• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.43-57
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• 2010

Objectives : To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on parameters related to obesity in adults with abdominal obesity. Methods : A three arm randomized single blind pilot study was conducted from Jan 4 to March 25, 2010 in Kyung Hee Oriental Medical Hospital. The subjects were 39 adults with abdominal obesity and were randomly divided by computer generated random table into 3 groups; EA(electroacupuncture), sham EA(sham electroacupuncture) and waitlist groups. Acupuncture points located at abdomen($CV_{12}$, $CV_6$, $ST_{25}$, $SP_{15}$, $SP_{14}$) and extremities($LI_4$, $LI_{11}$, $ST_{36}$, $ST_{44}$) were inserted by disposable stainless steel needles and were stimulated 30 minutes with 24Hz, 0.27~1.3mA(tolerable strength), asymmetric biphasic continuous pulse wave form by STN-111 Stratek device in EA group. Two treatment sessions per week for 5 weeks(10 sessions in total) were done in EA and sham EA groups. The primary outcome measurement was WC(waist circumference), and the secondary outcome measurements included WHR(waist hip ratio), ASF(thickness of abdominal subcutaneous fat), and inbody measurements of BW(body weight), BMI(body mass index), BFR(body fat ratio) and VFA(visceral fat area), and also scores of BULIT-R(bulimia test revised), KoQoL(Korean obesity of QoL) and BSQ(body shape questionnaire). Results : All of 39 subjects were included in ITT(intention-to-treat) analysis. There were significant reductions in WC, WHR and ASF after 5-week electroacupuncture treatments and the percentage reductions were significantly greater than sham EA or waitlist group. There were no significant differences between groups in percentage reductions of other parameters(BW, BMI, BFR, VFA, BULIT-R, KoQoL and BSQ). But, there were continuous reductions in BW, BMI, BFR and VFA at 3 weeks after the end of treatment and there was significant reduction in BW compared with the baseline value in EA group. No seriously adverse effects were reported during the period. Conclusions : Electroacupuncture was more effective than sham electroacupuncture or no intervention on the reduction of WC, WHR and ASF in adults with abdominal obesity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.133-150
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study is to examine the tendency of experimental studies on the physiological effects of acupuncture at $ST_{36}$(Zusanli). Methods : We investigated 69 theses (10 Korean and 59 international) which were searched by the keyword 'Zusanli' through PubMed website, and that were experimented with manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture on healthy human subjects or normal animals. Results : The 69 theses were classified into iou groups based on the main topic which is related with the influence of acupuncture stimulation at $ST_{36}$(Zusanli), such as digestive system, nervous system, immune system, and cardiovascular system. The main results found in this study are : 1. Acupuncture at $ST_{36}$(Zusanli) increases gastric mobility. And such effect is related with vagal nerve and opioid pathway. 2. Acupuncture at $ST_{36}$(Zusanli) is valuably related with cerebral cortex. And it influences on the cerebrum activities. 3. Acupuncture at $ST_{36}$(Zusanli) has noticeable analgesic effect, which is related with Opioid mechanism, Gate control and SP 4. Acupuncture at $ST_{36}$(Zusanli) increases immunity Conclusion . Acupuncture at $ST_{36}$(Zusanli) has many effects on digestive system, nervous system, immune system, and cardiovascular system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.179-193
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• 2007

Objectives: It has been demonstrated that acupuncture treats diseases while that the widespread use of that clinically and experimentally. It also has shown that electro-acupuncture(EA) is more effective than manual-acupuncture (MA). The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of EA and MA at combined acupoints on sex and age in rats. Methods: This study measured the effects of acupuncture treatment on small intestinal motility in rats. MA and EA(intensity, 5 times muscle twitch threshold) was applied for 30 minutes to the combined left and right sides acupoints on ST36, ST37, ST39 under enflurane anesthesia. EA and MA applied to the ST36, ST37, ST39 acupoints produced an elevation of small intestinal motility. Results: In experimental groups of combined left and right sides acupoints, only specified groups show elevation of small intestinal motility in male rats, 5 weeks age. Furthermore, combined left and right sides acupoints in EA and MA show differences effects according to the sex, male and female, and the age as 5, 6, 7, 8 weeks. Conclusion : Although these different according to the sex and age in rats do not have a established tendency, the present study suggest that effect of EA and MA are experimentally dependent upon the sex and age on small intestinal motility in rats.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.56-68
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• 2001

Objective : Functional brain mapping study on acupuncture stimulation using the [14C]2-deoxyglucose([14C]2-DG) autoradiography provides quantitative data and visualized pathway in central nervous system(CNS). We aimed to investigate the neural pathway and spatial distribution of metabolic activity elicited in CNS on electroacupuncture stimulation using [14C]2-DG autoradiography. Methods : The study were divided into three groups by stimulation times. 45-mins stimulation group according to Sokoloffs method, 5-mins stimulation group according to Duncun's method, and 15-mins stimulation group. ;A venous catheter was equipped into right jugular vein. The rats (Sprague-Dawley rats, 230-260g) were kept fastened loosely on a holding platform without anesthesia. Electroacupuncture stimulation (5 ms, 2 Hz, 1~3 mA) were applied on the left Zusanli (ST36) acupoint and [14C]2-DG ($25{\mu}Ci/rat$) injection was performed through the catheter. After sacrifice, the brain and the spinal cord were made to sections for film image. The film images were digitalized as the isotope concentration based upon comparison of optical densities with that of the standards and normalized by the optical density of corpus callosum. Results : 1. 15-mins stimulation group was most effective among 3 experiments. 2. On 15-mins stimulation group, medial geniculate nucleus, intetpeduncular nucleus intermedius, ventral periolivary nucleus, caudal periolivary nucleus, medial superior olive, lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, including hypothalamic arcuate nucleus were increased by more than 25% (at least, p<0.05) by electroacupuncture stimulation. 3. Especially, the metabolism in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus was increased by 90% (p<0.05). 4. The fact that arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus might play a role of interconnection area between ascending and descending pathway of acupuncture stimulation was demonstrated visually. Conclusions : Advanced study on electroacupuncture stimulation elicited significant increase of metabolic activity in various nuclei of hypothalamus will provide the important experimental basis in research of the relationship between electroacupuncture stimulation and internal visceral functions.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effects of fixed-intensity and varied-intensity electroacupuncture on heart rate variability in healthy people with stress task. Methods : Forty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to either group A or group B or C. Group A received fixed-intensity electroacupuncture(F-EA) at $ST_{36}$ and $ST_{37}$. After 1 week wash out period to prevent overlapping residual effects, they received varied-intensity electroacupuncture(V-EA) in which the intensity was changed every two minutes based on individual heart rate variability at the same points. Group B received the treatments in reverse order. Group C received no intervention as a control group. Results : Control group showed a significant increase of LF and LF/HF during the 2nd working memory task, while both F-EA and V-EA did not. In addition, V-EA showed a significant increase of HF during 2nd rest while F-EA did not. Conclusions : These results suggest that F-EA and V-EA can inhibit sympathetic activation more than control group and that V-EA can enhance parasympathetic activation more than F-EA.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.132-141
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• 2022

Objectives : Some acupoints are commonly utilized to treat a variety of diseases. The acupoints appear to have a wide range of effects caused by several mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to investigate into the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the multipotent effects of individual acupoint stimulation. Methods : We examined the miRNA expressions in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of neuropathic or inflammatory pain rats following ST36 and GB34 electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation. Neuropathic pain was induced by L5 spinal nerve ligation. Inflammatory pain was induced by knee joint injection of Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). EA was given under gaseous anesthesia with the same parameters (1mA, 2Hz, 30 min) in 5 consecutive days. Pain behaviors and miRNA expressions were analyzed. Results : In rats with neuropathic and inflammatory pain, EA treatments significantly enhanced the paw withdrawal threshold and weight-bearing force. After nerve injury, 36 miRNAs were upregulated in the DRG of neuropathic rats, while EA downregulated 10 of them. Furthermore, 14 miRNAs were downregulated following nerve damage, while one was increased by EA. 15 miRNAs were increased in the DRG of inflammatory rats following CFA injection, while 5 were downregulated by EA. Furthermore, 17 miRNAs were downregulated following CFA injection, while 7 were increased by EA. The miRNAs rno-miR-335, rno-miR-381-5p, rno-miR-1306-3p, and rno-miR-1839-3p were regulated by EA in both models. Conclusions : In two pain models, EA applied to ST36 and GB34 regulated miRNA expression differently. There appeared to be both acupoint-specific and non-specific miRNAs, and miRNA regulation of differential protein expression may modulate a variety of EA mechanisms.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.76-87
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• 2001

Objective : Zusanli(ST36) and Hoku(Li4) are analgesic acupuncture points frequently used for acupuncture in Oriental medicine. The present study was conducted to see the antinociceptive effects produced by electroacupuncture combined two frequencies(Low, High) and two different acupuncture points(LI4, ST36) in the rat tail flick test. Method : In this study the Rats (Sprague-Dawley, 250-300g) were partially anesthetized with thiopental sodium(40mg/kg, i.p.). The basal reaction time for the tail-flick was 3${\pm}$0.5 sec. Low frequency(3Hz, 5V, biphasic) and high frequency(100Hz, 5V, biphasic) were applied to the inserted needle for the period of insertion(twenty minutes). Experimental groups are divied as follow; a) electroacupuncture stimulation groups at Hoku with or high frequency(L-EA, H-EA), b) electroacupuncture stimulation groups at Zusanli with low or high frequency(1-EA, h-EA), c) low frequency at Hoku and Zusanli(LIEA), d) low frequency at Hoku and high frequency at Zusanli(LhEA), e) high frequency at Hoku and low frequency at Zusanli(HIEA), f) high frequency at Hoku and Zusanli(HhEA) Results : The individual stimulation at either Hoku or Zusanli with low frequency has stronger and longer analgesic effect than high frequency stimulation. In addition, the combined stimulation at Hoku and Zusanli with low frequency has superior effect to individual stimulation with low frequency. LhEA and LIEA have superior effect to other stimulation groups among the combined groups. In order to determine the involvement of opioid system on the different antinociceptive effects, Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, was used in the combined groups. LIEA is the most sensitive when naloxone was administrated among study groups. HhEA is the least sensitive in the administration of naloxone. Conclusion : From results, this study confirmed that the opioid system is involved in analgesic effect of low frequency stimulation of acupuncture point, and we also can suggest the stronger analgesic effect of combining stimulation points is due to the theory of spatial summation in the nervous system.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.625-642
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• 2022

Objectives: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common impairment of gastrointestinal motility and causes a delay in postoperative recovery, as well as an increased length of hospital stay, but no single strategy has a significant recuperative effect on POI. Studies of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) have reported improvements in bowel function after surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of TKM on postoperative ileus in gastric cancer patients. Methods: We used six databases to search for studies published from January 1, 2007, until May 11, 2022. The included studies were those reporting gastric cancer patients who received TKM treatment after gastrectomy through indicators related to POI. Results: The search identified 27 RCTs that used herbal medicine (Daegeonjung-tang and Gami-leejoongtang), herbal medicine combined with acupuncture (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, acupuncture and moxibustion, electroacupuncture, warm needling, transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA), low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation (LEAS), moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine as treatments for POI. The time to first flatus was shortened by herbal medicine combined with warm needling (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, TEA, moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine (p<0.00001). The time to the first defecation decreased significantly in response to the herbal medicine combined with warm needling (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, TEA, moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine (p<0.00001). No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions: TKM could be a promising option for preventing and resolving POI in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.207-219
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of low frequency electro-acupuncture (EA) at ST36 acupoint on the Freund's Complete Adjuvant(FCA)-induced arthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of FCA into base of tail. Experimental groups were divided into 4 groups; Normal, Control, ST36 and Non-Acupoint(NA). ST36 group was treated by 2 Hz EA at ST36 acupoint. Body weight, paw edema volun1e and ankle joint thickness were measured after treatment. And we investigated the effects of 2 Hz EA via WBC count, segment neurophil, lymphocyte, PGE2 assay and NADPH-d histochemistry. Results and Conclusion : The mean of body weight and ankle joint thickness of ST36 group was increased compared with control group. The mean of paw edema volume, WBC count, segment neutrophil and lymphocyte of were not decreased with control group. The mean of PGE2 concentration and NADPH-d positive neurons were changed significantly compared with control group.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.45-52
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on NeuN expression in ventral horn motor neurons of spinal cord, changes in pain thresholdchanges in motor function in rats with partially dissected sciatic nerves. Method: A total of 120 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and a group administered electroacupuncture at ST36, LI11 and SP9 with 120 Hz and 0.5 mA. Animals were sacrificed on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 after nerve injury (the sciatic nerve was partially dissected). The pain threshold was recorded by an Analgesia? meter and a BBB? score was calculated for motor function. After preparing lumbar spinal cord slide sections, they were immunostained with NeuN antisera (1:2,500). Results: The numbers of NeuN immunoreactive neuronsin the electroacupuncture group was increased compared to the control group. The numbers of NeuN immunoreactive neurons on days 14 and 28 day were different (p<0.05), as were the numbers on days 3 and 7 (p<0.01). The pain threshold BBB score for the electroacupuncture group was higher than for controls. Conclusion: The increase in pain threshold, BBB-score and number of NeuN immunoreactive neurons inventral horn motor neurons of spinal cord in rats withnerve dissection showed that electroacupuncture can attenuate pain transduction and increase motor function. Also, NeuN was a good marker for identifying the degree of nerve cell loss after nervous system injury.