• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.165-180
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• 2016

Objectives : This study is aimed to report the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided bee venom pharmacopuncture in rotator cuff disease patients. Methods : We treated 4 rotator cuff disease patients with ultrasound-guided bee venom pharmacopuncture and integrative Korean Medical Treatment. The Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), Shoulder Pain And Disability Index(SPADI), and Range Of Motion(ROM) were applied as outcome measures. Results : Comparing before and after treatment, both NRS and SPADI scores were decreased, and ROM was increased in all cases. And adverse events about bee venom pharmacopuncture have not been observed. Conclusion : This study shows ultrasound-guided bee venom pharmacopuncture has a meaningful clinical effect on the improving shoulder pain, disability and ROM.

• 척추신경추나의학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.61-70
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Bee-venom acupuncture on low back pain by traffic accidents. Methods : We included 34 patients with low back pain caused by TA for this study. The experimental group was treated by usual therapy plus Bee-venom acupuncture therapy, the control group was treated by usual therapy such as acupunture therapy and herbal medicine therapy. Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and Visual Analog Scale(VAS) were evaluated at 4 week from baseline for the treatment effect in the both group. Results : After the subjects being treated by Bee-venom or general acupuncture therapy. It was detected that the scores of ODI and VAS in both groups decreased at the 4 week from baseline. There was significant difference between both groups in the VAS. However, there was no significant difference between both groups in the ODI. Conclusions : The results suggested that bee-venom acupuncture was effective on low back pain by traffic accidents.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.39-54
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• 2006

Objectives : Herniation of Nucleus Pulpous (HNP) of Lumbar is one of the most common causes of low back pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture (BVA), and bee venom Pharmacopuncture (BVP) therapy for HNP. Methods : We separated 35 patients with HNP of L-spine into three groups; Acupuncture treated group, BVA treated group, and BVP treated group, and monitored for 30 days. 4 grades of recovery degree, score of Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were examined for comparison. Results : 1. Visual Analogue Scale of low back pain and radiating pain showed significant decrease in BVA and BVP groups compared to the Acupuncture group at VAS0_2, VAS0_3 evaluations. 2. ODI of disability of daily activities showed significant decrease in BVA and BVP groups compared to the Acupuncture group at VAS0_1, VAS0_2, and VAS0_3 evaluations. 3. Compared to the Acupuncture group, BVA and BVP groups were improved in S.L.R.T and R.O.M of L-spine as confirmed by the physical examination. 4. Treatment efficacy was more apparent in acute cases as ODI was significantly lower than chronic cases. Conclusion : BVA and BVP therapies can be used in addition to the acupuncture therapy for highly effective treatment of HNP. Further clinical studies are required to verify these findings.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.383-388
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• 2003

Bee venom is used as a traditional medicine for treatment of arthritis. The anti-inflammatory activity of the n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous partitions from bee venom (Apis mellifera) was studied using cyclooxygenase (COX) activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha and IL-1\beta$) production, in vitro. COX-2 is involved in the production of prostaglandins that mediate pain and support the inflammatory process. The aqueous partition of bee venom showed strong dose-dependent inhibitory effects on COX-2 activity ($IC_{50} = 13.1 \mu$ g/mL), but did not inhibit COX-1 activity. The aqueous partition was subfractionated into three parts by molecular weight differences, namely, B-F1 (above 20 KDa), B-F2 (between 10 KDa and 20 KDa) and BF-3 (below 10 KDa). B-F2 and B-F3 strongly inhibited COX-2 activity and COX-2 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner, without revealing cytotoxic effects. TNF-$\alpha and IL-1\beta$ are potent pro-inflammatory cytokines and are early indicators of the inflammatory process. We also investigated the effects of three subfractions on TNF-$\alpha and IL-1\beta$ production using ELISA method. All three subfractions, B-F1, B-F2 and B-F3, inhibited TNF-$\alpha and IL-1\beta$production. These results suggest the pharmacological activities of bee venom on anti-inflammatory process include the inhibition of COX-2 expression and the blocking of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha and IL-1\beta$) production.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.502-507
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• 2009

본 연구에서는 봉독의 처리에 따른 A549 폐암세포의 증식억제에서 $PGE_2$ 생성 및 telomerase 활성의 변화 관련성을 조사하였다. A549 세포의 증식은 봉독 처리에 의하여 유의적으로 감소되었으며, 이는 apoptosis 유발과 연관성이 있음을 알 수 있었다. 봉독 처리 농도의 증가에 따라 COX-2의 발현이 전사 및 번역 수준에서 모두 감소되었으며 이에 따른 $PGE_2$의 생성이 현저하게 감소되었으나, COX-1의 발현에는 큰 변화가 없었다. 또한 봉독 처리에 따라 telomere 조절인자들 중, hTERT, hTR 및 c-myc의 발현이 억제되었으며, telomerase의 활성도 매우 감소되었다. 본 연구의 결과는 $PGE_2$ 생성과 telomerase 활성 저하가 봉독의 항암 작용 표적인자로서 작용될 수 있음을 보여준다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.121-131
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study was investigation how the bee venom(BV) prevents inflammation in human cell. Methods : we induced inflammation on human synoviocyte cell by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and sodium nitroprusside(SNP), treated the bee venom and melittin on this cell, surveyed the expression of Nisotric oxide(NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), Cyclooxygenease-2(COX-2), cytolic phospholipase $A_2(cPLA_2)$, Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$(NF-${\kappa}B$), and got below conclusions. Results : Compared with control 1. Expressions of LPS-induced $PGE_2$(BV 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced PGE2(BV 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$)were decreased significantly. 2. Expressions of LPS-induced NO(BV 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced NO(BV 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$)were decreased significantly. 3. Expressions of LPS-induced COX-2(BV 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced COX-2(BV $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$)were decreased significantly. 4. Expressions of LPS-induced iNOS(BV 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced iNOS(BV $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) were meanless by all dose. 5. Expressions of LPS-induced $cPLA_2$(BV 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced cPLA2(BV 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$)were decreased significantly. 6. Expressions of LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$(BV $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, melittin $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced NF-${\kappa}B$(BV 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, melittin 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$)were decreased significantly. 7. Expressions of LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity (BV $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, melittin $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, melittin $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$+ DTT 20mM) were decreased significantly. Conclusion : The bee venom treatments on synoviocyte showed significant changes in LPS and SNP induced NO, iNOS, COX-2, cPLA2, PGE2 and NF-${\kappa}B$, these results suggest that bee venom is effective to inflammations and establish the process of bee venom therapy, so we expect active use of bee venom to control the inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.125-141
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• 2008

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the curative effect of Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy for pain and limited R.O.M (range of motion) of shoulder in stroke patients. Methods : The subjects of this study were 6 patients with shoulder pain in stroke sequelae. Routine Oriental Medical programs (Acupunture, moxibustion, herbal medicine and physical therapy) were maintained for each subject throughout this study. Single subject ABABAB design was adopted. Each period was 4 days as a rule. Only during the treatment period, Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy was provided as intervention at the acupoints of LI15(Gyeonu),　TE14(Gyeollyo), GB21(Gyeonjeong), LI14(Bino). The change of pain was measured with a Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). The pain threshold was measured using pressure algometer at the same acupoints where Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy was provided. And the R.O.M of shoulder joint (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation) was measured as well. Analysis was performed by Bayesian analysis using WinBUGS for the comparison of treatment(Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy) and non-treatment. Results : The median overall improvement for difference in VAS was -2.219(-3.213, -1.175), for difference in external rotation of shoulder R.O.M was 9.992(-2.298, 18.49), for difference in tenderness score of LI14(Bino) by pressure algometer was 5.05(0.6283, 7.762). 95% credibility intervals being shown in brackets. However, the median overall improvement for difference in the other measurements was not significant. Conclusion : This study suggests that Bee Venom Therapy may be applicable to decrease pain and improve R.O.M of shoulder in hemiplegia patients with stroke. Further elaborated single subject designs need to be accumulated to confirm the effects of Bee Venom Acupunture Therapy on shoulder pain in patients with stroke sequelae.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.7-14
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• 2001

Objective: This study was done to observe the effects on the thermal changes and side effects of Bee Venom acupuncture. The objectives are as follows; If there are remarkable local thermal changes between pre and post Bee Venom acupuncture therapy on D.I.T.I. or not. If there are those, we examine how long it' s changes are maintained, what is the adequate interval on Bee Venom acupuncture therapy, and what the reactions in a local or whole body are on that therapy. Methods: To study the local thermal changes in Bee Venom acupuncture therapy, D.I.T.I. was used. Determination of this analysis periods are pre and post-therapy(5 minutes, 1 hour, 1day,2days, 3days, 5days and 7days later). The study group was divided into two groups. One was BV group(N=19), another was NS(Normal Saline) group. The Bee Venom acupuncture was injected by 0.2ml divided into 0.05ml at the Fengmen(風門:12), Feishu(肺兪:B13), Fufen(附分:B41), Pohu(魄戶: B42) 4 points. Then, in order to analyze the clinical form, we have observed responses of 23 students whenever we checked the thermal changes of their after performing. Results: The following results were obtained. 1. In BV group, there was a significant dermatothermal difference between pre and post therapy. That difference was most remarkable in post-therapy 1 hour to lday, and was not remarkable in post-therapy 5-7days later. 2. There was no significant dermatothermal changes at NS group, but BV group had remarkable changes between operated and non operated area in post-therapy 1hour, 1day, 2days. But there was none 7 days later. 3. Among the physical reactions after Bee Venom acupuncture therapy, operated-area pain, itching, pain on moving and fatigue sign most appeared until post-therapy 3days. Itching and fatigue sign appeared until post-therapy 7days. 4. In comparison the dermatothermal changes with the physical reactions, the decrease of { CT = (Rt Temperature -Lt. Temperature) / Rt. $Temperature{\times}100$} and the disappearance of physical reactions were about the same.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.79-97
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• 2010

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered clinical problems and often result in severe functional deficit. Bee venom acupuncture has traditionally been used to treat several inflammatory diseases and chronic pain conditions. Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the effects of bee venom (general bee venom, BV) and sweet bee venom (allergen-removed bee venom, SBV) acupuncture on the recovery rate of locomotor function, the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the sciatic nerve, and the expression of c-Fos in the brain following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats, and to evaluate differences due to administration areas. Method: Walking track analysis, Western blot for BDNF and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB), and immunohistochemistry for c-Fos were performed. In this study, comparative analyses of the effects of BV and SBV acupuncture in relation to administration sites, contralateral side or ipsilateral side, were conducted. Results: In the present result, sciatic function index (SFI) in walking track analysis significantly decreased following sciatic crushed nerve injury. The expressions of BDNF and TrkB in the sciatic nerve increased after induction of sciatic crushed nerve injury. C-Fos expression in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) also increased. BV and SBV acupuncture treatment improved the SFI in walking track analysis. Treatment with SBV at 1mg/kg showed more potent enhancing effect on SFI compared to BV. Treatment with 1mg/kg BV or 1mg/kg SBV acupuncture suppressed the BDNF and TrkB expression in the sciatic nerve. BV and SBV acupuncture treatment also suppressed c-Fos expression in the PVN and vlPAG regions. Treatment with SBV at 1mg/kg showed more potent suppressing effect on c-Fos expression compared to BV when injected into the contralateral side of the injured nerve. Generally we could not find significant difference in the effects between contralateral side and ipsilateral side of the injured nerve. Conclusion: We have shown that BV and SBV acupuncture treatment can be used as the effective therapeutic modality to ameliorate the symptoms of sciatic crushed nerve injury.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.201-213
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• 2005

봉약침(蜂藥鍼)을 위주로한 한의학적 치료로 경추 신경근 병변의 3증상(일측의 경부 동통과 상완부의 방사통, 수부나 수지의 지각이상)을 호소하는 환자(患者)들을 치료하면서 시각적상사척도(Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), JOA score 및 Odom의 평가기준에 따른 호전 양상을 측정한 결과 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 객관적 치료 성적을 살펴보면 Excellent인 경우가 7예(50%)로 가장 많았으며, Good이 4례 (28.57%), Fair가 3예(21.43%)의 순이며, 불량으로 평가된 경우는 하나도 없었다. 2. 시술 전 pain rate의 평균 8.82(${\pm}1.27$)에서 시술 후 평균 3.25(${\pm}2.21$)로 평균 차이가 5.57로 매우 유의성 있는 차이를 보였으며(p=0.000), 이는 객관적인 호전율과도 일치하였다. 3. 시술 전 JOA score의 평균이 11.00(${\pm}1.57$)에 서 시술 후 평균 12.79(${\pm}0.58$)로 평균 차이가 1.79로 매우 유의성 있는 차이를 보였다 (p=0.000). 4. 시술 전후의 성별, 나이, 수지비증유무, Disc Type에 따른 pain rate에는 유의한 차이가 없다. (P<0.05) 5. 시술 전후의 성별, 연령별, Disc Type 에 따른 JOA score는 유의한 차이가 없으나 (p<0.05), 수지비증유무에 따른 JOA는 유의한 차이가 있었다(p=.025). 수지비증이 있는 경우 가 좀더 유의하게 증가하였다. 이상의 결과로 보아 봉약침(蜂藥鍼) 위주로 한 한의학적 치료가 경추 신경근 병변을 호소하는 환자에게 유의한 효과가 있었으며 다른 한방적 보존적 요법과 더불어 시행시키면 전반적인 경추의 퇴행성 변화에 대한 치료(治療)에 더욱 더 유익하리라 판단된다.