• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.67-82
• /
• 2005

Effects of Phaseoli Semen rubra Herbal-acupuncture at zusanli(ST-36), Quchi(LI-11) and Sanyinjiao(Sp-6) on lipid composition, liver function, oxidative capacity and molecular biological aspects were investigate in high fat diet induced obese rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 400g were divided into 4 groups according to body weight and raised four weeks with control, zusanli(ST-36), Quchi(LI-11) and Sanyinjiao(Sp-6) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 1. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups and HDL-cholesterol showed a high values in the (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 2. Plasma triglyceride and glucose showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 3. The contents of plasma free fatty acids showed a tendence to decrease in the Herbal-acupuncture groups, however in the Herbal-acupuncture groups, the values showed no significantly different. 4. The activities of AST and ALT showed no significantly different in all treatment groups. 5. The contents of plasma ${\beta}-lipoprotein$ and free fatty acids showed a tendency to decrease in the Herbal-acupuncture groups compared to those of control group. In the Herbal-acupuncture groups, the values of (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups showed a low in the acupuncture groups. 6. Liver total cholesterol and triglyceride showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 7. Contents of plasma TBARS showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups, however contents of liver TBARS showed no significantly different among treatment groups. 8. Values of liver glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity showed a tendency to increase in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal­acupuncture groups. Values of liver super oxide dismutase activity showed a high in the (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups compared to those of other groups. 9. Expression of apo-B mRNA in liver cell showed a low in (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups, however expression of apo-E mRNA showed a high in Herbal-acupuncture groups and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA in adipose cell showed no different among all the treatment groups. Expression of Leptin mRNA showed a tendance to decrease in (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture group. 10. Histological character of liver, those of (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture group showed a good, however other treatment groups showed slight vasodilation and slight fat accumulation. These results indicated that Phaseoli Semen rubra Herbal-acupuncture at (ST-36) and (LI-22) suppressed adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.1041-1054
• /
• 2004

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to increase pain threshold, and to enhance the NK cell activity by up-regulation of IFN-γ and endogenous β-endolphin. For the purpose of understanding the molecular mechanism of EA stimulation, we analyzed the gene expression profile of rat hypothalamus, treated on Zusanli (ST36) with EA, in comparison with control group by oligonucleotide chip microarray (Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Neurobiology U34 Array) and real-time RT-PCR. Sprague-Dawley (S-D) male rats were stimulated at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint in restriction holder. Simultaneously the control group was given only holder stress without EA stimulation. In order to prove the appropriateness of EA treatment, we measured spleen NK cell activity with standard 51Cr release assay. NK cell activity of EA group was significantly increased comparing to control group. The microarray and PCR results show that EA treatment up-regulates expression of genes associated with 1) nerve growth such as NGF induced factor A and VGF, 2) signal transduction such as 5HT3 receptor subunit, AMPA receptor binding protein and Na-dependent neurotransmitter transporter, and 3) anti-oxidation such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase. In addition, the activity of the anti-oxidative enzyme, SOD of hypothalamus, liver and RBC was enhanced compared to that of control. The list of differentially expressed genes may implicate further insight on the mechanism of acupuncture effects.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.365-371
• /
• 2006

Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture (BVA) simultaneously exerts pharmacological effects of biologically active compounds, existed in the whole bee venom, and medicinal effect of the stimulation of acupuncture points. BVA has been considered as a promising therapeutic method for treating various chronic diseases, mainly accompanying severe pain and inflammation. As a painless injection device, jet injectors have been commercially marketed for various clinical applications including insulin injection and vaccination. Among them, a pressure-driven jet injector system could be used for intradermal delivery of a variety of drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effects of the BVA using a needle-free injector (Biojector $2000^{\circledR}$, Bioject Inc., OR, USA), compared to the conventional BV aqua-acupuncture using a typical syringe. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with bee venom $(0.08mg/kg,\;50{\mu}l)$ using Biojector $2000^{\circledR}$ (BVA-B) or a syringe (BVA-5) into the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint, 30 minutes before plantar injection of 2% formalin. It was found that BVA-B-, or BVA-5-treated rats, compared to controls, exhibited significantly less licking behavior during the late phase in the rat formalin test, when compared to controls. During early phase, however, those effects were not significant but substantial. The analgesic effect of BVA-B was also compatible with that of the conventional BVA-5. In the immunohistochemical studies, BVA-B significantly suppressed the expression of formalin-evoked c-fos, a biomarker of neuronal activity, in the lumbar dorsal horn of the spinal cord. These results indicated that BVA-B waseffective in the modulation of pain in the rat formalin test, compared to BVA-5. Taken together, the needle-free jet injector system could be substituted for the conventional aqua- acupuncture with the advantage of little pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.57-66
• /
• 2007

Purpose: We investigated the effects of the combined therapy in rats with rheumatoid arthritis induced by type II collagen for 28 days, which consisted of the oral administration of the AR and EA applied to zusanli acupoint(ST36). Methods: Normal group was oral administered with 0.9% NaCl $0.5\;m{\ell}/day$ to normal rats. Control group was oral administered with 0.9% NaCl $0.5\;m{\ell}/day$ to arthritic rats. Group I was oral administered with AR 500 mg/kg $0.5\;m{\ell}/day$ to arthritic rats. Group II was given 2 Hz EA of ST36 in the test group for 30 min/day to arthritic rats. Group III was oral administered with AR 500 mg/kg $0.5\;m{\ell}/day$ and 2 Hz EA of ST36 in the test group for 30 min/day to arthritic rats. We Observed effect of the histopathological changes by H&E stain of liver, kidney, knee joint and ELSIA of cytokines($TNF-{\alpha}$). Results: 1. The vacuolization of liver tissue was decreased in group I, II, III comparing with control group. 2. The glomerular sclerosis of kidney tissue was decreased in group I, II, III comparing with control group. 3. The erosion of arthritic site of knee joint tissue was decreased group I, II, III comparing with control group. In particular group III was the most effective comparing with group I, II on the histopathological view. 4. In the ELSIA test of $TNF-{\alpha}$ concentration, Control group significantly increased in the concentration more than group I, II, III. The rate of increase in concentration slowed down in group III more than group I, II(p<0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that 500 mg/kg of AR extracts and EA have clear therapeutic effect on the rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2001

Objectives : In order to study the effects of Harpagophyti Radix Aqua -acupuncture in rats with arthritis induced by Freund's complete adjuvant, performed several experimental items : that is edema rate, number of WBC, hemazocrit, platelet, total protein and albumin. Methods : In this study rats were divided into five groups : Normal group (non treated group), Control group (non-injected group in rats with arthritis induced by FCA), ST group (0.2cc normal Saline-injected group at right Chok-Samni(Zusanli,$ST_{36}$) once in every two days during the two weeks in rats with arthritis induced by FCA), HRS group (0.2cc Harpagophyti Radix-subcutaneous injected group once in every two days during the two weeks in rats with arthritis induced by FCA), HRST group (0.2cc Harpagophyti Radix-injected group at Chok-Samni($ST_{36}$) once in every two days during the two weeks in rats with arthritis induced by FCA). Results : 1. In the right plantar edema, HRS group showed a decrease with statistical significance on the 2 weeks and HRST group showed a decrease with statistical significance on the 1 weeks as compared with control group. 2. In the WBC, HRST group showed a meaningful decrease with statistical significance and also HRS group showed a decrease with statistical significanae as compared with control group. 3. In the platelet, HRST group showed a decrease with statistical significance as compared with control group. 4. In the hematocrit, HRS group showed a increase with statistical significance as compared with control group. 5. In the serum total protein and albumin, HRS group showed a increase with statistical significance as compared with control group. Conclusions : According to the above result, it is concluded that Harpagophyti Radix Aqua-acupuncture showed the therapeutic effect of antiinflammation in adjuvant arthritis and it is suggested that further studies and researchs for clinical use be needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.159-174
• /
• 2002

Objective : The meridian theory in oriental medicine explains that each acu-point has a characteristic functional effect. It will be supposed that an acupuncture stimulation on different acu-point evokes different activation on different areas in the central nervous system(CNS) according to the meridian theory. On this supposition, our group tried the semi-quantitative [14C]2-deoxyglucose([14C]2-DG) autoradiography on the acupuncture stimulation to the hindlimb acu-points of Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : A venous catheter for the intravenous administration of isotope was equipped in the right external jugular vein on 3 days prior to the [14C]2-DG study. On the day of the study, two acupuncture needles were inserted into the ST36(Zusanli) or LR3(Taichong) on the left hindlimb. Electro-acupuncture stimulation (2 Hz, 5 ms, 1~3 mA, 15 minutes) started just before the i.v. injection of [14C]2-DG ($25{\mu}Ci/rat$). The brain and the spinal cord were removed and processed for the [14C] 2-DG autoradiography. Results : The EA stimulation on ST36 reveals over 120% metaboilc activation in Arcuate nucleus, Anterior pretectal nucleus, Dorsal cochlear nucleus, Interposed cerebellar nucleus, and Nucleus of Darkschewitsch. The EA stimulation on LR3 reveals over 120% metaboilc activation in Lateral habenula nucleus, Medial vestibular nucleus, Ventromedial thalamic nucleus, Anteroventral thalamic nucleus, Anterior cingulate cortex, Dentate gyrus, Antero cortical amygdaloid nucleus, Anterior pretectal nucleus, and Dorsal tegmental nucleus compared with the non EA stimulation control group. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that the different acu-points evoke the different activations in brain areas. And with this functional brain mapping study, a new scientific elucidation for the basis of the acupuncture-meridian theory in oriental medicine through differences of activated area in CNS according to the each acupuncture point.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 2010

목적 : 족삼리($ST_{36}$) 자침이 유방 조직에 미치는 혈역학적 변화를 측정하기 위하여 diffuse optical imaging 기법을 사용하였다. 방법 : 실험에 사용한 쥐는 자침을 하지 않은 대조군 7마리, 자침을 한 실험군 7마리로 총 2개의 군으로 나누었다. 몸무게 170g 정도의 건강한 암컷 쥐는 100% 산소와 1.5% isoflurane을 혼합한 것을 이용하여 마취 시켰다. 자침은 경골 조면에서 2mm 외측에 위치한 지점인 족삼리($ST_{36}$)에 20분간 시행하였다. 자침을 시작할 때와 자침 후 10분에 각각 침을 5회 회전하였다. Diffuse optical imaging system을 이용하여 자침하는 동안 의 산화혈색소(OHb), 탈산소혈색소(RHb), 총 혈색소(THb)와 조직 산소 포화도($StO_2$)의 변화를 측정했다. 결과 : 실험 결과 족삼리($ST_{36}$) 자침을 시행한 실험군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의성이 있는 OHb, RHb, THb의 증가와 유의성이 없는 $StO_2$의 감소가 나타났다. 결론 : 이러한 결과 족삼리($ST_{36}$) 자침이 혈류를 증가시키고 동시에 세포 대사 활동을 증가 시키는 것을 알 수 있었다. 또한 diffuse optical imaging 기법으로 족삼리($ST_{36}$) 자침 시의 유방 조직의 산소공급과 혈류량의 변화를 확인할 수 있었고, 이는 비침습적으로 자침의 효과를 측정하는 데 활용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

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

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.166-176
• /
• 2003

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of 15Hz electroacupuncture(EA) on carrageenan-injected rats. Inflammation was induced by an intraplantar injection of 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw. Methods : Bilateral EA stimulation with 15 Hz were delivered at those acupoints corresponding to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao in man via the needles for a total of 30 min duration in carrageenan-injected rats. Results: The developing edema was measured 30 minutes interval afer carrageenan injection and 15 Hz EA stimulation presented significant edema inhibition. Three hours after carrageenan injection, prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and nitric oxide(NO) levels were measured. The 15Hz EA stimulation significantly inhibited $PGE_2$ and NO production in the right paw. The pro-inflammatory mRNA expression such as cyclooxygenases(COX)-2 and interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$ were slightly down-regulated by EA stimulation. The number of COX-2, IL-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ immunoreactive cells were abundantly observed in paw edema. But these cells were decreased in nmber according to anti-edema effect of 15Hz EA. Conclusions: These results indicate that 15Hz EA stimulation have an alleviation action against carrageenan-induced edema and local inflammation.

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