• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1276-1280
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• 2003

To investigate the effect of acupuncture at Zushanli (ST 36) in this study, gastric endocrine cells (G cell) by avidin-biotinylated complex (ABC) technique and histological examinations (HE; periodic acid schiff, PAS; alcian blue stain) of the stomach were perfomed at 1, 3, 6 weeks in normal rats. In other groups, omeprazole were fed for 1, 3, 6 weeks to compare with acupuncture effect. Acupuncture applied to the ST 36 acupoint and the administration of omeprazole increased G cell significantly at 1, 3, 6 weeks in time dependant manner. Furthermore, acupuncture applied to the other acupoint on GB 34 did not produce significant effect. When the common peronial nerve was dissected, acupuncture of ST 36 acupoint produced change of G cell. These data suggest that acupuncture at ST 36 increased G cell in point specific way and that effect was not related with surrounding nerve.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2008

Objectives & Methods : This study was to investigate effect of low frequency electroacupuncture on NADPH-d positive neurons in the brain cortex of rat with adjuvant induced rheumatoid arthritis. Experimental groups were divided into 6 groups ; Normal, Control, $ST_{36}$, $SP_9$, $ST_{36}+SP_9$ and Non-Acupoint. Normal group, non-arthritic group, was injected normal saline, and the other groups were injected FCA. Each acupoint groups were treated by 2Hz electroacupuncture at each acupoints and NA group was treated by 2Hz electroacupuncture at non-acupoint. Each groups were evaluated by the number of NADPH-d positive neurons in primary somatosensory area(S1), secondary somatosensory area(S2), motor area and caudate putamen by using an image analyzer and a microscope. Results : 1. In S1, the number of NADPH-d positive neuron cells in the $ST_{36}$ group were significantly(p<0.05) increased compared with the control group. 2. In S2, the number of NADPH-d positive neuron cells in all electroacupuncture groups were not significantly changed compared with the control group. 3. In motor area, the number of NADPH-d positive neuron cells in $ST_{36}$ group, $SP_9$ group, NA group were significantly(p<0.05) increased compared with the control group. 4. In Caudate putamen, the number NADPH-d positive neuron cells in all electroacupuncture groups were significantly(p<0.05) decreased compared with the control group. Conclusions : Our result demonstrated that low frequency electroacupuncture on $ST_{36}$ & $SP_9$ normalized expression of NADPH-d positive neurons in the brain cortex of the rheumatoid arthritis model in rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.798-803
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• 2003

The effects of acupuncture and moxibustion at ST 36 (足三理) acupoint on the changes of body weight, related serum lipids and leptin density of the stomach were investigated. 3 groups of male, 7 animals each, were ad libitum standard diet for 5 days. Body weight was effective decreased for 5 days after moxibustion at ST 36 acupoint and the density of leptin which was related food intake and body weight deficiency was decreased remarkerbly in the mucosa of stomach. Moxibustion on ST 36 affected the levels of total cholesterol, glucose, HDL-cholesterol, but acupuncture on ST 36 affected only the levels of total lipid, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol. It is considered that the treatments of acupuncture and moxibustion at ST 36 (足三理) have different effect actively on body weight, serum lipids and leptin density and moxibustion of ST 36(足三理) can be applied as effective therapy for obesity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.197-211
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• 2008

Objectives : We studied on anti-allergic effects of Arctii Fructus Herbal Acupuncture(AFHA) and Arctii Fructus Herbal Acupuncture Solution(AF). Methods : In vivo, Animals were herbal-acupunctured AFHA at both ST36 three times for 5 days. Then, we investigated compound 48/80-induced active systemic anaphylaxis(ASA) using ICR mice and anti-DNP IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis(PCA) using Sprague Dawley rat. In vitro, we measured cell viability, b-hexosaminidase, IL-4 and TNF-a release from RBL-2H3 cells after treatment of AF of various concentrations. Results : In vivo, AFHA pretreatments at both ST36 inhibited compound 48/80-induced ASA. PCA was inhibited by AFHA pretreatments at both ST36. In vitro, AF treatments were not affect on cell viability and inhibited b-hexosaminidase, IL-4 and TNF-a release. Conclusions : These results suggest that AFHA and AF may be beneficial in the inhibition of allergic inflammatory response.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.213-227
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• 2008

Objectives : We studied on anti-allergic effects of Semen Perillae Herbal Acupuncture(SPHA) and Semen Perillae Herbal Acupuncture Solution(SP). Methods : In vivo, Animals were herbal-acupunctured SPHA at both ST36 three times for 5 days. Then, we investigated compound 48/80-induced active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) using ICR mice and anti-DNP IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) using Sprague Dawley rat. In vitro, we measured cell viability, b-hexosaminidase release, IL-4 and TNF-a from RBL-2H3 cells after treatment of SP of various concentrations. Results : In vivo, SPHA pretreatments at both ST36 inhibited compound 48/80-induced ASA. PCA was inhibited by SPHA pretreatments at both ST36 and optional points. In vitro, SP treatments were not affect on cell viability and inhibited b-hexosaminidase release, IL-4 and TNF-a. Conclusions : These results suggest that SPHA and SP may be beneficial in the inhibition of allergic inflammatory response.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.89-105
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• 2005

Objective & Methods : This study is performed to observe the effect of Herbal-acupuncture with Notopterygii Radix Herbal-Acupuncture Solution(NR-HAS) at Joksamni(ST36) on Collagen II-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice. Result : 1. The highest survival rate of mice lung fibroblasts were measured in the 1% NR-HAS, and the expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in synovial cells were significantly decreased in the 1% and 10% NR-HAS. 2. The incidence of arthritis and the spleen weight were significantly decreased by Notopterygii Radix Herbal-acupuncture(NR-HA) at ST36. 3. The levels of IL-6, $INF-{\gamma},\;TNF-{\alpha}$, IgG, IgM, anti-collagen II in serum of CIA mice were significantly decreased by NR-HA at ST36. 4. In histology, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased by NR-HA at ST36, and the collagen fiber expressions in the NR-HA I II groups were similar with that of the normal group. 5. In lymph node, the expression ratios of $CD3e^+\;to\;CD19^+$ cell and $CD4^+\;to\;CD8^+$ cell in the NR-HA I II groups were similarly maintained as those in the normal group. 6. In lymph node, $CD69^+/CD3e^+$ cells and $CD11a^+/CD19^+$ cells were decreased by NR-HA at ST36. 7. In the articular joint, $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells were decreased by NR-HA at ST36. 8. NR-HA at ST36 did not make a considerable difference in DBA/1J mice without CIA 9. Throughout the overall experimental result, NR-HA I group showed more predominant effect than the NR-HA II group. Conclusion : These results suggest that NR-HA at ST36 has an effect to control synovial cell proliferation and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis, as well as prophylaxis is important to treat rheumatoid arthritis in clinic.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of low frequency electroacupuncture according to acupoints combination on NOS positive neurons in the PAG and Hippocampus of Rat with adjuvant induced Rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of FCA into base of tail. Experimental group were divided into 6 group ; Normal, Control, $ST_{36}$, $SP_9$, $ST_{36}+SP_9$, and NA. Normal group was injected with normal saline and not treated electroacupuncture. Control group was injected with FCA and not treated electroacupuncture. ST36 group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $ST_{36}$. $SP_9$ group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $SP_9$. $ST_{36}+SP_9$ group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at $ST_{36}+SP_9$. NA group was injected with FCA and treated by 2 Hz electroacupuncture at non acupoint. Each groups were evaluated by the number of NOS-positive neurons in PAG and hippocampus by using an image analyzer and a microscope. Results : 1. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the NA group were significantly decreased in the CA2-3. 2. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the ST36 group were significantly decreased in the PAG and CA2-3. 3. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the SP9 group were significantly decreased in the PAG and DG 4. The number of NOS-positive neurons of the ST36+SP9 group were significantly decreased in the PAG, CA1 and DG. Conclusions : It is expected that low frequency electroacupuncture can be used a treatment of rheumatoid arthritic pain and that treatment of electroacupuncture at combined acupoints is more efficient than treatment of low frequency electroacupuncture at one acupoint.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.298-304
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• 2013

Objectives : We examined mutual inhibitory effects of combined acupoints in arthritic pain induce by carrageenan(CA). Electroacupuncture(EA) is considered a potentially useful treatment for arthritis. Although the analgesic effect of acupuncture is well documented, little is understood about its biological basis. There are many previous studies of positive effect of combined acupoint, this study was conducted to see the mutual inhibitory effects produced by combined acupoint(ST36 and PC7) on arthritic rats. Methods : For the induction of inflammatory pain rat model, CA was injected into the knee joint cavity. There are four groups; EA was applied to bilateral PC7 acupoints(PC7 group), ST36 acupoints(ST36 group), and both PC7 and ST36 acupoints(ST36+PC7 group) except for the control group. The pain level were assessed to determine the change in weight bearing force. We also examined the COX-2 expression in dorsal horn using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Results : The ST36+PC7 group data showed the significant reduction of weight bearing force and the induction of COX-2 protein expression compared with the ST36 group. Conclusions : Simultaneous EA applied to the ST36 and PC7 acupoints reduced the analgesic effect of the ST36 group on knee inflammatory pain.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2014

Acupuncture is the process of stimulating skin regions called meridians or acupoints and has been used to treat pain-related symptoms. However, the pain-relieving effects of acupuncture may be different depending on acupoints. In the present study, the effects of acupuncture on behavioral responses and c-Fos expression were evaluated using a formalin test in male Sprague-Dawley rats in order to clarify the analgesic effects of three different acupoints. Each rat received manual acupuncture at the ST36 (Zusanli), SP9 (Yinlingquan) or BL60 (Kunlun) acupoint before formalin injection. Flinching and licking behaviors were counted by two blinded investigators. Fos-like immunoreactivity was examined by immunohistochemistry in the rat spinal cord. Manual acupuncture treatment at BL60 acupoint showed significant inhibition in flinching behavior but not in licking. Manual acupuncture at ST36 or SP9 tended to inhibit flinching and licking behaviors but the effects were not statistically significant. The acupuncture at ST36, SP9, or BL60 reduced c-Fos expression as compared with the control group. These results suggest that acupuncture especially at the BL60 acupoint is more effective in relieving inflammatory pain than other acupoints.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture on weight loss, food intake, lipid metabolism, adipogenesis. Methods Four week-old C57BL/6J mice acclimatized to the laboratory environment for 1 week were allocated into four groups of 6~8 mice each: normal diet group, high fat diet group, high fat diet group and treated with acupuncture at HT7, high fat diet group and treated with acupuncture at ST36 for 90days. High fat diet group was used to control group. Results 1) Body weight, food intake of the ST36, HT7 groups decreased compared with those of control group. ST36 group was more effective with body weight decrease, and HT7 group was more effective with food intake decrease. 2) NEFA, TG, TC, ALT, AST of the ST36, HT7 groups decreased compared with those of control group. ST36 group was more effective. 3) The expression of SREP-1c, SREBP-2 of the ST36 group decreased compared with those of control group. These decreased rates were statistically significant. SREBP-2 of the HT7 group decreased significantly compared to the control group. 4) LXR, FAS, SCD of the ST36 group decreased significantly compared with control group. 5) p-ACC, HMGCR of the ST36 group decreased significantly compared with those of control group. HMGCR of the HT7 group decreased significantly compared with control group. Conclusions These results suggest that ST36, HT7 acupuncture may be used prevent or treat the obesity induced by high fat diet.