• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.91-108
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• 2009

Objectives: Single colorectal instillation of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) causes a dose-dependent increase of visceral motor response (VMR) and severity of inflammation. In this study we compared the effects of electroacupuncture in the different acupoints in the acute colitis induced by TNBS intracolonic injection in rats. Methods: In Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing $250{\sim}400g$, a single colorectal administration of TNBS 5mg/kg and 50% ethanol under isoflurane anaesthesia after an overnight fast. Electrodes for electromyography (EMG) recording were stitched into the external oblique musculature under general anesthesia. Acupoints of LI4, ST25, or ST36 were stimulated by electroacupuncture, respectively. The balloon was inserted intra-anally and visceral motor response (VMR) to colorectal distensioin (CRD) was quantified with an EMG recording system. Results: At an observation of the visceral hyperalgesia in the day-time series, the visceromotor response increased significantly 3 days after TNBS intra-rectalcolonic injection in rats. Electroacupuncture on either ST25 or ST36 suppressed the visceromotor response to colorectal distension, but not LI4, at 3 days after TNBS injection. Pretreatment of naltrexone (10 mg/kg, i.p.), opioids antagonist, inhibited the VMR suppress of 10Hz EA to ST36 but not phentolamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Pretreatment of either naltrexone or phentolamine inhibited effects of 10Hz EA to ST25. Conclusions: Data show that EA at either ST25 or ST36 potently inhibits hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis and is differently mediated through the endogenous opioid system and adrenergic system.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.159-177
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• 2008

Objectives : Crohn's disease is a severe chronic inflammation that is treated mainly by immunosuppression, which often has serious side effects. There is need to develop new therapeutic methods or drugs that have few side effects in order to treat this disease. Acupuncture with Moxi-tar at Cheonchu (ST25) has anti-inflammatory properties, but the mechanism of its anti-inflammatory actions is unclear. We investigated the protective effects and speculated the mechanisms of acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis in mice which is a well known Crohn's disease animal model. Methods : 5 % TNBS was treated at day 1 and day 7 into rectum of mice. To investigate therapeutic effects of acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25, acupuncture was carried out on day 3, and day 6. For the data analysis, we observed macroscopic and microscopic findings of the colon. Weight and width of the colon, degree of damage, changes of body weight, and myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity were checked. For analysing protein expression, we carried out immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. For analysing mRNA expression, RT-PCR was carried out. Results : TNBS induced damages on the colon of mice, while acupuncture of Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed TNBS mediated damages similar to those on the colons of mice in the control (not treated with TNBS) group. The average body weight of TNBS treated mice (77.4%) was decreased compared with that of the control mice (105%), and acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed the loss of body weight caused by TNBS (from 77.4% to 95.3%). TNBS induced infiltration of immune cells in all layers of the colon while acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed infiltration of immune cells caused by TNBS. Furthermore, acupunctured with Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed macro-, micro- colonic damages caused by TNBS. Acupunctured with Moxi-tar at ST25 dramatically improved the clinical and histopathological symptoms such as the increase in weight of the distal colon and the MPO activity in TNBS-induced colitis. Acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 down-regulated the nuclear transcription factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activity and suppressed tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$), and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expressions caused by TNBS. Conclusions : Acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 helps recovery from the TNBS-induced colonic damage by down-regulation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity and suppressing of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and ICAM-1 expressions. This may be an important method for the treatment of Crohn's disease.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.99-109
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• 2006

Objectives : To investigate whether cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 has any immune-enhancing effect in normal rats. Methods : Effects of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 on blood cell counts, cell composition, cytokine and plasma protein levels were investigated in normal rats. Results : Red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels significantly increased in cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture groups compared with those of the normal group. There was, however, no significant difference in white blood cell (WBC) count and WBC differential count between the normal group and the pharmacopuncture groups. Cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture groups had significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ and interleukin-6 (IL-6) than the normal group while no significant difference between groups was found in interleukin-$1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\beta})$ level. Total protein and albumin levels were not different between groups. Conclusions : The results suggest that cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 may have no immune-enhancing effect in normal rats.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2003

This study was examined for effects of acupuncture of Zusanli (ST36) on the abdominal thermography of health subject. The volunteers who participating in this study had taken rest for 20-30 mins in room temperature (23-$25^{\circ}C$) before the examination and informed them what to prohibit smoking, drinking and administration of drug for the previous day. The thermography of abdomen including a below part of the chest was taken using Infra-Red Imaging System (IR 2000, MEDI-CORE Co, Korea) by time interval of 15 minutes at 15 min before, just before and 15 min after, 30 min after and 45 min after acupuncture stimulation. Acupuncture was applied to the left ST36 acupoint for 30 mins. The results showed that acupuncture of ST36 significantly had more potencies of changes on all the of abdominal thermography than those of control group. Also, it was observed that the quantities of thermal changes following acupuncture of ST36 been increased significantly comparing that of control group at all the ROIs (region of interest). Observed the thermography classified by ROI, however, it was failed that acupuncture of ST36 could modulate the specific areas concerning to the abdominal pathway of Stomach Meridian. These results suggest that acupuncture of ST36 may modulate thermal distributions and changes of abdominal areas including the below of chest.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1544-1548
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to learn the effects of ST36 ST44 and ST25 ST36 electroacupuncture stimulation on high fat diet-induced obese mouse. The control group was provided with high fat diet without electroacupuncture stimulation, while the experimental group received a electroacupuncture stimulation on ST36 ST44 and ST25 ST36 with three frequencies (10Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz) for 5 times a week during five week periods with the high fat diet. We investigated the body weight, weight gain, and food intake. After the electroacupuncture stimulation, a significant inhibition of increase in weight was found in the experimental group compared with the high fat diet group. But there were no significant differences made by the change of acupoint combinations and frequencies. After the electroacupuncture stimulation, no significant change was found in the food intakes, but the weight gain a week was decreased compared with the high fat diet group. Electroacupuncture stimulation may be effective in treatments of obesity to high fat diet, But no significant difference was found between three frequencies.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.13-33
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• 2002

This study was examined for effects of acupuncture of Zusanli (ST36) on the facial thermography in health subjects. The volunteers who participating in this study had taken rest for 20 - 30 mins in room temperature (23-$25^{\circ}C$) before the examination and informed them what to prohibit smoking, drinking and administration of drug for the previous day. The thermography of face was taken using Infra-Red Imaging System (IR 2000, MEDI-CORE Co., Korea) by time interval of 15 minutes at 15 min before, just before and 15 min after, 30 min after and 45 min after acupuncture stimulation. Acupuncture was applied to the left ST36 for 30 mins. The results showed that acupuncture of ST36 significantly decreased the temperature of all the areas of facial surface comparing to those of control group. Also, it was observed that the quantities of thermal changes following acupuncture of ST36 been increased significantly at the A1, A4, A6, A7 and A9 ROIs (region of interest) comparing that of control group. Observed the thermography classified by ROI, it was clear the fact that acupuncture of ST36 could modulate the specific areas concerning to the facial pathway of Stomach Meridian, because the thermal responses following acupuncture of ST36 were specific at the A1, A2, A5 and A9 ROIs, relatively. These results suggest that acupuncture of ST36 may modulate thermal distributions and changes of facial areas concerned with Stomach Meridian.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2008

Objectives : Accurate location of acupoints is a prerequisite for both practice and research into acupoint specificity. Given that accurate location of acupoints is one of the most important issues in meridianology education, this study aimed at evaluating if the elastic ruler method for locating acupoints is suitable for meridianology practice class. Methods : Fifty-six students who took meridianology practice class participated in the experiment. Firstly, they were asked to locate PC6, CV12 and ST36 without any assisting tools and the distance between standard acupoint and their acupoint location was measured. Secondly, they were again asked to locate the same points this time with an elastic ruler. Then the first and second measurements were compared using a paired t-test. Results : Analysis of the results found using an elastic ruler significantly improved the difference between the student's acupoint location and the standard acupoint: there was a significant difference between 1st and 2nd measurements for PC6 (1.87${\pm}$0.29mm vs. 1.28${\pm}$0.19mm, P=0.037) and for ST36 (2.70${\pm}$0.22mm vs. 1.38${\pm}$0.15mm, P<0.0001). Conclusions : Using an elastic ruler as an assisting tool for locating acupoints in meridianology practice class should be considered for improving accuracy in acupoint location.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.57-70
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• 2010

Objectives : To investigate the meaning and the importance of needling or moxibustion- prohibited acupoints in Chimgugapeulgyeong(鍼灸甲乙經). Methods : We found needling or moxibustion-prohibited acupoints in Chimgugapeulgyeong, then investigated the causes of the prohibitions from the various literatures and the anatomical structures near the acupoints. Results : In Chimgugapeulgyeong, the needling and moxibustion-prohibited points were ST9, ST17, ST32, CV5, and CV15. The needling-prohibited points were LU2, LI13, ST12, BL56, KI2, KI7, TE8, TE19, GB3, CV8, GV24, and jwagak(左角). The moxibustion-prohibited points were LU3, LU8, ST1, ST7, ST8, ST30, ST33, BL5, BL6, BL15, BL30, TE18, TE21, TE23, GB22, GB33, GB42, GV6, GV15, GV16, GV17 and GV25. The major cause of developing prohibited needling or moxibustion was due to the possibility to damage vessels or organs near them; other causes were side effects brought by applying wrong stimulating method or inducing women sterilized. Conclusions : The prohibition of needling or moxibustion on the points found in Chimgugapeulgyeong had acceptable causes. Therefore the techniques of needling or moxibustion on the acupoint should be performed with care.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-36
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• 2006

Objectives . The aim of this study was to examine the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at the ST36 on normal humans by using power spectral analysis. Methods : EEG(Electroencephalogram) power spectral exhibits site-specific and state-related differences in specific frequency bands. In this study, power spectrum was used as a measure of complexity. 32 channel EEG study was carried out in 12 subjects (10 males; age=26.7 years old, 2females; age=28 years old). Results ; In ${\alpha}$ (alpha) band, the power values at Fp2, F7, F3, Fz, FTC1, FTC2, T3, C3, Cz, C4, TT1, TCP1, CP1, CP2,T5, P3, Pz, P4, Po1, Po2, O1, Oz,O2 channels(p<0.05) during the ST36-acupoint treatment were significantly increased. In ${\beta}$ (beta) band, the power values at Fp2, F7, F3, Fz, F4, F8, FTC1, FTC2, T3, C3, Cz, C4, TT1, TCP1, CP1, CP2, T5, P3, Pz, P4, Po1, Po2, O1, Oz, O2 channels(p<0.05) during the ST36-acupoint treatment were significantly decreased. In ${\delta}$ (delta) band, the power values at F7, Fz, T3, C3, TT1, TCP1, CP1, CP2, T5, P3, Pz,T6, Po1, PO2,O1, Oz, O2 channels(p<0.05) during the ST36-acupoint treatment were significantly decreased. In ${\theta}$(theta) band, the power values at F7, Fz, FTC1, T3, TCP1, CP2, TCP2, Po1, Po2 channels(p<0.05) during the ST36-acupoint treatment were significantly decreased. ${\alpha}$/${\beta}$ values at Cz, T5, O1, Oz, O2 channels during the ST36-acupoint treatment were increased. ${\beta}$/${\theta}$ values at Fpl, F7, F3, Fz, F4, F8, FTC1, FTC2, T3, C3, C4, T4, TT1, TCP1, TCP2, TT2, P3, P4, T6, Pol channels during the ST36-acupoint treatment were increased. Conclusions : This results suggest that Electroacupuncture at the ST36 mostly affects the charge on alpha(23 channels), beta(25 channels) bands.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.21-38
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• 2004

Objectives : Moxibustion has been become very useful tool to prevent and treat various diseases with acupuncture in oriental medicine. Expecially, moxibustion combining the heat stimulation and chemical stimulation of Artemisiae Argyi has a non-invasive characteristics comparing to the other therapeutic tools. However, because the moxibustion makes the patient's skin be burn by the combustible feature of moxibustion, most of people have been scared of being scald. Methods : In this study, we have developed new non-combustible moxibustion tools in collaboration with company (Hana Medical, co. and ICURE, co.) and tested the efficacy through effects of moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ on the abdominal thermography of health subject. The non-combustible moxibustion has main characteristics of controlled heating to inhibit being scald and heat stimulation lasting over 1 hrs. Also, to induce the chemical stimulation, the bottom contacting with skin was coated by the extract of artemisiae argyi. The volunteers who participating in this study had taken rest for 20 - 30 mins in room temperature $(23-25^{\circ}C)$ before the examination and informed them what to prohibit smoking, drinking and administration of drug for the previous day The thermography of abdomen including a below part of the chest was taken using Infra-Red Imaging System (IR 2000, MEDI-CORE Co., Korea) by time interval of 15 minutes. Results : The results showed that moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ had more potencies of changes on all the ROIs of abdominal thermography than those of control group. Also, it was observed that the quantities of thermal changes following moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ been increased significantly comparing that of control group at all the ROIs (region of interest). Observed the thermography classified by ROI, however, moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ could modulate ipsilateral specific areas concerning to the abdominal pathway of Stomach Meridian. Conclusion : These results suggest that new non-combustible moxibusion has some similarity as like as the conventional moxibustion and moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ may modulate thermal changes of abdominal areas.