• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.262-270
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Daebangfung-tang (DBFT) on suppressing muscle atrophy followed by immobilization. Methods : Twenty young male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into two groups. The rats in experimental group (DBFT group) were orally administrated DBFT once a day for 2 weeks, and the rats in control group were given normal saline in the same manner. The immobilization on left leg was carried out using casting tape. The morphologies of gastrocnemius in both groups were assessed. The cross sectional area of them was measured by image analyzer. Immunohistochemical staining was implemented and the numbers of immunopositive cells implying the expression of TNF-α were measured and quantified. Results : DBFT represented the significant suppressive effects against the weight loss of the left gastrocnemius muscle and the reduction in cross sectional area of the left gastrocnemius muscle compared with normal saline. Also the treatment with DBFT significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α in gastrocnemius compared with normal saline. Conclusions : DBFT is thought to have the significant suppressive effect against muscle atrophy followed by immobilization.