Bonghan Kim, MD, initially introduced the “Bonghan System” in the 1960s as the architectural framework for acupuncture meridians and points. It has taken researchers more than 40 years to duplicate his work and successfully describe this additional circulatory system within the body.
Objective:
The aim of this article is to describe how the now-renamed Primo Vascular System (PVS) relates to acupuncture. This article explores the research that has been completed to date on the PVS and comments on the possible relationship between the PVS and acupuncture.
Conclusions:
Even with >100 articles on the PVS, research is just beginning. A successful link between the PVS and acupuncture meridians and points could provide the explanation for acupuncture's effects—an explanation that skeptical Western medicine practitioners have long pursued. Small-animal studies dominate the current research, providing more information about the PVS but limiting the ability to unquestionably link the PVS to acupuncture. There is a tremendous need for further research aimed at unlocking the function and body map of the PVS in animals and humans as well as the relationship between the PVS and acupuncture.
PomeranzB, ChiuD. Naloxone blockade of acupuncture analgesia: Endorphin implicated. Life Sci., 1976; 19(11):1757–1762.
3.
MayerDJ, PriceDD, RafiiA. Antagonism of acupuncture analgesia in man by the narcotic antagonist naloxone. Brain Res., 1977; 121(2):368–372.
4.
ZhuCB, LiXY, ZhuYH, WuGC, XuSF. Alteration of monoamine contents in microdialysate following droperidol enhanced electroacupuncture [in Chinese]. Sheng Li Xue Bao., 1997; 49(4):382–388.
5.
ChangFC, TsaiHY, YuMC, YiPL, LinJG. The central serotonergic system mediates the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture on Zusanli (ST 36) acupoints. J Biomed Sci. 2004; 11(2):179–185.
6.
ChenJR, LiGL, ZhangGF, HuangY, WangSX, LuN. Brain areas involved in acupuncture needling sensation of De Qi: A single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) study. Acupunct Med., 2012; 30(4):316–323.
7.
HsiehJC, TuCH, ChenFP, et al.Activation of the hypothalamus characterizes the acupuncture stimulation at the analgesic point in human: A positron emission tomography study. Neurosci Lett., 2001; 307(2):105–108.
8.
BiellaG, SotgiuML, PellegataG, PaulesuE, CastiglioniI, FazioF. Acupuncture produces central activations in pain regions. Neuroimage., 2001; 14(1[pt1]):60–66.
9.
TakeshigeC, SatoT, MeraT, HisamitsuT, FangJ. Descending pain inhibitory system involved in acupuncture analgesia. Brain Res Bull., 1992; 29(5):617–634.
10.
LiuWC, FeldmanSC, CookDB, et al.fMRI study of acupuncture-induced periaqueductal gray activity in humans. Neuroreport., 2004; 15(12):1937–1940.
11.
ChaeY, ParkHJ, HahmDH, et al.fMRI review on brain responses to acupuncture: The limitations and possibilities in traditional Korean acupuncture. Neurol Res., 2007; 29(suppl1):S42–S48.
12.
NewbergAB, LaricciaPJ, LeeBY, FarrarJT, LeeL, AlaviA. Cerebral blood flow effects of pain and acupuncture: A preliminary single-photon emission computed tomography imaging study. J Neuroimaging., 2005; 15(1):43–49.
13.
LangevinHM, ChurchillDL, WuJ, et al.Evidence of connective tissue involvement in acupuncture. FASEB J., 2002; 16(8):872–874.
14.
KimB. On the Kyungrak System. Pyongyang, North Korea: Medical Science Press; 1963.
15.
KimB. Kyungrak System and Theory of Sanal. Pyongyang, North Korea: Medical Science Press; 1965.
16.
HanHJ, SungB, OgayV, SohKS. The flow path of alcian blue from the acupoint BL 23 to the surface of abdominal organs. J Acupunct Meridian Stud., 2009; 2(3):182–189.
17.
MoonSH, ChaR, LeeM, KimS, SohKS. Primo vascular system in the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord of a pig. J Acupunct Meridian Stud., 2012; 5(5):226–233.
18.
LeeBC, EomKH, SohKS. Primo-vessels and primo-nodes in rat brain, spine and sciatic nerve. J Acupunct Meridian Stud., 2010; 3(2):111–115.
19.
LeeBC, KimS, SohKS. Novel anatomic structures in the brain and spinal cord of rabbit that may belong to the Bonghan system of potential acupuncture meridians. J Acupunct Meridian Stud., 2008; 1(1):29–35.
20.
SohKS. Bonghan circulatory system as an extension of acupuncture meridians. J Acupunct Meridian Stud., 2009; 2(2):93–106.
21.
LiuJL, JingXH, ShiH, et al.Historical Review about research on “Bonghan System” in China. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2013; 2013:636081.
22.
LeeHS, LeeJY, KangDI, et al.Evidence for the primo vascular system above the epicardia of rat hearts. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2013; 2013:510461.
23.
LeeBC, SohKS. Visualization of acupuncture meridians in the hypodermis of rat using trypan blue. J Acupunct Meridian Stud., 2010; 3(1):49–52.
24.
HanHJ, KimHB, ChaJ, et al.Primo vessel as a novel cancer cell migration path from testis with nanoparticle-labeled and GFP expressing cancer cells. J Acupunct Meridian Stud., 2013; 6(6):298–305.
25.
JiaZF, LeeBC, EomKH, et al.Fluorescent nanoparticles for observing primo vascular system along sciatic nerve. J Acupunct Meridian Stud., 2010; 3(3):150–155.
26.
KimJD, OgayV, LeeBC, et al.Catecholamine producing novel endocrine organ: Bonghan system. Med Acupunct., 2008; 20(2):97–102.
27.
StefanovM. Critical review and comments on B.H. Kim's work on the primo vascular system. J Acupunct Meridian Stud., 2012; 5(5):241–247.
28.
LeeHS, LeeBC. Visualization of the network of primo vessels and primo nodes above the pia mater of the brain and spine of rats by using alcian blue. J Acupunct Meridian Stud., 2012; 5(5):218-25.
29.
MoriyamaT. Microneurographic analysis of the effects of acupuncture stimulation on sympathetic muscle nerve activity in humans: Excitation followed by inhibition [in Japanese]. Nihon Seirigaku Zasshi., 1987; 49(12):711–721.
30.
ErnstM, LeeMH. Sympathetic vasomotor changes induced by manual and electrical acupuncture of the Hoku point visualized by thermography. Pain. 1985; 21(1):25–33.
31.
BallegaardS, MutekiT, HaradaH, et al.Modulatory effect of acupuncture on the cardiovascular system: A cross-over study. Acupunct Electrother Res., 1993; 18(2):103–115.
32.
SandbergM, LundebergT, LindbergLG, GerdleB. Effects of acupuncture on skin and muscle blood flow in healthy subjects. Eur J Appl Physiol., 2003; 90(1–2):114–119.
33.
KellyAC. Treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in 3 pediatric patients using 7 External Dragons and Devils Acupuncture. Med Acupunct., 2004; 15(3):29–30.
34.
SungB, KimMS, LeeBC, et al.Measurement of flow speed in the channels of novel threadlike structures on the surfaces of mammalian organs. Naturwissenschaften., 2008; 95(2):117–124.
35.
SohKS. Bonghan duct and acupuncture meridian as optical channel of biophoton. J Korean Phys Soc., 2004; 45(5):1196–1198.
36.
LinX, LiangJ, RenJ, MuF, ZhangM, ChenJD. Electrical stimulation of acupuncture points enhances gastric myoelectrical activity in humans. Am J Gastroenterol., 1997; 92(9):1527–1530.
37.
LangevinHM, YandowJA. Relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes. Anat Rec., 2002; 269(6):257–265.
