• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.143-158
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the anti-oxidative effects of electroacupuncture at GB34(Yangreungcheon) in rats. Methods : The authors performed several experimental items including measurements of body weight, relative liver weight, levels of albumin, total bilirubin, LDL-cholesterol, LDH, GOT and GPT in blood serum, levels of SOD, glutathione, catalase, NO and MDA in liver, and histological analysis of liver. The conclusions are as follows. Results : 1. In the GB34-EA group, liver index was lower than those of the control group and the holder group. 2. In the GB34-EA group, the levels of albumin and total bilirubin in serum were increased significantly compared to those of the control and the holder group. LDL-cholesterol level was decreased significantly compared to those of the control group and the holder group. 3. In the GB34-EA group, liver SOD, glutathione, catalase activity were increased, and NO concentration in liver was decreased significantly compared to those of control and the holder group. 4. In the GB34-EA group, the density of liver tissue was more similarly maintained to that of the normal group compared to those of the control group, holder group and sham-EA group. Conclusions : These results suggest that electroacupuncture at GB34 may have an antioxidant effect in rat.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.211-224
• /
• 2008

Objectives : To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) at GB34 on hepatotoxicity in $CCl_4$-intoxicated rats. Methods : Rats were injected with $CCl_4$ and treated with acupuncture or 2 Hz electro-acupuncture (EA) at left GB34 three times a week for 10 weeks. A non-acupoint in left gluteal area was selected as a sham point. To estimate the effects of EA on hepatotoxicity in rats, body weight, liver weight and liver index were measured, and biochemical assays for serum ALT, AST, ALP and total cholesterol, and hematological analysis for RBC, WBC, PLT, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes, and histology analysis of liver tissue were performed. Results : 1. Lymphocyte level in blood was significantly decreased by $CCl_4$-intoxication and significantly increased by acupuncture and 2 Hz EA at left GB34. 2. Neutrophill and monocyte level in blood was increased by $CCl_4$-intoxication and significantly reduced by acupuncture and 2 Hz EA at left GB34. 3. Acupuncture and 2 Hz EA at left GB34 significantly reduced serum ALT and AST which were increased by $CCl_4$-intoxication. 4. EA at GB34 significantly reduced serum ALT and AST as compared with EA at sham point in $CCl_4$-intoxicated rat. 5. No significant difference was found between the effects of acupuncture and that of 2 Hz EA on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage in rats. Conclusions : 2 Hz EA at GB34 has hepatoprotective effects on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage in rats and the point-specificity of GB34 may be involved in these effects.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.65-75
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of warm needling at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$ on Complete Freund's Adjuvant(CFA)-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by injecting CFA subcutaneously into the left knee joint and paw. Acupuncture(AT) and warm needling(W-AT0.5, W-AT1.0) were injected at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$, every other day for a total of 5 times beginning on day 10 after the CFA injection. Thereafter, external shape, paw edema, serum aminotransferase and anti-inflammatory factors were assessed, and hematological and histological observations were made. Results : In paw edema volume all 3 groups(AT, W-AT0.5, W-AT1.0) showed significant decrease compared to the CFA control group. In TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, all 3 groups showed significant decrease compared to CFA control group. In AST and ALT all 3 groups showed no significant change. In IL-$1{\beta}$, W-AT0.5 and W-AT1.0, groups showed significant decrease compared to the CFA control group. Leucocyte, erythrocyte and thrombocyte, all 3 groups showed no significant change. In histological observations, all 3 groups were similar to the intact group in terms of synoviocyte, cartilage lacuna and cartilage cells. Conclusions : The results suggest that warm needling at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$, has the effect of suppressing inflammation of CFA-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats.