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Auburn Scientist Discovers Microstructure of Primo-Vascular System, Revealing Possible Foundation of How Acupuncture Works

Auburn University Professor Vitaly Vodyanoy has used his patented microscopy system to confirm the existence of a primo-vascular system that could provide a scientific foundation for acupuncture and other treatments such as osteopathic manipulation. The illustration on the computer screen shows the microstructure of the primo-vascular system. (Photo by Melissa Humble.)

Breakthroughs in science naturally follow years, often centuries, of skepticism because untested ideas go against conventional thought. Yet discoveries continue to amaze us and unleash the knowledge that will become commonplace for future generations.

Auburn University Professor Vitaly Vodyanoy has used his personally invented, patented microscopy system to confirm the existence of a primo-vascular system that could provide a scientific foundation for acupuncture and other treatments such as osteopathic manipulation.

He revealed for the first time the microstructure of the miniscule, translucent system of vessels, subvessels and stem cell-filled nodes—together making up the primo-vascular system—running throughout a rat's body, appearing in and on blood vessels, organ tissue and the lymphatic system. He published his initial research as a chapter, "Characterization of Primo Nodes and Vessels by High Resolution Light Microscopy," in the book, "The Primo Vascular System: Its Role in Cancer and Regeneration," in 2012. He also published three papers in 2015-16.

"Even with our microscope, you cannot see the vessels until they are touched because they are transparent, but they turn a yellowish color when touched. The width of the node is only 1 mm, and the fine structure of the node can only be seen using high-resolution light microscopy," said Vodyanoy, Ph.D., professor of anatomy and physiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "The rat is an excellent model for research before studies are conducted with humans."

Vodyanoy is collaborating with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, or LECOM, in Pennsylvania to test his hypothesis that the nodes, when activated by acupuncture, osteopathic manipulation, pressure or laser, release stem cells that flow to organs where they replace injured cells and become organ cells. In late 2015, LECOM Provost, Senior Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs Silvia Ferretti, D.O., and Professor Randy Kulesza, Ph.D., visited Vodyanoy in Auburn to discuss the primo-vascular system, which led to a two-year grant from LECOM to fund Vodyanoy's study.

Kulesza is a professor of anatomy at LECOM and has been teaching gross anatomy, embryology, histology and neuroscience for 15 years at the school. His research lab has characterized the human auditory brainstem and has identified brainstem hypoplasia in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. He aims to characterize the primo-vascular system in humans and examine the potential relationships between this system and osteopathic manipulative therapy.

The ability of the primo-vascular system to regenerate cells and tissues is consistent with the principle formulated by Andrew Taylor Still, a 19th century American physician and Civil War surgeon who founded osteopathic medicine on the basis that "the body possesses self-regulatory mechanisms, having the inherent capacity to defend, repair and remodel itself."

"We are pushing the boundaries of accepted or recognized anatomy and physiology," Vodyanoy said. "Not many people are working on the primo-vascular system because it goes against current science concepts."

Acupuncture is an accepted form of treatment by doctors in the Far East in countries like China, but it is met with skepticism in Western society. Confirmation of Vodyanoy's hypothesis could bring together the two medical philosophies, provide an unlimited source of individualized stem cells and bring new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. He says the highest potential impact could be in pain management, developmental biology, tissue regeneration, organ reconstruction and diabetes and cancer prevention and treatment.

Read the full article at: http://ocm.auburn.edu/newsroom/news_articles/2016/12/auburn-scientist-discovers-microstructure-of-primo-vascular-system.htm

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