• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.22-34
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• 2003

Objective : To ascertain whether the concept of the treatment side is associated with changes in the blind spot mapping that represents the brain function. Methods : Among the outpatients who visited to Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, National Medical Center from March 2002 to October 2002, we selected 40 clinical trial volunteers that showed right side physiological blind spot more enlarged than left, and underwent the examinations of Department of Opthalmology, National Medical Center for ruling out the pathological conditions. Physiological blind spot maps were used as an integer of brain activity before and after electroacupuncture application on the unilateral ST36 meridian point by dividing 40 subjects into two comparative groups for double-blind controlled study. Results: The significant changes in the blind spots were observed. Electroacupuncture application on the ipsilateral or contralateral ST36 of an enlargement cortical map were associated with the concept of determining the treatment side. In the case of electroacupuncture application on the ipsilateral side of an enlarged blind spot, there were decrease of $4.11{\pm}8.56cm$(17.3%) in blind spot perimetry length(p < 0.05). In the case of contralateral side, there were increase of $3.19{\pm}5.40cm$(13.7%) in blind spot perimetry length(p<0.05). The Differences were statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusions: We found that eletroacupuncture application was associated with an increase or decrease in the brain function in the view of blind spot changes depending on the treatment side. These results suggest that the traditional acupuncture therapeutic strategy with determining the treatment side has clinical significance in the view of the brain function.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.126-131
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• 2022

Objectives : Electroacupuncture (EA) is a procedure in which pulses of weak electrical current are sent through acupuncture needles into acupuncture points in the skin, and Joksamli (ST36) is one of the most used acupoints. This study was designed to analyze the trend of research articles on ST36 EA published in Korea. Methods : Articles on EA at ST36 in Korean journals were searched in Korean databases and analyzed focusing on the number of publications by year, research subject, research topics, institutes, and journals. Results : Total 66 articles were included in this study, which were 51 basic researches, 12 clinical researches, and 3 reviews. Since 2000, the number of articles has gradually increased, reaching the highest level in 2007, and rapidly decreased since 2012. Kyung Hee University is the organization that published the most articles, and the journal that published the most articles is Journal of Acupuncture Research, followed by Korean Journal of Acupuncture. Conclusions : A lot of ST36 EA studies in Korean journals are basic experimental researches using rats, and the research topics are closely related to the diseases of patients visiting Korean medicine clinics. The number of papers by institution is related to the number of professors, and researchers tend to prefer publishing in acupuncture journals.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.115-129
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• 2004

Objectives : To investigate the analgesic effect and its cholinergic mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA) in the rat model of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA). Methods : Immunization of male Sprague-Dawley rats with bovine typeII (CII) collagen emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant, followed by a booster injection 14 days later, leads to development of arthritis in more than 70% of rats by 21 days postinjection. After three weeks of first immunization, EA stimulation(2 Hz, 0.07 mA, 0.3 ms) was delivered into Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) for 30 minutes. Analgesic effect was evaluated by tail flick latency(TFL). We compared the analgesic effect of EA with TFLs between pretreatment of normal saline and pretreatment of Atropine (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) and Neostigmine ($100{\mu}g/kg$, intraperitoneal) in CIA. Results : 1. TFLs were gradually decreased in CIA as increasing severity of arthritis. 2. Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA stimulation in CIA increased TFLs and the effect lasted for 60 minutes. 3. Increased TFLs with Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA stimulation were inhibited with pretreatment of atropine in CIA 4. Increased TFLs with Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA stimulation did not show an obvious synergistic effect with pretreatment of neostigmine in CIA. Conclusions: Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA showed analgesic effects in CIA. The analgesic effects of Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA were inhibited by atropine pretreatment and combined application of Jogsamni(ST36) EA and neostigmine did not show an synergistic effect. These observations suggest that intrinsic muscarinic cholinergic pathways represent an important modulating system in pain perception of inflammatory pain in CIA It is suggested that, the active mechanism of analgesic effect in EA may involve the release of acetylcholine in the spinal cord.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.264-273
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• 2019

Objectives : Microglia play a crucial role in electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia on neuropathic pain. The role of chemokines in producing analgesic effects of EA, however, is largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of chemokines in producing analgesic effects of EA in the neuropathic pain model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups (anesthetized group (ANE), non-acupoint EA group (NAP), and ST36 - GB34 EA group (ACU)). Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity of hind paw was tested. Western blot tests and immunofluorescence assay for C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) levels and microglia activation were performed on spinal cord L5/6. EA was treated once daily from the 3rd day after surgery for 5 days. Results : EA treatments applied to ST36 and GB34 significantly reduced both mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity after two and three times of treatment, respectively. While CCL2 expression significantly increased in neuropathic rats, it was significantly reduced in the ACU. In addition, co-localization of CCL2 and activated microglia significantly decreased in the ACU compared to those of ANE and NAP in the spinal cord L5/L6 dorsal horn. Conclusions : The present results suggest that EA applied to ST36 and GB34 modulates the reduction of CCL2 release from the injured neurons and consequently decreases microglia activation in the spinal cord. Regulation of chemokine induced spinal activation of microglia plays a key role in analgesic effects of EA in the rat model of neuropathic pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.162-170
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• 2019

Objectives : Increasing evidence suggests that parasympathetic vagus nerve activity plays a role in modulating acupuncture-induced anti-inflammatory reaction, but the function of sympathetic nerve is not known. Here, we investigated whether splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity was involved in the regulation of splenic expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA by electroacupuncture (EA) in LPS-injected animals. Methods : DiI was injected into the stomach or celiac ganglion (CG) for retrograde labeling of the target tissues. EA was given at ST36 and the electrical stimulation on the sciatic nerve in LPS-injected mice. c-Fos signals in the tissues were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA was analyzed by real-time PCR. Results : Application of EA at ST36 or electrical stimulation on the sciatic nerve induced c-Fos expression in neurons of the spinal cord and celiac ganglion (CG). Then, the vagotomy reduced c-Fos levels in CG neurons but not in the spinal cord in animals given EA. Expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA which was induced in the spleen after LPS was significantly inhibited by EA, then the vagotomy elevated $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA level similar to that in LPS-injected animals. Splanchnectomy in animals given LPS and EA also increased $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA though it was less effective than vagotomy. Conclusions : Our data suggest that EA delivered to the spleen via the splanchnic sympathetic nerve may be involved in attenuating splenic inflammatory responses in LPS-injected animals.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2013

Objectives : Effects of repetitive electroacupuncture(EA) on the pain behavior and activation of spinal glial cells were examined in the rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods : Twenty one adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups(control group, SP6 group, ST36+GB34 group). Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity of hind paw were tested. Immunohistochemistry was performed in spinal cord L5/6 of all groups. EA was treated once in a day from the $5^{th}$ day after surgery. Results : EA treatments applied to ST36 and GB34 reduced significantly both of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity after 3 times of treatment throughout the experiments. In the SP6 group, the analgesic effect was also shown after 7 times of treatment. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation in the spinal cord L5/6 dorsal horn in the ST36+GB34 group. Conclusions : The present results suggest that repetitive EA exert strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain. These analgesic effects in neuropathic pain are associated with suppressing the activation of microglia and astrocyte.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.77-90
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• 2006

Objectives : To evaluate the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture on Choksamni (ST36) in the collagen-induced arthritis rats and investigate the role played by serotonergic receptor subtypes $(5-HT_{1A},\;5-HT_{1B},\;5-HT_4)$ in the antinociceptive effect of electroacupuncture in the thermal hyperalgesia test. Methods : Immunization of male Sprague-Dawley rats with bovine type II collagen emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant, followed by booster injection 14 days later induced collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The thermal hyperalgesia was evaluated weekly with tail flick latency (TFL). In the fourth week after first immunization. EA stimulation (2Hz, 0.07mA, 0.3ms) was delivered into Choksamni for 20 minutes. We measured the analgesic effect of EA with TFL afer intraperitoneal injection of normal saline, WAYl00635, SB216641 and GR125487. Results : TFLs were gradually decreased in CIA as time elapsed after the immunization of arthrogenic collagen and the maximum value was reached from third to fifth week. EA stimulation on ST36 inhibited chronic inflammatory pain induced by CIA. The analgesic effect of EA was inhibited by pretreatment of $5-HT_{1A}$. antagonist (WAYl00635), $5-HT_{1B}$ antagonist (SB216641) and $5-HT_4$ antagonist (GR125487). Conclusion : Electroacupuncture has the analgesic effect on chronic inflammatory pain and its mechanism was mediated by $5-HT_{1A}$, $5-HT_{1B}$ and $5-HT_4$.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.168-179
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• 2002

Objective : To research the trend of the study related to electroacupuncture and to establish the hereafter direction for the study on electroacupuncture. Methods : We have referred to PubMed, with electroacupuncture (Limits: 5 Years, only items with abstracts, English, Human) Results : 1. We have searched 67 papers in 49 journals on electroacupuncture. 2. The pattern of study was as follows: review articles-8 papers in 8 journals, RCT articles-22 papers in 16 journals, meta-analysis-2 papers in 2 journals, and clinical trials-29 papers in 14 journals. 3. How frequently each Meridians was used for electroacupuncture in the searched papers was as follows: Large Intestine Meridian-14 times, Stomach Meridian-12 times, GallBladder Meridian-5 times, Governor Vessel-4 times, Conception Vessel-3 times, Pericardium Meridian-2 times, Triple Energizer Meridian-2 times, and Liver Meridian-2 times in that order. 4. The acupoints used in the searched papers were as follows: LI4-8 times, ST36, LI11, and GB34-3 times, GV20, LR3, and PC6-2 times in that order. 5. The diseases in the searched papers were as follows: pain, stroke, and others. Conclusion : More clinical data would be needed to prove the effects of electroacupuncture for better application.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate whether the spinal cholinergic and serotonergic analgesic systems mediate the relieving effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic cold allodynia in rats. The cold allodynia induced by an oxaliplatin injection (6 mg/kg, i.p.) was evaluated by immersing the rat's tail into cold water ($4^{\circ}C$) and measuring the withdrawal latency. EA stimulation (2 Hz, 0.3-ms pulse duration, 0.2~0.3 mA) at the acupoint ST36, GV3, or LI11 all showed a significant anti-allodynic effect, which was stronger at ST36. The analgesic effect of EA at ST36 was blocked by intraperitoneal injection of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist (atropine, 1 mg/kg), but not by nicotinic (mecamylamine, 2 mg/kg) receptor antagonist. Furthermore, intrathecal administration of $M_2$ (methoctramine, $10{\mu}g$) and $M_3$ (4-DAMP, $10{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, but not $M_1$ (pirenzepine, $10{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, blocked the effect. Also, spinal administration of $5-HT_3$ (MDL-72222, $12{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, but not $5-HT_{1A}$ (NAN-190, $15{\mu}g$) or $5-HT_{2A}$ (ketanserin, $30{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, prevented the anti-allodynic effect of EA. These results suggest that EA may have a significant analgesic action against oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain, which is mediated by spinal cholinergic ($M_2$, $M_3$) and serotonergic ($5-HT_3$) receptors.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.105-114
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• 2011

Objectives : The transient inflammation has been demonstrated to alter visceral motor response (VMR) and acute mucosal inflammation may precede the manifestation of visceral hyperalgesia in animal models. The purpose of our study is to compare effects of the different frequencies applied electroacupuncture (EA) on acupoints in acute colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS). Methods : In Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250~400g, a single colorectal administration of TNBS (5mg/kg) was made and electrode for electromyography (EMG) recording were stitched into the external oblique musculature. EA of either ST25 or ST36 were applied and stimulation parameter was modulated as follows: 2, 10, or 100 Hz with intensity of 2 mA and 1 ms pulse duration for 30 min. The balloon was inserted intra-anally and VMR to colorectal distension (CRD) was quantified with an EMG recording system. Results : The VMR increased significantly 3 days after TNBS intra-rectal colonic injection in rats. Both 2 Hz and 10 Hz EA on ST36 suppressed VMR to CRD in the acute colitis model but not 100 Hz. Only 10 Hz EA on ST25 suppressed VMR to CRD in the acute colitis. Conclusions : These data show that 10 Hz EA potently inhibits hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis.