• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.37-45
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• 2006

Purpose: This study analyzed changes in spinal neuron and action potential of motor unit depending on voluntary contraction on spinal neuron adaptation. Methods: It selected 80 university students in their twenties and divided into experimental groups of 25% MVIC (I), 50% MVIC (II), 75% MVIC (III) and 100% MVIC (IV) depending on maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and performed isometric exercise of plantar flexor muscle to each experimental group with given contraction for 20 times. It measured Mmax, H/Mmax, Hmax latency, V/Mmax, V wave latency before and after exercise, compared method and volume of contraction. Results: H/Mmax ratio showed significant difference in comparison among groups (p<0.01) and there was difference in I and IV groups. V/Mmax ratio showed significant difference in comparison among experimental groups (p<0.05) and there was difference in I and IV groups. When voluntary contraction level was maximum, changes were greatest. However, no significantly difference was to Mmax, H latency and V wave latency. Conclusion: These results suggest that amplitude changes of voluntary contraction level, spinal neuron and supra-spinal neuron had a dose connection that the more contraction level, the better central activation seem to decrease highly for a short time.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2005

Background: A nerve ligation injury may produce a tactile allodynia. The effects of intrathecally delivered lamotrigine on allodynia induced due to fifth and sixth lumbar spinal nerves ligation in rats, using lumbar intrathecal catheters were examined. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 160-180 g) were prepared by tightly ligating the fifth and sixth left lumbar spinal nerves, with the implantation of a chronic intrathecal catheter for drug administration. Mechanical allodynia and allodynic threshold were measured using von Frey filaments and the updown method, respectively. After the baseline hind paw withdrawal thresholds had been obtained, lamotrigine (10, 30, 100 and $300{\mu}g$) was administered intrathecally. Thereafter, the dose-response curves and 50% effective dose ($ED_{50}$) were obtained. Motor dysfunction was assessed by observing the righting/stepping reflex responses and abnormal weight bearing. Results: Intrathecal administration of lamotrigine produced a dose-dependent antiallodynic action ($ED_{50}=61.7{\mu}g$). Mild motor weakness was observed with $300{\mu}g$ lamotrigine, but no severe motor impairment was found. Conclusions: It is suggested that intrathecal lamotrigine could produce moderate antagonism of mechanical allodynia at the spinal level in a rat neuropathic pain model with minimal motor weakness.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.675-686
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• 2017

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is associated with symptoms including headache, dizziness, and syncope. The incidence of OH increases with age. Attenuation of the vestibulosympathetic reflex (VSR) is also associated with an increased incidence of OH. In order to understand the pathophysiology of OH, we investigated the physiological characteristics of the VSR in the disorder. We applied sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to conscious rats with sinoaortic denervation in order to induce hypotension. Expression of pERK in the intermediolateral cell column (IMC) of the T4~7 thoracic spinal regions, blood epinephrine levels, and blood pressure were evaluated following the administration of glutamate and/or SNP. SNP-induced hypotension led to increased pERK expression in the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN), rostral ventrolateral medullary nucleus (RVLM) and the IMC, as well as increased blood epinephrine levels. We co-administered either a glutamate receptor agonist or a glutamate receptor antagonist to the MVN or the RVLM. The administration of the glutamate receptor agonists, AMPA or NMDA, to the MVN or RVLM led to elevated blood pressure, increased pERK expression in the IMC, and increased blood epinephrine levels. Administration of the glutamate receptor antagonists, CNQX or MK801, to the MVN or RVLM attenuated the increased pERK expression and blood epinephrine levels caused by SNP-induced hypotension. These results suggest that two components of the pathway which maintains blood pressure are involved in the VSR induced by SNP. These are the neurogenic control of blood pressure via the RVLM and the humoral control of blood pressure via epinephrine release from the adrenal medulla.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.153-168
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• 2000

Introduction : In spite of the use of Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture in the clinics, the scientific evaluation on effects is not enough. Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture is used according to the stimulation of acupuncture point and the chemical effects of Bee Venom. The aims of this study is to investigate the analgegic effects of the Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture, through the change of writhing reflex and the change of c-fos in secondary neurons in the spinal cord. Materials and Methods : Pain animal model was used acetic acid method. The changes of writhing reflex of the mice which were derived pain by injecting acetic acid into the abdomen, after stimulating Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture on Chungwan(CV12) were measured. We used Fos immunohistochemical technique to study the neuronal activity in the spinal cord. Results : 1. Expression of c-fos in superficial dorsal horn(SDH), nucleus proprius(NP) and neck of dorsal hom(N) on 6~9th thoracic spine decreased significantly at $2.5{\times}10-4$g/kg Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture, compared with saline-acetic acid group. 2. The numeral change of Fos-LI neurons on the NP, N, and ventral gray(V) on 6-9th thoracic spine, SDH on 9-11th thoracic spine, and SDH and V on 11~13th thoracic spine decreased significantly at Chungwan(CV12) Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture, compared with saline-acetic acid group. 3. The correlation between the numbers of writhing refleax and Fos-LI neurons in T6-13 segment was statistically statistically significant at Chungwan(CV12) Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture. Conclusion : This study shows that the Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture on Chungwan(CV12) decreases the numbers of Fos-LI neurons. As the analgegic effects of Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture is recognized. Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture treatment is expected for pain modulation. In order to use it in many ways, more researches are needed for the dose and stability of Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.61-71
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• 2006

Objectives : To introduce Total Body Modification(TBM) technique system developed by Dr. Victor Frank DC, DO, ND through combining chiropractic manipulation with osteopathy, acupuncture meridian system, and naturopathy based on his long-time clinical experiences and insights. Methods : After investigating the art, philosophy and science of TBM thechnique, and applying TBM practice under private clinical situation, we compared It with Chuna Korean manual medicine and oriental medicine system. Results : This system deals with correcting human body's functional physiology to potentiate in a favorable manner. TBM uses a neuromuscular reflex test and body access meridian points to tap into the body's biocomputer and read functional programs. Corrections are usually made by means of special respiratory spinal adjustment, cranial, soft tissue, or specific joint manipulation. Conclusions : We found similarities between TBM and Chuna system in the view of Korean Traditional meridian concept. The special combinations and sequences of various alarm points and associated points have clinical effects on the treatment of chronic spinal subluxation pattern. This suggests TBM has significance In the point of the future evolution of Chuna manual medicine in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.231-243
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• 1988

This study was performed to investigate the mechanism of changes in arterial blood pressure, as a typical example of somatosympathetic reflex, induced by activation of muscular afferent nerves. Cats were anesthetized with ${\alpha}-chloraloae$ (60 mg/kg, i.p.). Afferent fibers in muscle nerve were activated by various method muscle contraction, electrical stimulation of muscle nerves, intraarterial injection of some algesic substances and noxious mechanical stimulation etc-and the evoked changes in arterial blood pressure were monitored. The effects of intravenous or direct spinal administration of morphine on the changes in arterial blood pressure induced by activation of the muscle afferent fibers were observed and also the effects of spinal lesions made in the $L1{\sim}L3$ spinal cord on them were studied to identify the ascending spinal pathways of the somatosympathetic reflexes. Followings are the results obtained. 1) The stimulation of medial gastrocnemius nerve under non-paralyzed condition with C-strength, low frequency (lower than 20 Hz) stimuli elicited a depressor response and a pressor response was elicited with C-strength, high frequency stimuli, of which the maximal response was observed at 100 Hz stimulation. 2) When the animal was paralyzed, depressor response to stimulation of the medial gastrocnemius nerve was observed with C-strength, $0.5{\sim}5Hz$ stimuli although the amplitude of the depressor response was decreased. The maximal pressor response was observed during stimulation with C-strength, $20{\sim}100Hz$ stimuli. 3) Intraarterial injection of some algesic substances induced marked pressor responses while noxious mechanical stimulation of the medial gastrocnemius muscle was not enough to elicit any significant changes (larger than 10 mmHg) in arterial blood pressure. 4) Systemically administered morphine (2 mg/kg) lowered the arterial blood pressure immediately and persistently and it was reversed by administration of naloxone. Direct spinally administered morphine did not elicit any changes. 5) The pressor response elicited by the activation of muscle afferent nerves was strengthened by systemic morphine administration while the depressor response tended to decrease. 6) Morphine administered on the spinal cord directly, decreased pressor response but did not change depressor response. From the above results it is concluded that there are separate groups of afferent nerves in the medial gastrocnemius nerve, which elicit pressor and depressor responses and the spinal ascending pathways of them are also separated from each other.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.101-121
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• 2000

The purpose of this morphological studies was to investigate the relation to the meridian, acupoint and nerve. The common locations of the spinal cord and brain projecting to the the gallbladder, GB34 and common peroneal nerve were observed following injection of transsynaptic neurotropic virus, pseudorabies virus(PRV), into the gallbladder, GB34 and common peroneal nerve of the rabbit. After survival times of 96 hours following injection of PRV, the thirty rabbits 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. In spinal cord, PRV labeled neurons projecting to the gallbladder, GB34 and common peroneal nerve were founded in thoracic, lumbar and sacral spinal segments. Densely labeled areas of each spinal cord segment were founded in lamina V, VII, X, intermediolateral nucleus and dorsal nucleus. 2. In medulla oblongata, The PRV labeled neurons projecting to the gallbladder, GB34 and common peroneal nerve were founded in the A1 noradrenalin cells/C1 adrenalin cells/caudoventrolateral reticular nucleus, rostroventrolateral reticular nucleus, medullary reticular nucleus, dorsal motor nucleus of vagus nerve, nucleus tractus solitarius, raphe obscurus nucleus, raphe pallidus nucleus, raphe magnus nucleus, gigantocellular nucleus, lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, principal sensory trigeminal nucleus and spinal trigeminal nucleus. 3. In Pons, PRV labeled neurons were parabrachial nucleus, Kolliker-Fuse nucleus and cochlear nucleus. 4. In midbrain, PRV labeled neurons were founded in central gray matter and substantia nigra. 5. In diencephalon, PRV labeled neurons were founded in lateral hypothalamic nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus and paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. 6. In cerebral cortex, PRV labeled neuron were founded in hind limb area.This results suggest that PRV labeled common areas of the spinal cord projecting to the gallbladder, GB34 and common peroneal nerve may be first-order neurons related to the somatic sensory, viscero-somatic sensory and symapathetic preganglionic neurons, and PRV labeled common area of the brain may be first, second and third-order neurons response to the movement of smooth muscle in gallbladder and blood vessels.These PRV labeled neurons may be central autonomic center related to the integration and modulation of reflex control linked to the sensory system monitoring the internal environment, including both visceral sensation and various chemical and physical qualities of the bloodstream. The present morphological results provide that gallbladder meridian and acupoint may be related to the central autonomic pathways.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.13-23
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• 2004

This study aimed at examining the effects of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(PENS) applied to different parts of the streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic rats on the change of glucose level and spinal neuron excitability. A total of twenty-eight SD rats, divided into four groups, were used as experiment animal. Experiment group I, the normal control group, was composed of normal rats without diabetes induction. Experiment group was composed II of the rats without any treatment after experimental diabetes induction. Experiment group III was composed of the rats with 2 Hz and $200\;{\mu}s$ of PENS to the acupuncture points related with diabetes for 20 minutes after diabetes induction. Experiment group IV was composed of the rats with 2 Hz and $200\;{\mu}s$ of PENS to the parts unrelated with diabetes for 20 minutes after diabetes induction. The results can be summarized as follow: As for glucose level, the group I showed no change within normal range, and the group III showed significant increase, compared with other groups (p<0.05). As for the change of H latency, M and H amplitude, the group III showed significant differences in decrease of latency and amplitude (p<0.05). As for Hmax/Mmax ratio, the normal and other groups showed no significant differences in decrease of amplitude. It can be concluded from the above results that PENS to the acupuncture points of the STZ-induced diabetic rats was effective for spinal neurone excitability, in particular, for those of the group with PENS to the acupuncture points. This study was conducted in the period of acute diabetes induction, and therefore, further study should be conducted in the period of chronic diabetes to research both acute and chronic diabetes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.116-124
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• 2000

This clinical study was carried out 15 cases with lumbar spinal stenosis patients, who had been admitted and diagnosed by Computed Tomography from June, 1999 to May, 2000, in the department of acupuncture and moxibustion. Hanseo University Oriental Medical Nospital. The results obtained from this study were as follows; 1. We investigated 10 female and 5 male patients. The age distribution was from early 20's to 70's, among which 30's and 50's were most common. 2. The most common duration of symptom was less than a year(46.7%). 3. Regarding to the number of the involved levels, one was 12 cases(80%), two was 3 cases(20.0%). In the one level cases, L4~5 was the most common involved site. 4. Regarding to the clinical symptoms, low back pain was the most common, followed by lower extremity radiating pain, intermittent claudication, lower extremity paresthesia. 5. In orthopaedic examinations, positive sign in Milgram test was 80.0%, positive sign in straight leg raising test was 40.0%, and positive sign in Braggard test was 33.3%. Inneurologic examinations, sensory loss was seen in 60.0%, motor weakness and decreased deep tendon reflex were 26.7% in each. 6. According to clinical symptom scale proposed by Chae(1989), grade I1I was the most common (53.3%), followed by grade II, grade IV, grade I . 7. According to treatment outcome scale proposed by Chae(1989), Good was the most common (73.3%), followed by Excelleat, Fair and Poor.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.531-534
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• 2007

Purpose: Plastic surgeons are responsible for the management of spinal cord injury patients with upper and lower extremity reconstruction, pressure sore, and wounds. Derailment of autonomic nervous systems caused by injury to the spinal cord may result in fatal autonomic dysreflexia. Autonomic dysreflexia is a syndrome of massive imbalance of reflex sympathetic discharge occurring in patients with spinal cord lesion above the splanchnic outflow(T6). It is characterized by a sudden onset and severe increase in blood pressure and is potentially life threatening. The other classic symptoms are headache, chest pain, sweating, and bradycardia. In order to lower the blood pressure, it is important to remove the noxious stimulus for autonomic dysreflexia. If such symptoms last for more than 15 minutes despite conservative interventions, antihypertension drugs are recommended. Methods: In this case study, we report an autonomic dysreflexia case that developed in a 45 year-old tetraplegia patient with sacral pressure sore. When he got bladder irrigation, his blood pressure went up very high and his mentality became stuporous. He was sent to ICU for his blood pressure and mental care. ICU care made his vital sign stabilized and his mentality alert. Results: After the patient underwent proper treatment like inotropic agent, he was transferred to the general ward and his pressure sore on sacral area was coveraged with gluteus maximus myocutaneous advancement flap. Conclusion: If treatment is not effective, the patients have to undergo sudden, severe hypertension, which can cause stroke or death. To provide safe and effective care, plastic surgeons should be able to recognize and treat autonomic dysreflexia.