• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.163-184
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• 2007

Objectives & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Phellodendri Cortex Herbal-acupuncture solution (PC-HAS) at Joksamni (ST36) on collagen II induced arthritis in DBA-1J mice. The author performed several experimental items to analyze arthritis evaluation, change of weight, spleen size and adhesion rate, change of cytokine level, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II, chang of immunocyte count, histological change of CIA mouse joint. Results : 1. In the PC-HA group, arthritis index, the incidence of arthritis and joint edema were significantly decreased. 2. In the PC-HA group, the change of spleen size, spleen adhesion rate and the knee joint were significantly decreased. 3. The levels of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and INF- in serum of the CIA mouse were significantly decreased by PC-HA. 4. The levels of IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum of the CIA mouse were significantly decreased by PC-HA. 5. In the CIA mouse spleen cell culture, the levels of IFN- , IFN- / IL-4, IL-10 were significantly decreased by PC-HA, but the level of IL-4 was significantly increased by PC-HA. 6. In the PC-HA group, the ratios of $CD3e^+$ to $CD45R^+$ cell, $CD4^+$ to $CD8^+$ cell and $CD4^+/CD25^+$ cell were similarly maintained as normal group in the CIA mouse spleen cell. 7. In the PC-HA group, $CD4^+CD25^+$ and $CD45R^+/CD69^+$ cell were significantly decreased in the lymph nodes. 8. In the PC-HA group, $CD3^+/CD69^+$ and $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cell were significantly decreased in knee joint. 9. In histology, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation in the PC-HA group were similar with that of the normal group and the collagen fiber expressions in the PC-HA group were similar with that of the normal group. Conclusions : Form the result above, the results suggest that the PC-HA at ST36 has significant effect on collagen-induced arthritis, and can be put to practical use in the future rheumatoid arthritis clinic.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.217-230
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• 2007

Objectives : Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease has been recognized as Ha-ri (下痢) or Jang-Byok in Korean oriental medicine. A purpose of the present study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of moxi-tar herbal acupuncture at LI4 (HapGok) on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis in rats and further elucidate the possibility of herbal acupuncture on ulcerative colitis which is chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing $170{\sim}190$ g, were subjected to intrarectal injection of either saline (300 ${\mu}l$, 500 ${\mu}l$) for a control or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) (300 ${\mu}l$, 500 ${\mu}l$) for a colitis, Moxi-tar (20 mg/ml) were subcutaneously injected to the LI4 just after the secondary injection time of TNBS in rats. To study the effects of Moxi-tar acupuncture in LI4, body weight, RBC count, WBC count, total protein, Paw edema rate, rate of protein leakage into CMC-pouch fluid, IgG levels and IgM levels were observed. Results: Moxi-tar acupuncture in LI4 on TNBS-induced colitis inhibited the body weight lose rate but not effect RBC, WBC count. In addition, it inhibited the reduction of total protein concentration, paw edema, rate of protein leakage into CMC-pouch fluid, IgG levels and IgM levels. Conclusions : It is suggested that moxi-tar herbal acupuncture at LI4 helps to recover TNBS-induced colitis and plays an important role for an treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.131-149
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of herbal acupuncture (HA) with Moxi-tar for the treatment to intestinal disease in mice with 2, 4, 6 - trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis. Methods : Mice were administered with 5% TNBS at day 1 and day 7. To investigate effects of HA with Moxi-tar at LI11, treatments were carried out at day -1, day 1, day 3, day 5, and day 7. It was checked on the weight and width of colon, diarrhea, edema, survival rate, changes of body weight, and myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity. Furthermore, we carried out immunohistochemical staining and Western blot and analyzed mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Results : HA of Moxi-tar at LI11 in preventive mode suppressed macroscopic damages and damages of intestinal epithelial cells and infiltration of immune cells in the colon by TNBS. HA in early and preventive mode ameliorated various symptoms by TNBS. TNBS injection increased MPO activity in colon while HA in preventive mode suppressed increase of MPO activity. HA down-regulated NF-kB activity and reduced expression of TNF-a, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 in colon of TNBS treated mice. Similar to experiment at colon, HA down-regulated NF-kB activity and reduced expression of TNF-a, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 by TNBS in mesenteric lymph node. HA in therapeutic mode suppressed errosion and shortening of colon and MPO activity by TNBS and suppressed mRNA expression of TNF-a, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 in the colon. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that HA with Moxi-tar at LI11 represents a potential therapeutic method of inflammatory bowel diseases.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.201-219
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• 2007

Objectives : We studied Effects of Hagocho(prunella vulgaris L.), Gamgook(chrysanthemum indicum L.) and Galgeun(pueraria Radix) aqua-acupuncture on the hyperlipidemic rat. methods : We investigated lowering lipid effect, oxidative capacity, concentration of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, Leptin and histological consideration in hyperlipidemic rat. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 400g were divided into 5 groups of control, Ⅰ: Hagocho (prunella vulgaris L.)+Gamgook (chrysanthemum indicum L.) and Gokji aqua-acupuncture, Ⅱ: Hagocho(prunella vulgaris L.)+Gamgook (chrysanthemum indicum L.) and Joksamri aqua-acupuncture, Ⅲ: Hagocho(prunella vulgaris L.)+Galgeun(pueraria Radix)and Gokji aqua-acupuncture and Ⅳ: Hagocho (prunella vulgaris L.)+Galgeun(pueraria Radix) and Joksamri aqua-acupuncture. Results : Contents of plasma ${\beta}$-lipoprotein, contents of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ and leptin, Plasma triglyceride and glucose, plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, liver total cholesterol, liver triglyceride, plasma and liver TBARS, free fatty acids showed a tendency to decrease in the aqua-acupuncture groups compared to those of control group. The activities of GOT and GPT showed no significantly different in all treatment groups. Values of super oxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity showed a tendency to increase in the aqua-acupuncture groups. Histological consideration of heart, kidney and liver in the aqua-acupuncture groups showed slight vasodilation and fat accumulation compared to those of normal rat. Conclusions : These results indicated that prunella vulgaris L., chrysanthemum indicum L. and pueraria Radix aqua-acupuncture at gokji(LI11) and Joksamri(ST36) suppressed adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant system in hyperlipidemic rat.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.221-231
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• 2007

목 적 : 본 연구의 목적은 시상하부에서 침처치에 대한 nitric oxide synthase (NOS)발현을 nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d)를 이용한 조직화학 염색법으로 관찰하였다. 실험방법 : 동물은 Balb/c (wild type) 와 Stat 4 knockout (KO) 생쥐를 사용하였다. 염증유도는 1% carrageenan 용액 (20ul/마리)을 발 뒤꿈치 표피에 주사하였고, 침 처치는 족삼리 (ST36)에 시침하였다. 침 처치 후 5시간까지 부종율을 부종측정기로 측정하였으며, 마지막으로 부종을 측정한 후 동물을 희생하여 뇌를 적출하여 고정하였다. 침에 대한 효과를 확인하기 위하여 NADPH-d 반응의 조직염색을 실시하였다. 염증유도와 그룹간의 유의성 검증은 one-way ANOVA를 사용하였다. 결 과 : 대조군인 Balb/c와 실험군인 stat4 KO 생쥐를 carrageenan으로 염증을 유도시에 대조군은 90%이상 유도된 반면, Stat4 KO 그룹은 50% 정도의 염증만이 유도되었다. 염증을 유도한 생쥐의 족삼리에 침 처치시 대조군은 1시간에서 약 40%정도 감소하였고 (P<0.05), Stat4 KO 실험군은 유의한 염증 감소율을 보이지 않았다. 시상하부의 lateral hypothalamic area (LHA)와 paraventricular nucleus (PVN)부위의 침에 대한 효과를 NADPH-d 에 양성으로 반응하는 세포수로 비교하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. (1) 대조군에서 염증 유도시 시상하부의 PVN는 NADPH-d 양성세포수가 감소하였고, LHA에서는 증가하였다. (2) 염증을 유도한 대조군에 침을 처치시 PVN은 세포수가 증가하였고, LHA에서는 감소하는 경향을 보였다. (3) 염증을 유도한 Stat4 KO 군에서는 시상하부의 PVN과 LHA부위 모두에서 NADPH-d 양성세포수가 감소하였고, 염증유도그룹에 침을 처치시 PVN과 LHA부위 모두에서 세포수가 증가함을 관찰 할 수 있었다. (4) 대조군과 실험군 모두에 salicylic acid로 비교하였더니 염증유도 효과 및 NADPH-d 세포 수에서 침 처치와 비슷한 결과를 나타내었다. 결 론 : 침은 염증을 유도한 생쥐에서 염증 감소에 유의한 효과가 있다. 염증을 유도한 Balb/c 와 Stat4 KO 생쥐에 침을 처치 시 시상하부의 NADPH-d 발현이 LHA부위와 PVN에서 서로 다르게 나타나는 것으로 나타난다. 이러한 현상은 침 효과가 시상하부의 위치에 대한 작용이 다르기 때문이라고 생각된다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.47-54
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• 2007

Objection : A medicine which is patient-initiative and preventive is required in Korea, which is going to an aging society. On this, we started this study to make a new rule to diagnose and treat more definitely by linking traditional Oriental medicine to Sasang Constitional medicine, which thought to be suitable because of Sasang Constitional medicine has been valued on staying, diet and human's nature which means preventive medical propensity. Methods : On this study, we discriminated Sasang Constition of 161 students, who is in college of oriental medicine, Wonkwang university, by using QSCCII program; and in those students, we checked 30 volunteers's five vicera's Back-su point on riging and depression, tenderness reaction, and color reaction after cupping treatment. Results : As a result of study of riging and depression of five vicera's Back-su point, we could confirm that defecient organ's Back-su point were more depressed than excess organ in Seum-in, Taeeum-in, Soyang-in. As a result of study of tenderness reaction of five vicera's Back-su point, we could confirm that excess organ's Back-su point showed stronger tenderness reaction than defecient organ in Seum-in, Taeeum-in; and excess organ's Back-su point showed weaker tenderness reaction than defecient organ in Soyang-in. As a result of study of color reaction after cupping treatment of five vicera's Back-su point, we could confirm that excess organ's Back-su point showed stronger color reaction than defecient organ in Seum-in, Taeeum-in; and excess organ's Back-su point showed weaker color reaction than defecient organ in Soyang-in. Those data suggest that there are close correlation between Sasang Constition and on riging and depression, tenderness reaction, and color reaction after cupping treatment of five vicera's Back-su point in treditional Oriental medicine. Conclusions : From this study, we can make a new rule to differentiate Sasang Constition by clearfy a relation between Sasang Constition and five vicera's Back-su point; and with this rule, we could contribute to popularization and objectification of Sasang Constition medicine and further more, Oriental medicine by making a Sasang Constition diagnosis instrument. With this, a trait of Sasang Constition medicine that is preventive and valued on character of individuals will contribute to building a patient-initiative and preventive medical system and will expend the domain of Oriental medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.99-110
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• 2007

Objectives : Epilepsy is one of the most common serious brain disorders that affect people of all ages, and it is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. We examined whether acupuncture can reduce both the incidence of seizures and hippocampal cell death in dentate gyrus (DG) using a mouse model of kainic acid (KA)-induced epilepsy. Methods : ICR mice ($20{\sim}25$ g) were given acupuncture once a day at acupoint HT8 (sobu) bilaterally during 2 days before KA injection. After an intracerebroventricular injection of 0.1${\mu}g$ of KA, acupuncture treatment was subsequently administered once more (total 3 times), and the degree of seizure was observed for 20 min. Three hours after injection, we confirmed the neural cell death using cresyl violet staining and silver impregnation staining, and determined the expressions of c-Fos and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)-67 using immunohistochemistry techniques in the DG. Results : KA induced epileptic seizure, neural cell death, increased c-Fos expression and decreased GAD-67 expression in the DG. Acupuncture treatment at HT8 reduced the severity of the epileptic seizure and inhibited neural cell death from KA. In addition, acupuncture normalized the expressions of c-Fos and GAD-67 in the same areas. Conclusions : These results demonstrated that acupuncture treatment at HT8 may reduce the KA-induced epileptic seizure and neural cell death in the DG possibly by normalizing c-Fos expressions and the gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.151-163
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• 2011

Objectives : Our aim is to evaluate feasibility for massive clinical research and to make basic analysis of efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue. Methods : This study is a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. It was developed through literature searches and discussions among researchers. Results : Forty participants allocated to acupuncture group and wait-list group. Participants allocated to acupuncture group will be treated three times per week for a total of 12 sessions over four weeks. Eight points (GV20; bilatral GB20, BL11, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23) have been selected for the acupuncture group. Participants in the wait-list group will not receive acupuncture treatment during study period and follow-up will be made in the 5th and 9th weeks after random allocation. Then the same acupuncture treatment as that performed to the acupuncture group will be made to the wait-list group. Fatigue Severity Scale, a short form of Stress Response Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Insomnia Severity Index will be used as outcome variables to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture. Safety will be assessed at every visit. Conclusions : The trial based on this study will be performed. The results of the trial will provide basis for the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.59-72
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• 2010

Objectives : In the study on the waveform analysis of radial artery pulse diagnosis, we need to establish fundaments of contemporary pulse diagnosis research, and to find the change of pulse waveform parameter with applied variation pf pressure. Methods : As we will to do experimental research on the difference of pulse waveform on the radial artery with applied variations of pressure(5 stage-pressure) and measuring position(left KWAN). In this research, we analyzed the change of the waveform according to five stage pressure. Results : The results were as follows; When we analyzed the change of the waveform according to pressure in the left KWAN, E, hl, h2 and A were the difference between 8ths pressure grades in 95% trust section. And t2, t4 were the difference between 8ths pressure grades in 95% trust section. W was the difference between 8ths pressure grades in 95% trust section. And h2/h1 was the difference between 6ths pressure grades in 95% trust section. There is the difference between 1st and 2nd grade & between 2nd and 5th grade in the case of t4/t2 in 95% trust section. And there is the difference between 1st and 5th grade, between 3rd and 4th grade, between 3rd and 5th grade & between 4th and 5th grade in the case of W/A in 95% trust section. And there is the difference between 1st and 2nd grade, between 2nd and 3rd grade, between 2nd and 4th grade, between 3rd and 4th grade, between 3rd and 5th grade & between 4th and 5th grade in the case of A/E in 95% trust section. Conclusions : We found the statistically resonable differences between each pulse depending on the applied pressure. And Analysing the radial pulse(left KWAN) at 5 applied pressure levels may be useful to study on the pulse waveform diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.97-109
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• 2010

Objective : To examine whether any correlation between tendency towards depression and tenderness at special acupuncture points exists, thus to explore the potential diagnostic property of acupuncture points. Methods : A total 31 subjects were included in this study. They filled out questionnaires about their mental [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Stress Response Inventory (SRI), Profile of Mood States (POMS)] and physical (fatigue due to overexertion, and food accumulation) symptoms. Identical weight around Alarm points (CV17, CV12, ST25, CV5, CV4, and LR13) and transport points (BL14, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL25, and BL27) was given using an algometer and the subjects rated their pain on an 11-point numerical rating scale. Heart rate variability (HRV) was also measured. Results : The subjects were divided into two groups, normal and depressive tendency groups with a cut-off point of nine on BDI. The depressive tendency group reported significantly higher values in SRI, POMS, and questionnaire for fatigue due to overexertion. In the pressure pain measurement, depressive tendency group had more pressure pain at CV12, left side of BL20, BL14, BL22 and both sides of BL21, BL25, BL27, significantly (each p<0.05). The data of HRV did not show significant differences between groups. Conclusions : People with a tendency towards depression may be prone to stress, negative mood, and fatigue due to overexertion. In addition, they may be more likely to develop tenderness at alarm points and transport points compared with healthy people. Further research is needed to confirm this finding.