• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.155-163
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• 2001

It has known that acupuncture exerts various effects, such as analgesia, promotion of homeostasis, improvements in brain circulation, and rectification of internal disorders in Oriental medicine. Of particular, acupuncture at the Zusanli acupoint (ST36) has been widely used to relieve symptoms of diabetes mellitus. The effect of acupuncture at Zusanli on neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive neurons in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was investigated via immunohistochemistry. Decreased nNOS-positive neurons was detected in cerebrocortex of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Needling on the Zusanli in diabetic rats resulted in increase of nNOS-positive neurons in cerebrocortex, The present study indicate that acupuncture may affect nNOS-positive neurons in cerebrocortex of STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture(EA) and radio-frequency warm needling(RFWN) stimulation in acupoint combination on ankle sprained pain in rats. Methods : The lateral ligaments of the Sprague-Dawley rats ankle were injured surgically resulting in sprain, of which was divided into EA, RFWN treatment groups and control group without treatment. The level of pain was measured through foot weight bearing force ratio followed by calculating pain relief. To stimulate proximal or distal area in ankle sprain, combination of proximal acupoints(GB34-GB39) and distal acupoints(GB39-GB42) from sprain area were applied, respectively, to either EA or RFWN stimulation. In addition, naltrexone or phentolamine was injected intraperitoneally before the stimulation to observe the pathway of analgesic effects. Results : In the proximal combination of GB34-GB39, EA and RFWN significantly increased pain relief compared to the control group (p<0.05). However, in distal combination with GB39-GB42, both EA and RFWN stimulation did not relieve pain due to ankle sprains. In the combination of GB34-GB39, the analgesia of EA was inhibited by blockade of the ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor receptor. The analgesia of RFWN was inhibited by blockade of the ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor receptor as well as ${\mu}$-opioid receptor. Conclusions : We observed that the proximal combination was effective in relieving pain when the treatment by acupoint combination was applied to the ankle sprain pain. Also, it was confirmed that this analgesia was also related to the pathways of ${\mu}$-opioid receptors and/or ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptors.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.59-76
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• 2004

Objectives : The usage of acupuncture has gained popularity for certain chronic pain conditions. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in various diseases has not been fully established and the underlying mechanism is not clearly understood. In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to yangno$(SI_6)$ on the neuropathic pain was examined. Methods : A common source of persistent pain in human is a neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. When rats developed pain behaviors, EA was applied for 30 min. under enflurane anesthesia with repeated train stimuli at the intensity of 10X of muscle twitch threshold. The foot withdraw latency of the hind limb was measured for an indicator of pain level after each manipulation. Results : EA increased the mechanical threshold of the foot in the rat model of neuropathic pain significantly for the duration of 1 hr. suggesting a partial alleviation of pain. EA applied to SI6 point produced a significant improvement of mechanical sensitivity of the foot lasting for at least 1 h. However, $ST_{36}$ point did not produce any significant increase of mechanical sensitivity. The improvement of mechanical threshold was interpreted as an analgesic effect. The analgesic effort was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model could not be mimicked by EA applied to a point, $ST_{36}$. In addition, this analgesic effect of EA is mediated by a adrenergic mechanism of descending control of spinal cord from the brain. Conclusions : The data suggest that EA produces a potent analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model in the rat; and 2) that EA-induced analgesia is mediated by a adrenergic mechanism of descending control in a point specific manner.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.11-19
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was aimed to determine which pharmacopuncture was effective in relieving pain in standard pain model, acute grade 3 ankle sprain rat model. Methods : Percentage changes of weight bearing ratio(WBR), as pain indicator, were measured after anti-inflammation, neutro Eohyul, Hwangryunhaedock-decoction pharmacopuncture were injected to Guheo ($GB_{40}$). Results : In three kinds of pharmacopuncture, neutro Eohyul and Hwangryunhaedock-decoction pharmacopuncture represented more effect in percentage changes of WBR than surgical(non treatment), needling group. Conclusions : Comparing of pharmacopuncture in grade 3 ankle sprain rat model, these results provide basis to select pharmacopuncture in sprain disease. Furthermore, mechanism of pharmacopuncture's analgesia, anti-inflammation should be progressed.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.551-558
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• 2010

Pain is very complex and multi-level experience that should be objective or subjective. Acupuncture is a traditional method to heal the pain and have been based on meridian theory. There have been many clinical evidences showing the pain-relieving effect of acupuncture but science-based understanding of it was poor. Furthermore in daily life, we feel huge gap between the source of pain and pain control by acupuncture stimulation. However, the underlying connection between pain control and acupuncture stimulation has been reported in many recent reports. In this paper, we briefly introduce the brain imaging techniques (functional magnetic resonance images, positron emission tomography, electroencephalograph, and magnetoencephalography) and review researches in pain and acupuncture. Through this, the brain areas that activated by pain and acupuncture will be verified, and compared each other regarding their specificity and similarity. In addition, detailed understanding of brain function which is related to pain and acupuncture analgesia through brain imaging techniques will be discussed.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.170-175
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• 2008

The present study was performed to investigate the anesthetic or analgesic effect of tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) and electro acupuncture analgesia (EAA) in cats. Twelve healthy cats were randomly assigned to receive either TZ or EA. TZ group cats with weight of $3.65{\pm}0.48kg$ received 10.0 mg/kg of TZ intramuscularly. EA group cats with weight of $3.62{\pm}0.52kg$ received 5V, 30Hz and 60 minutes of EA. The acupoints used were Tian-ping (GV-5, +), Bai-hui (GV-20, -). Therefore, after and before experiment, some serum chemistry profiles (alkaline phospatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose and total protein) and change of vital signs (rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate) were examined. All cats were examined pre, and 5, 25, 65 and 105 minutes after administration of TZ or operation of EA. The cats in EA group showed a smaller change in rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate than in the TZ group (p<0.05). In both groups, total protein concentration was constant throughout the period of anesthesia, and the serum glucose increased gradually throughout the period of anesthesia. However, the cats in EA group showed a smaller change in alkaline phospatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase within the limit of safety than in the TZ group (p<0.05). While coming to induction, the TZ group took a mean $2.4{\pm}0.7$ minutes to achieve sternal recumbency, compared with $10.5{\pm}2.1$ minutes by the EA group, and $3.2{\pm}0.6$ minutes to achieve lateral recumbency, compared with $18.8{\pm}1.9$ minutes by the EA group (p<0.05). When recovering from anesthesia, the TZ group took $164.3{\pm}17.9$ minutes to achieve sternal position time, compared with $67.7{\pm}4.6$ minutes by the EA group, and $202.0{\pm}15.7$ minutes to stand, compared with $73.0{\pm}6.1$ minutes for the EA group (p<0.05). In this study, the cats anesthetized with EA showed a more rapid recovery rather than the cats under TZ anesthesia. Also, there do not appear to be any negative physiologic effects associated with acupuncture-induced surgical analgesia. So, it was considered that EAA may be used effectively in shock, debilitated cats, as compared to TZ.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1637-1640
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• 2007

There is growing interest in the use of nonpharmacologic approaches to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. This study was designed to investigate the effect of acupuncture on P6 for preventing Opioid-induced nausea and vomiting. A total of 83 patients receiving intravenous patient controlled analgesia(PCA) with fentanyl were randomly assigned to two groups. In acupuncture group, they've got treatment after surgery at recovery room for 20minutes. Assessment of nausea and vomiting was obtained from all patients for 48hours. The incidence of nausea, that of vomiting and the nausea grade-the severity of nausea within 48 hours after surgery- were the main outcome measures which showed no statistically significant difference between groups. There is no sufficient evidence to suggest effect of acupuncture on P6 for preventing PONV.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.147-153
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• 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and analgesic effects of Datura Flos pharmacopuncture (DFP). Methods: The analgesic effects of DFP were assessed using mechanical (hot plate), chemical (formalin test), and thermal (von Frey filament test) pain tests. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned randomly into DFP (75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg), lidocaine 0.5%, or normal saline group for treatment on Kl3. Gross pathology, histopathology, biochemistry and hematology were performed. Results: In the hot plate test, DFP at a high dose (HDDFP; 150 mg/kg) produced a significant analgesic effect, at 10 and 20-minutes post injection (p < 0.01). Low dose DFP (LDDFP; 75 mg/kg) also showed an analgesic effect at 10 minutes post injection (p < 0.01). In the formalin test, HDDFP produced an analgesic effect, for 0-10 and 10-20 minutes (p < 0.01) post treatment, whereas LDDFP showed analgesic effects between 10-20 minutes (p < 0.05). In the von Frey filament test, DF-H produced an analgesic effect, 10 (p < 0.01) and 20 minutes post treatment (p < 0.05). LDDFP showed analgesic effect at 10 minutes (p < 0.05). In the acupuncture response test, HDDFP produced an analgesic effect at 10 minutes post treatment (p < 0.05). DF-H did not cause any anatomical changes to the liver or kidney and there were no abnormalities in biochemistry or hematology. Conclusion: DF-H was not toxic and provided short term analgesia, suggesting it may be useful in the management of pain.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.113-127
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• 2006

Objectives : We review a result of studies until the present and suggest the method of medical treatment for the clinical treatment of Scolopendrid Herbalacupuncture. Methods : We analysis the paper of the bibliographic studies, the experiment studies and the clinical studies from 2001 developed Scolopendrid Herbalacupuncture and grope for the course of studies. Results : 1. Scolopendrid Herbalacupuncture is proved the clinical safety by the aninmal and human tests. 2. The pharmacological action of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch is anti-convulsive action, analgesic action, lowering blood pressure, anti-inflammatory action, anti-tumor action and microbe inhibition 3. Scolopendrid Herbalacupuncture has been a fine effect to the entrapment neuropathy and inflammatory. 4. Scolopendrid Herbalacupuncture was thought effective on a acute phase and to the excessive symptoms. The Sub-chronic toxicity experiment observing the response after hypodermic medication over 90 days, The Genetic-mutagenic toxity experiment and the clinical effect studies are necessary.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 1997

After performing the auricular acupuncture therapy for the functional headache, we came to gain the following therapy effects. 1. In the whole of the patients of the functional headache, housewives of forties were most of all. 2. In the classification of mordern medicine on the patients of the functional headache, muscular contractional headache was most of all and in the classification of oriental differentiation of symtoms and signs(辨證), headache due to deficiency of blood(血虛頭痛) was most of all. 3. In the regional auricular acupuncture therapy for the functonal headache, Taiyang of auricular point(太陽點) had an effect on the lateral headache around the area of Taiyang of auricular point(太陽點) though the actions of sedation, analgesia, Neck of auricular point(頸點) had an effect on the muscular contractional headache of the occipital region, and Stomach of auricular point(胃點) had an effect on the headache of stagnation of phlegm(痰濁頭痛) of anterior region with a chronic digestive disease. 4. The average treatment times of the auricular acupuncture therapy in the patients of the functional headache was 4.08 times, if we have them take auricular acupuncture therapy about 4 times it could be thought to take excellent effect of treatment. 5. The effect of auricular acupuncture therapy for functional headache was turned out to be effective in the following orders ; lateral region(Group A), occipital region(Group B), anterior region(group C). Through the clinical consequences of therapy mentioned above, we came to confirm regular therapeuric effects and hereafter, it is considered that a clinical comparative study on oriental cure and auricular acupuncture therapy for headache has to be more progressed than now.