There have been some papers recently that now show that there is a very scientific and anatomical reason why acupuncture works. Actually the classical article on Acupuncture dates back to the 1960′s. In the 1960′s Kim Bonghan published a classic paper. Bonghan, a North Korean, proposed that there are a number of microscopic channels in the body. These channels are threadlike microscopic anatomical structures that correspond with the layout of traditional acupuncture meridians or channels. Bonghan stated that he was able to stain these structures but at the time no one was able to reproduce these results. The problem was most scientists were not able to duplicate his results. Bonghan went on to propose that the meridian system of communication was in charge of the formation of the embryo and the control of growth throughout the organism. He did a series of studies on the embryonic development of the meridian systems of various animals. He found that a chicken embryo begins to develop channels within 15 hours of conception. It appears that these channels of communication direct the development of all internal organs and may provide critical information-feedback loops that create bilateral symmetry in our body.
This concept was pretty much forgotten until many years later when techniques were improved enough to “rediscovered”. These channels which are now called Bonghan channels. These channels have been found inside of blood and lymphatic vessels and they also form networks that overlay internal organs. When we start talking about blood vessels we start talking about pericytes which are precursors to many types of stem cells.
The channels are tubular structures that contain a flowing liquid which includes hyaluronic acid which is crucial to many of the body’s functions. Hyaluronic acid is used to treat osteoarthritis of joints. Sometimes we use hyaluronic acid when doing stem cell treatments. When these channels are studied further in photographs small granules of DNA or microcells are found. These microcells contain chromosomal material that is highly reactive to stem cell stains. When these cells were isolated and induced to differentiate they grew into cells of all three germ layers. This fact may have titanic importance. THEY MAY BE THE BODY’S NATURAL SOURCE of PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS! They have the potential to develop into any tissue in the body. Could it be that acupuncture is a system that activates these pluripotent stem cells. Could the cells live in the channels? The evidence seems to fit. This makes sense from a common sense point of view. The body has the ability to repair any type of tissue. The problem we have is turning on this mechanism. Might acupuncture be the method of activating these cells? Could acupuncture be a activator of pluripotent stem cells in the body? We know these cells exist but getting them activated is another story.
When I start reading on how acupuncture works the main tenet appears to be a communication system for the body. It might actually be that these channels act as a fiberoptic communication system of the body. They deliver messages in a very precise and efficient manner. In Mind and Nature, Gregory Bateson says that what happens next is a mystery in the science of embryology. “What controls the nearly perfect external bilateral symmetry of the mammalian body? We have remarkably little knowledge of the message system that controls growth. There must be a whole interlocking system as yet scarcely studied.” Bonghan channel researchers appear to have discovered that system. It is the only anatomically distinct structural network that could possibly handle the high volume of information that would be necessary to control embryological organization. Could it be the way station for pluripotent stem cells? I suspect that the body may utilize this system in dire emergencies. Like many things we sometimes must go back to basics. In this case we may need to resort to some of the mechanisms that were existent when we were a developing embryo. There may be situations were mesenchymal and hemopoietic stem cells will not do the trick. They may not be potent enough to get the job done. The body may have to rely on a higher source which in this case is a more powerful stem cell. This stem cell might be a pluripotent or totipotent stem cell which has unlimited potential. Remember we all got here from a single fertilized egg. These powerful stem cells were there and could accomplish almost anything. We now suspect these powerful stem cells are still there but we need to coax them out of their hibernation. Might this be the holy grail of stem cell science if this can be achieved? Once these cells are awakened they will probably travel down the Bonghan channels. I think we are on the cusp of definitely establishing this relationship.
When I am reading some of the newest articles on acupuncture it seems like I am reading about cytokines and for that matter stem cells. Actually if you read these articles and you substitute the word cytokines or stem cells for acupuncture the article makes perfect sense. The similarities between the two are quite striking. It appears that their relationship with stem cells is undeniable. It could be that without stem cells acupuncture might not exist. I certainly do not wish to pass myself as knowledgable in acupuncture because I am not. If you depend upon me to treat you with acupuncture than prepare to be sick. I am smart enough to know that we are on to something with acupuncture. I look forward like to work with individuals who know the subject well.
I suspect we will be hearing more about acupuncture and its relationship with stem cell function in the very near future. Might this be a game changer probably not but I suspect it might just change the rules of the game. Thanks Dr. P
