• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.111-123
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of high frequency electro-acupuncture (hf-EA) at Yanglingquan(GB34) on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage in rats. Methods : The author performed several experimental items, including measurements of body weight and liver weight, hematological analysis for RBC, WBC, PLT, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and biochemical assays for ALT, AST, ALP and total cholesterol in serum, and histological analysis of liver tissue. Results & Conclusion : 1. WBC level in blood was slightly reduced by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 2. Lymphocyte level in blood was decreased by $CCl_4$-intoxication and significantly increased by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 3. Neutrophils level in blood was slightly reduced by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 4. ALT and AST in serum were reduced significantly by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 5. The pathological changes of liver tissue induced by $CCl_4$ was reduced by hf-EA at GB34. 6. No significant difference was found between the effects of acupuncture and hf-EA on CCl4-induced liver damage in rats.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.166-176
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• 2003

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of 15Hz electroacupuncture(EA) on carrageenan-injected rats. Inflammation was induced by an intraplantar injection of 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw. Methods : Bilateral EA stimulation with 15 Hz were delivered at those acupoints corresponding to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao in man via the needles for a total of 30 min duration in carrageenan-injected rats. Results: The developing edema was measured 30 minutes interval afer carrageenan injection and 15 Hz EA stimulation presented significant edema inhibition. Three hours after carrageenan injection, prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and nitric oxide(NO) levels were measured. The 15Hz EA stimulation significantly inhibited $PGE_2$ and NO production in the right paw. The pro-inflammatory mRNA expression such as cyclooxygenases(COX)-2 and interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$ were slightly down-regulated by EA stimulation. The number of COX-2, IL-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ immunoreactive cells were abundantly observed in paw edema. But these cells were decreased in nmber according to anti-edema effect of 15Hz EA. Conclusions: These results indicate that 15Hz EA stimulation have an alleviation action against carrageenan-induced edema and local inflammation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.89-99
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effect of simple acupuncture and electroacupuncture at Bai Hui($GV_{20}$) on heart rate variability in healthy adults with stress task. Methods : 40 healthy volunteers participated in this study. HRV was recorded before and after stress. And then simple acupuncture(SA group) was applied at $GV_{20}$ or electroacupuncture(EA group) was applied at the same spot in each treatment group for 20 minutes. No treatment was performed in control group for 20 minutes. Then HRV was recorded. Results : 1. In all groups, LF norm, LF/HF, HF norm showed significant changes after mental stress. 2. Control group showed no significant change. In SA group, HF norm LF, LF norm and LF/HF showed a significant change after treatment. In EA group, Mean HR, HF, LF norm, HF norm and LF/HF showed a significant change after treatment. In both treatment groups, there were significant differences after treatment compared to control group. 3. In EA group, HF and HF norm decreased significantly after treatment compared to SA group. Conclusions : These results suggest that simple acupuncture and electroacupuncture at $GV_{20}$ affect the balance of the autonomic nervous system and that electroacupuncture at $GV_{20}$ enhances parasympathetic activation more than simple acupuncture.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.92-109
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• 2022

Objectives: The objective of this study was to appraise the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) for the treatment of acute gout. Methods: Since no suitable study could be found in the domestic database, we performed a literature search up to the end of December 2020 using four international electronic databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of EA in the treatment of acute gout were included. The risk of bias was evaluated from the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: Eight appropriate RCTs were included and analyzed. Three evaluation tools were mainly used: Total Effective Rate (TER), Uric acid (UA), and Pain score (VAS). In the case of TER, in all eight cases, electroacupuncture alone and combined treatment showed a statistically significant level of improvement compared to Western medicine treatment. In the case of VAS score, electroacupuncture alone and combined treatment showed a more significant effect than Western medicine treatment. In the case of UA level, electroacupuncture combined treatment showed a more significant effect than western medicine treatment. Although not all three evaluation tools were used in all studies, the majority of studies showed that electroacupuncture was effective for acute gout patients. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that EA treatment may be effective for acute gout. It should be noted, however, that the studies included in this study were geographically biased, small in number, and mostly at high risk of bias. More well-designed studies are needed in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.157-169
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• 2003

Objective : The effects of electroacupuncture(EA) stimulation on heart rate variability(HRV) for healthy adults are investigated with power spectrum analysis(PSA) of HRV. Methods : The HRVs of every 10 minute for 22 healthy volunteers(13 men and 9 women) were measured for an hour with SA-3000P(Medicore Co., Ltd., Korea). The median age with arithmetic range of 13 men and 9 women was 26.00 years with 22.75~27.00 years. The initial 20 minutes were defined as baseline period(pre-EA period), the following 20 minutes as the EA period and the last 20 minutes as the post-EA period. In each EA periods, volunteers received EA(2Hz, 0.6~0.8ms duration, maximal tolerated stimulation without discomfort) on the right Zusanli(ST36), Shangjuxu(ST37) acupoints while supine, resting. Results : Heart rate of volunteers at post-EA period was significantly decreased compare to that of pre-EA period, while SDNN at post-EA period was significantly increased. Heart rate at EA period was significantly decreased compare to that of pre-EA period, but Ln(LF) and LF/HF at EA period were significantly increased. Ln(HF) at post-EA period was significantly decreased compare to that of EA period, while the other variables were not significantly changed. Conclusions : The results suggest that EA in healthy adults is associated with changed activity in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Further study is needed for investigating the effects of EA on HRV and autonomic nervous system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.111-124
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• 2002

A line of study reported that electroacupuncture(EA) modulate natural killer cell(NK Cell) activities. One report suggested that EA enhanced splenic interferon-gamma($IFN-{\gamma}$), interleukin-2(IL-2), and NK cell activity in Sprague-Dawley rats. Another study suggested that $IFN-{\gamma}$ mediates the up-regulation of NK cell activity, and endogenous ${\beta}$-endorphin secretion also play a role in the up-regulation of NK cell activity induced by EA stimulation. In order to better understand the molecular regulation underlying the activation of NK cell induced by EA, we have utilized cDNA microarray to elucidate how EA alters program of gene expression of spleen in rats. First, we divided three groups, group I was EA group treated with EA in restriction holder, group II was sham group with only holder stress, and last group III was control group with no treatment. We measured NK cell activity after EA stimulation three times for 2 days using $^{51}Cr$ release assay. Second, Biotin-labeled cDNA probes synthesized from EA group and sham group, were competitively hybridized to the microarray that contained variable genes. Such high-throughput screening has identified a number of EA-responsive gene candidates. Of these, we found that EA induced a subset of genes of genes that functionally could modulatory effects on NK cell activity. Genes(vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, protein-tyrosine kinase, CD94 mRNA) related to boost NK cell activity, were increased by EA And, genes(protein-tyrosine-phospatase mRNA, protein-tyrosine phosphatase(SHP-1) mRNA) related to inhibit NK cell activity, were decreased by EA. These EA-responsive genes may provide key insights from which to understand mechanisms of activation of NK cell induced by EA.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.101-115
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• 2004

Objective : The present studies investigated the effects of 120 Hz high frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on the stress-induced stomach dysfunction in relation to its effect on the level of stress hormones and gastric mucosal damages. The gastric mucosal injury was induced by cold-restraint stress and two acupoints corresponding to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao in man were used. Methods : Cold-restraint stress produced typical gastric lesions in all rats of the stressed groups, but the number of ulcers as well as the mean ulcer diameter were reduced by 120 Hz EA pre-treatment. Results : The degranulation value of gastric mast cell was significantly higher in cold-restrained rats than in control ones. However, with the significant reduction of degranulation values of gastric mast cells in EA pre-treated rats compared with cold-restrained rats. Cold-restarint stress induced an elevated mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory gene such as cyclooxygenases-2 and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, but these expression were down-regulated in EA pre-treated rats. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that while the $inhibitory-{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ immunorection in the surface epithelium of the stomach tended to increase, both reactions in the EA pre-treated rats showed similar pattern as observed in controls. Conclusion : These results suggest that 120 Hz EA may act as a therapeutical means for gastric mucosal damages through an activation of pituitary adrenal system. It could be concluded that 120 Hz high frequency electroaucupuncture affords a good protective potential against stress-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.614-628
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• 1998

The effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on blood concentration of endocrine substances were investigated in 6 horses. Three acupuncture points ; Guan Yuan Shu(BL-26), Wei Shu(BL-21) and Da Chang Shu(BL-25) were stimulated for 20 minutes by EA at separate occasions under varying condition ; 2V-1Hz, 2V-5Hz, 2V-30Hz, 4V-1Hz, 4V-5Hz and 4V-30Hz. Plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH), ${\beta}$-endorphin, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serum levels of gastrin were analysed. Blood samplings were carried out before, 0, 20 and 40 minutes after the EA stimulation. The serum gastrin levels were increased by 2V-5Hz stimulation on the Wei Shu. Plasma ACTH levels were decreased by 2V-1Hz stimulation on the Wei Shu, but largely increased by 4V-30Hz stimulation on the Guan Yuan Shu. Plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels were slightly increased or decreased by 2V-1Hz stimulation, but largely increased by 4V-30Hz stimulation on the Guan Yuan Shu. Plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were not so much changed by 2V-1Hz or 5Hz stimulation, but tended to increase by 4V-30Hz stimulation on Guan Yuan Shu. These results suggest that the low voltage-low frequence EA stimulation increased blood concentration of gastrin, but decreased ACTH, ${\beta}$-endorphin, epinephrine and norepinephrine, whereas high voltage-high frequence EA stimulation induced opposite results. Accordingly, there appears to be a close relationship between the changes of gastrointestinal motility and the changes of blood concentration of endocrine substances by EA stimulation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.15-23
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• 2003

Objective : The role of high frequency 120 Hz electroacupuncture(EA) in carrageenan-induced pain was studied by examining the alnalgesic effects, and prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ levels measurement and spinal N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptor expression. Inflammation was induced by an intraplantar injection of 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw. Method : Bilateral EA stimulation with 120 Hz were delivered at those acupoints corresponding to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao in man via the needles for a total of 30 min duration in carrageenan-injected rats. Results : EA stimulation showed significant analgesic effects as measured by analgesy-meter at all time points tested compared with controls. Three hours after carrageenan injection, PGE2 levels were measured by commercial kit. EA significantly inhibited PGE2 production in the right paw. The number of NR1 and NR2A, NMDA receptor, immunoreactive neurons was significantly increased in the superficial dorsal horn(laminae I-II) and nucleus proprius(laminae III-IV) of ipsilateral spinal cord at L4-5. But the number of carrageenan-induced NR1 and NR2A immunoreactive neuron, especially NR1 immunoreaction in the superficial dorsal horn, was reduced by 120 Hz EA stimulation. Conclusions : These results indicate that NMDA receptors may mediate transmission of nociceptive information originating in tissue inflammation of hind paw and high frequency 120 Hz EA stimulation have an alleviating action against local inflammatory pain.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.97-107
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• 2002

Objective : Acupuncture is a method used to treat many kinds of pain in oriental cultural medicine. Especially when hetero-segmental area acu-points are stimulated, the therapeutic effects of pain control have more critical properties than other methods of acupuncture. However, the mechanism of pain control by acupuncture is contradictory so far. The present study examined the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to the acu-point of the hetero-segmental area on modulation of formalin-induced pain in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : In order to apply EA to acu-points in the plantar area of right forepaws, a pair of Teflon-coated stainless steel wires were implanted in HT 7 (Shin-Moon) and PC 7 (Dae-Reung) 7 days before the behavioral test. A behavioral test was performed by means of video camera after injection of 5% formalin ($50{\;}\mu\textrm{l}$) into the lateral plantar region of the left hind paw. EA was delivered by a constant DC current stimulator at 4~5 mA, 2 ms, and 10 Hz for 30 min. c-Fos protein expression was measured in the lumbar spinal cord at 2 hr and 4 hr after formalin injection. Results : Behavioral responses including favoring, flinching and biting occurred in the biphasic pattern, such as the 1st phase (0~5 min) and the 2nd phase (20~45 min) after formalin injection. However, EA (4~5 mA, 2 ms, 10 Hz) significantly inhibited the behavioral responses. Injection of formalin expressed c-Fos protein on the ipsilateral dorsal horn neurons in L3 - L5 and the expression was sustained more than 4 hrs after formalin injection. However, EA decreased c-Fos protein expression at dorsal horn neurons in the lumbar spinal cord till 4hrs after formalin injection. Conclusions : These results suggest that EA modulates formalin-induced pain and this inhibitory action may be elicited by the descending inhibitory system.