• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2011

배경 및 목적 : 봉독약침요법(bee venom pharmacopuncture, BVP)은 rheumatoid arthritis(RA)의 치료에 활용되고 있으나, RA로 인한 염증성 통증에 대한 봉독약침의 진통효과와 specific mechanism은 아직까지 명확하게 밝혀지지 않았다. 이에 본 연구에서는 RA animal model로서 collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) rat model에서 봉독약침의 a1-adrenergic, 5HT-3 그리고 muscarinic cholinergic mechanism을 확인하고자 한다. 방법 : CIA를 유도하기 위하여 male Sprague-Dawley rat에 freund's incomplete adjuvant에 유화(乳化)시킨 bovine type II collagen을 주입하고 14일 후 booster injection 시행하였다. 진통효과는 tail flick latency (TFL)로 평가하였다. 결과 : 관절염의 유도 이후 염증성 통증 역치는 시간이 지나면서 낮아지며, 5주 이후로는 통증 역치에 큰 변화가 없이 유지되었다. 첫 번째 immunization으로부터 5주 경과 후 족삼리($ST_{36}$)에 봉독약침처치(0.25 mg/ kg)를 시행하여 유의한 진통효과를 관찰하였다. 또한 봉독약침의 진통효과는 ondansetron(5HT-3 receptor antagonist, 0.5mg/kg, i.p.), atropine(muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, 1mg/kg, i.p.)의 전처치에 의하여 억제되었으나, prazosin(a1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, 1mg/kg, i.p.)의 전처치에 의해서는 억제되지 않았다. 결론 : 봉독약침은 CIA로 인한 염증성 통증에 유의한 진통효과를 나타내며 그 analgesic mechanism은 5HT-3와 muscarinic cholinergic receptor에 의하여 매개되며 a1-adrenergic receptor에 의하여 매개되지는 않았다.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 1999

In order to investigate the effects of Bupleuri Radix aqua-acupuncture solution (BRAS) on immuno suppression induced by glucocorticoid, ICR mice were administrated with glucocorticoid (80 mg/kg) for 7 days, and immunized with hapten, methamphetamine-horseradish peroxidase $(10\;{\mu}g/mouse)$. And then, BRAS (0.2ml/mouse) injected into $CV_4\;and\;BL_{23}$, which are the classical acupuncture points in traditional medicine, for 7 days. And then B and T cells proliferation and cytolytic activity of natural killer (NK) cells were measured. Intraperitoneal injection of glucocorticoid decreased lysozyme activity in macrophage and cytolytic activity of NK cell. B and T cell proliferation were significantly increased in aqua-acupuncture group compared to normal group. On the other hand, BRAS significantly increased the lysozyme activity in macrophage, and the cytolytic activity of purified NK cell on K562. These results suggest that BRAS at $CV_4\;and\;BL_{23}$ may proliferate B and T cells that are suppressed by glucocorticoid and activate NK cell activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2014

We investigated the anxiolytic-like activity of ${\alpha}$-asarone (AAS) from Acorus gramineus in an experimental rat model of anxiety induced by repeated administration of the exogenous stress hormone corticosterone (CORT). The putative anxiolytic effect of AAS was studied in behavioral tests of anxiety, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and the hole-board test (HBT) in rats. For 21 consecutive days, male rats received 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg AAS (i.p.) 30 min prior to a daily injection of CORT. Dysregulation of the HPA axis in response to the repeated CORT injections was confirmed by measuring serum levels of CORT and the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus. Daily AAS (200 mg/kg) administration increased open-arm exploration significantly in the EPM test, and it increased the duration of head dipping activity in the HBT. It also blocked the increase in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the locus coeruleus (LC) and decreased mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, TrkB, in the hippocampus. These results indicated that the administration of AAS prior to high-dose exogenous CORT significantly improved anxiety-like behaviors, which are associated with modification of the central noradrenergic system and with BDNF function in rats. The current finding may improve understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for changes in emotions induced by repeated administration of high doses of CORT or by elevated levels of hormones associated with chronic stress. Thus, AAS did exhibit an anxiolytic-like effects in animal models of anxiety.

• 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 Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2001

Objective : There are many reports that acupuncture has thermoregulatory effects on human and animals. To investigate the effect and mechanism of antipyretic action of acupuncture, we observed the body temperature and cytokine expressions in the hypothalamus of rats. Methods : Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, i.p., 2.5mg/kg) was injected to conscious rats (Sprague-Dawley, male, n=4l) to cause hyperthermia and simple needling (stainless steel, 0.25 mm o.d., 5 mm insertion for 10 sec with no manipulation) was performed bilaterally with the measurement of rectal temperature. Next, we sacrificed rats to remove brain and determined the level of mRNA for interleukin-6 (IL-6), $interleukin-1{\beta}{\;}(IL-1{\beta})$, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and $interferon-{\gamma}{\;}(IFN-{\gamma})$ in the hypothalamus by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Resul1s : Needling on forepaw (acupoint HT8) and needling on hindpaw (acupoint BL66 and acupoint LR2) significantly inhibited LPS-induced fever of rats (P<0.01, 10 min after treatment respectively), but same treatment on proximal tail (non-acupoint) did not cause any change on fever. The levels of IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA in the hypothalamus was significantly enhanced by LPS-injection, while the level of IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA was markedly reduced after treatment on BL66 (P<0.01). Treatment on forepaw reduced it slightly, but not significantly. Equivalent stimulation on proximal tail did not cause any changes. Conclusions : Our results indicate that acupuncture stimulation on various body parts has differential thermoregulatory effects on LPS-induced fever of rats with site-specificity. And, we suggest that its antipyretic action might be accompanied with the suppression of hypothalamic production of pro-inflammatory cytokine of immune system, IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.117-130
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• 2003

To study the analgesic and effect and its mechanism of eletroacupunture(EA) on the chronic inflammatory pain 50 rats were induced with arthralgesia by injecting complete freund's adjuvant(CFA). Two weeks after the injection of CFA, EA stimulation(2Hz, 0.07mA, 0.3ms) was delivered to Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) for 20 minutes. Analgesic effect was evaluated by using the tail flick latency(TFL) and the analgesic mechanism was observed by applying TFL with the pretreatment with naloxone and yohimbine. The results were as follows ; 1. TFL level for the model of adjuvant-induced arthritis decreased as time went by and it induced the hyperalgesia. 2. EA stimulation delivered to Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) for 20 minutes in the rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis brought analgesic effect and its effect had lasted for 40 minutes after the stimulation. 3. The analgesic effect of Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA in the rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis was blocked by pretreatment with naloxone(2mg/kg,i.p). This result suggests that the EA effect on the chronic inflammatory pain can be related to the endogenous opioid mechanism. 4. The analgesic effect of Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA in the rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis was blocked by pretreatment with naloxone(2mg/kg,i.p). This result suggests that the EA effect on the chronic inflammatory pain can be related to the ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic mechanism.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.15-25
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Pyrrosiae Herba herbal-acupuncture(PH-HA) at $KI_{10}$(Umgok) on nephritis induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in rats. Methods : Rats were assigned to four groups: normal, LPS, saline and PH-HA. Rats in the saline and PH-HA groups were treated with saline injection and PH-HA respectively at $KI_{10}$, three times over the period of one week. All animals, except those in the normal group, were injected intra-peritoneally with LPS to induce nephritis. WBC, in blood, tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-${\alpha}$), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1(CINC-1), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine in serum, urinal volume, total protein creatinine in urine, and renal myeloperoxidase (MPO) were analyzed. Results : 1. PH-HA group showed significantly reduced levels of serum BUN, serum creatinine, TNF-${\alpha}$, and CINC-1 compared to the LPS group. Furthermore, a significant increase in urine output and more significant decreases in total protein in urine and MPO in renal tissue were observed in the PH-HA group when compared to the LPS group. 2. The PH-HA group showed significantly reduced levels of serum creatinine and renal MPO, and a more significant increase in urine output compared to the saline group. Conclusions : According to these results, it is postulated that PH-HA at $KI_{10}$ has anti-inflammatory and renal-protective effects on LPS-induced nephritis in rats, and both acupoint $KI_{10}$ and the herb Pyrrosiae Herba made contributions to these effects. Further studies on the interaction between acupoint $KI_{10}$ and the herb Pyrrosiae Herba may be needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.51-62
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• 2004

Objective: To investigate the analgesic effect and its serotonergic mechanism, especially related with 5-HTI and 5-HT2 receptor, of electroacupuncture(EA) in the rat model of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA). Methods : Immunization of male Sprague-Dawley rats with bovine type II (C II) 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 spiroxatrine (5-HT1 receptor antagonist, 1mg/kg, intraperitoneal) and spiperone (5-HT2 receptor antagonist, 1 mg/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 by pretreatment of spiroxatrine and spiperone in CIA. Conclusions : Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA showed analgesic effects in CIA The analgesic effects of Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA were inhibited by spiroxatrine and spiperone pretreatment. These observations suggest that 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 serotonergic receptor, which involve the release of serotonin neurotransmitter, play an important roles in analgesic mechanism of EA stimulation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.65-75
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of warm needling at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$ on Complete Freund's Adjuvant(CFA)-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by injecting CFA subcutaneously into the left knee joint and paw. Acupuncture(AT) and warm needling(W-AT0.5, W-AT1.0) were injected at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$, every other day for a total of 5 times beginning on day 10 after the CFA injection. Thereafter, external shape, paw edema, serum aminotransferase and anti-inflammatory factors were assessed, and hematological and histological observations were made. Results : In paw edema volume all 3 groups(AT, W-AT0.5, W-AT1.0) showed significant decrease compared to the CFA control group. In TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, all 3 groups showed significant decrease compared to CFA control group. In AST and ALT all 3 groups showed no significant change. In IL-$1{\beta}$, W-AT0.5 and W-AT1.0, groups showed significant decrease compared to the CFA control group. Leucocyte, erythrocyte and thrombocyte, all 3 groups showed no significant change. In histological observations, all 3 groups were similar to the intact group in terms of synoviocyte, cartilage lacuna and cartilage cells. Conclusions : The results suggest that warm needling at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$, has the effect of suppressing inflammation of CFA-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.25-34
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate that effect of Angelica gigas NAKAI pharmacopuncture(AGN-Ph) by concentration at $ST_{36}$(足三里) and $BL_{23}$(腎兪) in Freund's adjuvant rats. Methods : The experimental model of arthritis was induced by injection of Freund's adjuvant into Sprague Dawley(SD) rats. After arthritis was induced, AGN-Ph was injected by concentration at $ST_{36}$ and $BL_{23}$ of rats every other day for 6 times. Thereafter, edema rate, body weight, IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, hematologic assay were measured. Results : The results were as follows, 1. After 3 times AGN-Ph treatment, the mean of edema rate was significantly decreased in AGN-Ph group 3 than control group. And after 6 times AGN-Ph treatment, the mean of edema rate was significantly decreased in AGN-Ph group 1, 2, 3 than control group. 2. The mean of body weight was significantly increased in AGN-Ph group 1, 3 than control group and saline group. 3. The mean of IFN-${\gamma}$ was significantly increased in AGN-Ph group 3 than control group. 4. The mean of TNF-${\alpha}$ was significantly increased in saline group than control group. But the mean of TNF-${\alpha}$ in AGN-Ph group 2, 3 showed no significance compared with control group's. 5. In hematologic assay, levels of WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit showed no significance in all groups. Conclusions : These results are suggest that the Angelica gigas NAKAI pharmacopuncture(AGN-Ph) at $ST_{36}$ and $BL_{23}$ has a suppressing inflammation effect on Freund's adjuvant arthritis in rats.