• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.73-88
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to research the effects of acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ and determine the mechanism of action of acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ by measuring the changes of regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) and mean arterial blood pressure(MABP) in normal rats and ischemic rats. Method : This study researched the effects of acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ on the change of rCBF and MABP. To determine the mechanism of action of acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$, pretreatment with indomethacine and methylene blue was done. Result : 1. Acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ significantly increased rCBF and acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ induced increase of rCBF was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with indomethacin(1 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, and methylene blue(10 ${\mu}g$/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase. 2. Acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ decreased MABP and there was no significantly change of decrease of MABP on acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ by pretreatment with indomethacin and methylene blue. 3. These result suggested that acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ might significantly increase rCBF by dilating arterial diameter and mechanism of acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ might be mediated by cyclooxygenase and guanylate cyclase. 4. The rCBF was significantly and stably increased by acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ during the period of cerebral reperfusion in cerebral ischemic rats, which contrasted with the rapid and marked increase in the control group. Pretreatment with methylene blue significantly decreased rCBF by acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ during the period of ischemic state, increased rCBF during the period of cerebral reperfusion. These results suggested that the mechanism of acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ might be mediated by guanylate cyclase. Conclusion : Acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ can increase rCBF in normal state, and improve stability of rCBF in ischemic state. In addition, we suggested that mechanisms related with acupuncturing $BL_{67}$ and $LI_1$ was more involved in the guanylate cyclase pathway.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.55-69
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• 2008

Objective : We investigated the effects of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on autonomic nervous system with the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in adult man. as well as we tried to observe how distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Method : We investigated the effects of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on autonomic nervous system with the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in adult man. as well as we tried to observe how distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. 1 healthy volunteers consisted of 31 subjects in experiment(distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture) group and 30 subjects in control(Normal Saline) group. Study form was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. 31 subjects in experiment group were injected distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong) and 30 subjects in control group were injected Normal Saline at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong). except of 2 subjects(in control group) who can't be measured and 11 subjects(7 in experiment group and 4 in control group) who move or make unforceable error during measuring. Finally 24 subject in experiment group and 24 subject in control group are studied. We measured HRV by PolyG-I on 7 times : before and after injection per 5 minutes during 30 minutes. The SPSS 10.0 for windows was used to analyze the data and the paired t-test(in group) and Student t-test(between two groups) were used to verify the result. Result : 1. After distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture injection, Mean HRV is significantly low only for first 5 minute, SDNN is significantly high after 5 minute, Complexity is significantly low after 5 minute, HRV index is significantly high after 10 minute and pNN50 is significantly low after 5 minute. 2. SDNN of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 20minute to 25minute, and pNN50 of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly decreased from 10minute to 15minute and 20 minute to 30 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. 3. After distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture injection, Ln(TP), Ln(VLF) and Ln(LF) are significantly high after 5 minute, normalized LF is significantly high after 5 minute and normalized HF is significantly low after 5 minute. 4. Ln(TP) and Ln(VLF) of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 20minute to 25 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. Conclusion : The results suggest that distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture in healthy adult man tend to activate the autonomic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system compared to Normal Saline within normal range.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 1998

Purpose In this study, We observed the recovery process in the ability to move in the hind limbs of the rats whose spinal cord injuries were treated by Radix acouniti(RA). The purpose of this study is to see the effects of Radix acouniti(RA) water extract on the contraction of rat's spinal cord injury. Procedure First, the rats were subjected to hemisectional spinal cord injuries by a scalpel blade. Those rats, then, were divided into three groups: Sham operated rats group and the experimental group, which received the Radix acouniti(RA) water extract, and the control group, which had no treatment. Their recovery in the ability to walk was observed by the Open Field Test (OFT) for 14 days after the injuries. Method The OFT was applied at four points: the hip, knee, ankle joint, and the tail. Each joint was given a movement rating of from 0 to 3, depending on the amount of movement. A movement rating of 0 designates no movement, a 1 designates slight movement, a 2 designates increased movement, and a 3 designates active movement. Slight movement is defined as a joint displaying less than or equal to 30% of that joint range, increased movement is displaying less than or equal to 60% of that joint's range, and active movement is greater than or equal to 90% of that joint's range. Tail movement is also graded on a scale of 0 to 3. A rating of 0 indicates that the tail is down 100% of the time, one of 1 indicates that the tail is down more than 10%, one of 2 shows that the tail is down less than 50% but more than 10% of the time, and one of 3 shows that the tail is down less than 10% of the time. All four ratings were added together and then averaged to arrive at a single score. Results The sham group which did not go through spinal cord injuries showed near normal results on all 3 joints and tail from right after the operation, which one would expect. The RA oral application group showed more effective recovery of movememt function than the control group around 4 days after the spinal cord injuries. However, after 14 days, both groups displayed almost the same degree of movement recovery. The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1. After 14days the spinal cord injuries, movement was recovered in sham operated group, control group, and experimented group in the hip, the knee, the tail and then the ankle of rats, in that order. 2. Around 7 days after the spinal cord injuries, the experimental group proved the effectiveness of the therapy in terms of movement recovery. 3. The level of ALT, ALP, AST in RA treated group was slightly increased. 4. The level of BUN and creatinine in RA treated group was slightly increased. The above results indicate that RA therapy at an early stage can bring about better movement recovery in patients with spinal cord injuries from traffic accidents or industrial disasters. But there is apparent side effect of RA on clinical, therefore the study on this should be continued.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.111-125
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• 2007

Objection : The aim of this study was to investigate anti-ischemic effect of LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture. Methods : I designed to investigate whether LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture affects cerebral hemodynamics [regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), pial arterial diameter(PAD), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) ] in normal and cerebral ischemia rats by MCA occlusion method, and to make manifest whether LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture is mediated by cyclooxygenase or guanylate cyclase. The changes of rCBF and MABP were determinated by laser-doppler flowmetry(LDF), and the change of PAD was determinated by video microscope and width analyzer. Results: The results were as follows ; 1. LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture was significantly increased rCBF, PAD, but decreased MABP after withdrawing of the needle. This results suggest that LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture induced significantly rCBF by dilating PAD. 2. Pretreatment with indomethacin (1mg/kg, i.v.) was significantly inhibited LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture induced increase of rCBF and PAD, but increased LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture induced decrease of MABP after withdrawing of the needle. 3. Pretreatment with methylene blue(10/${\mu}$g/kg, i.v.) was decreased LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture induced increase of rCBF and MABP, but accelerated LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture induced decrease of PAD. This results suggest that the mechanism of LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture is mediated by cyclooxygenase or guanylate cyclase. Conclusion : I suggest that LR1 ${\cdot}$ HT8 ${\cdot}$ HT9 Reinforcement in Acupuncture has an anti-ischemic effect through the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics, and the mechanism IS mediated by cyclooxygenase.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 2002

Stable Compression Fractures(SCF hereafter) are most often caused by trauma such as traffic accidents. These SCFs usually occur in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord. Human life spans have increased as a result of medical advances, which in turn has led to an increase in the elderly population. SCFs are divided into the categories of stable and unstable. The categories are determined through X-rays and P/Ex tests. The D.I.T.I. is then used to diagnose the severity and prognosis of the fracture injuries, and it allows an objective evaluation of the symptoms. This author researched 40 patients who were treated at Wonkwang University Oriental Medical Center from October 1995 to December 1996. The patients were diagnosed by X-ray as having SCFs and treated primarily with acupuncture. Both the changes in D.I.T.I. and patients' self-diagnoses of their conditions before and after treatment yielded the meaningful results which have been presented here. 1. 75% of those who suffer from Stable Compression Fractures are 60 years of older. Of those, the ratio of male to female is 1 to 4. This is due in part to the fact that many elderly women seek Oriental medicine treatment for conditions associated with advanced age. 2. 53.3% of these injuries occurred between T11 and L2. 3. 65% of patients were hospitalized for 10 to 29 days, and then able to be treated on an outpatiens basis. 4. The D.I.T.I. results showed 50% below $0.2^{\circ}C$, 30% between 0.3 and $0.5^{\circ}C$, 10% between 0.5 and $0.7^{\circ}C$, 10% between 0.7 and $0.9^{\circ}C$, and 0% over $0.9^{\circ}C$. 5. The results of treatment using Modified Evaluation System in Thoracolumbar Vertebral Fractures Method showed that 55% of patients achieved excellent recovery and 40% achived good recovery. After comparing the D.I.T.I. results before and after treatment, we found 50% of patients showed excellent recovery $({\Delta}T{\leq}0.2)$ and 40% showed good recovery$(0.2<{\Delta}T{\leq}0.5)$.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2014

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract on nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production and on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging in macrophages. Methods: Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (300 g) was heated at $100^{\circ}C$ with distilled water (2 L) for 4 hours. The extract was filtered and concentrated to 100 mL by using a rotary evaporator, was frozen at $-80^{\circ}C$, and was then freeze-dried by using a freezing-drying system. The RAW 264.7 macrophage was subcultured by using $10-{\mu}g/mL$ lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In order to evaluate cytotoxicity, we performed 3-(4,5-dimrthylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays and measured the cell viability. The NO production was measured by using Griess assays, and the $PGE_2$ production was measured by using enzyme immunoassays. The antioxidant activity, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging capability, was measured by using the DPPH method. Results: Cell viability with the 1-, 5-, 25-, 125- and $625-{\mu}g/mL$ Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract was not significantly decreased compared to the cell viability without the extract. When 125 and $625{\mu}g/mL$ of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract were used, nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was significantly inhibited compared to that in the control group. When 25, 125, and $625{\mu}g/mL$ of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract were used, $PGE_2$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was significantly inhibited compared to that in the control group. The 125- and $625-{\mu}g/mL$ Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extracts had high DPPH free-radical scavenging capabilities in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion: This study indicates that Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract suppresses NO and $PGE_2$ production and improves DPPH free-radical scavenging capability. Thus, it seems that Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract may have an anti-inflammation effect and antioxidant activity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.119-135
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the Asthma-suppressive and Immune-regulatory effect of AF-HA(Aristolochiae Fructus Herbal-acupuncture) at Joksamni(St36) in OVA(ovalbumin) induced asthma mouse model. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 12 weeks(once a week). The mice in the OVA-AF-HA group were treated with AF-HA at St36 for the later 8weeks(3times/week). The mice in the OVA-Needle-prick group were treated with single prick with an injection needle at St36 for the later 8 weeks(3times/week). Results : 1. The lung weight and the total cells in lung of the mice treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 2. Total leukocytes and eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased remarkably compared with those of the OVA-control group. 3. The collagen accumulation in lung of OVA-AF-HA group decreased significantly compared with that of the OVA-control group, 4. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IgE in BALF, and IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in serum of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 5. The numbers of $Gr-1^+/CD11b^+\;and\;CD11b^+$ cells in lung of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 6. The numbers of $CCR3^+,\;CD4^+,\;CD8^+\;and \;CD3e^+/CD69^+$ cells in lung of the mice group treated with AF-HA at 5136 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. 7. The mRNA expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-5, IL13 in lung of the mice group treated with AF-HA at St36 decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that Aristolochiae Fructus Herbal-acupuncture at Joksamni(St36) may be an effictive therapeutic method to treat asthma.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2005

Objective : This study was performed to understand about the concept of Meridian muscle which is the method explaining the muscular system in the Oriental Medicine. Methods : To reveal the concept and the course of formation of Meridian muscle, we have compared the route and symptoms of meridian muscle with the Meridian route and Symptoms of <>, <> and <>. Results & Conclusion : 1. The concept of "Keun(筋)" reported in the <> include muscle, tendon, superficial vein and nerve. and in the <>, it means muscle and tendon. 2. The route of the Meridian muscle is facing toward the heart or head from the limbs, and the symptoms is mostly muscle spasm or pain according to the route, therefore the symptoms of the Meridian muscle are similar to the meridian symptoms of <>. 3. The twelve-Meridian muscle had been made by classifying the whole muscle into twelve sections with making reference to the Meridian system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.131-137
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• 2014

Objectives : This study is to investigate the effects of Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract on nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin E2(PGE2) production and DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging activity in macrophages. Methods : Acanthopanacis Cortex(200 g) was heated at $100^{\circ}C$ with distilled water(2 L) for 4hrs. The extract was filtered and concentrated to 100 ml using a rotary evaporator and was frozen at $-80^{\circ}C$, then was freeze-dried. The RAW 264.7 macrophages were subcultured. In order to evaluate cytotoxicity, MTT assay was performed. Experimental groups were divided into five(control, AC 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$) and we measured cytotoxicity. The concentrations of NO were preprocessed by Griess assay. The RAW 264.7 macrophages was pretreated by 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ LPS and experimental groups were divided into five and we measured NO production. The concentrations of $PGE_2$ were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The RAW 264.7 macrophages was pretreated by 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ LPS. Experimental groups were divided into five and we measured $PGE_2$ production. Antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH method. experimental groups were divided into four(AC 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$) and we measured DPPH radical scavenging activity. Results : 1. Viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages did not significantly decrease in 25, 50 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract compared to control group. 2. NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages significantly inhibited in 100, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$ Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract compared to control group. 3. $PGE_2$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages significantly inhibited in 100, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$ Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract compared to control group. 4. DPPH radical scavenging capability of Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract in RAW 264.7 macrophages had the high level in 100, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. Conclusion : According to the results, Acanthopanacis Cortexx hot aqueous extract has ability to suppress NO, $PGE_2$ production and improve DPPH free radical scavenging activity. So Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract may have an anti-inflammation effect and antioxidant activity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.81-98
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• 2006

Objectives : Acupuncture using a tonification or sedation techniques method is used as a controlling the medication for an early stroke in the Korean medicine. LR3 has indicatons of headache, vertigo, facial paralysis, apoplexy, epiepsy as the source acupoint of a liver meridian. So this study is aims to investigate the anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of acupuncture on the focal ischemia induced by intraluminal filament insertion in rats. Methods : The focal ischemia was induced by intraluminal filament insertion into middle cerebral artery. The animals were divided into seven groups (n=8 in each group) : Normal, intactness group; Conrol group, no therapy group after being ischemia induced; MA-l, acupuncture perpendicularly without Tonification or Sedation techniques at LR3 after being ischemia induced; MA-2, acupuncture obliquely towards the knee at LR3 after being ischemia induced; MA-3, acupuncture obliquely towards the toe at LR3 after being ischemia induced; MA-4, acupuncture obliquely towards the knee and rotate 9 times in a clockwise direction at LR3 after being ischemia induced; MA-5, acupuncture obliquely towards the toe and rotate 6 times in a counterclockwise direction at LR3 after being ischemia induced. The anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of Acupuncture techniques of tonification or sedation at LR3 are observed by mGluR5, Bax, Cresyl violet, ChAT-stain and NGF. Results : The intensity of mGluR5 and the density of ChAT was increased in MA-1 group. The intensity of Bax was decreased in MA-3, MA-4 group. The density of neurons stained by Cresyl violet and ChAT was increased in MA-2, MA-3, MA-4, MA-5 group. The density of neurons stained by NGF was only increased in MA-4 group. Conclusions : Our study suggests that acupuncture perpendicularly without Tonification or Sedation techniques and obliquely towards the knee and rotate 9 times in a clockwise direction(Tonifying technique) at LR3 after being ischemia induced at LR3 shows anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects on cholinergic neuron in focal cerebral ischemia of the stroke in rats.