title: Characterization of DNA-containing granules flowing through the meridian-like system on the internal organs of rabbits.
abstract: It is an essential question for acupuncture whether the acupuncture meridians form an anatomically distinctive system of threadlike ducts that spread throughout an animal body. We observed the threadlike structures on the surface of internal organs of animals. This threadlike structure may be the physical basis of the meridian-like network of internal organs as detected by the Bi-Digital O-Ring test imaging method. One of the characteristics of the threadlike structures is the presence of DNA containing granules or Bonghan granules that flow through the ducts. The aim of this study was to separate and characterize their morphology and ultrastructural features. Using confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we found that Bonghan granules were round and measure 1.7-2.5 microm in diameter. They had a small nucleus surrounded by a layer of cytoplasm and a trilaminar plasma membrane. TEM also showed that they had cytoplasmic protrusions like pseudopodia. They contained fragmented DNA with a significant amount of 3'-OH ends. We compared their properties with the cell structure and general morphology of apoptotic bodies, bacteria, and the microcells. The motion of these granules was influenced by light, which may be related to the photo-therapy on the acupuncture points.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Physics Laboratory, School of Physics, Seoul National University, Korea.
authors.forename: Vyacheslav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ogay
authors.forename: Ku Youn
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Baik
authors.forename: Byung-Cheon
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kwang-Sup
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Soh
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004249:DNA Damage; D004064:Digestive System / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D016740:Meridians; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D004247:DNA