• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.109-119
• /
• 2001

Objective : There are many reports that acupuncture has thermoregulatory effects on human and animals. To investigate the effect and mechanism of antipyretic action of acupuncture, we observed the body temperature and cytokine expressions in the hypothalamus of rats. Methods : Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, i.p., 2.5mg/kg) was injected to conscious rats (Sprague-Dawley, male, n=4l) to cause hyperthermia and simple needling (stainless steel, 0.25 mm o.d., 5 mm insertion for 10 sec with no manipulation) was performed bilaterally with the measurement of rectal temperature. Next, we sacrificed rats to remove brain and determined the level of mRNA for interleukin-6 (IL-6), $interleukin-1{\beta}{\;}(IL-1{\beta})$, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and $interferon-{\gamma}{\;}(IFN-{\gamma})$ in the hypothalamus by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Resul1s : Needling on forepaw (acupoint HT8) and needling on hindpaw (acupoint BL66 and acupoint LR2) significantly inhibited LPS-induced fever of rats (P<0.01, 10 min after treatment respectively), but same treatment on proximal tail (non-acupoint) did not cause any change on fever. The levels of IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA in the hypothalamus was significantly enhanced by LPS-injection, while the level of IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA was markedly reduced after treatment on BL66 (P<0.01). Treatment on forepaw reduced it slightly, but not significantly. Equivalent stimulation on proximal tail did not cause any changes. Conclusions : Our results indicate that acupuncture stimulation on various body parts has differential thermoregulatory effects on LPS-induced fever of rats with site-specificity. And, we suggest that its antipyretic action might be accompanied with the suppression of hypothalamic production of pro-inflammatory cytokine of immune system, IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.73-83
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Polyporus Herbal-acupuncture(PO-HA) at KI10 (Umgok) on nephritis induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in rats. Methods: Rats were allocated into normal, control, and 2 experimental groups. The rats in the control group were intra-peritoneally injected with LPS for nephritis induction. The rats in the groups of experiment 1 and experiment 2 were treated with Saline injection, and PO-HA, respectively at KI10 three times for a week and then intra-peritoneally injected with LPS. To evaluate the effects of PO-HA at KI10, WBC count in blood, creatine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1(CINC-1) in serum, urinary volume, creatinine, total protein in urine, myeloperoxidase(MPO) in kidney were measured. Results: PO-HA at KI10 significantly suppressed the increase of WBC in blood, TNF-${\alpha}$, CINC-1 in serum, MPO in kidney of LPS-stimulated rats. PO-HA at KI10 significantly suppressed the increase creatinine, total protein in urine of LPS-stimulated rats. Conclusions: According to these results, it is postulated that PO-HA at KI10 has an anti-inflammatory and renal-protective effects on LPS-induced nephritis in rats. Therefore, it is suggested that PO-HA at KI10 may be an useful therapeutics for nephritis in clinical field after further researches.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.293-298
• /
• 2023

The mentalis muscle is a paired muscle originating from the alveolar bone of the mandible. This muscle is the main target muscle for botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection therapy, which aims to treat cobblestone chin caused by mentalis hyperactivity. However, a lack of knowledge on the anatomy of the mentalis muscle and the properties of BoNT can lead to side effects, such as mouth closure insufficiency and smile asymmetry due to ptosis of the lower lip after BoNT injection procedures. Therefore, we have reviewed the anatomical properties associated with BoNT injection into the mentalis muscle. An up-to-date understanding of the localization of the BoNT injection point according to mandibular anatomy leads to better injection localization into the mentalis muscle. Optimal injection sites have been provided for the mentalis muscle and a proper injection technique has been described. We have suggested optimal injection sites based on the external anatomical landmarks of the mandible. The aim of these guidelines is to maximize the effects of BoNT therapy by minimizing the deleterious effects, which can be very useful in clinical settings.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.83-104
• /
• 2005

Objectives : DaeBangPungTang(DBPT) is one of the prescriptions used for the treatment of knee arthritis in oriental medicine. The present study aimed to examine the analgesic effect of DBPT on a rat model of carrageenan-induced arthritis, and the relations between DBPT-induced analgesia and endogenous nitric oxide(NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord. Methods : Carrageenan-induced arthritis rat model was used to test the effect of DBPT as a chronic pain model. After the induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for at least tile next 4 days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee, since oral infection of indomethacin produced temporary improvement of weight bearing. DBPT dissolved in normal saline was minted several acupoints. After the treatment, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 12 hours. Results : DBPT produced significant improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis lasting at least 9 hours. The magnitude of this improvement was equivalent to that obtained after an oral injection of 3mg/kg of indomethacin and this improvement of stepping force was interpreted as an analgesic effect. DBPT produced the improvement of stepping force of the affected hindlimb in a dose-dependent manner. Both NO production and iNOS, COX-2 protein expression increased by arthritis were suppressed by DBPT. DBPT on combination with electroacupuncture (EA) produced more powerful and longer lasting improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis than either DBPT or EA did. Conclusion : The present study suggest that DBPT produces a potent analgesic effect on the chronic hee arthritis pain model in the rat and that DBPT-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of iNOS/COX-2 protein expression.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.63-73
• /
• 2019

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of Alismatis Rhizoma (AR) pharmacopuncture at BL23 on acute renal failure induced by cisplatin. Methods : The Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into Normal group (no injection of cisplatin and no treatment), Control group (cisplatin injection without treatment), Acu group (needling at BL23 after cisplatin injection), AR-PA1 group (treated with $0.3571mg/kg/20{\mu}l$ of AR pharmacopuncture at BL23 after cisplatin injection), and AR-PA2 group (treated with $1.7855mg/kg/20{\mu}l$ of AR pharmacopuncture at BL23 after cisplatin injection). Each treatment was given once daily for 8 days. Changes in body weight, kidney weight, tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), serum blood urea nitrogen (serum BUN), and serum creatinine were observed. Results : Body weight was significantly increased in AR-PA1 on $4^{th}$ and $6^{th}$ days and AR-PA2 on $2^{nd}$ day. $TNF-{\alpha}$ was significantly decreased in Acu, AR-PA1 and AR-PA2 groups. Cu-Zn SOD was significantly increased in AR-PA2 group. GPx was significantly increased in AR-PA1 and AR-PA2 groups. But kidney weight, IL-6, serum BUN and serum creatinine were not significantly changed in any groups compared to control group. Conclusions : In acute renal failure induced by cisplatin, AR pharmacopuncture has a mitigating effect on the inflammatory reaction related to the increase of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the kidney tissue and a protective effect on the oxidative stress of the kidney tissue. However it is unlikely to restore the glomerular function or inhibit the renal swelling.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.51-59
• /
• 2015

Objective: This paper is to investigate the current evidence and clinical effectiveness of mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture (MGP) in cancer treatment. Methods: Along with hand searches, relevant literatures were searched from Korean medical database until November 2015 without language restriction and clinical researches were selected for this review. Results: Nine articles were searched. The MGP was generally prepared in the concentration of ten percent. Also, the MGP has been used by intravenous injection much more than acupoint injection. The clinical effects were the suppression of the cancer cell growth, the improvement the quality of life, the reduction of the side effect by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Conclusion: This analysis suggests that the MGP can be used as a single therapy or a supportive therapy with conventional therapies, which are chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.25-36
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Zeae Stigma herbal-acupuncture (ZS-HA) at KI10 (Umgok) on nephritis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. Methods: Rats were assigned to five groups, normal, LPS, NP, saline and ZS-HA. Rats in NP, saline, and ZS-HA groups were treated with needle prick, saline injection, and ZS-HA respectively at KI10, three times a week. All animals except the normal group were injected intra-peritoneally with LPS to induce nephritis. RBC and WBC, neutrophils in blood, TNF-alpha, CINC-1, creatinine in serum, urinal volume, total protein and creatinine in urine, and renal MPO were analyzed. Results: Needle prick at KI10 significantly reduced WBC in blood and CINC-1 in serum of LPS-stimulated rats. Saline injection at KI10 significantly reduced TNF-${\alpha}$ in serum and total protein in urine of LPS-stimulated rats. ZS-HA at KI10 significantly increased RBC in blood, and significantly reduced neutrophils in blood, TNF-${\alpha}$ in serum, and total protein in urine of LPS-stimulated rats. Conclusions: According to these results, it is postulated that ZS-HA at KI10 has anti-inflammatory and renal-protective effects on LPS-induced nephritis in rats, and both acupoint KI10 and herb Zeae Stigma made contributions to this effect. Further studies on the interaction between acupoint KI10 and herb Zeae Stigma may be needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The objective of this review was to evaluate clinical trials of warming acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain diseases, to assess the methodologic quality of the trials and determine whether low-quality trials are associated with positive outcomes, to document adverse effects and to identify the effectiveness of the warming acupuncture. Methods : Seven databases and the Journal ZHONGGUO ZHENJIU(中國鍼灸) published between 2004－2008 were searched. Korean and Chinese randomized trials were evaluated for methodologic quality using the modified Jadad scale. Outcome measurements were pain, function and global improvement. The best-evidence synthesis was performed to determine the strength of evidence by control group. Results : Six clinical trials representing 564 patients with musculoskeletal pain diseases were identified. For pain and function, there was moderate evidence that warming acupuncture is more effective than manual acupuncture. For patient global assesment, there was limited evidence that warming acupuncture is more effective than manual acupuncture. However, for function, there was inconclusive evidence that warming acupuncture is more effective than acupuncture with TDP or western medicine or acupoint-injection treatment. Conclusions : The evidence suggests that warming acupuncture is more effective for musculoskeletal pain diseases than manual acupuncture, acupuncture with TDP, western medicine and acupoint-injection treatment. But the evidence is moderate to inclusive due to the low methodologic quality of the trials. Further clinical trials with high methodologic quality is required to investigate the effectiveness of warming acupuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.169-175
• /
• 2018

The objective of this study was to review clinical trials of pharmacopuncture treatment for Frozen Shoulder and to evaluate trends in this field. The literature search was performed using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and 5 Korean electronic databases. A combination of "pharmacopuncture," "acupoint injection," "Frozen Shoulder," "adhesive capsulitis," and "periarthritis of shoulder" search terms were used. A total of 9 studies were included in this review. The studies were classified into herbal extract-based (5 types) and animal-based (2 types) pharmacopuncture treatment of Frozen Shoulder. There were 14 different acupoints and Ashi points used in the 9 studies. The total volume of herbal extract-based pharmacopuncture injected was usually between 2 mL and 4 mL, and for animal-based pharmacopuncture it was 1 ml. In most studies of Frozen Shoulder, pain was reduced and function was significantly improved after pharmacopuncture treatment. These results demonstrate that pharmacopuncture alleviates pain and restores function in patients with Frozen Shoulder. Further studies must be conducted on pharmacopuncture for management of Frozen Shoulder.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.247-259
• /
• 2000

Objective : The mechanism of acupuncture to increase cerebral blood flow is still uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neural basis of acupuncture by comparing the cerebral regions activated by the stimulation of two different methods of acupunctures at the same acupoint which was suggested by oriental medicine to increase rCBF. Materials and Methods : Thirty-nine healthy volunteers(26 males, 13 females, age $31{\pm}11$ years) were studies by rest/acupuncture Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT using a subtraction method. SPECTs using two methods(needle retention and heated needle with 90% alcohol) at two acupoints (right LI. 4 and ST. 36) were peformed at an interval of three days. For the needle retention method, acupuncture needle was inserted to a depth of about 2 cm into each acupoint 8 minutes after the lst acquisition and continued to retain, and the second injection of Tc-99m ECD was done 15 minutes after the insertion of needle. For the heated acupuncture method, heated needle was inserted in a twinkle within several msec 20 second after the second injection of Tc-99m ECD. The differences of between rest and acupuncture activation state were statistically analyzed using a statistical parametric mapping software. Result : Acupunctures of both methods reveal similar patterns of increase in rCBF. Acupuncture at ST.36 increase rGBF in left anterior temporal, right inferior frontal lobes, and left cerebellum. Acupuncture at LI. 4 increase rCBF in the left frontal cortex, right temporal pole, both inferior frontal cortices and right cerebellum. Conclusion : The effects of two different acupunctures to the same acupoints on rCBF were similar. Therefore, this result suggests Chat the mechanism of acupuncture in the increase of cerebral blood flow have a neural basis.