• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.75-82
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• 2018

Purpose : The present study tested the hypothesis that acupressure at Zusanli(ST36) would attenuate immobilization-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Methods : The left hind limb was immobilized using casting tape (ST36 group, n=10), and the animals were then treated daily with a pressure needle at ST36. Ten untreated animals with hind limb immobilization and no treatment served as a control group (n=10). After 2 weeks of immobilization, The body weight changes of rats were evaluated and the morphologies of the right and left gastrocnemius muscles in both the ST36 and control groups were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) of gastrocnemius muscles were observed. Results : The acupressure at the accupoint of Zusanli conferred significant protection against reductions in left gastrocnemius muscle weights and average cross-sectional muscle areas in the ST36 group as compared with those in the control group. Moreover, the acupressure at the ST36 point significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in the gastrocnemius muscles as compared with that in the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupressure at the accupoint of Zusanli provides protection against immobilization-induced muscle atrophy by decreasing MDA activity in gastrocnemius muscles.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.97-108
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• 2010

Background : The location of acupoints on rat, which may differ from that of human body due to anatomical structure, is defined variously among researchers, which may cause the problem of low repeatability and objectivity. Design : The measurement of hind limb consist of measuring the distance between knee joint and tibia tubercle in order to set the knee joint as common criteria. Based on it, the three mostly referred location of ST36 were represented with the knee joint as a datum point and compared. The electroacupuncture stimulation was administrated after the abdominal pain was induced by acetic acid. And the analgesic activity of each ST36 acupoint was evaluated by measuring the number of writhing reflex, in order to observe the differences of treatment effect in accordance with the location of ST36 acupoints. Results : The result of measurement confirmed the differences in the acupoint location of ST36 among researchers. The writhing reflex test using the acetic acid-induced abdominal pain stimulated with electroacupuncture of 100Hz showed that there were statistically significant differences in the analgesic effect between control group and three ST36 groups (P<0.05). However there were no differences observed among three mostly referred location of ST36 acupoints (P>0.05). Conclusions : We recommend "the point located 6.5 mm below the knee joint at the anterior tibial muscle" as a standard ST36 acupoint location qualified by the WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in 2008.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.691-696
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• 2011

In order to the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture (EA), the present study examined the effects of electroacupuncture inacupoint ST36 (Stomach 36) on trimethyltin chloride (TMT)-induced cognitive impairments rat using the Morris water maze (MWM) task and immunohistochemistry staining. The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: naive rat (Normal), TMT injection rat (Control), TMT injection + EA treated rat inacupoint ST36 (ST36) and TMT injection + EA treated rat in non-acupoint, base of tail (Non-AC). Electroacupuncture (2Hz, 2mA, and 10 minutes)was applied either to the acupuncture point ST36 or the nonacupuncture point in the tail for the last 14 days. In the water maze test, the animals were trained to find a platform in a fixed position during 4d and then received 60s probe trial on the $5^{th}$ day following removal of platform from the pool. Rats with TMT injection showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks and treatment with EA in acupoint ST36 (P<0.05) produced a significant improvement in escape latency to find the platform after $2^{nd}$ day and retention trial in the Morris water maze. Consistent with behavioral data, treatment with EA in acupoint ST36 also significantly increased expression of Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampus compared to the Control group. These results demonstrated that EA in acupoint ST36 has a protective effect against TMT-induced neuronal and cognitive impairments. The present study suggests that EA in acupoint ST36 might be useful in the treatment of TMT-induced learning and memory deficit.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.67-75
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• 2010

목적 : 족삼리($ST_{36}$) 자침이 유방 조직에 미치는 혈역학적 변화를 측정하기 위하여 diffuse optical imaging 기법을 사용하였다. 방법 : 실험에 사용한 쥐는 자침을 하지 않은 대조군 7마리, 자침을 한 실험군 7마리로 총 2개의 군으로 나누었다. 몸무게 170g 정도의 건강한 암컷 쥐는 100% 산소와 1.5% isoflurane을 혼합한 것을 이용하여 마취 시켰다. 자침은 경골 조면에서 2mm 외측에 위치한 지점인 족삼리($ST_{36}$)에 20분간 시행하였다. 자침을 시작할 때와 자침 후 10분에 각각 침을 5회 회전하였다. Diffuse optical imaging system을 이용하여 자침하는 동안 의 산화혈색소(OHb), 탈산소혈색소(RHb), 총 혈색소(THb)와 조직 산소 포화도($StO_2$)의 변화를 측정했다. 결과 : 실험 결과 족삼리($ST_{36}$) 자침을 시행한 실험군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의성이 있는 OHb, RHb, THb의 증가와 유의성이 없는 $StO_2$의 감소가 나타났다. 결론 : 이러한 결과 족삼리($ST_{36}$) 자침이 혈류를 증가시키고 동시에 세포 대사 활동을 증가 시키는 것을 알 수 있었다. 또한 diffuse optical imaging 기법으로 족삼리($ST_{36}$) 자침 시의 유방 조직의 산소공급과 혈류량의 변화를 확인할 수 있었고, 이는 비침습적으로 자침의 효과를 측정하는 데 활용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.95-104
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• 2001

The pain was induced on upper and lower incisor of the rat based on the theory of 'connections of upper incisor pain with stomach meridian and lower incisor pain with large intestine meridian'. Such acupoints as ST36 and LI4 were used for alleviation of upper and lower incisor pain. The digastric myogram (dEMG) was utilized for the pain measurement. The upper incisor pain was gradually decreased during ST36 stimulation and significant differences were observed at 20 and 25 minute point during 60 minutes study. The upper incisor pain was gradually decreased during LI4 acupuncture and 20 minute was the only point that showed a significant difference. The alleviation of lower incisor pain was not obvious during the ST36 acupuncture. The lower incisor pain was gradually decreased during LI4 stimulation with significant differences at 15, 20 and 40 minute point. In conclusion, the upper incisor pain was relieved with ST36 and LI4 acupuncture while LI4 was effective on the lower incisor pain alleviation based on the theory of 'connections of upper incisor pain with stomach meridian and lower incisor pain with large intestine meridian'.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.41-48
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aimed to explore the passive multi-channel time series analysis method by measuring bio-potentials of acupuncture point and the peripheral region Methods : Bio-potential was measured at ST36 and the peripherical region of ST36 of 5 healthy volunteers at three times. The diagram of the potential changes over time were smoothed by moving average method and similarities of ST36 and the other points were calculated. Results : In the normal weight group, bio-potential similarity tended to decrease in proportion to the distance from the acupuncture point. In the obesity group, bio-potential similarity appeared in a very wide area. Bio-potential similarity had positive correlation with BMI value. Conclusions : The passive multi-channel time series analysis method showed the possibility be appropriate for the electrical characteristics study of meridians.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of high frequency electroacupuncture at $ST_{36}$ acupuncture point on the Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced rat arthritis pain model. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of CFA into base of tail. Experimental groups were divided into 4 groups; Normal, Control and Jok-Samri ($ST_{36}$) and Non-Acupuncture point (NA). Normal group, non-arthritic group, was injected with normal saline，and the others groups were injected CFA. $ST_{36}$ group was treated by 120 Hz electroacupuncture at $ST_{36}$ acupuncture point, and NA group was treated by 120 Hz electroacupuncture at non-acupuncture point. Each groups were evaluated by the change of c-fos positive neurons in periaqueductal gray (PAG) and hippocampus by using an image analyzer and a microscope. Results: - In the PAG region, the number of fos-positive cells in the $ST_{36}$ group ($42.37{\pm}5.08$) were significantly (p<0.05) decreased compared with the control group ($64.56{\pm}6.35$). - In the PAG region, the number of fos-positive cells in the NA group were meaninglessly decreased compared with the control group - In the Cornu Ammonis(CA)l region of hippocampus, the number of fos-positive cells in the $ST_{36}$ group ($7.00{\pm}1.08$) and NA group ($5.56{\pm}2.01$) were significantly (p<0.05) decreased compared with the control group ($13.81{\pm}1.24$). - In the dentate gyrus region of hippocampus, the number of fos- positive cells in the $ST_{36}$ group ($10.75{\pm}0.98$) and NA group ($6.56{\pm}0.78$) were significantly (p$26.45{\pm}1.82$). Conclusions : It is expected that high frequency electroacupuncture can be used a treatment of arthritic pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.133-150
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• 2003

Objective: Recently. many studies have showed the evidences of the effect of the Electro-acupuncture treatment through scientific. Methods : One of these methods is functional MRI. We performed electro-acupuncture on Zusanli(St36) and observed the change of brain activation using fMRI. Zusanli(St36) is located on the lateral side of the lower leg. 3 cun(寸) inferior to the Patella of the lower border. Theoretically and clinically. this point has been considered very important for gynecological disorders. spleen and stomach disorders. and psychological disorders. To see the effects of electro-acupuncture stimulation on Zusanli(St36). the experiment was carried out on twelve healthy volunteers. using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body fMRI system(ISOL). After the needle insertion on right Zusanli(St36). 2 Hz of electric stimulation was given for 30 seconds. repeated five times. with 30 seconds' intervals. The Image analysis including motion correction. talairach transformation, and smoothing was done with SPM99. Results ad conclusion : The electro-acupuncture stimulation on Zusanli(St36) activates Brodmann Area 6, 13, 2, 19, 21, 22, 39, 40, 38, 3which indicates the pathways of the electro-acupuncture stimulation on Zusanli(St36) and the possibility of the relationship of the electro-acupuncture stimulation on Zusanli(St36) with autonomic nervous system, internal organic system.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.147-168
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• 2004

Objectives & Methods: We investigated 36 books to study etiology, pathology and acupuncture & Moxibustion treatment of Gak-Gi Result and Conclusion 1. Gak-Gi is a disease of legs. In the past, it was called Wan-poong(緩風) or Gueol(厥). Currently it is divided into two kinds; the Seup-Gak-Gi(Damp Gak-Gi) in which the legs swell; The Gun-Gak-Gi(Dry Gak-Gi) in which the legs do not swell. 2. Gak-Gi may be caused by exogenous wind, coldness, dampness and Excess of phlegm or damp-heat. It also can be caused by weakness of vital energy(Myungmoon fire;命門火), kidney Yin deficiency and vital energy deficiency in the Stomach and Spleen. 3. Gak-Gi-Pal-Hyul(Eight acupoints for Gak-Gi; 脚氣八穴) are GB31(Poonsi; 風市), ST32(Bok-to; 伏兎), ST35(Dok-bi; 犢鼻), Nae-seul-an(Extra point; 內膝眼), ST36(Chok-samni; 足三里) ST37(Sang-goho; 上巨虛) ST39(Hagoho; 下巨虛) GB41 (Choc-imup; 足臨泣) 4. Treatment plans for Gak-Gi are removing the exogenous wind, coldness and dampness, regulating meridians, alleviating the pain and swelling, more importantly, tonifying vital energy and nourishing Spleen and Stomach. 5. Three out of Eight acupoints for Gak-Gi, ST36(Chok-samni; 足三里), ST37(Sang-goho; 上巨 虛), ST39(Hagoho; 下巨虛) are Lower sea points of Fu organs( Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine). Five out of Eight acupoints for Gak-Gi, ST32(Bok-to; 伏兎), ST35(Dok-bi;犢鼻) are onthe Stomach meridian, and Nae-seu1-an(Extra point; 內膝眼) is on the Spleen meridian. This result indicates that regulation of Middle-cho(中焦) is important in the treatment for Gak-Gi.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.67-78
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of the study is to draw a consensus in acupuncture point locations (APLs) which are frequently used in experimental animal studies. Well-documented APL is needed not only for human but also for rodents because stimulation of precise point is very important factor in acupuncture. Methods : We organized a committee with experts to reach a consensus on the APLs in rat. The subject points were limited to 22 points used in the papers published at international peer-review journals. To describe point locations, we adopted the syntax of sentence used in the WHO standard acupuncture point locations. Results : Locations of 22 acupuncture points such as ST36, LI4, PC6, and SP6 were described in English with photographic illustrations. Interestingly, we found that ST36 had been inserted into 2 different locations in rodent. Under consideration of practical use, the location of ST36 point was described in 2 different ways. Conclusion : We hope that newly developed APLs would be a good indicator of acupuncture experiments in rats and mice.