• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.117-127
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• 2005

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine if Plantaginis Semen herbal acupuncture(PSA) has a protective effect on glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rats. Methods : Rats were dehydrated for 24hr and then injected with 4 ml/kg of 50% glycerol in each hindlimb muscle. In experiments for PSA effect, rats were received 0.1 ml of PSA extraction in both sides of corresponding $Sh\grave{e}nsh\bar{u}(BL_{23})$ of human body for 3 days after injection of glycerol. The experimental group were divided into the normal group, the control group, the sample 1,2,3 group. Results : Glycerol injection decreased glomerular filtration rate and increased urine volume, serum creatinine, BUN level and fractional excretion of $Na^+,\;K^+\;and\;Cl^-$. These results show that glycerol injection bring about acute renal failure. PSA significantly increased glomerular filtration rate and significantly decreased serum creatinine, BUN level and fractional excretion of $Na^+,\;and\;Cl^-$ as compared with control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that PSA can be used in prevention and treatment for acute renal failure. However, the precise mechanisms of PSA protection remain to be determined.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low frequency electro-acupuncture at ST39 on intestinal motility in rats. Methods : Intestinal hypermotility and hypomotility in rats were induced by oral carbachol ingestion and loperamide injection. Rats were divided into seventeen experimental groups including the normal and holder groups. The rats were induced with intestinal hypermotility and hypomotility and divided into pre and post-treatment groups. I also carried out acupuncture (needle retention) and low frequency electro-acupuncture at ST39 or the sham point. I fed charcoal to rats after the treatment and calculated its distance travelled in the gastrointestinal tract, which was compared by groups so as to determine which treatment was more effective in increasing or decreasing intestinal motility. Results : 1. In normal rats, low frequency electro-acupuncture at ST39 showed no significant effect on intestinal motility. 2. Pre-treatment with acupuncture (needle retention) at ST39 on intestinal motility over-activated with carbachol significantly decreased intestinal motility in rats. 3. Pre-treatment with low frequency electro-acupuncture at ST39 on intestinal motility over-activated with carbachol significantly decreased intestinal motility in rats. 4. Pre-treatment with acupuncture (needle retention and low frequency electro-acupuncture) at ST39 showed no significant effect on intestinal hypomotility in rats that was induced by loperamide injection. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture (needle retention) and low frequency electro-acupuncture at ST39 have preventive effects on intestinal hypermotility. Regardless of the stimulation method, ST39 showed an effect on intestinal motility. Further study is required to confirm other effects of ST39.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.55-69
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• 2008

Objective : We investigated the effects of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on autonomic nervous system with the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in adult man. as well as we tried to observe how distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Method : We investigated the effects of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on autonomic nervous system with the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in adult man. as well as we tried to observe how distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. 1 healthy volunteers consisted of 31 subjects in experiment(distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture) group and 30 subjects in control(Normal Saline) group. Study form was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. 31 subjects in experiment group were injected distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong) and 30 subjects in control group were injected Normal Saline at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong). except of 2 subjects(in control group) who can't be measured and 11 subjects(7 in experiment group and 4 in control group) who move or make unforceable error during measuring. Finally 24 subject in experiment group and 24 subject in control group are studied. We measured HRV by PolyG-I on 7 times : before and after injection per 5 minutes during 30 minutes. The SPSS 10.0 for windows was used to analyze the data and the paired t-test(in group) and Student t-test(between two groups) were used to verify the result. Result : 1. After distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture injection, Mean HRV is significantly low only for first 5 minute, SDNN is significantly high after 5 minute, Complexity is significantly low after 5 minute, HRV index is significantly high after 10 minute and pNN50 is significantly low after 5 minute. 2. SDNN of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 20minute to 25minute, and pNN50 of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly decreased from 10minute to 15minute and 20 minute to 30 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. 3. After distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture injection, Ln(TP), Ln(VLF) and Ln(LF) are significantly high after 5 minute, normalized LF is significantly high after 5 minute and normalized HF is significantly low after 5 minute. 4. Ln(TP) and Ln(VLF) of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 20minute to 25 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. Conclusion : The results suggest that distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture in healthy adult man tend to activate the autonomic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system compared to Normal Saline within normal range.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.149-163
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review RCTs on pharmacopuncture treatment for musculoskeletal diseases and to establish standards of pharmacopuncture treatment model. Methods : We searched articles up to date of March 2009 via computerized databases of Pubmed, The Journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Journal of Korean institute of Herbal Acupuncture, Journal of Oriental Rehabilitation and Journal of Korean Oriental Medicine. Only Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) concerning the effects of pharmacopuncture on musculoskeletal diseases. The pharmacopuncture treatment methods were assessed based on STRICTA and items considering the feature of pharmacopuncture. And the methodological quality of the trials was assessed by FEAS and modified Jadad score. Results : Eighteen trials of pharmacopuncture on musculoskeletal diseases were analyzed. Except for 4 trials comparing the effect of SBV and BV, positive outcome was reported in ten trials. Among eighteen trials; most of the trials were about Bee Venom acupuncture, and most of the trials used about five acupuncture points, mainly local acupuncture points. But, the amount of injection to each point and total injection were various. And most of trials were lack in the information about method of stimulation. The adjusted FEAS score ranged from 0 to 12, and modified Jadad scoreranged from 1 to 5. Conclusions: To standardize pharmacopuncture treatment, we need more well-designed, high quality clinical trials. And methodological assessment tools designed for pharmacopuncture treatment are also needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.231-246
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• 2000

Acupuncture has been used for treatment of numerous diseases, especially for pain control in the oriental culture. However, the mechanism of pain control by acupuncture was not clear so far. The present study was examined that the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) applied to the acu-point of extra-segmental area on modulation of formalin induced pain in Sprague - Dawley rats. In order to apply EA to acu-points in the plantar area of right fore paws, a pair of teflon - coated stainless steel wires were implanted in HT 7 (shin-mun) and PC 7 (dae-neong) 5 days before behavioral test. A behavioral test was performed by means of video camera after injection of 5% formalin ($50{\mu}l$) into the lateral plantar region of left hind paw. EA was delivered by a constant current stimulator at 4~5 mA, 2 ms, and 10 Hz for 30 min. The electromyographic activities were recorded in the biceps femoris muscle under chloral hydrate anesthesia. Test stimuli with 1~9mA were applied to the sural nerve territory including the medial portion of the 4th toe and the lateral portion of the 5th toe. Behavioral responses including favoring, flinching and bitting were occured in the biphasic pattern, such as the lst 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 Che behavioral responses. EMG activities of flexor reflex had a latency of 100~300 ms and thresholds of test stimuli for EMG were 4~5 mA in normal rats. Injection of formalin decreased threshold of test stimuli and increased EMG activities for 2hrs after injection. However, EA significantly inhibited EMG activities of flexor reflex increased by formalin and recovered EMG evoked thresholds. These results suggest that contralateral extra-segmental EA inhibits the first and second phases of formalin induced pain but their mechanism be needed to examine additionally.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.247-259
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• 2000

Objective : The mechanism of acupuncture to increase cerebral blood flow is still uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neural basis of acupuncture by comparing the cerebral regions activated by the stimulation of two different methods of acupunctures at the same acupoint which was suggested by oriental medicine to increase rCBF. Materials and Methods : Thirty-nine healthy volunteers(26 males, 13 females, age $31{\pm}11$ years) were studies by rest/acupuncture Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT using a subtraction method. SPECTs using two methods(needle retention and heated needle with 90% alcohol) at two acupoints (right LI. 4 and ST. 36) were peformed at an interval of three days. For the needle retention method, acupuncture needle was inserted to a depth of about 2 cm into each acupoint 8 minutes after the lst acquisition and continued to retain, and the second injection of Tc-99m ECD was done 15 minutes after the insertion of needle. For the heated acupuncture method, heated needle was inserted in a twinkle within several msec 20 second after the second injection of Tc-99m ECD. The differences of between rest and acupuncture activation state were statistically analyzed using a statistical parametric mapping software. Result : Acupunctures of both methods reveal similar patterns of increase in rCBF. Acupuncture at ST.36 increase rGBF in left anterior temporal, right inferior frontal lobes, and left cerebellum. Acupuncture at LI. 4 increase rCBF in the left frontal cortex, right temporal pole, both inferior frontal cortices and right cerebellum. Conclusion : The effects of two different acupunctures to the same acupoints on rCBF were similar. Therefore, this result suggests Chat the mechanism of acupuncture in the increase of cerebral blood flow have a neural basis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effect of Korean medical treatment, specifically Homnis Placenta pharmacopuncture, bee venom injection and Danggwisu-powder, on a patient suffering from a lateral malleolus avulsion fracture. Methods : A 63-year-old female patient suffering from right ankle pain due to lateral malleolus avulsion fracture was treated with Homnis Placenta pharmacopuncture, bee venom injection, and herbal medicine(Danggwisu-powder). from May 20th to June $16^{th}$ of 2015. The change in patientcondition was measured with the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, the verbal numerical rating scale, and via the ankle's range of motion. Results : After treatment, all obtained results showed improvement. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale increased from 18 to 71, the verbal numerical rating scale changed from 8 to 3, and the ankle's range of motion improved. Conclusions : This study suggests that Korean medical care focused on Homnis Placenta pharmacopuncture, bee venom injection and Danggwisu-powder can be effective to treat lateral malleolus avulsion fracture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.37-50
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• 2004

Objective : In this study, we investigated the effects of Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal-acupuncture(HHT) at a acupoint, $G_{21}$(Kyonjong) on the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in adults, as well as we tried to observe how HHT affects on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : The subject were comprised of 20 healthy adults, who didn't take any drugs which affected on the autonomic nervous system and had normal sinus rhythm in electrocardiogram. The control group was comprised of 9 subjects, who were injected normal saline at $G_{21}$(Kyonjong). The experiment group consisted of 10 subjects, who were injected HHT at $G_{21}$(Kyonjong). We measured HRV by CANS 3000 on three times : before, immediately after, and 20 minutes after injection. The SPSS 10.0 for windows was used to analyze the date and the Wilcoxon signed rank test (in group) and Mann-Whitney U-test(between two groups) were used to verify the results. Results : The following results were obtained ; 1. In each group, Mean-HRV and Mean-RR showed a significant change during 20 minutes after injection. But there were no significant difference between two groups(p>0.05). 2. In experiment group, 20 minutes after injection, norm LF and LHR showed a significant decrease and norm HF showed a significant increase. There were significant difference between two groups(p<0.05). Conclusions : The findings suggest that HHT at $G_{21}$(Kyonjong) in adults relatively activate parasympathetic nervous system and inactivate sympathetic nervous system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.691-696
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• 2011

In order to the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture (EA), the present study examined the effects of electroacupuncture inacupoint ST36 (Stomach 36) on trimethyltin chloride (TMT)-induced cognitive impairments rat using the Morris water maze (MWM) task and immunohistochemistry staining. The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: naive rat (Normal), TMT injection rat (Control), TMT injection + EA treated rat inacupoint ST36 (ST36) and TMT injection + EA treated rat in non-acupoint, base of tail (Non-AC). Electroacupuncture (2Hz, 2mA, and 10 minutes)was applied either to the acupuncture point ST36 or the nonacupuncture point in the tail for the last 14 days. In the water maze test, the animals were trained to find a platform in a fixed position during 4d and then received 60s probe trial on the $5^{th}$ day following removal of platform from the pool. Rats with TMT injection showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks and treatment with EA in acupoint ST36 (P<0.05) produced a significant improvement in escape latency to find the platform after $2^{nd}$ day and retention trial in the Morris water maze. Consistent with behavioral data, treatment with EA in acupoint ST36 also significantly increased expression of Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampus compared to the Control group. These results demonstrated that EA in acupoint ST36 has a protective effect against TMT-induced neuronal and cognitive impairments. The present study suggests that EA in acupoint ST36 might be useful in the treatment of TMT-induced learning and memory deficit.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.107-124
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• 2008

We investigated the effects of distilled Astragali Radix Herbal Acupuncture on autonomic nervous system with the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in adult man. as well as we tried to observe how distilled Astragali Radix Herbal Acupuncture on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : We investigated on 61 healthy volunteers consisted of 31 subjects in experiment(distilled Astragali Radix Herbal Acupuncture) group and 30 subjects in control(Normal Saline) group. Study form was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. 31 subjects in experiment group were injected distilled Astragali Radix Herbal Acupuncture at GB21(Kyonjong) and 30 subjects in control group were injected Normal Saline at GB21(Kyonjong). except of 2 subjects(in control group) who can't be measured and 10 subjects(6 in experiment group and 4 in control group) who move or make unforceable error during measuring. Finally 25 subject in experiment group and 24 subject in control group are studied. We measured HRV by PolyG-I on 7 times : before and after injection per 5 minutes during 30 minutes. The SPSS 10.0 for windows was used to analyze the data and the paired t test(in group) and Student t test(between two groups) were used to verify the result. Results : I. After distilled Astragali Radix Herbal Acupuncture injection, SDNN is significantly high from 5 minute to 10 minute and from 15 minute to 30 minute, Complexity is significantly low from 20 minute to 30minute. HRV index is significantly mgb for first 20 minute and from 25 minute to 30 minute, RMSSD is significantly high only from 15 minute to 20 minute. 2. HRV index of distilled Astragali Radix Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 25 minute to 30 minute, pNN50 of distilled Astragali Radix Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly decreased from 25 minute to 30 minute and RMSSD of distilled Astragali Radix Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 25 minute to 30 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. 3. After distilled Astragali Radix Herbal Acupuncture injection, Ln(TP) is significantly high from 5 minute to 10 minute and from 15 minute to 30 minute. Ln(VLF) is significantly high after 5 minute, Ln(LF) is significantly high after 15 minute and Ln(HF) is significantly high from 5 minute to 10 minute and 25 minute to 30 minute, but significantly low for first 5 minute and from 10 minute to 20 minute. Normalized LF is significantly high after 20 minute and Normalized LF is significantly low after 20 minute. Conclusions : The results suggest that distilled Astragali Radix Herbal Acupuncture in healthy adult man tend to activate the autonomic nervous system within normal range. This result is derived from that parasympathetic nervous system was continuously activated and sympathetic nervous system was activated a little later.