• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2005

Objectives : This study is a random-controlled post-design for confirmation of headache degree, quality of life, and satisfaction to therapeutical effect on chronic headache adults after management of non-medicinal treatment (acupuncture therapy and stellate ganglion block therapy). Methods : 51 clinical experiment participants were gathered and through a questioutaire patients who experienced headache for more than 4 hours a day and more than 15 days per month were qualified as chronic headache patients. The qualified patients were classified in to two groups, acupuncture group (AT group, n=28) and stellate ganglion block group (SGB group, n=23). Treatment was applied 2 times a weeks for 4 weeks. The effects of both groups were analyzed using VAS scores, BPI (Brief Pain Inventory) and the satisfaction degree to the therapy. Results : 1. The recognized score of the headache of AT group and SGB group was reduced indicating the degree of the headache was released. 2. The recognition at damage to the quality of life was reduced post therapy of AT group and SGB group, in which general activity, mood, enjoyment of life, personal relationship, and sleeping showed significant improvement of life quality, 3. The satisfaction degree to the therapy showed lower score than expectation to it in AT group and SGB group, however, it was not significant. Conclusions : The results showed that the four-week non-medicinal treatment (AT and SGB) in chronic headache patients was effective for reducing headache and releasing its damage in daily life, however, no difference in superiority was found. Therefore, non-medicinal treatment (AT therapy and SGB) could be utilized in chronic headache patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was carried to identify the component of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle in human. Methods : The regional muscle group was divided into outer, middle, and inner layer. The inner part of body surface were opened widely to demonstrate muscles, nerve, blood vessels and to expose the inner structure of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle in the order of layers. Results We obtained the results as follows; He Perfcardium Meridian Muscle composed of the muscles, nerves and blood vessels. In human anatomy, it is present the difference between terms (that is, nerves or blood vessels which control the muscle of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle and those which pass near by the Pericardium Meridian Muscle). The inner composition of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle in human is as follows ; 1) Muscle P-1 : pectoralis major and minor muscles, intercostalis muscle(m.) P-2 : space between biceps brachialis m. heads. P-3 : tendon of biceps brachialis and brachialis m. P-4 : space between flexor carpi radialis m. and palmaris longus m. tendon(tend.), flexor digitorum superficialis m., flexor digitorum profundus m. P-5 : space between flexor carpi radialis m. tend. and palmaris longus m. tend., flexor digitorum superficialis m., flexor digitorum profundus m. tend. P-6 : space between flexor carpi radialis m. tend. and palmaris longus m. tend., flexor digitorum profundus m. tend., pronator quadratus m. H-7 : palmar carpal ligament, flexor retinaculum, radiad of flexor digitorum superficialis m. tend., ulnad of flexor pollicis longus tend. radiad of flexor digitorum profundus m. tend. H-8 : palmar carpal ligament, space between flexor digitorum superficialis m. tends., adductor follicis n., palmar interosseous m. H-9 : radiad of extensor tend. insertion. 2) Blood vessel P-1 : lateral cutaneous branch of 4th. intercostal artery, pectoral br. of Ihoracoacrornial art., 4th. intercostal artery(art) P-3 : intermediate basilic vein(v.), brachial art. P4 : intermediate antebrachial v., anterior interosseous art. P-5 : intermediate antebrarhial v., anterior interosseous art. P-6 : intermediate antebrachial v., anterior interosseous art. P-7 : intermediate antebrachial v., palmar carpal br. of radial art., anterior interosseous art. P-8 : superficial palmar arterial arch, palmar metacarpal art. P-9 : dorsal br. of palmar digital art. 3) Nerve P-1 : lateral cutaneous branch of 4th. intercostal nerve, medial pectoral nerve, 4th. intercostal nerve(n.) P-2 : lateral antebrachial cutaneous n. P-3 : medial antebrachial cutaneous n., median n. musrulocutaneous n. P-4 : medial antebrachial cutaneous n., anterior interosseous n. median n. P-5 : median n., anterior interosseous n. P-6 : median n., anterior interosseous n. P-7 : palmar br. of median n., median n., anterior interosseous n. P-8 : palmar br. of median n., palmar digital br. of median n., br. of median n., deep br. of ulnar n. P-9 : dorsal br. of palmar digital branch of median n. Conclusions : This study shows some differences from already established study on meridian Muscle.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.117-132
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was carried out to determine whether Juglandis Semen herbal acupuncture (JSA) exerts the protective effect against toxic agent-induced live. cell damage. Methods : The cell damage was estimated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and lipid peroxidation was estimated by measuring maiondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation, in rabbit liver slices. Results : When tissues were incubated with 0.5 mM Hg for $10{\sim}120\;min$, LDH release and lipid peroxidation were increased as a function of incubation time, and these effects were significantly prevented by addition of 0.1% JSA. Hg increased LDH release and lipid peroxidation in dose-dependent manner over the range of $0.1{\sim}l\;mM$ concentrations, which were reduced by 0.1% JSA. When tissues were treated with 0.5 mM Hg in the presence of $0.05{\sim}l\;%$ JSA, LDH release and lipid peroxidation induced by Hg were prevented by JSA in a dose-dependent fashion. JSA at 0.5 and 1% prevented completely effects of 0.5 mM Hg. When tissues were treated with 0.5 mM Hg for 60 min, LDH release and lipid peroxidation were increased, which were significantly prevented by addition of 0.1 % JSA. tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) increased LDH release and lipid peroxidation, which were significantly reduced by 0.1 % JSA. Such protective effects were similar to those of N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), a potent antioxidant. When tissues were treated with 0.5 mM Hg, activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were inhibited, and glutathione content was also reduced. Such effects were prevented by JSA, but not by DPPD. JSA prevented Hg-induced morphological changes. Conclusions : These results indicate that JSA exerts the protective effect against liver cell injury induced by toxic agents through antioxidant action, and this effect may be attributed to an increase in activities of endogeous anitoxidant enzymes and GSH content. However, antioxidant effect of JSA is different from that of a well-known potent antioxidant DPPD.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.7-21
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• 2005

Objectives : In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to SI6 and won-rak point on the ankle sprain model was examined. A common source of persistent pain in humans is the lateral ankle sprain. Methods : To model this condition, the rat's right ankle was bent repeatedly, overextending lateral ligaments, for 4 min under enflurane anesthesia. The rat subsequently showed swelling of the ankle and a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for the next several days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful ankle. EA was applied to the several acupuncture point on the contralateral forelimb for 30 min under gaseous anesthesia. After the termination of EA, behavioral tests measuring stepping force and Paw volume were Periodically conducted during the next 4 h and 18 h respectively. Results : EA applied to $SI_6$ with won-rak point produced more powerful improvement of stepping force of the sprained foot than to $SI_6$ alone lasting for at least 4 h. However, neigher $KI_4$ point nor $BL_{64}$ point produced any significant increase of weight bearing force. The improvement of stepping pressure was interpreted as an analgesic effect. The analgesic effect was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effort on the ankle sprain pain model could not be mimicked by EA applied to $KI_4$ or $BL_{64}$. In addition, EA applied to $SI_6$ with won-rak combination point showed inhibitory effect on the paw edema induced by ankle sprain. Also, COX-2 protein expression increased by ankle sprain were suppressed by the EA stimulation. Conclusion : These data suggest that EA with won-rak combination point produces a more potent analgesic effect on the ankle sprain pain model in the rat and that EA with won-rak combination point induced anti-inflammatory effect through the suppression of COX-2 protein expression.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.131-141
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effect of invasive laser acupuncture treatment at Liver Brook (LR2) acupoint and Liver Sea (LR8) acupoint on liver damage induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in rats Methods : Liver damage was induced by D-GalN. The experimental rats were divided into two groups (control group, Low Level Laser Treatment (LLLT) group). Control groups were classified into small groups. Intact group had no liver damage and no treatment. D-GalN group was induced liver damage induced by D-GalN and not treated. LLLT group were induced liver damage induced by D-GalN and then treated at the LR2 or LR8 acupoint with 532, 658, 904 nm invasive laser acupuncture. The treatment was carried out three days at a time for 15days at both acupoints. To examine mechanism of the effect of invasive laser acupuncture, we measured the contents of ASP, ALT, ALP, TBIL in serum, CBC in blood and SOD in liver tissue. Results : The change of body weight increased in all groups. That change was AST and ALP, the AST activity decreased significantly compared with the control groups and decreased by 532 nm and 904 nm both LLLT groups. But ALP increased at LR8 acupoint by 658 nm. TBIL level significantly decreased in all LLLT groups. The SOD of LLLT groups increased in the liver tissue of rats compared to the control groups. SOD activity indicated that LLLT can help cellular defense mechanism by preventing scavenging hydrogen peroxide. In the change of WBC, it was increased in D-GalN Control group compared to intact group and LLLT groups. Conclusions : These results suggested that invasive laser acupuncture treatment at LR2 or LR8 acupoint reduced activation of hepatic enzyme and damage of liver tissue. Thus, the effect of invasive laser acupuncture was nearly identical to the way of the traditional acupuncture for the treatment of hepatocytotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.195-209
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• 2009

Objectives : Transient inflammation has been demonstrated to alter visceral sensory function in animal models and acute mucosal inflammation may precede the manifestation of visceral hyperalgesia. Thus in this study we compared effects of herbal acupuncture of Nidus Vespae (NV) applied to the different acupoints in the acute colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) intracolonic injection in rats. Methods : In Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250 ~ 400 g, TNBS (5 mg/kg) was infused intrarectally through a silicon rubber catheter into the anus under isoflurane anaesthesia. Under general anesthesia, acupoints of LI4 (Hapkok), SI25 (Cheonchu), ST36 (Joksamni), BL25 (Daejangsu) were intramuscularly injected by NV. Expressions of cFos protein in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), nucleus of solitary tract (Sol), and the 6th lumbar spinal cord (L6 s.c.) were observed at 24 hrs after TNBS induced colitis by immunohistochemistry. Results : The expression of c-Fos protein in L6 s.c., Sol, LC and PAG increased 24 hrs after TNBS injection into colorectum as compared to normal group. NV herbal acupuncture also inhibited the expression of c-Fos protein in Sol but not L6 s.c., LC, and PAG. NV to ST36 inhibited significantly the c-Fos expression in Sol and PAG. NV to ST25 inhibited the c-Fos protein expression all over the observation area. NV to BL25 showed the inhibitory effects in the areas except LC. Whether or not a role of endogenous opioids, intrathecal injection of naltrexone (30 ug / 30 ul) was applied before the 2nd herbal acupuncture treatment 24 hrs after TNBS-induced colitis in rat. Naltrexone reversed the inhibition of c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord and brainstem under different conditions such as type of herbal acupuncture compound and choice of acupoint. Conclusions : In summary, these data show that herbal acupuncture of NV inhibits signal pathways such as spinal cord and brain stem ascending hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis. This effect may be mediated by acupoints through the endogenous opioid system involving the pain modulation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.49-62
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• 2010

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of manual acupuncture, invasive laser acupuncture and laser skin irradiation at LU8, LR4, HT8 and LR2(Liver Seunggyeok) on D-galN-induced liver injury in rats. Method: Liver injury was induced with D-galN. The experimental rats were divided four groups(Control group, EXP-1, EXP-2, EXP-3). In the Control group, liver injury-induced and not treated. EXP-1 group was liver injury-induced and carried out manual acupuncture with Young-Su(against the meridian course and following the course of the meridian) & Won-Bang(by twisting and rotating the needle) acupuncture method at Liver Seunggyeok. EXP-2 group was liver injury-induced and carried out invasive laser acupuncture at Liver Seunggyeok. EXP-3 group was liver injury-induced and carried out laser skin irradiation at Liver Seunggyeok. Result: In the change of body weight(in 1 week), EXP-1, EXP-2 and EXP-3 groups were significantly increased as compared with control group. In the change AST & ALT, EXP-1 and EXP-2 groups were significantly decreased as compared with control group. In the change of SOD, EXP-1, EXP-2 and EXP-3 groups were significantly increased as compared with control group. In the change of WBC, EXP-2 group was significantly increased as compared with control group. Conclusion: Manual acupuncture, invasive laser acupuncture and laser skin irradiation at Liver Seunggyeok had hepatotherapeutic effect on the treatment of hepatocytotoxity. Invasive laser acupuncture was as effective as manual acupuncture on the treatment of hepatocytotocity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.27-38
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• 2009

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, principally characterized by synovial inflammation of the joints. We previously reported the effect of acupuncture for RA, but the mechanism is still unclear. Various factors such as oxidative stress and angiogenesis were involved in the pathogenesis of RA, and recently, it has also been reported that cytokines also play a major role in RA. Thus, we investigated whether acupuncture could induce any changes in the levels of cytokines including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) as well as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) in the sera of RA patients. Methods: The forty three patients who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA recruited. The acupuncture group (n=21) underwent 14 sessions of partially individualized acupuncture treatment for 6 weeks, and the control group had no treatment (n=13) over the same periods. We evaluated ESR, CRP and RF. In addition, to find out the mechanism of acupuncture, we assessed the changes of the cytokine activities using protein cytokine array in the sera of the patients. Results: Acupuncture significantly decreased the levels of ESR and CRP, but RF were not changed after 6-week acupuncture treatments. Moreover, acupuncture reduced the levels of VEGF, angiogenin and EGF in the sera of the patients. Interestingly, they were related with angiogenesis, which is an important process in the pathogenesis of RA. The levels of oncostatin, interleukin(IL)-$1{\alpha}$, IL-8, leptin, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage-derived chemokine, macrophage inflammatory proteins-1, platelet-derived growth factor BB and RANTES were not changed significantly. Conclusions: The effect of acupuncture for reliving RA symptoms can be partially explained by inhibition of angiogenesis factors in the sera of the RA patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.15-25
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• 2009

Objective: This paper aimed to understand influences on EEG conducting acupuncture stimulation, by comparing the changes in the acupoints on the body before and after normal people are treated with acupuncture at PC9 and TE3, which are referred to as Wood points(木穴), and PC5 and TE1, which are referred to as the Metal points(金穴) among the five shu points of Yin pericardium Meridian and Yang Triple Energizer Meridian. Methods: The study was performed on 30 healthy female volunteers in their 20's. EEG was measured for 5 minutes before acupuncture stimulation was conducted on PC9, TE3, PC5 and TE1. During 20 minutes of acupuncture treatment, the same items were continuously measured to find out whether there were any changes in them, and they were measured for 5 minutes after removing the acupuncture needles in order to implement a comparative analysis. Results: Comparision of EEG data before and after the treatment at PC9 shows no significant differences in all wave. Compared with the pre-acupuncture period at TE3, $\delta-\theta$ wave decreased significantly (P<0.05) during the acupuncture stimulation periods. Compared with the pre-acupuncture period at PC5, $\delta-\theta$ wave and high $\alpha$ wave increased significantly (P<0.05) during the acupuncture stimulation periods. And Mid $\beta$ wave and high $\beta$ wave decreased significantly (P<0.05) during the acupuncture periods and the post acupuncture periods. Compared with the Pre-acupuncture period at TE1, $\delta-\theta$ wave, $\theta$ wave and high $\alpha$ wave increased significantly (P<0.05) during the acupuncture stimulation periods. And Low $\beta$ wave decreased significantly (P<0.05) during the acupuncture periods. Conclusion: When acupuncture stimulation was performed on PC9 and TE3, referred to as the "Wood points", brain waves were stabled, while when acupuncture was performed on PC5 and TE1, called the "Metal points", a brain was waked. From the findings of this study, we hypothesize that the wood properties, from which growing starts in all things, are related with fast waves of EEG, and the metal properties, which stabilize and converge in all things, are related with slow waves of EEG.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.125-142
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of neuronal activities for the acupuncture and laser acupuncture application. Methods: The subject were divided into 7 groups as control group without acupuncture, acupuncture treatment with tonify manipulation with the direction of channel at HT9, LR1(AT-A), acupuncture treatment with purge manipulation against the direction of channel at HT3, Kl10(AT-B), acupuncture treatment with tonify manipulation with the direction of channel at HT9, LR1 and purge manipulation against the direction of channel at HT3, KI10(AT-C), laser acupuncture treatment with red light 658 nm at HT9, LR1(LAT-A), laser acupuncture treatment with green light 532 nm at HT3, KI10(LAT-B), laser acupuncture treatment with red light 658 nm at HT9, LR1 and green light 532 nm at HT3, KI10(LAT-B). Antiapopotic effect of acupuncture was observed by Bax, Bcl-2 and cytochrome C. Neuroprotective effect of acupuncture was observed by cresyl violet and ChAT. Results: AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly increased comparing the control groups in expression ChAT and in neuroprotective effect by cresyl violet. AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in expression Bax. AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly increased comparing the control groups in expression Bcl-2. AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in expression cytochrome C. Conclusions: The acupuncture with tonify and purge manipulation and laser acupuncture with red and green light could be effective for antiapopotic and neuroprotective effect in focal brain ischemia.