• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.113-124
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• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this case-control research was to investigate the effects of acupuncture stimulation on autonomic nervous system for patients with PSV and to find out relationship with anti-stress effects. Methods : The study group consists of 24 patients with self-recognition of stress as the case group, and 20 normal person as the control group by similar age. We measured PSV of case and control groups before acupuncture stimulation, prick acupuncture in Hegu(LI4), Taichong(Liv3), Shenme(H7), Neiguan(P6), Zusanli(S36). After treating for 20 minutes, measurement values of PSV were compared for pre-acupuncture and post-acupuncture Results : 1. Pupil size of the case group were decreased significantly after acupuncture stimulation in the 1st 2nd experiments. Pupil size of the control group was decreased significantly after acupuncture stimulation in the 1st experiment. 2. Pupil size of the case group were decreased significantly between the 1st and 2nd experiments before acupuncture stimulation. Conclusion : The results suggest that acupuncture stimulation is associated with changed activity in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Measurement values of PSV is suitable to estimate the activity of automatic nervous system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.161-172
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• 2003

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the relation between the angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) gene polymorphism and stroke in the Korean population. Methods : This study was carried out on 58 stroke patients who were hospitalized in the department of acupuncture & moxibustion, college of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University and 61 healthy control subjects. Blood samples from all subjects were obtaind for DNA extration. The extracted DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR). PCR products were visualized by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. Results : The sub-genotypes of ACE gene were II homozygotes, ID heterozygotes, DD homozygotes. While the distribution of ACE polymorphism in control subjects was 31%, 51%, 18%, the distribution of it in stoke patients was 33%, 52%, 16%(II, ID, DD). Thus, there was no significant different between the control and stroke groups. Conclusions : we conclude that there is no significant association between ACE gene polymorphism and storke in Korean papulation. However, the findings of this study need to be confirmed in large patients and further studies. Additional epidemiologicallly based studies of the effects and relationship between ACE or other genes and lifesyles with regard to stroke required.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate recent clinical studies on the effect of acupuncture for urticaria worldwide. Methods Based on the PubMed search with the key search terms of 'urticaria, acupuncture', dated between 2002 to 2015, a total of 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 3 case series, and 2 case reports have been found, and were analyzed. Results and conclusions 1. The most commonly used acupoints were Quchi (LI 11), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Dazhui (GV 14). 2. The most commonly used meridians were The Ren Channel, The Du Channel and The Gall Bladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang. 3. The treatment period varied from 12 days to 3 months. 4. Acupuncture treatment found to be significantly more or equally effective than the western medicine. 5. More clinical studies are needed to prove a true effectiveness of the acupuncture for urticaria. In case of laboratory tests, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and Helicobacter pylori negative rate might be helpful.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate acupoints that appear in ancient records and use with regard to treatment to the wheezing and dyspnea. Methods : We investigated 10 ancient records from Song Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty that had medical references to wheezing and dyspnea. Results and Conclusions : Out of acupoints that found out to be used for treatment of wheezing and dyspnea in this study, Conception and Governor channels account for 38.9%, the three yang meridians of the foot account for 22.2% and the three tin meridians of the Hand account for 13.9%. In 10 ancient records, CV22(Tian tu) appears 5 times, CV12(Zhongwan) and ST36(Zusanli) appear 4times. A total number of acupoints that appear in the ancient records were 35. In compendium of medicine, the number of acupoints was 21. In cmpendium of acupuncture and moxibustion, the number of acupoints was 10. In the treatment of wheezing and dyspnea, not only acupuncture but also moxibustion has a great importance.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.143-153
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• 1999

Background: The vasoreactivity of cerebral artery is currently the subject of increasing interest Transcranial Doppler The purpose of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of acupuncture in a model of neuropathic pain produced by segmental spinal nerve injury (SSI) in rats. The left L5 and L6 spinal nerves of Sprague-Dawley rats were tightly ligated, and one week later, manual or electro-acupuncture was applied for 30 minutes to the contralateral hindlimb (right side) while the animal was lightly anesthetized with halothane. The mechanical threshold of the paw for ipsilateral (left side) hind limb flinching was determined prior to and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours after termination of acupuncture. The mechanical threshold for flinching was significantly elevated for about 4 hours after manual acupuncture applied to the BL. 60 (Kunlun) point or electro-acupuncture to the BL. 60 and BL. 40 (Weizhong) points. However, manual acupuncture applied to the ST. 36 (Zusanli) point was not effective. Furthermore, systemic naloxone pretreatment had no effect on the acupuncture induced threshold elevation. These data suggests that acupuncture produces a point specific, naloxone independent analgesia in a rat neuropathic pain model. ※ This paper is supported by a grant from the '1996 Jusan Foundation of Wonkwang university.)

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.669-677
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• 2016

Reflux esophagitis is a common disease in developed nations. We describe the case of a female patient with endoscopic reflux esophagitis complicated by gastric dysmotility. Both electrogastrography and enterotachography were performed to detect gastric myoelectrical activity and pyloric sphincter function and evaluate gastric motility. The patient was treated only with herbal medications and general acupuncture, with electrical stimulation of the ST.36 (Zusanli) point, in addition to moxibustion therapy. After each primary and secondary treatment, the therapeutic effect was immediately evaluated. At the final follow-up 5 mon after the end of the secondary treatment, the patient’s general condition was assessed, in addition to the mucosa of the esophagus. At follow up, all the patients’ symptoms had disappeared, and the mucosa of the esophagus had returned to normal. We attributed these therapeutic effects to improved gastric dysmotility. To confirm the usefulness of this treatment method, studies of larger numbers of patients with reflux esophagitis treated with Korean traditional medicine are needed.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.37-68
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review thread-embedding treatment studies for depression, anxiety, and dementia and examine the effectiveness and safety of thread-embedding treatment. Methods: Ten domestic and international search databases were used for study selection, including CNKI, PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PsycArticles, RISS, OASIS, and KCI. We included studies that presented diagnostic or appropriate criteria for depression, anxiety, and dementia, and randomized control studies using thread-embedding therapy. We searched papers published until October 10, 2023. Results: Twenty-one studies were selected, of which 11 studies were conducted on depression, nine on dementia, and one on anxiety disorders. The most commonly used acupoint for depression was Gansu (BL18), whereas zusanli (ST36) and fenglong (ST40) were used for dementia. The most commonly used type of thread was 1-0 United States pharmacopeia (USP) and 1 cm for depression and 2-0 USP and 1 cm for dementia. The treatment period for most of the studies was once every 2 weeks and for 8 weeks. Among the included studies, 17 showed significant improvements in depression scales, such as Hamilton depression rating scale and Self rating depression scale, activities of daily living scales, and cognitive function scales, such as Hasegawa dementia scale and Mini-mental state examination. Six studies reported adverse events, and no studies reported significant adverse events. Two studies reported follow-ups. Conclusions: This study presents limited evidence for the effectiveness and safety of thread-embedding therapy for depression, anxiety, and dementia. Well-designed studies are needed to review the clinical efficacy and safety of thread-embedding therapy in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2010

Objectives : We investigated the role of intracellular calcium chelator, bis-(2-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid(BAPTA), on the modulation of phosphorylation of the spinal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR) NR1 and NR2B subunits following electroacupuncture(EA). Methods : Bilateral 2 Hz EA stimulation with 1.0 mA was delivered at those acupoints corresponding to Zusanli(ST36) and Sanyinjiao(SP6) in man via needles for 30min. Results : EA analgesia was reduced by intra-peritoneal injection at a higher dose of BAPTA from termination of EA stimulation. At 60 min after EA treatment, the total number of c-fos-immunostained neurons in each regions of the dorsal horn in the $L_{4-5}$ segments was decreased by BAPTA injection, especially in nucleus proprius. The mean integrated optical density (IOD) of NR1 and NR2B subunits were increased only in superficial laminae of EA-treated rats when compared with normal rats. However, the mean IOD of pNR1 was significantly decreased by BAPTA injection in both the superficial laminae and neck region and pNR2B in the superficial laminae. Western blot analyses confirmed the decreased expression of pNR1 and pNR2B. Conclusions : We concluded that intracellular calcium may well play an important role in EA analgesia by modulating the phosphorylation state of spinal NMDAR subunits.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.56-68
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• 2001

Objective : Functional brain mapping study on acupuncture stimulation using the [14C]2-deoxyglucose([14C]2-DG) autoradiography provides quantitative data and visualized pathway in central nervous system(CNS). We aimed to investigate the neural pathway and spatial distribution of metabolic activity elicited in CNS on electroacupuncture stimulation using [14C]2-DG autoradiography. Methods : The study were divided into three groups by stimulation times. 45-mins stimulation group according to Sokoloffs method, 5-mins stimulation group according to Duncun's method, and 15-mins stimulation group. ;A venous catheter was equipped into right jugular vein. The rats (Sprague-Dawley rats, 230-260g) were kept fastened loosely on a holding platform without anesthesia. Electroacupuncture stimulation (5 ms, 2 Hz, 1~3 mA) were applied on the left Zusanli (ST36) acupoint and [14C]2-DG ($25{\mu}Ci/rat$) injection was performed through the catheter. After sacrifice, the brain and the spinal cord were made to sections for film image. The film images were digitalized as the isotope concentration based upon comparison of optical densities with that of the standards and normalized by the optical density of corpus callosum. Results : 1. 15-mins stimulation group was most effective among 3 experiments. 2. On 15-mins stimulation group, medial geniculate nucleus, intetpeduncular nucleus intermedius, ventral periolivary nucleus, caudal periolivary nucleus, medial superior olive, lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, including hypothalamic arcuate nucleus were increased by more than 25% (at least, p<0.05) by electroacupuncture stimulation. 3. Especially, the metabolism in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus was increased by 90% (p<0.05). 4. The fact that arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus might play a role of interconnection area between ascending and descending pathway of acupuncture stimulation was demonstrated visually. Conclusions : Advanced study on electroacupuncture stimulation elicited significant increase of metabolic activity in various nuclei of hypothalamus will provide the important experimental basis in research of the relationship between electroacupuncture stimulation and internal visceral functions.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2002

Background: To investigate the role of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in moxibustion-induced immunomodulation, the effects of chemical sympathectomy on moxibustion-induced changes in splenic NK cell cytotoxicity, T and B cell proliferation were studied in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Methods: Chemical sympathectomy was achieved with intraperitoneal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine 50 mg/kg/day for 3 successive days. Direct moxibustion (6-minute interval, 9 moxa ball, each of which weighing 0.007 g and burning for 40 seconds) was applied on unilateral anterior tibial muscle region where Zusanli (ST36) acupoint is located, once a day for 7 successive days. NK cell cytotoxicity was measured by $4hr-^{51}Cr$ release assay. Mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was analyzed by [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assay. Results: NK cell cytotoxicity was suppressed by moxibustion, more in sympathectomized rats than in vehicle-treated rats. T cell proliferation induced by concanavalin A was not affected by moxibustion. B cell proliferation induced by lipopolysaccharide showed no significant change in vehicle-treated rats, but an increase in sympathectomized rats by moxibustion. Sympathectomy alone induced augmentation of NK cell cytotoxicity and suppression of T cell proliferation. Conclusion: These results suggest that SNS has no direct relation with moxibution-induced immunomodulation but has an important role in the mechanism to keep the homeostasis of immune system by tonically inhibiting excessive changes of various immune components.