DNA Staining Reveals the Existence of the Meridian Sub-Systems
A previous article in Acupuncture Today referred to an unpublished research article by Jiang et al. (2004) that aimed to find the existence of the meridians (D’Alberto 2005). Further research in South Korea has now revealed the existence of the meridian sub-systems using DNA-staining (Shin et al. 2005). The Shin et al. study, in part, replicated the original discovery made in 1963 by Bonghan Kim in North Korea. The validity of Kim’s study has been disputed since then, but several recent studies confirm that he may have been correct (Cho et al. 2004; Lee et al. 2004a, 2004b).
Replicating Bonghan Kim’s lost technique
Bonghan Kim’s study involved the use of a secret staining formula to isolate the meridians — a formula that was lost with his death. Pierre de Vernajoule replicated part of Bonghan Kim’s study in humans during the mid-1980s, as did Giovanardi, Lonardo and Abbati in 1992. In 2004 Lee BC et al. developed an acridine orange fluorescence method that isolated the sub-system ducts and allowed them to be distinguished from fibrin threads. Until now, the sub-system ducts were usually mistaken as being coagulated fibrin threads during surgery. These ducts were further isolated on the internal organs. Shin et al. (2005) used a DNA-staining method (Feulgen reaction) to differentiate these ducts from lymph vessels.
Why were these structures not seen before?
So why was the meridian sub-system duct network not found until now? Shin et al. (2005) argue that these structures are very small, cannot be easily detected with the naked eye or with a low-magnification surgical microscope, are semitransparent and are commonly mistaken for lymph vessels. The differences:
- The threadlike ducts are found in bundles whereas lymph vessels are singular tubes.
- The threadlike ducts house granules containing DNA, whereas lymph vessels do not.
- The threadlike tissues move freely as they are not fixed to the surface of the internal organs — in contrast to lymph vessels, which are.
- The threadlike sub-ducts contain 1µm sized granules, whereas lymph vessels carry 5µm or larger lymphocytes.
A third circulatory system?
Many researchers of acupuncture believe that acupuncture works via neurophysiological mechanisms involving segmental, intersegmental and supraspinal reflexes, autonomic and neurohumoral modulation (Rogers 2005). However, Shin et al. (2005) propose another theory: that the meridians are part of a third circulatory system formed by interstitial connective tissue, which links the surface of the body with the internal organs and cells throughout the body.
Connective tissue consists largely of crystal collagen fibres. Therefore, it may conduct electricity and create piezoelectric effects that alter the electrical characteristics of the system. The liquid that flows through the sub-ducts contains 1–2µm sized DNA-containing granules that correlate with therapeutic effects to damaged internal organs.
Granules and microcells
The study by Shin et al. (2005) notes the similarities between the granules in the Jingluo sub-systems and microcells used to study cancer and Down’s syndrome. The granules and microcells are similar in size and shape, and have intensively stained nuclei, both having a thin outer membrane and one chromosome’s amount of DNA inside. The internal organs generate the granules found in the sub-ducts by a natural in vivo process and pass them through the network of ducts, whereas a chemical substance is used to generate the microcells in vitro.
Shin et al. (2005) also noted different threadlike structures in different animal subjects. It is unclear whether this is because of human error in detecting the structures, or because of developmental irregularities in the animals tested. If these differences relate to differences in response to acupuncture, it may explain why acupuncture is effective in some subjects and not in others. Research is needed to examine this further.
Early days
This research is still in its early stages. At this time it is not detailed enough to confirm that the course of the thread-like ducts on the surface of the body corresponds exactly with the course of the meridians as described in classical and modern acupuncture texts. We must await confirmation from future research that the complete Jingluo system, including sub-systems as well as the acupoints themselves, can be isolated and identified. Identification of the substance-like granules that run through the sub-ducts will be equally interesting.
References
- Cho, S., Kim, B. & Park, Y. (2004). ‘Threadlike structures in the aorta and coronary artery of swine’, J Int Soc Life Info Sci, 22, p609–611.
- D’Alberto, A. (2005). Thermal Imagery Using Moxibustion Shows the Existence of the Jinglou [online]. Acupuncture Today.
- Giovanardi, C., Lonardo, E. & Abbati, A. (1992). ‘Studio Della Diffusione Del Tc99m Iniettato In Un Punto Di Agopuntura Ed In Un Punto Fuori Meridiano’, Rivista Italiana di Agopuntura, XIII, 73.
- Jiang, X., Lee, C., Choi, C., Baik, K., Soh, K., Kim, H., Shin, H., Soh, K. & Cheun, B. (2004). ‘Threadlike bundle of tubules running inside blood vessels: New anatomical structure’ (unpublished).
- Lee, B., Baik, K., Johng, H., Nam, T., Lee, J., Sung, B., Choi, C., Park, W., Park, E., Yoon, Y. & Soh, K. (2004a). ‘Acridine orange staining method to reveal the characteristic features of an intravascular threadlike structure’, The Anatomical Record, 278B, p27–30.
- Lee, B., Park, E. & Nam, T. (2004b). ‘Bonghan ducts on the surface of rat internal organs’, J Int Soc Life Info Sci, 22, p455–459.
- Shin, H., Johng, H., Lee, B., Cho, S., Soh, K., Baik, K., Yoo, J. & Soh, K. (2005). ‘Feulgen Reaction Study of Novel Threadlike Structures (Bonghan Ducts) on the Surfaces of Mammalian Organs’, The Anatomical Record, 284B, p35–40.
