• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.127-138
• /
• 2019

Objectives : This study was carried out in order to toxicity and safety of Drosera Rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture in BALB/c mice. Methods : In order to investigate toxicity and safety of Drosera Rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture, BALB/c mice were chosen in these studies and injected to ST36. In 50% Lethal Dose (LD 50) study, mice were divided into 8 groups. Doses of pharmacopuncture at 300, 600, 1,200, 2,400, 3,600, 4,800, 6,000, 7,200 mg/kg were given to the each group. we observed mortality and toxic signs for 7 days after injection. In single-dose toxicity, mice were divided into 4 groups. Doses of pharmacopuncture, 300, 600, 1,200 mg/kg, were administered to the experimental group. And a dose of normal saline, 0.2 ml was administered to the control group. We observed mortality and toxic signs for 14 days after injection. In repeated-dose toxicity for 4 weeks, mice were divided in 4 groups. Doses of pharmacopuncture, 150, 300, 600 mg/kg, were administered to the experimental group. And a dose of normal saline, 0.2 ml, was administered to the control group. We observed mortality, toxic signs, body weight, hematological values et al. Results : The LD 50 of Drosera Rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture was 4,800 mg/kg. In single-dose toxicity, no deaths, no toxic signs occurred in any of groups. In repeated-dose toxicity for 4 weeks, no deaths, no toxic signs occurred in any of groups. Conclusions : No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of Drosera Rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture injection for 4 weeks was more than 600 mg/kg.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.563-572
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to suggest a new method to estimate the resistance by acupoint compositions by using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis(MF-BIA) of 5 kHz, 50 kHz and 200 kHz within 2 cm of acupoints as a local segment. Moreover, we try to confirm the relation to between measured resistance at skin surface and measured resistance by various manual acupuncture needle insertion depth. Methods : Ten male subjects participated in this study. We measured the resistance at left/right ST36 at skin surface and various manual acupuncture needle insertion depth(skin, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm). Results : It was also observed that the all measured resistances were the highest at 5 kHz and the lowest at 200 kHz. There were significant differences at 5 kHz, 50 kHz and 200 kHz between measured resistance at skin surface and measured resistance by various manual acupuncture needle insertion depth(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the left and right identical acupoints under the identical condition(p>0.05). Conclusions : We conclude that the measured resistance at skin surface has limitation as to reflect the information of tissue. However, the measured resistance at each frequency was changed as similar pattern by different insertion depth. Hence, we confirmed the possibility of assumption on information of tissue which was expected to locate an acupoint.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.8-36
• /
• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the methodology of clinical trials conducted with the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment on functional dyspepsia. Methods : We searched four international databases and three Korean databases including English, Korean and Chinese, through March 2016 for randomized controlled trials(RCT) and non-randomized case-control trials(CCT) that evaluated the effects of the acupuncture and moxibustion on functional dyspepsia. We abstracted the designs of the trials and the method of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment according to the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture. Results : A total 117 papers were reviewed. The 106 studies were conducted in China. There were 111 RCTs(95%), and 6 CCTs(5%). Sixty eight studies(59%) were conducted with the manual acupuncture, 29 studies of electro-acupuncture(25%), 11 studies of moxibustion(9%), 5 studies of acupoints embedding therapy(4%), 4 studies of acupoint injection therapy(3%) were conducted. ST36, CV12, ST25 were most frequently used for acupoints to treat functional dyspepsia. In 59 studies(50%), western medication was used in the control group, and the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion were evaluated with the symptoms in most studies. Conclusions : These results suggest that it is necessary to develop more detailed reporting standards about acupuncture and moxibustion treatment method as the method of acupuncture and moxibustion is getting more diverse, and more objective tools are needed in evaluating functional dyspepsia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.247-259
• /
• 2000

Objective : The mechanism of acupuncture to increase cerebral blood flow is still uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neural basis of acupuncture by comparing the cerebral regions activated by the stimulation of two different methods of acupunctures at the same acupoint which was suggested by oriental medicine to increase rCBF. Materials and Methods : Thirty-nine healthy volunteers(26 males, 13 females, age $31{\pm}11$ years) were studies by rest/acupuncture Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT using a subtraction method. SPECTs using two methods(needle retention and heated needle with 90% alcohol) at two acupoints (right LI. 4 and ST. 36) were peformed at an interval of three days. For the needle retention method, acupuncture needle was inserted to a depth of about 2 cm into each acupoint 8 minutes after the lst acquisition and continued to retain, and the second injection of Tc-99m ECD was done 15 minutes after the insertion of needle. For the heated acupuncture method, heated needle was inserted in a twinkle within several msec 20 second after the second injection of Tc-99m ECD. The differences of between rest and acupuncture activation state were statistically analyzed using a statistical parametric mapping software. Result : Acupunctures of both methods reveal similar patterns of increase in rCBF. Acupuncture at ST.36 increase rGBF in left anterior temporal, right inferior frontal lobes, and left cerebellum. Acupuncture at LI. 4 increase rCBF in the left frontal cortex, right temporal pole, both inferior frontal cortices and right cerebellum. Conclusion : The effects of two different acupunctures to the same acupoints on rCBF were similar. Therefore, this result suggests Chat the mechanism of acupuncture in the increase of cerebral blood flow have a neural basis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.179-193
• /
• 2007

Objectives: It has been demonstrated that acupuncture treats diseases while that the widespread use of that clinically and experimentally. It also has shown that electro-acupuncture(EA) is more effective than manual-acupuncture (MA). The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of EA and MA at combined acupoints on sex and age in rats. Methods: This study measured the effects of acupuncture treatment on small intestinal motility in rats. MA and EA(intensity, 5 times muscle twitch threshold) was applied for 30 minutes to the combined left and right sides acupoints on ST36, ST37, ST39 under enflurane anesthesia. EA and MA applied to the ST36, ST37, ST39 acupoints produced an elevation of small intestinal motility. Results: In experimental groups of combined left and right sides acupoints, only specified groups show elevation of small intestinal motility in male rats, 5 weeks age. Furthermore, combined left and right sides acupoints in EA and MA show differences effects according to the sex, male and female, and the age as 5, 6, 7, 8 weeks. Conclusion : Although these different according to the sex and age in rats do not have a established tendency, the present study suggest that effect of EA and MA are experimentally dependent upon the sex and age on small intestinal motility in rats.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.162-170
• /
• 2019

Objectives : Increasing evidence suggests that parasympathetic vagus nerve activity plays a role in modulating acupuncture-induced anti-inflammatory reaction, but the function of sympathetic nerve is not known. Here, we investigated whether splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity was involved in the regulation of splenic expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA by electroacupuncture (EA) in LPS-injected animals. Methods : DiI was injected into the stomach or celiac ganglion (CG) for retrograde labeling of the target tissues. EA was given at ST36 and the electrical stimulation on the sciatic nerve in LPS-injected mice. c-Fos signals in the tissues were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA was analyzed by real-time PCR. Results : Application of EA at ST36 or electrical stimulation on the sciatic nerve induced c-Fos expression in neurons of the spinal cord and celiac ganglion (CG). Then, the vagotomy reduced c-Fos levels in CG neurons but not in the spinal cord in animals given EA. Expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA which was induced in the spleen after LPS was significantly inhibited by EA, then the vagotomy elevated $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA level similar to that in LPS-injected animals. Splanchnectomy in animals given LPS and EA also increased $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA though it was less effective than vagotomy. Conclusions : Our data suggest that EA delivered to the spleen via the splanchnic sympathetic nerve may be involved in attenuating splenic inflammatory responses in LPS-injected animals.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.56-63
• /
• 2013

Objectives : Effects of repetitive electroacupuncture(EA) on the pain behavior and activation of spinal glial cells were examined in the rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods : Twenty one adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups(control group, SP6 group, ST36+GB34 group). Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity of hind paw were tested. Immunohistochemistry was performed in spinal cord L5/6 of all groups. EA was treated once in a day from the $5^{th}$ day after surgery. Results : EA treatments applied to ST36 and GB34 reduced significantly both of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity after 3 times of treatment throughout the experiments. In the SP6 group, the analgesic effect was also shown after 7 times of treatment. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation in the spinal cord L5/6 dorsal horn in the ST36+GB34 group. Conclusions : The present results suggest that repetitive EA exert strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain. These analgesic effects in neuropathic pain are associated with suppressing the activation of microglia and astrocyte.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.79-89
• /
• 2011

호장근(Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb et Zucc.)은 관절통, 만성 기관지염, 황달, 월경분순, 고협압 등의 치료제로 사용되고 있는 약물로서, 본 연구에서는 흰쥐의 류마티스 관절염 병태모델에서 호장근 약침이 류마티스 관절염에 미치는 영향에 대해 관찰하였다. 방법 : 본 연구에서는 bovine type II collagen으로 유발된 흰쥐의 류마티스 관절염 병태모델에서 인체의 족삼리(ST36)에 상응하는 부위에 호장근 약침액을 주입한 후, 체중변화, 족부종의 변화, 족근관절폭의 변화, cytokine의 변화, NOS 발현 양상 등을 관찰하였다. 결과 : 족부종 감소율은 고농도 호장근 약침군에서 높았고, 족근관절폭 감소율은 고농도 및 저농도 호장근 약침군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 높게 관찰되었다. 족부 삼출물 내의 TNF-${\alpha}$ 함량은 고농도 호장근 약침군에서 높았고, IL-$1{\beta}$ 함량은 고농도 및 저농도 호장근 약침군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 높게 관찰되었다. 대뇌 피질에서 NOS 양성 신경세포수는 고농도 및 저농도 호장근 약침군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 낮게 관찰되었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과에서 호장근 약침은 type II collagen으로 유발된 흰쥐의 류마티스 관절염 병태모델에서 염증 반응을 억제하는 효과가 있는 것으로 사려된다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.125-134
• /
• 2010

Objectives : There has been a need for developing and establishing operational curriculum for the education of acupuncture, but defining the level and step of the acupuncture education in clinical perspectives was not thoroughly recognized so far. Methods : We analysed the usage of acupuncture points in the official textbook to recognize the most frequently used acupoints in clinical medicine. It was found that $ST_{36}$ $LI_4$ $SP_6$ $HT_7$ $LR_3$ $CV_{12}$ $BL_{23}$ $CV_6$ $BL_{20}$ $CV_4$ $LI_{11}$ $PC_6$ $KI_3$ $GB_{20}$ $GV_{20}$ $GB_{34}$ $BL_{18}$ $GV_{14}$ $BL_{17}$ $BL_{40}$ are the most frequently used 20 acupuncture points and GB(足少陽擔經), CV(任脈), ST(足陽明胃經) are the most frequently used meridians. Results : The $ST_{36}$, $GB_{34}$, $LI_{11}$ and GB(足太陽膀胱經) meridian are most frequently used for muskuloskeletal disease, $ST_{36}$, $LI_4$, $LI_{11}$ and GB(足太陽膀胱經) meridian are most frequently used for neuromuskular disease, and $ST_{36}$, $CV_{12}$, $BL_{20}$ and CV(任脈) meridian are most frequently used for the digestive system disorders. Conclusions : This study was the first systematic approach to get essential acupuncture points for the education of clinical perspectives of TKM especially for the acupuncture and moxibustion. We found that the $ST_{36}$, $GB_{34}$, $LI_{11}$ and GB(足太陽膀胱經) are the most frequently used acupuncture point and meridian. This study will be used for the development of TKM clinical curriculum.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.1041-1054
• /
• 2004

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to increase pain threshold, and to enhance the NK cell activity by up-regulation of IFN-γ and endogenous β-endolphin. For the purpose of understanding the molecular mechanism of EA stimulation, we analyzed the gene expression profile of rat hypothalamus, treated on Zusanli (ST36) with EA, in comparison with control group by oligonucleotide chip microarray (Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Neurobiology U34 Array) and real-time RT-PCR. Sprague-Dawley (S-D) male rats were stimulated at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint in restriction holder. Simultaneously the control group was given only holder stress without EA stimulation. In order to prove the appropriateness of EA treatment, we measured spleen NK cell activity with standard 51Cr release assay. NK cell activity of EA group was significantly increased comparing to control group. The microarray and PCR results show that EA treatment up-regulates expression of genes associated with 1) nerve growth such as NGF induced factor A and VGF, 2) signal transduction such as 5HT3 receptor subunit, AMPA receptor binding protein and Na-dependent neurotransmitter transporter, and 3) anti-oxidation such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase. In addition, the activity of the anti-oxidative enzyme, SOD of hypothalamus, liver and RBC was enhanced compared to that of control. The list of differentially expressed genes may implicate further insight on the mechanism of acupuncture effects.