• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.33-43
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the protective effects of acupuncture on the liver in the oxidative stress caused by cadmium accumulation. Sprague-Dawley male($150{\pm}30g$) rats were stabilized for a week and divided into 5 groups which is normal, control, $LR_3$ acupuncture, $BL_{23}$ acupuncture and sham acupuncture group. For three days experimental groups were received oral doses of cadmium 2 mg/kg twice a day. Acupuncture was given bilaterally at each point 10 times for two weeks. The depth of stimulation was 1 mm at right angles and torsion of acupuncture was produced 2 times per second for 1 minutes. The liver was shipped off and taken weight at the last day of two weeks, and hepatic functions was confirmed through alanine transaminase(ALT) and aspartate amino-transferase(AST). We measured reactive oxygen species of serum, liver and kidney, and compared expression levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase(Gpx), nuclear factor erythroid derived 2-related factor 2(Nrf-2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), Bax and Cytochrome c. $BL_{23}$ acupuncture group significantly increased liver weight and decreased ALT compared to control group. For the oxidative stress, $LR_3$ acupuncture group significantly reduced reactive oxygen species, and $BL_{23}$ acupuncture group significantly reduced reactive oxygen species and inflammation-related protein compared to control group. But $LR_3$ acupuncture group and $BL_{23}$ acupuncture group didn't significantly reduce apoptosis-related protein. Therefore $LR_3$ and $BL_{23}$ acupuncture showed the effects of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, especially $BL_{23}$ acupuncture was more effective than $LR_3$ acupuncture on the protection of liver in the oxidative stress.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.77-93
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• 2008

Objectives : Though there were many clinical studies of acupuncture effects they didn't have appropriate control group or use another therapy for control group. So, we didn't say it was true acupuncture effect, though subjects in clinical study improved. Recently several sham needles for control group were developed and validated. This study aimed at summarizing the validation studies of these needles and evaluating the control group of the acupuncture clinical study. Methods : Computerized literature searches were performed using 'acupuncture' and 'placebo or sham' with a limitation of the results to RCTs in Pubmed, Sciencedirect, NDSL, KISS, RISS. Data were extracted regarding study design, sample size, acupuncture point, stimulation form, credibility testing. And We have examined 106 acupuncture clinical studies published by Pubmed from January 1, 2005 to April 30, 2008. Data were extracted author's country, subject of study, type of study groups, type of control groups, type of blinding, difference between the results in the control groups. Results : Streitberger's placebo needle, Fink's sham needle, Park sham needle, Kim sham needle were developed. They were validated at domestic and abroad. But the results were deviation depending on the each of the researcher. They has shown that sample, acupuncture points, experiences or knowledge of acupuncture dependent on the results. Recent three years, acupuncture clinical trial had different results. Significant differences between Study group and control group emerged from using other therapy or non-treatment for control group. Many study has no significant differences using sham acupuncture for control groups. Conclusions : Acupuncture clinical studies need to meet several requirements. First of all, they require the basics of randomized controlled clinical studies such as blinding and the accurate implementation and description of randomization. And also need to research the unique circumstances of these studies such as the development of sham acupuncture and blinding method which differs from other clinical trials.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.160-168
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was intended to observe the changes in the expression of neurotransmitters, such as nNOS, NO and NE upon the needle insertion at varying depths at the connecting point. Methods : Needles were inserted into rats, on both left and right sides of the connecting point, including the LI6, SI7 and TE5 acupoints which are three yang meridians of the hand. After insertion, needles were retained for five minutes. Each acupuncture groups were treated acupuncture at each acupoint and at the depths of superficial, middle and deep layer. After the retention, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture, and tissues of each point near meridian vessels were extracted to examine the changes in the expression of nNOS, NO and NE. Results : In terms of the effect in nNO production, there was a significant increase only in the middle and deep layer at SI7 acupoint, but there was no significant change in the expression of NO. Regarding the formation of norepinephrine within tissues, the middle layer on LI6 acupoint, the middle layer and the deep layer on TE5 acupoint showed a significant increase, while production of plasma norepinephrine was significantly decreased at the middle layer and the deep layer on LI6 acupoint and the deep layer on SI7 acupoint. Conclusions : The effect of needles applied at the connecting point of three yang meridians on the activities of nNOS, and NE could be observed, and it can be induced that the effect of needle stimulation on disrupted nervous system can be examined through additional researches based on this one.

• 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 Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.80-94
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this clinical research is the investigation of the effects between acupuncture group(control group) and NURIEYE-1 group (experimental group) in myopia Methods : Comparison clinical study was conducted with the randomly arranged 32 patients for acupuncture group(control group) and NURIEYE-1 group(experimental group). For effectiveness evaluation, eye sight test, MQOL and DITI were tested three times with visits for every 4 weeks. With SAS, Statistical analysis was performed by using paired t-test and two sample t-test. Statistical significance was achieved with less than 5% probability (p<0.05). Result : 1. There was no significant effect from the eye sight comparison between the two group. We had improved results in average with MQOL, however, there was no statistical significance. Though there was also no significant result with DITI average comparison between two group, we witnessed significant effect in some part of MQOL. 2. Nevertheless Periodical comparison test showed weak significance with eye sight and DITI, significant effect was found in some part of MQOL. 3. With periodical comparison tests, there were significant effects in eye sight, MQOL and DITI with the experimental groups and control groups, respectively. Conclusion : There was no significant eye sight improvement. However, with acupuncture point stimulation, we think there are some positive effects for the relaxation of excessive stress in eyes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 1998

Acupuncture and Radix Astragali aqua-acupuncture stimuli have long been used to cure human diseases. However, it still remains to be unkown on its action mechanism, physiolosical and biochemical aspects. Thus, many attempts were made to show the scientific background covering the above mentioned mechanisms. Most recent studies show that these tests improve blood circulatory system and increase leucocyte counts. In this study, we have applied the acupuncture stimuli to mouse Sinsu(BL-23), which is a stimulative point of oriental medicine, to see if cytokine such as IL-6 can be detected. Mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) for inflammation induction, and then reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using each primer set was performed to trace the amounts of mRNA. The results are summarized as follows ; 1. IL-6 was not temporarily expressed in normal mice 15 min after the acupuncture was pulled out. But, it started to show a feeble expression at 30 min after the removal of acupuncture and it started to reduce at 1h. after the acupuncture was pulled out 2. IL-6 was specifically expressed in LPS-treated mouse 30 min after the acupuncture was pulled out. The transcriptional expressions of LPS-treated mice were more effective than those of normal mice at 30 min after the removal of acupuncture 3. IL-6 was not temporarily expressed in normal mice 15 min after Radix Astragali aqua-acupuncture. But it expressed most highly at 30 min, and the transcriptional expressions of IL-6 was continued to 3 h. 4. IL-6 was not expressed in all the time after Radix Astragali aqua-acupuncture in LPS-treated mice. Therefore, a follow-up of cytokine IL-6 can be used not only a basis of the effect of acupuncture and Radix Astragali aqua-acupuncture but a diagnosis giude through the immunological action of thats. And, it is suggested that cytokine's expression by Acupuncture and Radix Astragali aqua-acupuncture stimulation should be continuously elucidated.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.239-248
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• 2005

Objectives : Electroacupuncture (EA)-induced analgesia has been known to be mediated through the activation of opioid, noradrenergic and serotonergic receptors. However, little study on serotonergic mechanism has been performed in an animal model of chronic pain. The present study was designed to elucidate the type of serotonergic receptors responsible for EA analgesia in the chronic pain model. Methods : In rats with complete Freund's: adjuvant-induced inflammation and spinal nerve injury, spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) cell responses to graded electrical stimulation of afferent C fiber were recorded before and after spinal application of selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor antagonists. EA stimulation (2Hz, 0.5msec, 3mA) was applied to the contralateral Zusanli point for 30 min. Results : In both models of chronic pain, WDR cell responses were greatly inhibited after EA stimulation. EA-induced inhibition of WDR celt responses was significantly attenuated by spinal application of non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist, dihydroergocristine Of 5-HT receptor antagonists tested, 5-HT1A (WAY 100635) and 5-HT2 (LY53857) receptor antagonists strongly reduced an ability of EA stimulation to inhibit WDR cell responses. However, 5-HT1B (GR55562) and 5-HT3 (LY278584) receptor antagonists also had weak but significant blocking action on EA-induced inhibitory effect on chronic pain. Conclusions : Dorsal hem cell responses, afferent C fiber stimulation, chronic pain, electroacupuncture, serotonergic receptors.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.95-103
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was to investigate the regulatory effect of electro-acupuncture on Jogsamni ($ST_{36}$) in bradygastric condition or gastroparesis which is a neuropathic complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM), assessed using 4-channel electrogastrography (EGG). Methods : It was a case series study. Each patient was given electro-acupuncture(EA) one point, Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) or Gyeonu($LI_{15}$) bilaterally for thirty minutes with 2Hz bipolar square wave frequency and moderate intensity of stimulation. With attaching electrodes around stomach region throughout pre-acupuncture, acupuncture, and post-acupuncture session, these parameters were produced; percent rate of bradygastria power compared to sum of power in all kind of gastric rhythm(% bradygastria), dominant frequency(DF) and dominant power(DP). Parameter was analysed per each channel's variable change from pre-acupuncture session by paired t-test. Results : There was statistically significant decrease in % bradygastria parameters on one of the $ST_{36}$ treated patients from pre-acupuncture session and to post-acupuncture session(P=0.015, P=0.008 respectively). A marginal significant decrease of DP was shown in the other $ST_{36}$ treated patient from pre-acupuncture session through post-acupuncture session(P=0.049). Combined data of two $ST_{36}$ Treated patients showed that there was significant decrease of %bradygastria from pre-acupuncture session to acupuncture session(P=0.020), and was decrease of DP from pre-acupuncture session to post- acupuncture session(P=0.020). Conclusions : EA at $ST_{36}$ resulted in statistically significant decrease in %bradygastria and DP for dysrhythmic condition in T2DM gastroparesis patients. Considering this limited results, further study will be needed to elucidate the effect of multiple-acupuncture on gastric myoelectrical activities.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.37 no.6C
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• pp.520-526
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• 2012

Mostly lung diseases by smoking and air pollution is increasing social interest one of 6 kinds of modern diseases which is difficult functional recovery of damaged lung as dangerous diseases of life extension. Therefore, to reduce suffering from respiratory diseases is usually non-smoking, to do strengthen behavior of lung function. In this paper, we would like to propose method to do investigation by voice analysis technology to apply when lung associated ear acupuncture point stimulus to help strengthen actually lung function. From this, we would like to consider the voice change of before/after in smoking to analyze the impact on the human body to the lungs. Based on this experiment, we would like to investigate numerically quantity data actual improved lung function to analyze of voice character difference of before/after in lung associated ear acupuncture point stimulating.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2008

Objectives : The moxibustion is the method in using the heat stimulation made of attached and burned a moxa or other herbal materials on a healing point or acupuncture point and the chemical stimulation of a resin made from burning them. We need to standardize the characteristics of moxa combustion in order to get more systematic and objective result in operation mechanism and effects and then get more clinical abilities in these fields. Methods : In this study, using of labview system on the moxibustion. 1. we studied relation the size of barley and jujube seed with the moxa cone's peak combustion temperature and then measured and compared the moxa cone's peak combustion temperature by tonification and sedation method. 2. we measured the peak combustion temperature of indirect moxibustion. Results & comclusions : 1. When we measured a direct moxibustion's combustion temperature, the jujube seed sized moxa cone's peak temperature was higher than the barley sized moxa cone's when it burned and the time to peak temperature of the barley sized moxa cone was shorter than the jujube seed sized moxa cone's. 2. When the direct moxibustion was burned by the tonification and sedation method, the sedation method's peak temperature was higher than the tonification method's, the tonification's time to peak temperature was shorter than the sedation method's. 3. When we measured the temperature of the moxa combustion in the kinds of sliced herbal materials, the peak temperature of indirect moxibustion with a ginger when it sliced a 1.3mm size and a 1.5mm size was degreed within $40^{\circ}C$ to $52^{\circ}C$ and the peak temperature of indirect moxibustion with a garlic when it sliced a 1.7mm size was degreed within $46^{\circ}C$ to $62^{\circ}C$.