• 대한한의학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.200-207
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• 1999

Herniation of intervertevral disc(HIVD) is the most common disease causing low back pain. Acupuncture, electroacupuncture and moxibustion has been used for treatment of HIVD. Bee venom (BV) also has been traditionally applied to relieve pain. Recently, it has been reported that BV is effective in treating HIVD. But more objective methods were required to assess the efficacy of BV on HlVD. So we assessed of BV-acupuncture effect on herniated disc patients by use of rating scale for low back pain. We researched 22 patients who were treated at Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Kyung Hee Medical Center from January 1999 to June 1999. The patients were diagnosed by MRI as having a herniated disc. The results of treatment using rating scale for low back pain in HIVD showed that $43.77{\pm}14.39$ point of pre-treatment score and $84.5{\pm}3.97$ point post-treatment score. The improvement index showed $0.43{\pm}0.15$. Especially, clinical score of neurologic deficits showed most highest improvement index of $0.7{\pm}0.45$. Assessment of BV-acupuncture Effect by MRI finding were showed that protruded disc and extruded disc got more higher improvement index than bulging disc. Among 22 patients, satisfactory assessment of BV-acupuncture effect showed that 15(68.2%) were excellent, and 7(31.8%) were good. The result suggest that BV-acupuncture is good method for treatment of HIVD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.92-104
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• 2002

Objective : Bee venom (BV) has traditionally been used in Oriental medicine to relieve pain and to treat inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Autoimmunity to type II collagen (CII) may involve in the pathogenesis of RA. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of BV on type II collagen induced arthritis (CIA) with the naked eye, a immunohistochemical method and the examination of histology. Method : Male mice were immunized by subcutaneously injection of an $200{\mu}g$ emulsion mixed with bovine CII and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) twice for two weeks. In the control group, normal saline was injected, and in the experimental group, BV was applied. Result : The incidence of arthritis, the mean arthritis index and the number of the arthritic limbs of the BV group were all significantly lower than those of the control group. Among the pro-inflammatory cytokines, the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the BV group was also suppressed compared with the control group, but $IL-1{\beta}$ was not. The examination on the histopathology of joints of CIA mice showed the effect of Bee Venom Herbal Acupuncture on the arthritis. Conculusion : Treatment with BV resulted in inhibition of development of arthritis and immune responses to CII.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.28-38
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• 2002

Objective : This study is aimed to investigate the effects of bee venom and purified bee venom on cell death in synovial cell line. Methods : It was evaluated by using MTT assay, morphological method, flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry analysis, RT-PCR. Results : The result obtained is as follows. 1. The MTT assay demonstrated that synovial cell viability was significantly inhibitted dose-dependently by treatment with BV and PBV in comparison with control. And the inhibitory effect of BV and PBV was almost same. 2. The morphologic study demonstrated that synovial cell showed apoptotic body resulted from apoptosis after treatment with BV and PBV for 6 hours using microscope. 3. The Flow cytometry demonstrated that apoptosis of synovial cell treated with BV and PBV was related with stop of cell cycle in stage of G0/G1. 4. Immunocytochemistry assay demonstrated that COX-II and iNOS were slightly expressed by treatment with BV and PBV in comparison with control group. 5. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that COX-II were almost down-regulated by high dose treatment with BV and PBV in comparison with control group. iNOS were well down-regulated by treatment with $5{\mu}g/ml$ BV and PBV whereas it was well expressed in control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that bee venom and purified bee venom have significant effect on cell death in synovial cell line and further study is needed in vivo.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.171-179
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images obtained using different voxel sizes in measuring trabecular bone microstructure in comparison to micro-CT. Materials and Methods: Twelve human skull bones containing posterior-mandibular alveolar bone regions were analyzed. CBCT images were obtained at voxel sizes of 0.075mm(high: HI) and 0.2mm(standard: Std), while microCT imaging used voxel sizes of 0.06 mm (HI) and 0.12 mm (Std). Analyses were performed using CTAn software with the standardized automatic global threshold method. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the consistency and agreement of paired measurements for bone volume (BV), percent bone volume (BV/TV), bone surface (BS), trabecular thickness (TbTh), trabecular separation (TbSp), trabecular number (TbN), trabecular pattern factor(TbPf), and structure model index (SMI). Results: When compared to micro-CT, CBCT images had higher BV, BV/TV, and TbTh values, while micro-CT images had lower BS, TbSp, TbN, TbPf, and SMI values (P<0.05). The BV, BV/BT, TbTh, and TbSp variables were higher with Std voxels, whereas the BS, TbPf, and SMI variables were higher with HI voxels for both imaging methods. For each imaging modality and voxel size evaluated, BV, BS, and TbTh were significantly different(P<0.05). TbN, TbPf, and SMI showed statistically significant differences between imaging methods(P<0.05). The consistency and absolute agreement between micro-CT and CBCT were excellent for all variables. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the potential of high-resolution CBCT imaging for quantitative bone morphometry assessment.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.259-265
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the improvement after Sweet BV herbal acupuncture therapy of shoulder impingement syndrome with Subacromial bursitis. Methods : We treated a patient having shoulder pain due to shoulder impingement syndrome with Sweet BV herbal acupuncture therapy. We checked visual analogue scale (VAS) score and range of movement (ROM). Results : We treated shoulder pain. Thereafter ROM improved and VAS score dropped to the level 3 points from 10 points at onset. Conclusions : This report shows Sweet BV herbal acupuncture therapy has effectiveness on shoulder impingement syndrome with Subacromial bursitis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제18권8호
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• pp.1147-1152
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• 2005

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary Biotite V (BV) supplementation on growth performance, nutrients digestibility and fecal noxious gas content in finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, a total of eighty pigs (initial body weight 88.0${\pm}$1.35 kg) were used in a 35-d growth trial. Pigs were blocked by weight and allotted to five dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were four pigs per pen and four pens per treatment. Dietary treatments included: 1) Control (CON; basal diet), 2) 200 mesh BV1.0 (basal diet+200 mesh Biotite V 1.0%), 3) 325 mesh BV1.0 (basal diet+325 mesh Biotite V 1.0%), 4) 200 mesh BV2.0 (basal diet+200 mesh Biotite V 2.0%) and 5) 325 mesh BV2.0 (basal diet+325 mesh Biotite V 2.0%). Through the entire experimental period, there were no significant differences in ADG, ADFI and gain/feed among the treatments (p>0.05). With the addition of Biotite V in diet, DM and N digestibilities were increased significantly (p<0.01). Also, Ca and P digestibilities tended to increase in pigs fed Biotite V supplemented diet (p<0.01) compared to pigs fed control diet. Supplementation of Biotite V in diet reduced the fecal $NH_3-N$ and volatile fatty acid (VFA) compared to CON treatment (p<0.01). In Exp. 2, a total of sixty four pigs (initial body weight 84.0${\pm}$1.05 kg) were used in a 35-d growth trial. Pigs were blocked by weight and allotted to four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were four pigs per pen and four pens per treatment. Dietary treatments included: 1) LP (low protein diet), 2) HP (high protein diet), 3) LP+BV (low protein diet+325 mesh Biotite V 1.0%) and 4) HP+BV (high protein diet+325 mesh Biotite V 1.0%). Through the entire experimental period, ADG and gain/feed tended to increase in HP and HP+BV treatments, however, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) among the treatments. With the addition of Biotite V in diets, digestibilities of nutrients (DM, N, Ca and P) were increased significantly (p<0.01). The addition of Biotite V in diets reduced the ammonia emissions in feces (p<0.01). Supplementation of Biotite V in diets also reduced the fecal propionic acid, butyric acid and acetic acid (p<0.01) compared to pigs fed diets without Biotite V. In conclusion, supplementation of Biotite V can increase nutrients digestibility and reduce fecal $NH_3-N$ and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations in finishing pigs.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.120-129
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• 2000

This study was designed to study on major components of various Bee Venom(Bee Venom by electrical stimulation in Korea; K-BV I, Bee Venom by Microwave stimulation in Korea; K-BV II, 0.5mg/ml, Fu Yu Pharmaceutical Factory, China; C-BV, 1mg/ml, Monmouth Pain Institute, Inc., U.S.A.; A-BV) using HPLC(High performance liquid chromatography). The results were summarized as follows : 1. HPLC method is useful for analysis of Bee Venom when solution rate is above 1:4000. 2. Analysis of Apamin using HPLC, the Retention time was 8.7min, and standard measurement curve was a function of y=4E+06x+21245. 3. Analysis of Melittin using HPLC, the Retention time was 29.0 min, and standard measurement curve was a function of y=4E+06x+23015. 4. Concentration of Melittin was about 297times than Apamin in K-BV I, and about 329times in K-BV II at same 1:500 solution rate, abnormally about 12 times in C-BV at 1:4000 solution rate. 5. Chinese Bee Venom using HPLC, the point from 5 to 7min(Retention time) showed a big extraordinary peak. These data from the study can be applied to establish the standard measurement of Bee Venom and prevent pure bee venom from mixing of another components. I think it is desirable to study more about safety of Bee Venom as time goes by.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.43-61
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was performed to analyse single dose toxicity of Sweet Bee Venom(Sweet BV) extracted from the bee venom in Beagle dogs. Methods : All experiments were conducted under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) at Biotoxtech Company, a non-clinical study authorized institution. Male and female Beagle dogs of 5-6 months old were chosen for the pilot study of single dose toxicity of Sweet BV which was administered at the level of 9.0 mg/kg body weight which is 1300 times higher than the clinical application dosage as the high dosage, followed by 3.0 and 1.0 mg/kg as midium and low dosage, respectively. Equal amount of excipient(normal saline) to the Sweet BV experiment groups was administered as the control group. Results : 1. No mortality was witnessed in all of the experiment groups. 2. Hyperemia and movement disorder were observed around the area of administration in all the experiment groups, and higher occurrence in the higher dosage treatment. 3. For weight measurement, Neither male nor female groups showed significant changes. 4. To verify abnormalities of organs and tissues, thigh muscle which treated with Sweet BV, brain, liver, lung, kidney, and spinal cords were removed and histologocal observation using H-E staining was conducted. In the histologocal observation of thigh muscle, cell infiltration, inflammation, degeneration, necrosis of muscle fiber, and fibrosis were found in both thigh tissue. And the changes depend on the dose of Sweet BV. But the other organs did not showed in any abnormality. 5. The maximum dose of Sweet BV in Beagle dogs were over 9 mg/kg in this study. Conclusions : The above findings of this study suggest that Sweet BV is a relatively safe treatment medium. Further studies on the toxicity of Sweet BV should be conducted to yield more concrete evidences.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Objectives : We investigated the synergistic effects of bee venom (BV) and natural killer (NK) cells on B16F10 melanoma cell apoptosis mediated by IL-4. Methods : We performed a cell viability assay to determine whether BV can enhance the inhibitory effect of NK-92MI cells on the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells, and western blot analysis to detect changes in the expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and other apoptosis-related proteins. EMSA was performed to observe the activity of STAT6. To confirm that the inhibitory effect of BV and NK cells was mediated by IL-4, the above tests were repeated after IL-4 silencing by siRNA (50 nM). Results : B16F10 melanoma cells co-cultured with NK-92MI cells and simultaneously treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) showed a higher degree of proliferation inhibition than when treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) alone or co-cultured with NK-92MI cells alone. Expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and that of other pro-apoptotic proteins was also enhanced after co-culture with NK-92MI cells and simultaneous treatment with BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$). Furthermore, the expression of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 decreased, and the activity of STAT6, as well as the expression of STAT6 and p-STAT6 were enhanced. IL-4 silencing siRNA (50 nM) in B16F10 cells, the effects of BV treatment and NK-92MI co-culture were reversed. Conclusion : These results suggest that BV could be an effective alternative therapy for malignant melanoma by enhancing the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of NK cells through an IL-4-mediated pathway.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.19-45
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was performed to analyse the effects of Sweet Bee Venom(Sweet BV-pure melittin, the major component of honey bee venom) on the central nervous system in rats. Methods: All experiments were conducted at Biotoxtech Company, a non-clinical studies authorized institution, under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Male rats of 5 weeks old were chosen for this study and after confirming condition of rats was stable, Sweet BV was administered in thigh muscle of rats. And checked the effects of Sweet BV on the central nervous system using the functional observational battery (FOB), which is a neuro-toxicity screening assay composed of 30 descriptive, scalar, binary, and continuous endpoints. And home cage observations, home cage removal and handling, open field activity, sensorimotor reflex test/physiological measurements were conducted. Results: 1. In the home cage observation, there was not observed any abnormal signs in rats. 2. In the observation of open field activity, the reduction of number of unit areas crossed and rearing count was observed caused by Sweet BV treatment. 3. In the observation of handling reactivity, there was not observed any abnormal signs in rats. 4. In the observation of sensorimotor reflex tests/physiological measurements, there was not observed any neurotoxic signs in rats. 5. In the measurement of rectal temperature, treatment of Sweet BV did not showed great influences in the body temperature of rats. Conclusions: Above findings suggest that Sweet BV is relatively safe treatment in the central nervous system. But in the using of over dose, Sweet BV may the cause of local pain and disturbance of movement. Further studies on the subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidences.