• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.305-318
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at an acupoint, HT8(Sobu), on normal humans by using power spectral analysis. We examined the effect on the Heart Rate Variability(HRV), and the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : Thirty-two healthy volunteers participated in this study. EEG(Electroencephalogram) power spectrum exhibits site-specific and state-related differences in specific frequency bands. A thirty-two channel EEG study was carried out on thirty-two subjects(14 males; mean age=23.5 years old, 18 females; mean age=21.5 years old). HRV and EEG were simultaneously recorded before and after acupuncture. Results : In the ${\alpha}$(alpha) band, during the HT8-acupoint treatment, the power values in the ${\alpha}$(alpha) band significantly decreased(p<0.05) at 28 channels. In the ${\beta}$(beta) band significantly decreased(p<0.05) at 26 channels. In ${\delta}$(delta) band significantly decreased(p<0.05) at 18 channels. In ${\theta}$(theta) band significantly decreased(p<0.05) at 20 channels. ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ values were increased at 6 channels and decreased at 10 channels.${\beta}/{\theta}$ values were increased at 10 channels and decreased at 19 channels. Mean-RR(RR-interval), Complexity, RMSSD(Root mean square of successive differences), SDSD(Standard deviations differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals), norm HF showed a significantly increased and mean-HRV, norm LF, LHR(LF/HF Ratio) showed a significantly decreased after HT8-acupoint treatment(p<0.05). Conclusions : These results suggest that EA at the HT8 mostly causes significant changes on alpha(28 channels), beta(26 channels), delta(18 channels), theta(20 channels) bands and mean-HRV, mean-RR, complexity, RMSSD, SDSD, norm LF, norm HF and LHR. If practicing EA at the HT8, it will regulate the function of the cerebral cortex, decrease activity of the sympathetic and increase parasympathetic nervous activity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2018

Background: This study investigated the effects of acupuncture at Sobu (HT8) and Haenggan (LR2) on scopolamine-induced, cognitively impaired rats. Methods: Scopolamine-treated Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups; normal, control, HT8, LR2, HT8 + LR2 and sham group. Cognitive impairment was induced by scopolamine, in control, and then in HT8, LR2, HT8 + LR2 and sham groups. Acupuncture treatment was performed at HT8, LR2, HT8 + LR2, and a random acupoint, respectively, every other day for 2 weeks. After each treatment, behavior change was observed and the rats were sacrificed. The change in brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Latency time to target in Morris Water-Maze test for the HT8 + LR2 group showed a significant decrease compared with control (p<0.05). Target crossing times and time zone ratios in Morris Water-Maze test for HT8 + LR2 group showed a significant increase compared with control (p<0.01). In the Y-Maze test the HT8 + LR2 group showed a significant increase compared with control (p<0.05). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, in the HT8 + LR2 group, showed a significantly increased level compared with control (p<0.05). Neural activity of acetylcholine esterase in HT8 + LR2 group showed a significant decrease compared with the control group (p<0.01), choline acetyltransferase activity in the HT8 + LR2 group showed a significant increase compared with control (p<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture at HT8 + LR2 restored scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment, suggesting acupuncture could be an alternative to improve cognitive function.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.190-200
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• 2003

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine influences by the order, Reduction and Reinforcement in Acupuncture on cerebral hemodynamics [regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) and mean arterial blood pressure(MABP)] in normal rats. Methods: This experiments was to to investigate eath other changes of rCBF and MABP at Xingjian(LR2)(1st) Shaofu(HT8)(2nd) Reduction, Xingjian(LR2)(1st) Shaofu(HT8)(2nd) Reinforcement, Shaofu(HT8)(1st) Xingjian(LR2)(2st) Reduction and Shaofu(HT8)(1st) Xingjian(LR2)(2st) Reduction in Acupuncture. Results: 1. LR2(1st) HT8(2nd) Reduction in Acupuncture was decreased rCBF and MABP in compared with normal condition. 2. LR2(1st) HT8(2nd) Reinforcement in Acupuncture was significantly decreased rCBF, and was decreased MABP in compared with normal condition. 3. HT8(1st) LR2(2st) Reduction in Acupuncture was decreased rCBF during acupuncture but was recovered rCBF after with-drawing of the neddle. 4. HT8(1st) LR2(2st) Reduction in Acupuncture was decreased MABP during acupuncture and after withdrawing of the neddle. 5. HT8(1st) LR2(2st) Reinforcement in Acupuncture was significantly increased rCBF during acupuncture and 30min after withdrawing of the neddle. 6. HT8(1st) LR2(2st) Reinforcement in Acupuncture was decreased MABP during acupuncture, but was recovered MABP after withdrawing of the neddle. Conclusions: I suggested that LR2 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture and LR2 HT8 Reinforcement in Acupuncture cause a diverse response of cerebral hemodynas.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.58-66
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• 2016

Objectives : In order to find a possible non-invasive manipulation tool for maintenance of the cardiovascular functions in hemorrhagic shock, this study was aimed at evaluating effects of acupoints acupressure on the changes in blood pressure and heart rate from an animal model of hemorrhagic shock. Methods : In adult Sprague-Dawley rats, hemorrhagic shock was induced by a withdrawal of arterial blood from the femoral artery with volume of 0.8 ml per 100 g of body weight using peristaltic syringe pump. We applied the acupressure with a pressure oscillator to tail as a control and 2 different acupoints of sobu(HT8), youngchun(KI1) under 3 different conditions : 1) normal arterial blood pressure without bleeding, 2) at the beginning of bleeding, and finally 3) hemorrhagic shock. Results : Under normal arterial blood pressure without hemorrhage, there was a significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures by the acupressure to the tail, HT8 and especially KI1 for 30 sec compared with before acupressure. Under hemorrhagic shock condition, the tail acupressure had minimal changes in cardiovascular parameters. Either the HT8 or KI1 acupressure resulted in a significant increase in arterial pressure but did not heart rate. At the beginning of bleeding, tail acupressure failed to change the reduction of arterial pressure and heart rate. However, there was a significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate following either the HT8 or especially KI1 acupressure. Conclusions : HT8 and KI1 acupressure affected cardiovascular signs but tail acupressure did not in rat model of hemorrhagic shock. These experimental data suggest that a acupressure with a pressure oscillator to HT8 or KI1 can be one of alternative emergency manipulations to ameliorate compromised cardiovascular functions under hemorrhagic shock condition.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2004

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effect of acupuncture at the $KI_2\;KI_{10}\;HT_8\;HT_3$, on Aquaporin-2(AQP2) expression related with the renal functions in rats. Methods : Acupuncture was performed during 100-seconds, 6-times, at 150-seconds intervals under anesthesia in rats. We observed rats' mean arterial pressure(MAP), heart rate(HR), renal sympathetic nerve activity(RSNA) during acupuncture and AQP2 expression by western blot method and atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP), renin, norepinephrine of plasma after decapitation. Results : The AQP2 expression was significantly increased in $HT_8$ group, but decreased in $KI_{10}$ group. Average MAP during 6-times acupuncture was significantly increased in $HT_8$ group. Average HR was significantly increased in $HT_8$ group, Average RSNA was increased in $KI_{10}$ group, but that was marginally increased in $KI_{10}$ group. Plasma renin concentration was increased in $KI_2,\;HT_3$, groups. Plasma ANP show a tendency to decrease in $KI_10\;HT_3$ groups, increased in $KI_2,\;HT_3$ but not significant. Plasma norepinephrine concentration was significantly decreased in $KI_{10},\;HT_3$ groups. Conclusions : These results suggested that acupuncture at $HT_8$ activate renal function to reuptake, but $KI_{10}$ show a decline on effect of AQP2 expression, blood pressure, nerve activity and renin.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.99-110
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• 2007

Objectives : Epilepsy is one of the most common serious brain disorders that affect people of all ages, and it is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. We examined whether acupuncture can reduce both the incidence of seizures and hippocampal cell death in dentate gyrus (DG) using a mouse model of kainic acid (KA)-induced epilepsy. Methods : ICR mice ($20{\sim}25$ g) were given acupuncture once a day at acupoint HT8 (sobu) bilaterally during 2 days before KA injection. After an intracerebroventricular injection of 0.1${\mu}g$ of KA, acupuncture treatment was subsequently administered once more (total 3 times), and the degree of seizure was observed for 20 min. Three hours after injection, we confirmed the neural cell death using cresyl violet staining and silver impregnation staining, and determined the expressions of c-Fos and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)-67 using immunohistochemistry techniques in the DG. Results : KA induced epileptic seizure, neural cell death, increased c-Fos expression and decreased GAD-67 expression in the DG. Acupuncture treatment at HT8 reduced the severity of the epileptic seizure and inhibited neural cell death from KA. In addition, acupuncture normalized the expressions of c-Fos and GAD-67 in the same areas. Conclusions : These results demonstrated that acupuncture treatment at HT8 may reduce the KA-induced epileptic seizure and neural cell death in the DG possibly by normalizing c-Fos expressions and the gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons.