achieves its therapeutic effects in terms of contemporary Western medicine. These mechanisms of action include intramuscular stimulation for treating muscular pain and nerve stimulation for treating neuropathies. The sympathetic ganglion may be involved in the acupuncture treatment of asthma. Somato-autonomic reflex may be responsible for the acupuncture effect on gastritis.

Citation (APA Style): Cheng, K. J. (2009). Neuroanatomical basis of acupuncture treatment for some common illnesses. Acupuncture in Medicine, 27(2), 61–64. https://doi.org/10.1136/aim.2009.000455

Direct link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1136/aim.2009.000455

Abstract

Despite having made substantial progress in academic rigor over the past decades, acupuncture research has been the focus of long-standing and persistent attacks by skeptics. One recurring theme of critics is that the concept of acupuncture points has no scientific validity. Meanwhile, the subject of whether-or-not acupuncture points “exist” has been given too little attention within the acupuncture research community. In this article, we argue that failure to use clear terminology and rigorously investigate the subject of acupuncture points has hindered the growing legitimacy of acupuncture as an evidence-based therapy. We propose that a coordinated effort is needed to improve the use of terminology related to acupuncture points, combined with rigorous investigation of their “specificity” and possible biological basis.

Citation (APA Style): Langevin, H. M., & Wayne, P. M. (2018). What is the point? The problem with acupuncture research that no one wants to talk about. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(3), 200–207. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0366

Direct link: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2017.0366

Abstract

Background: According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, acupoints are specifically chosen sites of acupuncture manipulation, and also the basis for studying the mechanism of acupuncture. Stimulating different acupoints on the body surface could provide various therapeutic benefits. However, what is the acupoint? This question is not clear.

Review Summary: We focuse on examining the function of acupoints from different perspectives, including the local and the systemic effects of stimulating acupoints. For example, acupoints may release certain substances or incur some changes, which could adjust the function of organs, maintain homeostasis. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects of verum acupoints versus sham acupoints were discussed. However, due to insufficience in evidence and in current methodologies, research into mechanisms of acupuncture is still incomplete.

Conclusion: This review might explain, to some extent, what an acupoint is. Further research into the identity of acupoints is warranted, and multidisciplinary methods using novel technologies may yield significant advances over existing knowledge.

Citation (APA Style): Li, F., He, T., Xu, Q., Lin, L.-T., Li, H., Liu, Y., Shi, G.-X., & Liu, C.-Z. (2015). What is the acupoint? A preliminary review of acupoints. Pain Medicine, 16(10), 1905–1915. https://doi.org/10.1111/pme.12761

Direct link: https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/16/10/1905/2460295?login=false#google_vignette