• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.79-89
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• 2024

Objectives : We aimed to identify the effects of acupuncture treatment on alleviating pain and depression and modulating brain neural activity in the neuropathic pain and depression comorbidity mouse model (PDCM). Methods : We performed partial sciatic nerve ligation on the right hind paw of mice to induce neuropathic pain and injected reserpine (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) for 10 days from the day of the surgery to induce pain and depression. Acupuncture treatment was performed for 10 days at the following locations: 1) ST36 and SP6 (Joksamni and Sameumgyo; JS), 2) KI1 and HT7 (Yongcheon and Sinmun; YS), 3) LR1, PC9, KI10, and PC3 (Pericardium tonification; PT), or 4) LR1, HT9, KI10, and HT3 (Heart tonification; HT). Pain-like behavior was measured using the von Frey test and depressive-like behavior was assessed using the open field test. Then, the c-Fos expression was analyzed in the brain regions of neocortex, striatum, hypothalamus, hippocampus, midbrain, and medulla to examine brain neural activity. Results : In PDCM, pain-like behavior was alleviated by acupuncture treatment on the JS, YS, PT, and HT, and depressive-like behavior was improved by acupuncture treatment on the JS and YS. JS and YS were derived as an optimized acupoint combination for improving neuropathic pain and depression comorbidity. Brain neural activities in the neocortex (infralimbic cortex) and hypothalamus (paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus; PVN) were commonly altered by both JS and YS acupuncture treatments. In addition, neural activities in the neocortex (prelimbic cortex; PrL) and midbrain (substantia nigra, lateral part of the dorsal raphe nucleus) were altered exclusively by JS acupuncture treatment, while changes in the area 2 of the anterior cingulate cortex and the cornu ammonis 3 of the hippocampus were specific to YS acupuncture treatment. Brain neural activity in the PrL and PVN regions was significantly correlated with changes in pain behavior. Conclusions : Both JS and YS acupuncture treatments alleviated pain and depressive-like behaviors, which were associated with modulation of neural activities in the neocortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and midbrain.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.144-150
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• 2004

We have investigated the effect of calcium spirulan(Ca-SP) isolated from a blue-green alga Spirulina platensis, which is a sulfated polysaccharide chelating calcium and mainly composed of rhamnose and fructose, on invasion of both B16- BL6 melanoma cells, Colon 26 carcinoma and HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells through reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel). Ca-SP significantly inhibited the invasion of these tumor cells through Matrigel/fibronectin-coated filters in a concentration-dependent manner. Ca-SP also inhibited the haptotactic migration of tumor cells to laminin, but it had no inhibitory effect on tumor cell migration to fibronectin-coated filters. Ca-SP prevented the adhesion of B16-BL6 cells to Matrigel- and laminin-substrates but did not affect the adhesion to fibronectin. The pretreatment of tumor cells with Ca-SP inhibited the adhesion to laminin in a concentration-dependent fashion, while the pretreatment of laminin-substrates did not. Ca-SP had no effect on the production and activation of type IV collagenase in gelatin zymography. In contraset, Ca-SP significantly inhibited degradation of heparan sulfate by purified heparanase. The experimental lung metastasis was significantly reduced by co-injection of B16-BL6 cells with Ca-SP in a dose-dependent manner. Seven intermittent ⅰ.ⅴ. injection of 100$\mu\textrm{g}$ of Ca-SP caused a marked decrease of lung tumor colonization of B16-BL6 cells in a spontaneous lung metastasis model. These results suggest that Ca-SP, a novel sulfated polysaccharide, could reduce the lung colonization of B16-BL6 melanoma cells in experimental metastasis model, by inhibiting the tumor invasion of basement membrane Matrigel, probably through the prevention of the adhesion and migration of tumor cells to laminin-substrate and of the heparanase activity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2019

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the current trends in experimental studies on the acupuncture moxibustion treatment for visceral hypersensitivity. Methods : PubMed was searched for experimental studies about visceral hypersensitivity and acupuncture/moxibustion. Data were extracted and tabulated from the selected articles about experimental method, intervention, result and mechanism. Results : Total 23 articles were reviewed. Chronic visceral hypersensitivity animal model was applied in 17 studies (74%). Visceral hypersensitivity was measured by abdominal withdrawal reflex scoring or/and abdominal electromyogram. Acupoints like ST25, ST36, ST37, BL25, LI11, BL32 and PC6 were treated by electroacupuncture or moxibustion. All articles reported that electroacupuncture or moxibustion treatment is significantly effective in reducing visceral hypersensitivity. Treatment mechanisms were studied, related to mast cell, serotonin (5-HT) and receptor (5-HT3R and 5-HT4R), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), c-fos positive cell, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), purinergic 2X (P2X)2, P2X3, P2X4, P2X7, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NR1 and NR2B), prokinectin (PK) 1 and PK2. Conclusions : Evidences on acupuncture/moxibustion treatment for visceral hypersensitivity in animal studies warrant more research on effective acupoins, electro-acupuncture methods and treatment durations.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.177-192
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• 2004

Objectives : This study is designed to investigate the pathology, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy applicable of the dementia through literature of oriental medicine. Results : The findings of this study are as follows ; 1. The cause of dementia is internal damage of seven emotions(七情內傷), deficiency of the kidney essence(腎精不足), retention of dampness in the mental(痰迷心竅). 2. The acupuncture meridians used often for dementia are $Tok-maek(GV),\;Chok-t'aeyang\;Pang-gwang-Ky\check{o}ng(BL),\;Chok-yangm\check{o}yng\;Wi-Ky\check{o}ng(ST),\;Su-gwor\check{u}m\;Shimp'o-Ky\check{o}ng(PC),\;Su-so\check{u}m\;Shim-Ky\check{o}ng(HT)$. 3. The spots on the body suiTable for acupuncture used for therapy of the dementia are 98 points and extra points are 6 points, total therapeutic acupunture points are 104 points. And acupunture points are frequently used Shinmun(神門-HT7, 24), Paek'oe(百會-GV20, 19), Chok-samni(足三里-ST36, 18), Sugu(水溝-GV26, 17), P'ungnyung(豊隆-ST40, 16), Taech'u(大椎-GV14, 14), $Sam\check{u}mgyo(三陰交-SP6,\;14)$, Shimsu(心兪-BL15, 14), $Taen\check{u}ng(大陵-PC7,\;11)$, Nogung(勞宮-PC8, 11), Sosang(少商-LU11, 10), Kansa(間使-PC5, 10), Naegwan(內關-PC6, 10). 4. The acupoints used often on moxibustion are Paek'oe(百會-GV20), Chang-gang(長强-GV1), Taech'u(大椎-GV14), Kansa(間使-PC5). Conclusion : It is recommended that further study of many sided investigations in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.187-195
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• 2012

Objectives : Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) is a progressive and incurable disease that causes degeneration of the motor neurons of the brain stem and spinal cord. The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of Sa-am acupuncture treatment on ALS patient. Methods : Following the stabilization period, a ALS patient respiratory figures(Et $C_{O2}$, Sp $_{O2}$, RR, pulse) were measured by using capnography & pulse oximetry for 30 minutes before acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture treatment such as lung tonification($SP_3(+){\cdot}LU_9(+){\cdot}HT_8(-){\cdot}LU_{10}(-)$), heart tonification($HT_9(+){\cdot}LR_1(+){\cdot}SI_8(-){\cdot}KI_{10}(-)$), liver tonification ($KI_{10}(+){\cdot}LR_8(+){\cdot}LU_8(-){\cdot}LR_4(-)$) were conducted for 5 days. Each Sa-am acupuncture treatment conducted at AM 7 : 00, AM 11 : 00, PM 4 : 30 of the day. During acupuncture treatment, the patient respiratory figures were measured equally for 30 minutes. The patient was treated by using Dong-bang acupuncture needles($0.30{\times}4.0$) and also stimulated using infra red. Results : The value of Et $C_{O2}$ has decreased more after Sa-am acupuncture lung tonification treatment than others. The value of pulse has decreased more after Sa-am acupuncture heart tonification treatment than others. The value of raspiration rate has decreased more after Sa-am acupuncture liver tonification treatment than others. And the value of Sp $O_2$ has increased more after Sa-am acupuncture liver tonification treatment than others. Conclusions : Although this study was subject to a few limitations, but it shows that Sa-am acupuncture treatment for ALS patients has a meaningful effect. This study needs to be developed further using a larger sample size to obtain more valuable and meaningful data.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.35-57
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze literature on oriental medicine to investigate the pathology, acupuncture, and moxibustion therapy applicable to alopecia Methods : We searched for the causes of alopecia in the bibliographic data from 41 sources of literature and the acupunctural treatments for alopecia in the bibliographic data from 49 sources of Chinese and Korean literature and from the journals of the acupunctural treatments for alopecia which have been published since 2000. Results : 1. The main causes of alopecia are blood deficiency, blood heat, static blood, depletion of kidney's water, wind excess, seven emotional damage, dietary damage, etc. 2. The acupuncture points frequently used are $GV_{20}$, $GB_{20}$, $ST_{36}$, $SP_6$, $SP_{10}$, $BL_{17}$, $BL_{18}$, $BL_{23}$, $GV_{23}$, $GV_{14}$, $CV_6$, $ST_8$, $KI_3$, $LR_3$, $HT_7$, $LI_{11}$, EX-$HN_1$, and ouch point. 3. New acupuncture therapies, including herbal acupuncture therapy, ear acupuncture therapy, dermal needle therapy, needle-embedding therapy and scalp acupuncture therapy are frequently used to treat alopecia. Conclusions : The acupuncture points frequently used for treating alopecia have characteristics such as tonifying blood, tonifying the liver and kidney, extinguishing wind, activating blood, clearing heat and draining dampness, so they are highly associated with the causes and the mechanisms of alopecia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment studies of tic disorder in traditional chinese medicine. Methods : We reviewed the 16 studies about acupuncture treatment of tic disorder which were published from 2005 through 2007. We selected those studies from CNKI(中國知識基礎設施工程 http://www.cnki.net). Results : Selected 16 studies were divided into 8 case reports and 8 control studies. CCMD(6 studies) and DSM(4 studies) were frequently used in the diagnosis of tic disorder. Acupuncture points frequently used were 百會(Baekhoe, $GV_{20}$), 太衝(Taechung, $LR_3$), 風池(Pungji, $GB_{20}$), 合谷(Hapgok, $LI_4$), 神門(Sinmun, $HT_7$), 三陰交(Sameumgyo, $SP_6$), 內關(Naegwan, $PC_6$) and so on. According to specific parts of symptom, some acupuncture points were added. Most of studies reported that acupuncture treatments of tic disorder were very effective. Conclusions : There have been reported many acupuncture treatment studies of tic disorder in traditional chinese medicine. We believe that these studies could be applied to the clinical practices in Korea.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.141-155
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• 2003

Method : Chronic motor tic or vocal tic disorders are characterized which have one of the two kinds of tics for more than a year. It is characterized chronic motor tic or vocal tic disorders that have one of the two kinds of tics for more than a year. But Tourette's disorder is a disease which has one or more motor tics and vocal tics for more than a year. Contemporary empirical studies have suggested the rate of comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) or obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD) in children with tic disorders be high. Objects : As society is confusing, tic disorders are increasing. Therefore, determining the treatment strategy in children with tic disorders is very important. So we studied the literatures of traditional chinese medicine about tic disorders and reported the results. Results : The principals for medical treatment were So-gan(疏肝), I-gi(理氣), Sik-pung(熄風), Gin-kyung(鎭痙), Chung-oel(淸熱) etc. Medicines treatment is used more than acupuncture treatment. The herbs are used Uncariae ramulus et Uncus(釣鉤藤), Paeoniae Radix Alba(白芍藥), Poria(白茯岺), Glycyrrhizae Radix(甘草), Bupleuri Radi.x(柴胡), Fossilia ossis Mastodi(龍骨) etc. in the order named. Acupuncture points were used Naegwan(PC6), Shinmuin(HT7), P'ungnyur4(ST40), Paek'oe. (GV20), Chung-wan(CV12), Samumgye(SP6), Kongson(SP4), T'aech'ung(LR3) and so on.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1186-1197
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• 2022

Objectives: A case study about the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment in a psychogenic tremor patient. Case presentation: A 36-year-old male diagnosed with psychogenic tremor with low back pain underwent 29 days of inpatient treatment and 4 weeks of outpatient treatment. His pattern identification was a psychogenic tremor of the weakness of the heart and gall bladder (SimDamHeoGup) type. The treatments were herbal medicine and acupuncture. He took Cheongshimondam-tang for 29 days and Chunwangbosim-dan for 6 weeks when he had symptoms. He also received acupuncture for 20 minutes twice a day at GB20 (Pungji), L14 (Hapgok), HT4 (Yeongdo), PC6 (Naegwan), HT7 (Sinmun), GB34 (Yangleungcheon), ST36 (Joksamni), SP6 (Sameumgyo), and LR3 (Taechung). After 8 weeks of treatment, the Fahn Tolosa Marin rating (FTM) scale of his tremor, at rest, dropped from Grade 4 on both upper extremities, trunk, and both lower extremities at the time of admission to Grade 2 in both upper extremities and trunk, and Grade 0 in both lower extremities at the time of discharge. His Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score decreased from 38 to 7, and his numerical rating scale (NRS) decreased from 8 to 1 for low back pain and from 9 to 2 for tremor. A follow-up visit to the hospital 2 months after the end of treatment confirmed continued symptom improvements and no significant side effects. Conclusions: This study suggests the possibility of treating psychogenic tremor using only Korean medicine treatments. Further studies with control groups and long-term follow-up are needed.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.623-629
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• 2016

(1S,2S,3E,7E,11E)-3,7,11,15-cembratetraen-17,2-olide (LS-1), a marine cembrenolide diterpene, has anticancer activity against colon cancer cells such as HT-29, SNU-C5/5-FU (fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5) and SNU-C5. However, the action mechanism of LS-1 on SNU-C5 human colon cancer cells has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether the anticancer effect of LS-1could result from apoptosis via the modulation of $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin and the TGF-${\beta}$ pathways. When treated with the LS-1, we could observe the apoptotic characteristics such as apoptotic bodies and the increase of sub-G1 hypodiploid cell population, increase of Bax level, decrease of Bcl-2 expression, cleavage of procaspase-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in SNU-C5 cells. Furthermore, the apoptosis induction of SNU-C5 cells upon LS-1 treatment was also accompanied by the down-regulation of $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway via the decrease of GSK-$3{\beta}$ phosphorylation followed by the decrease of ${\beta}$-catenin level. In addition, the LS-1 induced the activation of TGF-${\beta}$ signaling pathway with the decrease of carcinoembryonic antigen which leads to decrease of c-Myc, an oncoprotein. These data suggest that the LS-1 could induce the apoptosis via the down-regulation of $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin pathway and the activation of TGF-${\beta}$ pathway in SNU-C5 human colon cancer cells. The results support that the LS-1 might have potential for the treatment of human colon cancer.