• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.691-696
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• 2011

In order to the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture (EA), the present study examined the effects of electroacupuncture inacupoint ST36 (Stomach 36) on trimethyltin chloride (TMT)-induced cognitive impairments rat using the Morris water maze (MWM) task and immunohistochemistry staining. The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: naive rat (Normal), TMT injection rat (Control), TMT injection + EA treated rat inacupoint ST36 (ST36) and TMT injection + EA treated rat in non-acupoint, base of tail (Non-AC). Electroacupuncture (2Hz, 2mA, and 10 minutes)was applied either to the acupuncture point ST36 or the nonacupuncture point in the tail for the last 14 days. In the water maze test, the animals were trained to find a platform in a fixed position during 4d and then received 60s probe trial on the $5^{th}$ day following removal of platform from the pool. Rats with TMT injection showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks and treatment with EA in acupoint ST36 (P<0.05) produced a significant improvement in escape latency to find the platform after $2^{nd}$ day and retention trial in the Morris water maze. Consistent with behavioral data, treatment with EA in acupoint ST36 also significantly increased expression of Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampus compared to the Control group. These results demonstrated that EA in acupoint ST36 has a protective effect against TMT-induced neuronal and cognitive impairments. The present study suggests that EA in acupoint ST36 might be useful in the treatment of TMT-induced learning and memory deficit.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to observe the anti-oxidative effects of electroacupuncture at Pungyung($ST_{40}$) in rats. Methods : The author performed several experiments, including measurements of body weightrelative liver weightslevels of albumin, total bilirubin, LDL-cholesterol, LDH, GOT and GPT in serum levels of SOD, glutathione, catalase, NO and MDA in the liver and histological analysis of the liver. Results : 1. Liver index was decreased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the holder group and the control group. 2. LDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the group. 3. SOD activity was significantly increased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group and $ST_{40}-NR$ group compared with the control group. Glutathione activity was significantly increased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the control group, the holder group, and the Sham-EA group. Catalase activity was significantly increased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the control group and the holder group. Conclusions : These results suggest that electroacupuncture at $ST_{40}$ has an antioxidant effect in rats.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.105-114
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• 2011

Objectives : The transient inflammation has been demonstrated to alter visceral motor response (VMR) and acute mucosal inflammation may precede the manifestation of visceral hyperalgesia in animal models. The purpose of our study is to compare effects of the different frequencies applied electroacupuncture (EA) on acupoints in acute colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS). Methods : In Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250~400g, a single colorectal administration of TNBS (5mg/kg) was made and electrode for electromyography (EMG) recording were stitched into the external oblique musculature. EA of either ST25 or ST36 were applied and stimulation parameter was modulated as follows: 2, 10, or 100 Hz with intensity of 2 mA and 1 ms pulse duration for 30 min. The balloon was inserted intra-anally and VMR to colorectal distension (CRD) was quantified with an EMG recording system. Results : The VMR increased significantly 3 days after TNBS intra-rectal colonic injection in rats. Both 2 Hz and 10 Hz EA on ST36 suppressed VMR to CRD in the acute colitis model but not 100 Hz. Only 10 Hz EA on ST25 suppressed VMR to CRD in the acute colitis. Conclusions : These data show that 10 Hz EA potently inhibits hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.197-211
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• 2008

Objectives : We studied on anti-allergic effects of Arctii Fructus Herbal Acupuncture(AFHA) and Arctii Fructus Herbal Acupuncture Solution(AF). Methods : In vivo, Animals were herbal-acupunctured AFHA at both ST36 three times for 5 days. Then, we investigated compound 48/80-induced active systemic anaphylaxis(ASA) using ICR mice and anti-DNP IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis(PCA) using Sprague Dawley rat. In vitro, we measured cell viability, b-hexosaminidase, IL-4 and TNF-a release from RBL-2H3 cells after treatment of AF of various concentrations. Results : In vivo, AFHA pretreatments at both ST36 inhibited compound 48/80-induced ASA. PCA was inhibited by AFHA pretreatments at both ST36. In vitro, AF treatments were not affect on cell viability and inhibited b-hexosaminidase, IL-4 and TNF-a release. Conclusions : These results suggest that AFHA and AF may be beneficial in the inhibition of allergic inflammatory response.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.213-227
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• 2008

Objectives : We studied on anti-allergic effects of Semen Perillae Herbal Acupuncture(SPHA) and Semen Perillae Herbal Acupuncture Solution(SP). Methods : In vivo, Animals were herbal-acupunctured SPHA at both ST36 three times for 5 days. Then, we investigated compound 48/80-induced active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) using ICR mice and anti-DNP IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) using Sprague Dawley rat. In vitro, we measured cell viability, b-hexosaminidase release, IL-4 and TNF-a from RBL-2H3 cells after treatment of SP of various concentrations. Results : In vivo, SPHA pretreatments at both ST36 inhibited compound 48/80-induced ASA. PCA was inhibited by SPHA pretreatments at both ST36 and optional points. In vitro, SP treatments were not affect on cell viability and inhibited b-hexosaminidase release, IL-4 and TNF-a. Conclusions : These results suggest that SPHA and SP may be beneficial in the inhibition of allergic inflammatory response.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.13-25
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate acupoints and muscles used for cosmetic acupuncture. We want most clinicians practicing cosmetic acupuncture to understand theoretical background well and to treat cosmetic diseases more diversely by this paper. Methods : We collected useful informations from some books and websites about cosmetic acupuncture and thus could select major acupoints and muscles. Conculsions : The most frequently used acupoints for cosmetic acupoints are as follows ; LI20, ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST8, SI18, SI19, BL1, BL2, BL3, BL4, TE17, TE18, TE19, TE20, TE21, TE22, TE23, GB1, GB2, GB3, GB4, GB5, GB6, GB7, GB8, GB13, GB14, GV20, GV21, GV22, GV23, GV24, GV25, GV26 and CV24. And head and neck muscles including SCM muscle, plastyma, frontalis, corrugator supercilii, orbicularis oculi, auricularis, temporalis, masseter, pterygoid, zygomaticus and risorius can be used for cosmetic acupuncture. Most acupoints and muscles are located in face and head, which seemed to be concerned with formation of face wrinkles.

• 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.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2008

Objectives & Methods : This study was to investigate effect of low frequency electroacupuncture on NADPH-d positive neurons in the brain cortex of rat with adjuvant induced rheumatoid arthritis. Experimental groups were divided into 6 groups ; Normal, Control, $ST_{36}$, $SP_9$, $ST_{36}+SP_9$ and Non-Acupoint. Normal group, non-arthritic group, was injected normal saline, and the other groups were injected FCA. Each acupoint groups were treated by 2Hz electroacupuncture at each acupoints and NA group was treated by 2Hz electroacupuncture at non-acupoint. Each groups were evaluated by the number of NADPH-d positive neurons in primary somatosensory area(S1), secondary somatosensory area(S2), motor area and caudate putamen by using an image analyzer and a microscope. Results : 1. In S1, the number of NADPH-d positive neuron cells in the $ST_{36}$ group were significantly(p<0.05) increased compared with the control group. 2. In S2, the number of NADPH-d positive neuron cells in all electroacupuncture groups were not significantly changed compared with the control group. 3. In motor area, the number of NADPH-d positive neuron cells in $ST_{36}$ group, $SP_9$ group, NA group were significantly(p<0.05) increased compared with the control group. 4. In Caudate putamen, the number NADPH-d positive neuron cells in all electroacupuncture groups were significantly(p<0.05) decreased compared with the control group. Conclusions : Our result demonstrated that low frequency electroacupuncture on $ST_{36}$ & $SP_9$ normalized expression of NADPH-d positive neurons in the brain cortex of the rheumatoid arthritis model in rats.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.5-20
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was carried out to identified the effects of distilled cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture to the obesity. Methods : Cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture was administered on the points of chung-wan(CV12), $Ch'{\breve{o}}nch'u$(ST25), and Chok-samni(ST36) on lowering lipid and oxidative capacity in biochemical and molecular biological aspects were investigated in obese rats fed with high fat diet. Results : 1. The contents of plasma ${\beta}-lipoprotein$ showed a tendency to decrease in the pharmacopuncture groups compared to the control group. In the pharmacopuncture groups, the values of ST25 and ST36 pharmacopuncture groups showed lower value. 2. The contents of plasma free fatty acids showed a tendency to decrease in pharmacopuncture groups compared to the control group. However, in the pharmacopuncture groups, the values were not significantly different. 3. Plasma triglyceride and glucose showed lower value in the ST25 pharmacopuncture groups compared with the other groups. 4. The activity of AST showed a tendency to decrease in the pharmacopuncture groups. However, the activity of ALT was not significantly different in all the treatment groups. 5. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol showed lower value in the ST25 and ST36 pharmacopuncture groups and HDL-cholesterol showed higher value in the CV12 pharmacopuncture groups than that of the other treatment groups. 6. Liver total cholesterol values didn't show significant difference in all the treatment groups, and triglyceride showed lower value in the pharmacopuncture groups. 7. The contents of plasma TEARS showed lower value in the ST25 pharmacopuncture group and contents of liver TBARS showed a tendency to decrease in the pharmacopuncture groups. However these values didn't show significant difference in the pharmaco puncture groups. 8. Liver super oxide dismutase activity showed higher value in the ST25 and ST36 pharmacopuncture groups, and the value of liver glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity showed a tendency to increase in the pharmacopuncture groups. However, these values showed no significant difference in the pharmacopuncture groups. 9. Expression of apo-B and E mRNA in liver cells was lower in the ST25 pharmacopuncture group than that of the other treatment groups. However, expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and leptin mRNA in adipose cell showed no difference among all the treatment groups. 10. ST25 pharmacopuncture group showed a good histological character of liver. It showed similar to that of normal group. However other treatment groups and control group showed slight vasodilation and slight fat accumulation. Conclusion : These results indicate that distilled cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture suppressed adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation, and increased antioxidant capacity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.105-115
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• 2018

Objectives : This research aimed to verify the validities of contraindicated acupoints in acupuncture treatment in Zhenjiudacheng. Methods : We investigated contraindicated acupoints when performing needling in Zhenjiudacheng, then verified them in today's medical knowledge and clinical studies. Results : In Zhenjiudacheng, 39 acupoints - LU2, LI4, LI13, LI14, LI16, ST1, ST9, ST12, ST17, ST25, ST30, ST42, SP6, SP11, SI18, BL8, BL9, BL56, KI11, TE7, TE8, TE19, TE20, GB3, GB18, GB21, GV10, GV11, GV17, GV22, GV24, CV1, CV4, CV5, CV8, CV9, CV15, CV17 and EX-HN11 - were described to need a careful approach in acupuncture treatment and 21 acupoints among them had contraindications. Most of the contraindications can be explained based on anatomical knowledge and results of clinical studies, and acupuncture treatment at the 39 contraindicated acupoints can induce injury of tissues or organs near the acupoints. Conclusions : The contraindicated acupoints in acupuncture treatment in Zhenjiudacheng seem to have been classified based on the adverse events experienced by doctors at that time. Therefore careful acupuncture treatment at these acupoints is needed to avoid injury to tissue or organs.