Intradermal Alcian-Blue Injection Method to Trace Acupuncture Meridians

Sung, Baeck-Kyoung; Kim, Min-Su; Ogay, Vyacheslav; Kang, Dae-In; Soh, Kwang-Sup

Keywords: Acupoint; Intradermal injection; Alcian blue; Tracing; Superficial Bonghan duct and corpuscle; Immunohistochemistry; Drug delivery

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2008.11.2.005

Objective In this article, we report on the intradermal Alcian blue staining method for tracing the meridians of acupuncture. Methods 1% Alcian blue solution was injected into acupoints by using a 0.5mL insulin syringe with a 31-gauge needle, then the skin was incised and was observed under a stereoscopic microscope. The specimens were examined by using immunohistochemical methods and were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Results A threadlike structure, which was visualized with Alcian blue, existed in dermis layer and proceeded to hypodermis. In this structure, characteristic alignments of rod- shaped nuclei and sized DNA granules were observed. Furthermore, abundant blood capillary plexuses, peripheral nerve endings, and a corpuscle-like structure(about in diameter) were visualized in the skin tissues of acupoints. Conclusion It was concluded that the specific threadlike and corpuscle-like structures corresponded to superficial Bonghan duct and corpuscle, respectively.