• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.67-85
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• 2006

Obiecnves : The purpose of this study was to examine the analgesic effect of moxi-tar on a rat model of carrageenan-induced arthritis and the relations between moxi-tar-induced analgesia and endogenous NO and iNOS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord. Methods : Carrageenan-induced arthritis rat model was used to test the effect of moxi-tar as a chronic pain model. After the induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for at least the next 4 days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee, since oral injection of indomethacin produced temporary improvement of weight bearing. Moxi-tar dissolved in ethyl alcohol was injected several acupoints. After the treatment, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 12 hours. Results : Moxi-tar produced significant improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis lasting at least 9 hours. The magnitude of this improvement was equivalent to that obtained after an oral injection of 3 mg/kg of indomethacin and this improvement of stepping force was interpreted as an analgesic effect. Moxi-tar produced the improvement of stepping force of the affected hindlimb in a dose-dependent manner. Both NO production and iNOS, COX-2 protein expression increased by arthritis were suppressed by moxi-tar. moxi-tar on combination with electroacupuncture (EA) produced more powerful and longer lasting improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis than either moxi-tar or EA did. Conclusion : The present study suggest that moxi-tar produces a potent analgesic effect on the chronic knee arthritis pain model in the rat and that moxi-tar-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of iNOS/COX-2 protein expression.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2006

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effect of invasive low level laser acupuncture therapy(LLLAT) at Yolgyol+yogu(LU7+LR5) on weight gain, food intake, food efficiency, lipid metabolism and liver function in hyperlipemia rats. Methods : Experimental groups were divided into high fat diet cup(Control group), high fat diet and 15 mW/5 min LLLAT at LU7+LR5(15 mW/5 min group), 15 mW/10 min LLLAT at LU7+LR5(15 mW/10 min group), 30 mW/5 min LLLAT at LU7+LRS(30 mW/5 min group), 30 mW/10 min LLLAT at LU7+LR5(30 mW/10 min group). LLLAT was treated at the 15,30mW-5,10min once a 2day during 5 weeks. Results : Body weight was decreased significantly in 30 mW/s min group and 30 mW/10 min group compared with control group. Food intake was decreased significantly in 15 mW/5 min group and 15 mW/10 min group compared with control group. Food efficiency was decreased significantly in 30 mW/10 min group compared with control group. In the lipid metabolism, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and free fatty acid were increased significantly in 15 mW/5 min group and 30 mW/10 min group compared with control group. LDL-cholesterol was increased in 30 mW/10 min group and phospholipids was decreased significantly in all experimental group compared with control group. triglyceride was not showed significant result in all experimental group. In the liver function, AST was not showed significant result in all experimental group, ALT and ALP were increased significantly in 30 mW/10 min group, ALP was decreased in 30 mW/5 min group compared with control group. Conclusions : LLLAT at LU7 and LR5 can manage hyperlipemia by controlling body weight, food intake, food efficiency ratio and lipid metabolism.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-36
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• 2006

Objectives . The aim of this study was to examine the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at the ST36 on normal humans by using power spectral analysis. Methods : EEG(Electroencephalogram) power spectral exhibits site-specific and state-related differences in specific frequency bands. In this study, power spectrum was used as a measure of complexity. 32 channel EEG study was carried out in 12 subjects (10 males; age=26.7 years old, 2females; age=28 years old). Results ; In ${\alpha}$ (alpha) band, the power values at Fp2, F7, F3, Fz, FTC1, FTC2, T3, C3, Cz, C4, TT1, TCP1, CP1, CP2,T5, P3, Pz, P4, Po1, Po2, O1, Oz,O2 channels(p<0.05) during the ST36-acupoint treatment were significantly increased. In ${\beta}$ (beta) band, the power values at Fp2, F7, F3, Fz, F4, F8, FTC1, FTC2, T3, C3, Cz, C4, TT1, TCP1, CP1, CP2, T5, P3, Pz, P4, Po1, Po2, O1, Oz, O2 channels(p<0.05) during the ST36-acupoint treatment were significantly decreased. In ${\delta}$ (delta) band, the power values at F7, Fz, T3, C3, TT1, TCP1, CP1, CP2, T5, P3, Pz,T6, Po1, PO2,O1, Oz, O2 channels(p<0.05) during the ST36-acupoint treatment were significantly decreased. In ${\theta}$(theta) band, the power values at F7, Fz, FTC1, T3, TCP1, CP2, TCP2, Po1, Po2 channels(p<0.05) during the ST36-acupoint treatment were significantly decreased. ${\alpha}$/${\beta}$ values at Cz, T5, O1, Oz, O2 channels during the ST36-acupoint treatment were increased. ${\beta}$/${\theta}$ values at Fpl, F7, F3, Fz, F4, F8, FTC1, FTC2, T3, C3, C4, T4, TT1, TCP1, TCP2, TT2, P3, P4, T6, Pol channels during the ST36-acupoint treatment were increased. Conclusions : This results suggest that Electroacupuncture at the ST36 mostly affects the charge on alpha(23 channels), beta(25 channels) bands.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.67-81
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• 2005

Objectives : Cervus Elaphus(CE) has been used to medication for ischemic stroke in the Oriental Medicine. So this study was planned to investigate the effects of CE herbal acupuncture therapy(CE-HAT) on the focal ischemia-induced by intraluminal filament insertion in the rats. Materials and methods : The focal ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2hours. The groups divided into 6 groups, normal(intachess group), control(no theray group after ischemia-induced), CE-HAT1(Cervus Elaphus-herbal acupuncture therapy group at LR1, HT9 after ischemia-induced), CE-HAT2(Cervus Elaphus-herbal acupuncture therapy group at LU8, KI7 after ischemia-induced), CE-HAT3(Cervus Elaphus-herbal acupuncture therapy group at LR1, HT9, LU8, KI7 after ischemia-induced), CE-HAT4(Cervus Elaphus-herbal acupuncture therapy group at LR1, HT9, HT3, KI10 after ischemia-induced). CE-HAT was carried out during 3 weeks after focal ischemia-induced. Eight-arm radial maze was used for the behavioral task and neuropretective effect of CE-HAT was observed by Cresyl violet, AchE, ChAT-stain. Results : The error rate in the eight-arm radial maze task was significantly decreased in CE-HAT1, CE-HAT2, CE-HAT4 on 3days, CE-HAT4 on 4days, CE-HAT2, CE-HAT4 on 5days, CE-HAT3, CE-HAT4 on 6days. The rate of correct choice was significantly increased in CE-HAT4. The density of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 was significantly increased in CE-HAT1, CE-HAT2, CE-HAT3, CE-HAT4, compared to control group. The density of ChAT in the hippocampal CA1 was significantly increase in CE-HAT4. The density of ChAT in the hippocampal CA1 was significantly increased CE-HAT1. Conrlusions : These results suggest that the Cervus Elaphus-herbal acupuncture therapy could be used as a medication for controlling the stroke induced by deficiency.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.77-84
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• 2003

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the effect of the Hwangryunhaedock-tang Herbal Acupuncture Therapy on Chronic Conjunctivitis or Xerophthalmia Methods : We injected distillation of the Hwangryunhaedock-tang(0.2cc) on both B-15(Shinsu-心兪), B-18(Kansu-肝兪) of patient and dropped it(0.6cc) in both eyes. We examined therapeutic value of Chronic Conjunctivitis or Xerophthalmia Results & Conclusions : The Hwangryunhaedock-tang Herbal Acupuncture Therapy was effective on reducing the symptoms. But further studies are required to concretely prove the effectiveness of the Hwangryunhaedock-tang Herbal Acupuncture Therapy for treating Chronic Conjunctivitis or Xerophthalmia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.9-27
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• 2005

Objective : hypothesis. First of all, there exists electric property in meridian and meridian point. Second of all, energy flowing in meridian is related with electric property. Third of all, there is electronic interaction between the operator who performs acupuncture therapy and the receiver who is given acupuncture therapy. Forth of all, acupuncture effects may depend on the electric capacity which is transferred between the operator and the receiver via acupuncture needle. Methods : Under the hypothesis, I studied the effects of electric charge in ST37(+) and ST39(-) generated by Apchim (押鍼) manipulation which was stimulated at ST36 point. And compared with data on the changes of electric charge from the hand of the operator during acupuncture stimulation. Electric charge induced via acupuncture needle from the operator may be important factor that causes the changes of electric charge in meridian and acupoint in the receiver. Therefore we investigated the changes of electric charge induced by the operator using Maclab 400 by the following methods. The one was in stable electric circle condition and the other was in unstable electric circle condition. In this experiments, the changes of electric charge from the stimulation type of Apchim manipulation performed in our lab condition in acupuncture therapy was induced at least three factor, one was the difference of bio-potentials between the operator and the receiver of acupuncture therapy, another was the depth of acupuncture insertion from the skin of the receiver the other was an electromyogram of the receiver. Results :The data imply that the first factor should make a capacitance current when the operator touched the acupuncture needle which was inserted in the receiver. Therefore, the results suggest that capacitance currents stimulus in electronic view may be important factor in acupuncture therapy between the operator and the receiver of acupuncture therapy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of further acupuncture research as an effective and safe treatment for reducing cancer-related upper abdominal pain in patients treated with Neurolytic celiac plexus block(NCPB). Methods : This study is a randomized controlled pilot clinical trial of 3-week duration. Fourteen patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to 2 groups: an acupuncture plus NCPB group(experimental group) and a NCPB group(control group). All patients will undergo one session of NCPB, but only the experimental group will receive three acupuncture sessions a week for 2 weeks(6 in total). The primary outcome will be measured using the visual analogue scale, and the secondary outcome will be measured using the Painvision system and the consumption of additional analgesics. Assessments will be made at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 weeks thereafter(that is, the 3-week assessment will be made 1 week after treatment cessation). Conclusions : This clinical trial will inform the design of a full-scale trial. The outcomes will provide information to facilitate the incorporation of acupuncture into existing pain management methods such as NCPB in the treatment of cancer-related upper abdominal pain patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2014

Objectives : Postural instability and gait difficulty(PIGD) can develop in all Parkinson's disease patients, especially late in the disease course, but does not respond well to conventional dopamine treatment. This study aimed to report three cases of PIGD in Parkinson's disease patients treated with Korean and Western medicine treatment. Methods : We used acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture, herbal medicine and moxibustion to treat patients during hospitalization. They continued Western medication and received rehabilitation treatment. We observed the changes of PIGD using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS). Results : After treatment, PIGD symptoms improved and UPDRS scores were decreased. Especially, scores of falling, walking, gait and postural stability subsections related with PIGD were decreased. In addition, general conditions of patients were improved. Conclusions : This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment could be effective in the treatment of PIGD in Parkinson's disease patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2014

Objectives : In this report, we investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Syzygium aromaticum(L.) Merr. & Perry.(SAE) on the RBL-2H3 cell-mediated allergic response and studied its possible mechanisms of action. Methods : Cytotoxicity on RBL-2H3 cell was evaluated by MTT assay. Anti-allergic activity of SAE was assessed by ${\beta}$-Hexosaminidase and Histamine secretion, ${\beta}$- Hexosaminidase and Histamine secretion were measured by ELISA assay. Evaluate the mechanisms of effect of SAE on the secretion of degranulate mediators, we examined the effect of SAE on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases using western blot analysis. Results : SAE had no cytotoxicity on rat basophilic leukemia cell(RBL-2H3). Moreover SAE dose-dependently inhibited RBL-2H3 cell degranulation and histamine release. SAE specifically blocked the IgE-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Conclusions : Our findings provide evidence that Syzygium aromaticum ethanol extract inhibits mast cell derived allergic reaction, and also demonstrate the involvement of p38 MAPK phosphorylation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.108-115
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• 2015

Objectives : Acupuncture is frequently used as an alternative therapy for Parkinson's disease(PD) in Korea. Using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease mouse model, the present study investigated a possible role of acupuncture stimulation at GB34 in suppressing dopaminergic neuronal death and regulating the phosphorylation of protein kinase B(Akt) in substantia nigra(SN) and striatum(ST). Methods : Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were administered intraperitoneally with 30 mg/kg of MPTP at 24-h intervals for 5 days. Acupuncture stimulation at GB34 or SI3 was performed once a day for 12 days consecutively from the first MPTP injection. After the last acupuncture stimulation, pole test was performed to assess the effect of the acupuncture stimulations. Dopaminergic neuronal survival in the SN and the ST, dopamine transporter( DAT) and caspase-3 expression in the ST were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The phosphorylations of Akt in the SN and the ST were measured by Western blotting. Results : MPTP administration caused behavioral impairment and dopaminergic neuronal death in the SN and the ST. It also decreased DAT expression and increased caspase-3 expression in the ST. Acupuncture stimulation at GB34 alleviated these MPTP-induced impairments. Moreover, MPTP suppressed Akt phosphorylation in the SN and the ST, whereas acupuncture stimulation at GB34 alleviated the phosphorylation in the SN. Conclusions : These results indicate that acupuncture stimulation at GB34 can inhibit MPTP-induced dopaminergic neuronal death and alleviate the Akt phosphorylation in the SN, suggesting a possible role for acupuncture in the treatment of PD.