• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.223-233
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• 2004

Objective: As a manual accupucture method, the twirling-needle treatment has been known more effective in relieving pain than the conventional simple accupuncture treatment. Finding a proper treatment condition is difficult because of the lack of a quantative measurement of the alleviation of pain made by acupuncture. In this research, the authors propose the use of infrared thermal images in a formalin test to quantatively verify the effect of twirling. Methods: After injecting 10%~20% formalin into the tail of rats, the infrared thermal images(ITI) have been obtained to estimate the thermal distribution caused by inflammation. The authors propose a processing method to measure the thermal distribution from the thermal images obtained from the infrared camera as a pain model of the formalin test. Results: The pain model obtained from the infrared thermal image has two phases. The first phase, which is a transient period, is the initial 20 minutes when the pain is developed after the formalin injection. The second phase, which is a steady state, is where the development of pain lasts for 60 minutes or more after the first stage. This characteristic of the proposed model based on ITI is consistent with that of the pain model reported by other researchers whose works are based on the time-course of flinching and licking/biting, following a different concentration of formalin. It is noticed that the response of the thermal distribution obtained from ITI shows very high correlation to the behavioral response in the formalin test performed by Kazuhiro Okuda and four others5). In addition, the authors propose an ITI method to determine the pain-reducing effect of the acupuncture. The thermal distribution obtained from the experiment shows that there is significant pain reducing effect made by the twirling-needle method.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2005

Objective : The present study was carried out to investigate the preventive effect of Several Herb-combind Prescription(SHP) on Streptozotocin (STZ) -induced Diabetes mellitus. Methods : SHP was given to rats with the combination of oral administration and herbal-acupuncture stimulation. The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups : normal group of rats, control group of STZ-induced diabetic rats, sample group with SHP treatment. In vitro test of SHP showed ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition, DPPH radical scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Experimental diabetes was induced by the injection of STZ(60mg/kg) to the rat via the peritoneum. The effect of SHP on STZ-induced diabetes was observed by measuring the seum level of insulin, glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol and lipid peroxides. Hepatic activities of catalase and reduced glutathione were examined and insulin granule was observed by immunohistochemical examination. Result : STZ caused hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia by a selectively destroying pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell. SHP treatment protected them from the hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. STZ induced increase of serum triglyceride lowered by SHP treatment. And by SHP treatment, pancrease showed a big area with positive immuno-reactivity for presence of insulin with many insulin granules distributed in the ${\beta}$-cells in the islets of Langerhans. Contusions : The SHP treatment showed protective effect on diabetic rat model, and action mechanism of the effect was thought to be concerned with anti-oxidative stress.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.169-189
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• 2000

To investigate effects of vanous herbal-acupuncture, which were Daebangpungtang, Oyaksungisan, Dokhwalgisaengtang, and Binsosan on Adjuvant Arthritis in rats, the edema rate, the number of WBC, the quantity of TNF-${\alpa}$, COX -2, and IL-6, and histological test of the muscular tissue were measured in the arthritis part. After elicilating arthritis of Sprague Dawely(SD) rats by injection of Freund's complets adjuvant for 2 weeks, saline was injected for the control group, Daebangpungtang acua-acupuncture was injected for the Daebangpungtang group, Oyaksungisan acua-acupuncture was injected for the Oyaksungisan group, Dokhwalgisaengtang acua-acupuncture was injected for the Dokhwalgisaengtang group, and Binsosan acua-acupuncture was injected for the Binsosan group during 30days. Selected point was ST35 in all groups. 1. The number of WBC was $8.24{\pm}0.51$($10^3$/ml) in the normal group and $27.35{\pm}3.51$($10^3$/ml) in the control group. the Daebangpungtang group and the Oyaksungisan group decreased each $20.42{\pm}2.75$($10^3$/ml) and $19.78{\pm}4.99$($10^3$/ml) in the Exp.ll group. This fact showed that the group Exp.ll was more effective than the control group effectively. (P<0.05) 2. The volume of the paw were checked. The volume of paw was $0.62{\pm}0.11mm in the control group and $0.45{\pm}0.08$mm in the Daebangpungtang group and $0.47{\pm}0.07$mm in the Oyaksungisan group, the swelling of the paw was restricted significantly in the Daebangpungtang and Oyaksungisan group(P<0.05) 3. The bands of the TNF-${\alpa}$, COX -2 in the muscular tissue of the control group wcre certain and thick than other groups(except normal group), and the band of the IL-6 in the muscular tissue of all group(except normal group) were similar forms. 4. In histological finding, because of severe inflammatory reaction, remarkably irregular tissue and large amount of inflammatory cells were found in thc control and Dokhwalgisaengtang group. But the Oyaksungisan and Daebangpul1gtang group showed small amount of inflammatory cells, the refrained inflammatory state and even recovering state. From these results, it is showed Oyaksugisan and Daebangpungtang acua-acupuncturc refrain inflammatory reaction and muscular tissue necrosis in SD rats paw were induced by Freund's complete adjuvant

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.103-108
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• 2010

Objectives : This study is to report the percentage of localized itching which occurred, when we injected to patients with Sweet Bee Venom(Sweet BV). Methods : We investigated 374 patients who had injected with Sweet BV in our clinic from February 15. 2009 to April 30, 2010. We checked the number and percentage of patients who occured localized itching on injection area. Then we analyzed those according to times in treatment, the body parts of injection and treatment dosage. Results and Conclusion : Localized itching was lower by 1.60% in the first treatment with Sweet BV. However localized itching was 12.83% in the whole course of treatment, which showed a similar incidence of 13% in Bee Venom. Therefore it can be interpreted that Sweet BV may help suppress the immune responses such as itching in the initial treatment, but the occurrence of local immune responses of Sweet BV may be similar to that of Bee Venom in continued treatment. We suppose that we should be careful of the occurrence of local immune responses as Bee Venom at least until the fourth treatment in clinical application with Sweet BV, although localized itching did not occur in the first treatment. Also we should be careful of treatment with Sweet BV in body parts, such as wrist, hand, chest and abdominal, because the percentage of localized itching was relatively high in those parts.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.5-12
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• 2008

Objective In this article, we report on the intradermal Alcian blue staining method for tracing the meridians of acupuncture. Methods 1% Alcian blue solution was injected into acupoints by using a 0.5mL insulin syringe with a 31-gauge needle, then the skin was incised and was observed under a stereoscopic microscope. The specimens were examined by using immunohistochemical methods and were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Results A threadlike structure, which was visualized with Alcian blue, existed in dermis layer and proceeded to hypodermis. In this structure, characteristic alignments of rod- shaped nuclei and $1-2{\mu}m$ sized DNA granules were observed. Furthermore, abundant blood capillary plexuses, peripheral nerve endings, and a corpuscle-like structure(about $300{\mu}m$ in diameter) were visualized in the skin tissues of acupoints. Conclusion It was concluded that the specific threadlike and corpuscle-like structures corresponded to superficial Bonghan duct and corpuscle, respectively.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.117-133
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• 1998

The purpose of this morphological study was to investigate the relationship to facial nerve and LI4 related to the large intestine meridian. The common locations of the spinal cord and brain projecting to the LI4 and facial nerve were observed fallowing injection of transsynaptic neurotropic virus, pseudorabis virus(PRV), into the LI4 and facial nerve of the rat. After survival times of 96 hours following injection of PRV, the rats were perfused, and their spinal cord and brain were frozen sectioned(30${\mu}m$). These sections were stained by PRV immunohistochemical staining method, and observed with light microscope The results were as follows: 1. The PRV labeled spinal cord segments projecting to the LI4 and facial nerve were founded in cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral segments. Dense labeled areas of each spinal cord segment were founded in lamina IV, V, X, lateral spinal nucleus, intermediolateral nucleus and dorsal nucleus. 2. The PRV labeled medulla oblongata projecting to the LI4 and facial nerve were founded in the A1 noradrenalin cells/C1 adrenalin cells/caudoventrolateral reticular nucleus, rostroventrolateral reticular nucleus, medullary reticular nucleus, nucleus tractus solitarius, raphe obscurus nucleus, raphe pallidus nucleus, raphe magnus nucleus, gigantocellular nucleus, lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, and spinal trigeminal nucleus.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.11-24
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• 2007

Objectives : Hemiplegic shoulder pain is one of the common sequelae of stroke. Although many different methods of treatment are applied, none have yet been proved to be effective. In this study we assessed the effectiveness of bee venom in patients with shoulder pain after stroke. Methods : This study was a double blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. All subjects received either 0.6 ml bee venom injection (venom:saline = 1:10000) or 0.6ml physiological saline solution (placebo) at three acupoints. The effectiveness was assessed by visual analogue scale, pain rating score, Fugl-Meyer assessment and passive external rotation. Results : There were 24 patients in the venom group and 22 patients in the placebo group. The venom group5,hewed more effectiveness in VAS and PRS than the placebo group. Conclusions : This study suggests that bee venom injection has significant analgesic effect on hemiplegic shoulder pain. Further study based on multi-centers, larger population, and long term 1311ow-up is needed to confirm this suggestion.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-21
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• 2014

Objectives : To observe the regenerative effects of indirect moxibustion, a traditional Korean medical treatment on skeletal muscles using mouse model of skeletal muscle adiposity. Methods : Twenty seven ICR male mice were randomly assigned into Intact control(n=3), glycerol treatment together without moxibustion(n=12), and glycerol treatment together with moxibustion (n=12) groups. Mice of glycerol treatment groups were injected with 50 ${\mu}l$ DW(distilled water) containing 50 % of glycerol into the two tibialis anterior. After injection, moxibustion was applied at 'Shenshu'($BL_{23}$) and 'Zusanli'($ST_{36}$) acupoints three times per each session, every days for twelve days(total 12 treatments). Phospho-Erk1/2, Myostatin protein levels were analyzed by western blotting and immunofluo-rescence staining techniques for tissues of the tibialis anterior muscle. Smad, phospho-Smad were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. Results : 1. Histological analysis of sections from injected TA muscles showed that glycerol induced rapidly muscle necrosis, with a maximum at day 3. 6 days and 9 days after injection, muscle was regenerating. 2. According to western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, phospho-Erk1/2 protein signals in glycerol treatment with moxibustion group were stronger compared to Intact and glycerol treatment without moxibustion group. 3. According to western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, myostatin protein signals in glycerol treatment without moxibustion group were stronger compared to Intact and glycerol treatment with moxibustion group. 4. According to immunofluorescence staining, Smad protein signals in glycerol treatment without moxibustion group were stronger compared to Intact and glycerol treatment with moxibustion group. 5. According to immunofluorescence staining, phospho-Smad protein signals in glycerol treatment without moxibustion group were stronger compared to Intact and glycerol treatment with moxibustion group. Conclusions : These results confirm that indirect moxibustion of 'Shenshu'($BL_{23}$) and 'Zusanli'($ST_{36}$) influences muscle regeneration in mouse models of skeletal muscle adiposity. Further discussion, and the establishment of moxibustion mechanism will prompt clinical application of moxibustion.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-85
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• 2015

Objectives: Radix Ginseng has been traditionally used as an adaptogen that acts on the adrenal cortex and stimulates or relaxes the nervous system to restore emotional and physical balance and to improve well-being in cases of degenerative disease and/or old age. Radix Ginseng has been used for a long time, but the safety of ginseng pharmacopuncture needs testing. This study was done to analyze the single-dose toxicity of water- soluble ginseng pharmacopuncture (GP) intramuscular injections in rats. Methods: All experiments were performed at Biotoxtech, an institution authorized to perform non clinical studies under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Each group contained 10 Sprague-Dawley rats, 5 males and 5 females. GP was prepared in a sterile room at the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute under regulations of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). GP dosages were 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL for the experimental groups; normal saline was administered to the control group. The animals general condition was examined daily for 14 days, and the rats were weighed on the starting day and at 3, 7 and 14 days after administration of the pharmacopuncture. Hematological and biochemistry tests and autopsies were done to test the toxicological effect of GP after 14 days. This study was performed with approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of Biotextech. Results: No deaths were found in this single-dose toxicity test of intramuscular injections of GP, and no significant changes in the general conditions, body weights, hematological and biochemistry tests, and autopsies were observed. The local injection site showed no changes. Based on these results, the lethal dose was assumed to be over 1.0 mL/animal in both sexes. Conclusion: These results suggest that GP is relatively safe. Further studies, including a repeated toxicity test, are needed to provide more concrete evidence for the safety of GP.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.42-50
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• 2015

Objectives: The aims of the study were to test the single- dose intravenous toxicity of Daebohwalryeok pharmacopuncture (DHRP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and to estimate the crude lethal dose. Methods: The experiments were conducted at Biotoxtech Co., a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) laboratory, according to the GLP regulation and were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Biotoxtech Co. (Approval no: 110156). The rats were divided into three groups: DHRP was injected into the rats in the two test groups at doses of 10 mL/kg and 20 mL/kg, respectively, and normal saline solution was injected into the rats in the control group. Single doses of DHRP were injected intravenously into 6 week old SD rats (5 male and 5 female rats per group). General symptoms were observed and weights were measured during the 14 day observation period after the injection. After the observation period, necropsies were done. Then, histopathological tests were performed. Weight data were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by using statistical analysis system (SAS, version 9.2). Results: No deaths and no statistical significant weight changes were observed for either male or female SD rats in either the control or the test groups during the observation period. In addition, no treatment related general symptoms or necropsy abnormalities were observed. Histopathological results showed no DHRP related effects in the 20 mL/kg DHRP group for either male or female rats. Conclusion: Under the conditions of this study, the results from single-dose intravenous injections of DHRP showed that estimated lethal doses for both male and female rats were above 20 mL/kg.