• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.90-98
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture(EA) at ST36 on $CCl_4{^-}$ induced chronic hepatic damage in rats. Methods : The authors performed several experimental items, including measurements of liver index, hematological analysis for WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, hemoglobin, and biochemical assays for ALT, AST, ALP in serum, and histological analysis of liver tissue. Results : Liver index(liver weight/body weight), the levels of WBC, Neutrophils and Monocytes in blood, the levels of ALT, AST and ALP in serum which were increased by $CCl_4{^-}$ intoxication were reduced significantly by EA at ST36. The levels of lymphocyte and hemoglobin in blood which were decreased by $CCl_4{^-}$ intoxication were significantly increased by EA at ST36. Conclusions : EA at ST36 has a hepatoprotective effect on chronic hepatic damage in $CCl_4{^-}$ intoxicated rats.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.91-108
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• 2009

Objectives: Single colorectal instillation of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) causes a dose-dependent increase of visceral motor response (VMR) and severity of inflammation. In this study we compared the effects of electroacupuncture in the different acupoints in the acute colitis induced by TNBS intracolonic injection in rats. Methods: In Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing $250{\sim}400g$, a single colorectal administration of TNBS 5mg/kg and 50% ethanol under isoflurane anaesthesia after an overnight fast. Electrodes for electromyography (EMG) recording were stitched into the external oblique musculature under general anesthesia. Acupoints of LI4, ST25, or ST36 were stimulated by electroacupuncture, respectively. The balloon was inserted intra-anally and visceral motor response (VMR) to colorectal distensioin (CRD) was quantified with an EMG recording system. Results: At an observation of the visceral hyperalgesia in the day-time series, the visceromotor response increased significantly 3 days after TNBS intra-rectalcolonic injection in rats. Electroacupuncture on either ST25 or ST36 suppressed the visceromotor response to colorectal distension, but not LI4, at 3 days after TNBS injection. Pretreatment of naltrexone (10 mg/kg, i.p.), opioids antagonist, inhibited the VMR suppress of 10Hz EA to ST36 but not phentolamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Pretreatment of either naltrexone or phentolamine inhibited effects of 10Hz EA to ST25. Conclusions: Data show that EA at either ST25 or ST36 potently inhibits hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis and is differently mediated through the endogenous opioid system and adrenergic system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.207-219
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of low frequency electro-acupuncture (EA) at ST36 acupoint on the Freund's Complete Adjuvant(FCA)-induced arthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of FCA into base of tail. Experimental groups were divided into 4 groups; Normal, Control, ST36 and Non-Acupoint(NA). ST36 group was treated by 2 Hz EA at ST36 acupoint. Body weight, paw edema volun1e and ankle joint thickness were measured after treatment. And we investigated the effects of 2 Hz EA via WBC count, segment neurophil, lymphocyte, PGE2 assay and NADPH-d histochemistry. Results and Conclusion : The mean of body weight and ankle joint thickness of ST36 group was increased compared with control group. The mean of paw edema volume, WBC count, segment neutrophil and lymphocyte of were not decreased with control group. The mean of PGE2 concentration and NADPH-d positive neurons were changed significantly compared with control group.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.187-201
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• 2007

Objectives: This study was to investigate the effect of high frequency electro-acupuncture (EA) at $ST_{36}$ acupoint on the Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of FCA into base of tail. Experimental groups were divided into 4 groups; Normal, Control, $ST_{36}$ and Non-Acupoint (NA). $ST_{36}$ group was treated by 120Hz EA at $ST_{36}$ acupoint. Body weight, paw edema volume and ankle joint thickness were measured after treatment. And we investigated the effects of 120Hz EA via WBC count, segmen neurophil, lymphocyte, PGE2 assay and NADPH-d histochemistry. Results and Conclusions : The mean of body weight and ankle joint thickness of $ST_{36}$ group was increased compared with control group. The mean of paw edema volume, WBC count, segment neutrophil and lymphocyte of were not decreased with control group. The mean of PGE2 concentration ($1,851.00{\pm}160.11$) and NADPH-d positive neurons ($13.12{\pm}1.23$) were changed significantly (p

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.272-280
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe effects of manual acupuncture(MA), electro-acupuncture(EA) and moxibustion (MO) on the rat with loperamide-induced constipation. Methods : This study measured small intestinal motility and number of fecal pellets in rats with loperamide induced constipation. MA and EA(intensity, 5 times muscle twitch threshold) was applied for 30 minutes and MO was treated on 5 times moxa cautery to the groups divided with age and sex. Results : The small intestinal motility was decreased by ST36 EA and ST37 EA in 5 weeks male group and ST37 EA in 7 weeks male and female groups, and ST36 MO in 7 weeks female group, but it was increased by ST39 EA in 7 weeks male group and ST37 MO and ST39 MO in 7 weeks male group. The number of fecal pellets was decreased by MA, EA, MO of ST36 in all group except 5, 7 weeks male groups only, and MA, EA of ST37 in 5, 7 weeks male group and ST37 MO in 7 weeks female group, and ST39 EA in 5 weeks male group and 7 weeks female group and ST39 MO in 7 weeks female group, but increased by ST37 EA in 5 weeks female group and ST39 EA in 7 weeks male group. Conclusions : Although these differences do not have a established tendency, it suggests that acupuncture and moxibustion are experimentally dependent upon the sex and age on intestinal motility in rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1544-1548
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to learn the effects of ST36 ST44 and ST25 ST36 electroacupuncture stimulation on high fat diet-induced obese mouse. The control group was provided with high fat diet without electroacupuncture stimulation, while the experimental group received a electroacupuncture stimulation on ST36 ST44 and ST25 ST36 with three frequencies (10Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz) for 5 times a week during five week periods with the high fat diet. We investigated the body weight, weight gain, and food intake. After the electroacupuncture stimulation, a significant inhibition of increase in weight was found in the experimental group compared with the high fat diet group. But there were no significant differences made by the change of acupoint combinations and frequencies. After the electroacupuncture stimulation, no significant change was found in the food intakes, but the weight gain a week was decreased compared with the high fat diet group. Electroacupuncture stimulation may be effective in treatments of obesity to high fat diet, But no significant difference was found between three frequencies.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.41-50
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• 2000

Objectives : Acupuncture is expected to have somewhat like the efficacy parallel increasing activity of immune system in Western modem medicine. There, already, are many animal researches on activating effect of acupuncture for the immune system in peripheral organs. So, we carried out this experiment to see whether acupuncture has controlling effect on interleukin-6(IL-6) activity in rat's brain. Methods and Results : We had topical application of IL-6(1U=lpg, $10{\mu}l$) on brain of rat. It reduced afferent sensory transmission to the primary somatosensory(SI) cortex from periphery. Whereas, electrical stimulation(ES, 2Hz, 1.5V, 15min) of ST36(足三里) with application of IL-6 prominently activated afferent sensory transmission. ES of non-acupoint(proximal tail) with IL-6 showed suppression of afferent transmission. ES of ST36 without IL-6 application also exerted facilitation of afferent transmission to the SI cortex. Conclusions : Electoacupuncture(EA) on ST36 has noticeable influences on modulating activation of IL-6 in central nervous system, which do major role in immune system.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2008

Objectives : Accurate location of acupoints is a prerequisite for both practice and research into acupoint specificity. Given that accurate location of acupoints is one of the most important issues in meridianology education, this study aimed at evaluating if the elastic ruler method for locating acupoints is suitable for meridianology practice class. Methods : Fifty-six students who took meridianology practice class participated in the experiment. Firstly, they were asked to locate PC6, CV12 and ST36 without any assisting tools and the distance between standard acupoint and their acupoint location was measured. Secondly, they were again asked to locate the same points this time with an elastic ruler. Then the first and second measurements were compared using a paired t-test. Results : Analysis of the results found using an elastic ruler significantly improved the difference between the student's acupoint location and the standard acupoint: there was a significant difference between 1st and 2nd measurements for PC6 (1.87${\pm}$0.29mm vs. 1.28${\pm}$0.19mm, P=0.037) and for ST36 (2.70${\pm}$0.22mm vs. 1.38${\pm}$0.15mm, P<0.0001). Conclusions : Using an elastic ruler as an assisting tool for locating acupoints in meridianology practice class should be considered for improving accuracy in acupoint location.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.98-107
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• 2005

Objectives: Acupuncture treatment has been clinically used for functional recovery in Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) on nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal cell death in rats. Methods: A Parkinson's disease model was induced by the unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the striatum. Acupuncture treatment was performed at Zusanli (ST36) and at the hip, as a non-acupoint, once a day for 14 days. Two weeks after 6-0HDA injection, an apomorphine-induced rotational behavior test showed significant rotational asymmetry in rats with Parkinson's disease. Immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase demonstrated a dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra and dopaminergic fiber loss in the striatum. Results: Acupuncture at the ST36 acupoint significantly inhibited rotational asymmetry in rats with Parkinson's disease, and also protected against 6-OHDA-induced nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal loss. These effects of acupuncture were not observed for non-acupoint acupuncture. Conclusions: The present study shows that acupuncture treatment, especially at the ST36 acupoint, can be used as a useful strategy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.53-66
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate effects of Curculiginis Rhizoma pharmaco-acupuncture at $ST_{36}$ on monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritic rats. Methods : Twenty rats were divided into four groups consisting of 5 rats: rats receiving no injection(normal), rats injected with monosodium Iodoacetate(MIA, control), rats injected with MIA and normal saline(N-S), and rats injected with MIA and Curculiginis Rhizoma (CRPA). N-S and CRPA were administered once a day at $ST_{36}$ during 21 days. After that we examined the weight-bearing ability of hind paws, liver and kidney function, immunocell, cytokines, proteins, and gene expression of cytokines. Injury of synovial tissue was measured by H & E, Safranin O immunofluorescence. Results : The weight-bearing ability of the hind paws, Serum TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, PGE2, LTB4, DPD, Osteocalcin, Protein COX-2 of CRPA decreased significantly. Protein Arachidonate 5 lipoxygenase of CRPA was decreased, but not significantly. Expression of gene COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, NOS2 of CRPA decreased. In histological observations, CRPA was improved, compared with other control groups. Conclusions : It can be suggested that Curculiginis Rhizoma pharmaco-acupuncture at $ST_{36}$ has anti-inflammatory and pain relief effects on monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritic rats.