• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2023

Purpose : Excessive alcohol causes damage to skeletal muscles, leading to the development of a specific disease entity called alcoholic myopathy. Chronic inflammation is related as an underlying mechanism for the loss of muscle mass induced by alcohol. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL-6 (interleukin-6) play a role in this process. The acupuncture point Feng Shi (GB 31) is located on the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, above the transverse popliteal crease. This acupoint is used for the treatment of weakness, atrophy, numbness, and post-stroke symptoms of lower limbs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Feng Shi stimulation on muscle atrophy caused by chronic alcohol administration. Method : Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight each: Normal, Control, and GB31. The rats in the Control and GB31 groups were orally given 25 % ethanol (5 ㎖/kg, body weight) daily for 4 weeks. The Normal group was similarly administered saline. The acupressure at Feng Shi was treated to rats in the GB31 group. After 4 weeks, the body weight, muscle weight and cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius were assessed and the histological changes in gastrocnemius muscle fiber were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Moreover, TNF-α and IL-6 expressions were immunohistochemistrically evaluated. Results : Acupressure stimulation at Feng Shi had a protective effect on the weight reduction of the gastrocnemius muscle caused by alcohol intake, and had an effect of suppressing anatomical change in muscle fiber and decreasing the average cross-sectional area. Also, the immunoreactivities of TNF-α and IL-6 in the GB31 group were decreased. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupressure at Feng Shi has protective effects on chronic alcohol-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting pre-inflammatory proteins such as TNF-α and IL-6.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.501-508
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• 2008

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Clematidis Radix (CR)-distillates were investigated in three different pain animal models. Highly purified distillate of CR was injected to Zusanli (ST36) acupoint, called CR herb-acupuncture in the Korean traditional medicine. In tail flick latency test, the CR herb-acupuncture treatment did not show a significant effect of relieving acute phasic pain. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of CR herb-acupuncture, inflammatory pain was induced by subcutaneous injection of formalin to the plantar tissue or intra-articular injection of carrageenan to the tibio-tarsal joint in the rats. And the medicinal effect of CR herb-acupuncture was evaluated by analyzing pain behavior such as licking or biting behavior, or by measuring weight distribution ratio between two foot and ankle circumference. In the rat formalin test, the analgesic effect of CR herb-acupuncture was more pronounced in the late phase (for 20 min after the early phase) than in the early phase (for the first 10 min post formalin injection). It also significantly alleviated the carrageenan-induced monoarthritis, in terms of weight distribution ratio and ankle edema. These results revealed that CR herb-acupuncture was effective to treat the inflammatory pain and could be used as an analgesic treatment with an antiinflammatory effect.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.37-51
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• 2012

Objectives : The objective of this study is to determine the present state of patients with breast cancer use of Korean medicine(KM) and predictive factors for the use. Through this, the present study is intended to present reasonable treatment approaches for patients with breast cancer as well as communicating correct information on KM to healthcare providers and presenting objective alternatives for patients with breast cancer management based on the subjects' experience in health benefits obtained from their use of KM. Methods : To collect data for the present study, questionnaire surveys were conducted on outpatients who visited four hospitals located in Seoul, Korea during around three weeks from May 31, 2012. Although the total number of the questionnaire sheet distributed in the form of directly asking questionnaire questions was 300, 12 incomplete questionnaire sheets were excluded. Therefore, the number of questionnaire sheets actually used in analyses was 288 and thus the collect rate was 96%. Results : Major results of this study are as follows. First, the number of subjects who responded to the questionnaire was 288 in total. Forty-six percent of the patients reported KM usage and the most commonly used ginseng and qigong/exercise. KM use was found to be associated with age, experiencing side effects of cancer treamnent. Factors that affect the use of KM were analyzed by Linear Logistic Regression and the results showed that age, experiencing side effects of cancer treatment, effectiveness of cancer treatment, and satisfaction of the treatment were factors that were related with relatively more frequent use of KM. Conclusions : Comparing the previous studies, it could be seen that patients with breast cancer were highly interested in and used KM in which conventional medicine and KM are used simultaneously. Knowledge on the integrative use of KM and conventional therapies is necessary for cancer physicians and traditional Korean medical doctors to help patients make informed choices. KM use may play a role in the positive benefits associated with process of breast center treatment. Healthcare providers should communicate correct information on the KM use that has been scientifically verified and talk with each other openly. The fact that the significant correlation between predictive factors for the use of KM was identified trough the present study is quite meaningful.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.139-147
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in brain activities when Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) is used alone compare to NDT is combined with intradermal acupuncture (IDA) treatment, using functional infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) Methods Three children less than 7 year-old with cerebral palsy were participated. On their first visit, only NDT was used. After a week, they were treated with both NDT and IDA. During the treatment, fNIRS was used to measure any changes in their brain activities. Results In first patient with NDT, oxyhemoglobin level was increased during Standing exercise and Gait training compared to resting state. When the patient was treated with NDT and IDA, oxyhemoglobin level was decreased during Standing exercise and Gait training compared to resting state, and the result was significant (p<0.05). In second patient, oxyhemoglobin level was decreased in Gait training compared to resting state when NDT was used, but the level was increased when NDT and IDA were used in Gait training compared to resting state (p<0.05). In third patient, the difference in oxyhemoglobin levels between Gait training and resting state was significant (p<0.05). Conclusions Treatment involving both NDT and IDA has more potential to improve brain activities compared to that of NDT alone, and no adverse effect was reported. In order to confirm the finding, larger scale randomized controlled trials are needed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-108
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• 2021

Background : Hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria (HHH) syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive metabolic disorder which is caused by genetic mutations that disrupt the urea cycle. It is characterized by variable clinical presentation and the age of onset. Patients may present with gait disturbance and progressive paraplegia and muscle tightness in the lower extremities. The use of botulinum toxin in metabolic disease has rarely been discussed. We describe a case of a 14-year-old-boy with HHH syndrome, who presented with a several - month history of gait disturbance and lower extremity weakness. Case presentation : A 14-year old male had a history of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, occasional vomiting, loss of appetite, and general weakness, all of which started since he was 10 months old. He was diagnosed with HHH syndrome at one year of age. At the age of 14, he was referred for the assessment and treatment of his gait disturbance and aggravated weakness of the lower extremities. Brain MRI, electrodiagnostic study and blood test were performed to exclude any lesions related to neurologic dysfunction. Botulinum toxin type A were injected into muscles of adductor longus, adductor magnus, lateral and medial hamstring, and lateral and medial gastrocnemius muscle heads under needle electromyography guidance to reduce lower limb spasticity. Intensive physical therapy including gait training and stretching exercise of adductor and calf muscles were also provided. After intensive physical therapy and botulinum toxin injection to reduce lower limb spasticity, he was able to ambulate for 20 meters independently without any walking aids. There were no adverse events after the injection. Conclusion : Botulinum toxin injection is a safe and effective therapy for patients with HHH syndrome who suffer from gait disturbance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.181-196
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• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical activity on impaired fasting glucose in adults aged 20 years or older. Methods : This study utilized raw data from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (2019~2021). The subjects of this study were 5,344 adults aged 20 years or older who were confirmed to be free of diabetes. The control variables in this study model are health behavior characteristics (subjective health status, smoking, drinking), anthropometric characteristics (body mass index), and personal background characteristics (gender, age, income level, education level, marital status). As for the analysis method, the degree of physical activity was made into a dummy variable, and a probit model was used. Results : As a result of this study, compared to quartile 1 of the relative grip strength value obtained by dividing the grip strength by the body mass index (body mass index, kg, m²), fasting blood glucose levels were significantly higher in quartile 2 (.05, p<.01), quartile 3 (.04, p<.01), and quartile 4 (.04, p<.01). It was found that the probability of belonging to the normal category was higher than that of impaired fasting glucose. In addition, in the group of adults aged 20 or older who had a lot of aerobic and anaerobic physical activity, fasting blood sugar was more likely to be in the normal category. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, it was suggested that diabetes should be managed through physical activity in the pre-diabetic stage, as prevention is important as well as treatment. From a practical point of view, muscle strength, such as grip strength, can be identified as a reliable indicator for identifying impaired fasting glucose.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.73-77
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• 2013

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are top priorities for cancer control in Korea. In terms of epidemiological, population-health and economic burden, GI cancers such as stomach, liver and colorectal cancers have been top four cancers in the nation during the past decade and this trend is likely to continue in the near future. In order to reduce the great burden of GI cancer in Korea, the nation might need the following strategies: (1) to put more focus on primary prevention on infection/diet and related research; (2) to improve screening rates for colorectal and stomach cancers, and conduct more cost-effectiveness analysis of these screening programs, e.g., Fecal Occult Blood Test vs. colonoscopy; (3) to establish a more consistent and integrative cost-effectiveness analysis system for new cancer treatments and anticancer drugs; and (4) to place more emphasis on hospice and other palliative care of GI cancer, as well as on the etiology, staging and treatment of pancreas cancer with its poor survival rate.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 2017

Objectives : In our previous study, single co-administration GMODT within 5 min significantly inhibited the oral bioavailability of tamoxifen through variable influences on the absorption and excretion of tamoxifen. Therefore, the object of this study was to elucidate the possible effects on the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen after single oral co-administration of GMODT with 2.5 hr-intervals. Methods : After 50 mg/kg of tamoxifen treatment, GMODT 100 mg/kg was administered with 2.5 hr-intervals. The plasma were collected at 30 min before administration, 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hrs after end of GMODT treatment, and plasma concentrations of tamoxifen were analyzed using LC-MS/MS methods. PK parameters of tamoxifen (Tmax, Cmax, AUC, $t_{1/2}$ and $MRT_{inf}$) were analysis as compared with tamoxifen single administered rats. Results : Two-half hr-interval co-administration with GMODT induced variable changes on the plasma tamoxifen concentrations as compared with tamoxifen single treated rats, and especially significant (p<0.05) increases of plasma tamoxifen concentrations were demonstrated at 0.5 (199.61%) and 1 hr (101.06%) after end of co-administration with GMODT, and also related significant (p<0.05) decreases of $t_{1/2}$ (-39.54%) and $MRT_{inf}$ (-43.94%) as compared with tamoxifen single formula treated rats, at dosage levels of tamoxifen 50 mg/kg and GMODT 100 mg/kg with 2.5 hr-intervals, in this experiment. Conclusions : According to the results, GMODT critically decreased on the oral bioavailability of tamoxifen through variable influences on the absorption and excretion of tamoxifen. Hence, the co-administration of GMODT and tamoxifen should be avoided in the comprehensive and integrative medicine, combination therapy of tamoxifen with GMODT on the breast cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.658-667
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze trends in Korean-Western Collaborative Medicine studies by disease group. Methods: Articles published until May 2020 were searched in domestic databases (NDSL, RISS, KISS, DBPIA, and KoreanTK) using the keywords '한양방', '양한방', '협진', '협의진료', '의한의', '의·한의', and '통합의학'. The articles were analyzed according to the publication year, journal type, research methodology, and disease group using the major and intermediate classifications of the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases (KCD-7). Results: In total, 112 articles were selected. The most frequent major disease groups were disease codes G, C (D), I, and M, in that order. The medium disease groups numbered 41 and most commonly involved collaborative studies on cerebrovascular diseases. Among the three top KCD-7 major group diseases, publications on Group C (D) were increasing significantly, publications on Group G were slightly increasing, but, publications on Group I decreased in the 2010s compared to the 2000s. Conclusions: In this study, we analyzed the frequent disease groups treated with domestic Korean-Western medicine in collaborative studies using the major and medium classifications of KCD-7. Well-designed clinical trials and economic evaluation research are needed, and this study can provide directions for future collaborative studies using Korean-Western medicine.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.303-313
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• 2024

Introduction: We describe the effects of Sosiho-tang decoction and insulin combination therapy, as well as the effect of integrated traditional Korean medicine therapy, using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in a diabetic patient complaining of a range of diabetic symptoms. Case report: A 24-year-old female presented with symptoms of diabetes, including weight loss, thirst, and polyuria, and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes through blood tests, endocrine tests, and autoantibody tests. During hospitalization, the patient received insulin therapy and Sosiho-tang decoction concurrently, achieving normal blood glucose levels. After discharge, adhering to the Sosiho-tang decoction and CGM enabled the insulin dosage to be gradually reduced while maintaining normal blood glucose levels. Conclusion: Combination therapy with insulin and Sosiho-tang rapidly reduced hyperglycemia in the short term. CGM post-discharge allowed for observation of the patient's blood glucose levels. Ultimately, Sosiho-tang medication lowered blood glucose levels, reduced insulin requirements, and facilitated a reduction in the insulin dosage.