• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low frequency electro-acupuncture at ST39 on intestinal motility in rats. Methods : Intestinal hypermotility and hypomotility in rats were induced by oral carbachol ingestion and loperamide injection. Rats were divided into seventeen experimental groups including the normal and holder groups. The rats were induced with intestinal hypermotility and hypomotility and divided into pre and post-treatment groups. I also carried out acupuncture (needle retention) and low frequency electro-acupuncture at ST39 or the sham point. I fed charcoal to rats after the treatment and calculated its distance travelled in the gastrointestinal tract, which was compared by groups so as to determine which treatment was more effective in increasing or decreasing intestinal motility. Results : 1. In normal rats, low frequency electro-acupuncture at ST39 showed no significant effect on intestinal motility. 2. Pre-treatment with acupuncture (needle retention) at ST39 on intestinal motility over-activated with carbachol significantly decreased intestinal motility in rats. 3. Pre-treatment with low frequency electro-acupuncture at ST39 on intestinal motility over-activated with carbachol significantly decreased intestinal motility in rats. 4. Pre-treatment with acupuncture (needle retention and low frequency electro-acupuncture) at ST39 showed no significant effect on intestinal hypomotility in rats that was induced by loperamide injection. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture (needle retention) and low frequency electro-acupuncture at ST39 have preventive effects on intestinal hypermotility. Regardless of the stimulation method, ST39 showed an effect on intestinal motility. Further study is required to confirm other effects of ST39.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.123-133
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the Effect of Electro acupuncture at Kugmun $(P_4)$ and Naegwan $(P_6)$ on EKG of hypertension patients. Methods Subjects were ten patients who showed abnormal findings on EKG. They were divided into two Groups, Experiment Group and Control Group. Experiment Croup received electro acupuncture at Kugmun $(P_4)$ and Naegwan $(P_6)$ and Control Group at non acupoint. EKG was measured before and after electro acupuncture stimulation. Results : Five out of ten improved EKG findings by Kugmun $(P_4)$ and Naegwan $(P_6)$ and nine out of ten changed the pulse by Kugmun $(P_4)$ and Naegwan $(P_6)$. It showed significant change compared with Control Group that received electro acupuncture at non acupoint. In fact Kugmun $(P_4)$ and Naegwan $(P_6)$ is able to cure chest pain, hypertension, chest discomfort, palpitation, insomnia, headache, and so on. It proved that it has ability of controling heart function. Conclusions : In conclusion, electro acupuncture at Kugmun $(P_4)$ and Naegwan $(P_6)$ changed EKG findings and Pulse. Especially electro acupuncture at Kugmun $(P_4)$ and Naegwan $(P_6)$ decreased the pulse for tachycardia and increased the pulse for bradycardia. It is thought that it makes to consist vital homeostasis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.614-628
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• 1998

The effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on blood concentration of endocrine substances were investigated in 6 horses. Three acupuncture points ; Guan Yuan Shu(BL-26), Wei Shu(BL-21) and Da Chang Shu(BL-25) were stimulated for 20 minutes by EA at separate occasions under varying condition ; 2V-1Hz, 2V-5Hz, 2V-30Hz, 4V-1Hz, 4V-5Hz and 4V-30Hz. Plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH), ${\beta}$-endorphin, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serum levels of gastrin were analysed. Blood samplings were carried out before, 0, 20 and 40 minutes after the EA stimulation. The serum gastrin levels were increased by 2V-5Hz stimulation on the Wei Shu. Plasma ACTH levels were decreased by 2V-1Hz stimulation on the Wei Shu, but largely increased by 4V-30Hz stimulation on the Guan Yuan Shu. Plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels were slightly increased or decreased by 2V-1Hz stimulation, but largely increased by 4V-30Hz stimulation on the Guan Yuan Shu. Plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were not so much changed by 2V-1Hz or 5Hz stimulation, but tended to increase by 4V-30Hz stimulation on Guan Yuan Shu. These results suggest that the low voltage-low frequence EA stimulation increased blood concentration of gastrin, but decreased ACTH, ${\beta}$-endorphin, epinephrine and norepinephrine, whereas high voltage-high frequence EA stimulation induced opposite results. Accordingly, there appears to be a close relationship between the changes of gastrointestinal motility and the changes of blood concentration of endocrine substances by EA stimulation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.22-34
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• 2003

Objective : To ascertain whether the concept of the treatment side is associated with changes in the blind spot mapping that represents the brain function. Methods : Among the outpatients who visited to Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, National Medical Center from March 2002 to October 2002, we selected 40 clinical trial volunteers that showed right side physiological blind spot more enlarged than left, and underwent the examinations of Department of Opthalmology, National Medical Center for ruling out the pathological conditions. Physiological blind spot maps were used as an integer of brain activity before and after electroacupuncture application on the unilateral ST36 meridian point by dividing 40 subjects into two comparative groups for double-blind controlled study. Results: The significant changes in the blind spots were observed. Electroacupuncture application on the ipsilateral or contralateral ST36 of an enlargement cortical map were associated with the concept of determining the treatment side. In the case of electroacupuncture application on the ipsilateral side of an enlarged blind spot, there were decrease of $4.11{\pm}8.56cm$(17.3%) in blind spot perimetry length(p < 0.05). In the case of contralateral side, there were increase of $3.19{\pm}5.40cm$(13.7%) in blind spot perimetry length(p<0.05). The Differences were statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusions: We found that eletroacupuncture application was associated with an increase or decrease in the brain function in the view of blind spot changes depending on the treatment side. These results suggest that the traditional acupuncture therapeutic strategy with determining the treatment side has clinical significance in the view of the brain function.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.86-103
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• 2003

Objective : Recently, many studies have showed the evidences of the effect of the acupunture treatment through scientific methods. One of these methods is functional MRI. We performed electro-acupunture on Sp6 and observed the changes of brain activation using fMRI. Methods : To see the effect of electro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6, the experiment was carried out on 12 healthy volunteers, using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body MRI system(ISOL). After the needle insertion on right Sp6, 2Hz 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 : 1. Group averaged brain activation induced by bilateral eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 3, 7, 13. 2. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by bilateral eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 6, 38, 47. 3. Group averaged brain activation induced by unilateral(right side) eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 5, 6, 13, 17, 18, 19, 31, 38, 40 ptoms, back pain(32.5%) was the 4. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by unilateral(right side) eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 3, 4, 18, 21, 36, 38, 39. 5. Brain region activated by motor stimulation activates Brodman Area 3, 4, 6, 18, 19.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.117-130
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• 2003

To study the analgesic and effect and its mechanism of eletroacupunture(EA) on the chronic inflammatory pain 50 rats were induced with arthralgesia by injecting complete freund's adjuvant(CFA). Two weeks after the injection of CFA, EA stimulation(2Hz, 0.07mA, 0.3ms) was delivered to Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) for 20 minutes. Analgesic effect was evaluated by using the tail flick latency(TFL) and the analgesic mechanism was observed by applying TFL with the pretreatment with naloxone and yohimbine. The results were as follows ; 1. TFL level for the model of adjuvant-induced arthritis decreased as time went by and it induced the hyperalgesia. 2. EA stimulation delivered to Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) for 20 minutes in the rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis brought analgesic effect and its effect had lasted for 40 minutes after the stimulation. 3. The analgesic effect of Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA in the rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis was blocked by pretreatment with naloxone(2mg/kg,i.p). This result suggests that the EA effect on the chronic inflammatory pain can be related to the endogenous opioid mechanism. 4. The analgesic effect of Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA in the rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis was blocked by pretreatment with naloxone(2mg/kg,i.p). This result suggests that the EA effect on the chronic inflammatory pain can be related to the ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic mechanism.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.67-77
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• 2004

Objectives : Many studies have reported that acupuncture analgesia was mediated through the activation of peripheral and central opioid receptors. However, there has been little electrophysiological study on the adrenergic mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of adrenoceptors in the production of acupuncture analgesia in the chronic pain model. Methods : In the rat with chronic inflammation and nerve injury, dorsal horn cell (DHC) responses to afferent C fiber stimulation were used as a pain index and changes in electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia were recorded before and after intravenous administration of selective adrenoceptor antagonists. EA stimulations (2Hz, 0.5msec, 3mA) were applied to the contralateral Zusanli point for 30 min. Results : EA stimulation induced long-lasting inhibition of DHC responses in the rat with chronic inflammation and nerve injury. In both models of inflammation and neuropathic pain, α-adrenoceptor antagonist (phentolamine) significantly attenuated an inhibitory effect of EA on DHC responses. Selective α2-adrenoceptor antagonist (yohimbine) also had a similar suppressive action on DHC responses to that of phentolamine. However, β-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol) did not have any inhibitory effect on DHC responses in either model of chronic pain. Conclusions : These experimental findings suggest that in rats with chronic pain, EA stimulation with low frequency and high intensity produced an analgesic effect which was mediated through an activation of α2-adrenoceptors.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.27-42
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• 2009

Objectives : The vestibular system detects head movement and serve to regulate and maintain the equilibrium and orientation of the body. It is known that the vestibular imbalance leads to vestibular symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, vertigo and postural disturbance. The objectives of the present study were to examine a modification of the dynamic activities of medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons following electroacupuncture (EA) of GB43 (Hyepgye). Methods : In Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $250{\sim}300g$, dynamic responses induced by sinusoidal whole body rotation about vertical axis at 0.2 Hz were observed in MVN of rats during EA of GB43 (Hyepgye) with 0.2 ms, 40 Hz and $600{\pm}200{\mu}A$. Also, expression of cFos protein was observed 2 hours after EA for 30 mins. Results : In dynamic response of vestibular neuron, the excitatory or inhibitory responses of gain were predominant in the ipsilateral MVN neurons during EA but not predominant in the contralateral MVN. Most neurons showing decreased gain were classified to inhibitory responses of spontaneous firing discharge during EA and ones showing increased gain were classified to excitatory response of spontaneous firing discharge during EA. Also, EA of the left GB43 (Hyepgye) for 30 mins produced the expression of cFos protein in MVN, inferior olive (IO) and solitary tract nuclei (SOL). Spatial expressions of cFos protein were predominant in the contralateral MVN, ipsilateral IO and bilateral SOL. Conclusion : These results suggest that the excitability of MVN neurons was influenced by EA of GB43 (Hyepgye) and EA may be related to the convergence on MVN.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.117-135
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• 2008

Objectives: It is known that the vestibular imbalance leads to vestibular symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, vertigo and postural disturbance. Since the non-labyrinthine inputs from the limbs and viscera converge on the vestibular nucleus neurons receiving signal from peripheral vestibular endorgan, acupuncture to the periphery may influence the activities of vestibular nuclear neurons and produce a therapeutic effect on the vestibulacr symptoms. The present study was to examine a modification and characteristics of the static and dynamic activities of medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons following electroacupuncture (EA) of GB43' acupoint. Methods: In 54 Sprague-Dawley adult male rats weighing 250${\sim}$300g, spontaneous firing discharges and dynamic responses induced by sinusoidal whole body rotation about vertical axis at 0.2 Hz were observed in MVN of rats during EA of GB43' acupoint, located between the left 4th and 5th toe, which is the territory of sural and peroneal nerves, with 0.2 ms, 40 Hz and 600${\pm}$200 ${\mu}A$. Results: EA of the left GB43' acupoint induced modifications of spontaneous firing rates in 45% of MVN neurons recorded, and the percentage of modified neurons was 44% in type I, 52% in type II and 46% in non-type neurons. The excitatory or inhibitory responses of spontaneous firing discharges were predominant in the ipsilateral MVN neurons during EA. The excitatory response was abolished after EA but the inhibitory response was prolonged after EA in the ipsilateral MVN. The neurons of MVN showing modified spontaneous firing discharges by EA showed lower frequency (${\geq}$10 spikes/sec) of mean spontaneous firing rates than non affected ones. Conclusion: These results suggest that the neuronal activities of MVN neurons were influenced by EA of GB43' acupoint and the effects of EA may be related to the convergence of the peripheral vestibular inputs and ascending somatosensory inputs on MVN.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.183-199
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• 1998

The effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on gastrointestinal motility were investigated in 6 horses. Three acupuncture points ; Guan Yuan Shu(BL-26), Wei Shu(BL-21) and Da Chang Shu(BL-25) were stimulated for 20 minutes by EA at separate occasions under varying condition ; 2V-1Hz, 2V-5Hz, 2V-30Hz, 4V-1Hz, 4V-5Hz and 4V-30Hz. Myoelectric activity of stomach and cecum was monitored to investigate the gastrointestinal motility. Electromyogram(EMG) recordings were carried out before, 0, 20 minutes after and 40 minutes after the EA stimulation. EMG bipolar electrode was surgically implanted in seromuscular layer of greater curvature in the stomach and between medial band and ventral band in the cecum. The EA stimulation and monitoring were not commenced until 15 days after electrode implantation. The EA stimulation of Wei Shu influenced on stomach motility and that of Da Chang Shu on, cecum motility. However, the EA stimulation of Guan Yuan Shu influenced on both the stomach and the cecum motility. The myoelectrical spike burst amplitude of the stomach and the cecum was significantly(p<0.05) increased by 2V-1Hz stimulation, but the myoelectrical spike burst frequence of the stomach and the cecum was significantly decreased by 2V-30Hz or 4V-30Hz stimulation. The myoelectrical spike burst duration of the stomach and the cecum was significantly lengthened by 4V-30Hz and 2V or 4V-30Hz stimulation, respectively.