• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.58-66
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• 2016

Objectives : In order to find a possible non-invasive manipulation tool for maintenance of the cardiovascular functions in hemorrhagic shock, this study was aimed at evaluating effects of acupoints acupressure on the changes in blood pressure and heart rate from an animal model of hemorrhagic shock. Methods : In adult Sprague-Dawley rats, hemorrhagic shock was induced by a withdrawal of arterial blood from the femoral artery with volume of 0.8 ml per 100 g of body weight using peristaltic syringe pump. We applied the acupressure with a pressure oscillator to tail as a control and 2 different acupoints of sobu(HT8), youngchun(KI1) under 3 different conditions : 1) normal arterial blood pressure without bleeding, 2) at the beginning of bleeding, and finally 3) hemorrhagic shock. Results : Under normal arterial blood pressure without hemorrhage, there was a significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures by the acupressure to the tail, HT8 and especially KI1 for 30 sec compared with before acupressure. Under hemorrhagic shock condition, the tail acupressure had minimal changes in cardiovascular parameters. Either the HT8 or KI1 acupressure resulted in a significant increase in arterial pressure but did not heart rate. At the beginning of bleeding, tail acupressure failed to change the reduction of arterial pressure and heart rate. However, there was a significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate following either the HT8 or especially KI1 acupressure. Conclusions : HT8 and KI1 acupressure affected cardiovascular signs but tail acupressure did not in rat model of hemorrhagic shock. These experimental data suggest that a acupressure with a pressure oscillator to HT8 or KI1 can be one of alternative emergency manipulations to ameliorate compromised cardiovascular functions under hemorrhagic shock condition.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.43-61
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment for cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet. Methods : We searched articles in 7 search engines with keywords related to 'Cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet' and 'Raynaud disease' in March 2021. Clinical studies that used acupuncture for cold hypersensitivity of hands or feet were included. Animal studies and nonclinical data were excluded. Data on acupuncture treatment such as methods, site, duration, frequency, and period were analyzed. Also, network analysis between acupoints was conducted. Results : Of 41 selected articles, there were 32 case reports, 7 randomized controlled trials, and 2 uncontrolled clinical studies. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, pharmacopuncture, fire needling, and auricular acupuncture. Most studies used more than one acupoint (n=40), and there were 111 acupoints selected for acupuncture treatment for cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet. The most commonly used acupoint was LI11 (n=27). In terms of the correlation of acupoints, LI11 had the highest value of degree centrality at 0.6989. The mean treatment time, number of treatments, and duration were 26.8±8.87 minutes, 15.51±15.75 times, and 77.69±132.80 days. Conclusions : The results of this study could be useful in establishing the evidence for performing standardized acupuncture treatment for cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2021

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of ethanol extract of Lonicera japonica flower buds (EELJ) on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampus-derived neuronal HT22 cells. Methods : After analyzing the cytoprotective effect of EELJ on glutamate in HT22 cells, the inhibitory effect of apoptosis was studied using flow cytometry. In order to analyze the antioxidant efficacy of EELJ, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) were investigated, and the effects on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also analyzed. Furthermore, the effect of EELJ on the expression of apoptosis regulators such as Bax and Bcl-2 in glutamate-treated HT22 cells was investigated. Results : According the current results, pretreatment with EELJ significantly reduced glutamate-induced loss of cell viability and release of lactate dehydrogenase. EELJ also markedly attenuated glutamate-induced generation of intracellular ROS, which was associated with increased levels of GSH, and activity of SOD and CAT in glutamate-stimulated HT22 cells. In addition, EELJ was strikingly inhibited glutamate-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells. Furthermore, the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax was increased and the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased in glutamate-treated HT22 cells, while in the presence of EELJ, their expressions were maintained at the control levels. Conclusions : These findings indicate that EELJ protects glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 hippocampal neurons through antioxidant activity. Therefore, although identification of biologically active substances of EELJ and re-evaluation through animal experiments is necessary, this natural substance is a promising candidate for further research in preventing and treating oxidative stress-mediated neurodegenerative diseases.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.79-89
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate various application methods of focused ultrasound and apply them to clinical use in Korean medicine. Methods : Search was performed using the search engines of electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ScienceON, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Japan Science Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic (J-STAGE) and Citation Information by NII (CiNii), from inception to July 2023 without language limitation. Inclusion criteria were clinical studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and animal experimental studies related with focused ultrasound treatments for acupoints or meridian sinews. Results : Total 17 papers, 7 for RCT, 6 for in vivo animal studies, and other experimental studies, were finally selected. Indications used in studies were shoulder pain, back pain, chronic back pain, and degenerative knee arthritis. In experimental studies, studies on animal models of hypoxic ischemic brain damage and hyperlipidemia were also conducted. As for the acupoints, LR3, LI4, and ST36 were used in clinical studies and, in animal experimental studies, GV20, KI1, and ST36 were used. As for the dose, 4 studies below 3 W/cm² and 3 studies in the range of 0.625 to 5 W/cm² in clinical studies, and all studies did not exceed 5 W/cm². In animal experimental studies, 0.5 W/cm², 2 W/cm², 7.5 WW/cm², 15 W/cm², 10~20 W/cm² were used. In all three studies describing the penetration depth during irradiation, it was less than 1 cm. Conclusions : We suggest that focused ultrasound is an appropriate treatment tool for stimulating the acupoints to transfer heat energy. Future studies with rigorous and well-designed RCTs for various diseases will be required to ascertain the focused ultrasound stimulate acupoints or meridian sinews.

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

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism and the clinical significance of prohibition of acupuncture of LI4 and SP6 during the period of pregnancy. Methods : It was investigated the prohibition of acupuncture during the period of pregnancy based on the literature reviews. Previous studies identified the acupuncture treatment of animal and clinical studies during the period of pregnancy and labor in China Academic Journal(CAJ). These papers were classified and investigated to clarify the rationale of the prohibition of acupuncture during the period of pregnancy. Results and Conclusions : The contraindicated points during the period of pregnancy are Hapgok (LI4), Samumgyo (SP6), Songmun (CV5), Kwanwon (CV4), Sosang (LU11), Chium (BL67), Kollyun (BL60). The uterine contraction can be induced by the stimuli of Hapgok (LI4) via endocrine system and Samumgyo (SP6) via nervous system. Both Hapgok (LI4) and Samumgyo (SP6) also can be used in various diseases such as induction of abortion, facilitation of parturition, stabilization of embryos, cross birth and so on.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.122-132
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• 2021

Objectives : This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of thread embedding therapy on animal model for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : Search was conducted in the Cochrane library, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-Fang Database, Technology Journal Database, the Korean Studies Information Service System, the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, the Research Information Sharing Service, the National Digital Science Library, the Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal and the Korea Citation Index. Data were extracted concerning animal model, intervention and rheumatoid arthritis indicator by two independent reviewers. Reporting quality was also evaluated by the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments) guidelines 2.0. Results : One thousand thirty six studies were primarily selected. After screening, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. 1 study was published 2005, 1 study was published 2010, 1 study was published 2012, 1 study was published 2015, 2 studies were published 2016, 3 studies were published 2017, 1 study was published 2018. The most frequently used acupoints were ST36 and BL23, and were used with an average frequency of 11.8 days. All of these thread embedding therapy studies were effective on behavioral, morphological, immunohistological and hematological indicators to treat of rheumatoid arthritis model. Conclusions : These results demonstrated the effectiveness of thread embedding therapy and suggested the putative mechanism. However, considering the small number of included studies, low reporting quality and differences in study design, further studies with rigorous designs and high reporting quality need to be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.69-84
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• 2007

Objectives : Intelligent thermo-acupuncture system (ITA-system) is invented for the convenient operation of thermo-acupuncture therapy. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of 100 ㎑ electromagnetic field (EMF) made by ITA-system. Methods : We analysed the influence of this EMF on animals. In order to do experiment in the influence of EMF, male ICR mice were exposed to EMF at different distances from the ITA-system. And we examined weight, diet, behavior, organ and hematological changes. Results & Conclusions : According to the animal studies with mice about EMF influence, there was no significant difference between the control group and the exposed groups about them. In conclusion, the safety of 100 ㎑ EMF made from ITA-system through this animal research was checked.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.75-99
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze animal behavioral changes and related neurobiological mechanisms in recent studies using animal models with pain and depression. Methods : We conducted database search in Pubmed, NDSL, and EMBASE up to January 2021. Included studies were classified as depression-like behavior observed in pain model, pain-like behavior observed in depression model, and pain and depression comorbidity model. The results of pain- and depression-like behaviors, the changes of neurobiological mechanisms, and the treatment methods such as drugs, natural substance-derived chemicals, or acupuncture were analyzed. Results : We included 124 studies (81 studies in depression-like behavior observed in pain model, 19 studies in pain-like behavior observed in depression model, and 24 studies in pain and depression comorbidity model). Pain and depression comorbidity animal models were induced using various methods by drugs or surgery. Von frey test, a method for evaluating mechanical allodynia was the most commonly used for measuring pain-like behavior and the forced swimming test was the most commonly used for measuring depression-likes behavior. The changes of neurobiological factors, such as decrease of 5-hydroxytryptamine and increase of oxidative stress and pro-inflammation cytokines were generally changed in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and spinal cord in all types of models. For treating pain and depression-like behaviors, various types of drugs such as antidepressant, tranquilizer, analgesic, and natural substance-derived chemicals were used. Acupuncture treatment was used in 4 studies. Conclusions : In the future, more diverse studies on the combined model of pain and depression need to be conducted. In addition, it is necessary to establish a mechanistic basis for the development of various treatments by identifying the common mechanisms of pain and depression.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.102-104
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to document the histology of canine acupoints. Acupunctural needles were inserted by 0.5 to 1 cm depth into acupoints Nei-guan (Inner pass, PC06), Gan-shu (Liver Association Point, BL18), Shen-shu (Kidney Association Point, BL23) and Pangguang-shu (Bladder Association Point, BL28) in 4 dogs, and the tissues around the acupoints were examined. Light microscopy was used to observe the surrounding structures of each point. Nerve fibres, small vessels and muscle spindles were found around the tip of the needle in every case, although they occurred not so often at nonacupoint in nearby region or nonacupoint in the areas, such as skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle. Therefore, it is suggested that nerve fibres, small vessels and muscle spindles may be potential acupoint receptors.