• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.109-127
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• 2023

Objectives : It was conducted to experimentally analyze the effects of acupuncture treatment at CV12, ST25, and ST36 on weight, FBCS, fat metabolism, microbiome, and metabolome changes in the general diet rat and the high-fat diet rat. Methods : It was classified into four groups: general diet & non-treatment group (ND), general diet & acupuncture treatment group (ND+AT), high-fat diet & non-treatment group (HFD), and high-fat diet & acupuncture treatment group (HFD-AT). After acupuncture treatment was performed on CV12, ST25, and ST36, changes in body weight, FBCS, fat metabolism, microbiome, and metabolome were analyzed. Results : Compared to the ND group, acupuncture treatment performed on CV12, ST25, and ST36 in the ND+AT group had no significant effect. Compared to the HFD group, CV12, ST25, and ST36 acupuncture in the HFD+AT group reduced weight, fat weight, inflammatory cytokine IL-6 expression, and lipid droplet accumulation in liver tissue. Acupuncture can promote fat metabolism and relieve inflammatory conditions. Differences in diversity between ND and HFD groups were clear in changes in microbiome, fecal metabolites, and serum metabolites. As a result of some microbiome and metabolites involved in fat decomposition, intestinal lipid absorption, and blood lipid concentration control, such as Intestinimonas, Ruminococcus 1, pyroglutamic acid, tryptophan, and inositol, it was observed that the acupuncture treatment effect was evident in the disease-induced imbalance. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment performed on CV12, ST25, ST36 clearly observed various regulatory actions on obesity induced by high-fat diet, confirming that the action of acupuncture treatment mainly plays a role in controlling an unbalanced state.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.25-34
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• 2010

Objective : This paper introduces a unique meridian theory developed by Japanese philosopher Yuasa Yasuo. Method : His meridian theory is well organized in his philosophy, so we systematically review his major works and philosophy from which we systematize his meridian theory. And we critically examine it with current studies. Results and Conclusions : He tried to overcome Cartesian mind-body dualism by Eastern thought and newly developing neurophysiology. He articulated "body scheme" from human information systems, primarily nervous system and meridian system, which regulate physiological functions. It consists of 1st external sensory motor circuit, 2nd circuit of coenesthesis, 3rd emotion-instinct circuit and 4th circuit of unconscious quasi-body. Meridian system is the 4th circuit, through which he thought various affect(emotion) flows. Based on the relationship of emotion-autonomic nervous system- meridian-skin, he tried to confirm the existence of meridian system. His theory illuminates mind-body problem and emotion-meridian relationship in traditional East Asian medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.563-572
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to suggest a new method to estimate the resistance by acupoint compositions by using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis(MF-BIA) of 5 kHz, 50 kHz and 200 kHz within 2 cm of acupoints as a local segment. Moreover, we try to confirm the relation to between measured resistance at skin surface and measured resistance by various manual acupuncture needle insertion depth. Methods : Ten male subjects participated in this study. We measured the resistance at left/right ST36 at skin surface and various manual acupuncture needle insertion depth(skin, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm). Results : It was also observed that the all measured resistances were the highest at 5 kHz and the lowest at 200 kHz. There were significant differences at 5 kHz, 50 kHz and 200 kHz between measured resistance at skin surface and measured resistance by various manual acupuncture needle insertion depth(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the left and right identical acupoints under the identical condition(p>0.05). Conclusions : We conclude that the measured resistance at skin surface has limitation as to reflect the information of tissue. However, the measured resistance at each frequency was changed as similar pattern by different insertion depth. Hence, we confirmed the possibility of assumption on information of tissue which was expected to locate an acupoint.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.65-80
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• 2008

Objective : In recent years, many investigators have questioned whether the analgesic effect of acupuncture is simply related to the stress-induced analgesia (SIA). However, there has been lack of studies on this issue. In this study, the stress levels induced by manual acupunctures are compared with the stress in animal experiment models. The experiments have been carried out with Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Method : For stress level evaluation, Hot plate test has been used. Maximum Possible Effect (MPE) has been measured by checking the pre-test time and post-test time. Cortisol and corticosterone concentrations in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results : In the hot plate test, MPE values of post-test time were significantly decreased after 10 minutes than after 5 minutes. Therefore, optimal time interval was chosen as 10 minutes. There was significant difference of MPE values between Suspension group and all other treatment groups. However, there were no significant differences of MPE values between Sham group and all other treatment groups. However, MPE values showed tendency to decrease when acupuncture needle diameter increased. MPE values of ST040, ST040(lido), NAP040(lido) groups were markedly decreased than that of Suspension group, while that of NAP040 group was substantially increased than that of Sham group increased in acupoint and nonacupoint models. Serum cortisol concentrations of treatment groups were not significantly different from that of Suspension and Sham groups. Serum corticosterone concentration of 0.25 mm group was substantially increased than that of compared with Sham group. Serum cortisol and corticosterone concentrations of treatment groups were not significantly different from those of Suspension and Sham groups in acupoint and nonacupoint models. Conclusion : From hot plate test and serum stress hormones concentrations, it is found that manual acupuncture treatment induces negligible stress or SIA on ST36. And the stress induced by manual acupuncture is more closely related to acupuncture point needlings than diameters of acupuncture needles.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2018

Background: This research was performed to investigate the effects of Pulsatilla Koreana NAKAI pharmacopuncture (PPA) therapy on intestinal disease in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Methods: The subjects were divided into five groups : A control group, saline group, pharmacopuncture group PPA1 ($0.2mg/1kg/40{\mu}{\ell}$), pharmacopuncture group PPA2 ($0.5mg/1kg/40{\mu}{\ell}$), and pharmacopuncture group PPA 3($1mg/1kg/40{\mu}{\ell}$). The experimental model of colitis was induced by infection of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for eighteen days. After colitis was induced, PPA therapy was practiced on the Chunchu (ST25) once every two days for a total six times. Thereafter Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, damage to the colonic mucosa, body weight, IL-6, IL-10, $IL-1{\beta}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $TGF-{\beta}1$, IL-23 and IL-17 were measured. Results: The results were as follows. 1. DAI was significantly decreased in the PPA groups. 2. Colon length was significantly increased in the PPA groups. 3. Damage of colonic mucosa was observed less in the PPA groups. 4. Body weight was significantly increased in the saline group and the PPA groups. 5. The PPA2 group showed a significant decrease in the intensity of IL-6, $IL-1{\beta}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels and the mean of IL-23. 6. The PPA3 group showed a significant increase in the intensity of IL-10 and $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels. 7. No significant differences were shown in the mean of IL-17. Conclusion: These results suggest that PPA therapy on Chunchu (ST25) can be used as an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.8-36
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the methodology of clinical trials conducted with the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment on functional dyspepsia. Methods : We searched four international databases and three Korean databases including English, Korean and Chinese, through March 2016 for randomized controlled trials(RCT) and non-randomized case-control trials(CCT) that evaluated the effects of the acupuncture and moxibustion on functional dyspepsia. We abstracted the designs of the trials and the method of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment according to the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture. Results : A total 117 papers were reviewed. The 106 studies were conducted in China. There were 111 RCTs(95%), and 6 CCTs(5%). Sixty eight studies(59%) were conducted with the manual acupuncture, 29 studies of electro-acupuncture(25%), 11 studies of moxibustion(9%), 5 studies of acupoints embedding therapy(4%), 4 studies of acupoint injection therapy(3%) were conducted. ST36, CV12, ST25 were most frequently used for acupoints to treat functional dyspepsia. In 59 studies(50%), western medication was used in the control group, and the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion were evaluated with the symptoms in most studies. Conclusions : These results suggest that it is necessary to develop more detailed reporting standards about acupuncture and moxibustion treatment method as the method of acupuncture and moxibustion is getting more diverse, and more objective tools are needed in evaluating functional dyspepsia.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.75-108
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment for Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women. Methods: We searched articles in 3 search engines with keywords related to 'Polycystic ovary syndrome', 'PCOS', and 'Stein-leventhal' in February 2024. Clinical researches and case reports that used acupuncture on PCOS were included. Animal studies and non clinical data were excluded. Data on acupuncture treatment such as methods, site, duration, frequency, and period were analyzed. Results: Of 60 selected articles, there were 51 randomized controlled trials, 5 clinical trials and 4 case reports. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture, electro acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, warm needling and laser acupuncture. Most studies used more than one acupoint, and there were 78 acupoints selected for acupuncture treatment for PCOS. The most commonly used acupoint was 三陰交 (SP6)(n=50). By analyzing the network of acupoints, 關元 (CV4), 氣海 (CV6), 中脘 (CV12), 三陰交 (SP6), 血海 (SP10), 天樞 (ST25), 足三里 (ST36) were located in center of the network. The mean treatment time, number of treatments, and duration were 28.63±4.48 minutes, 34.52±29.26 times, and 98.18±38.25 days. Conclusions: The results of this study could be useful in establishing the evidence for performing standardized acupuncture treatment for Polycystic ovary syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.179-204
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• 2007

Objectives & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Angelicae Radix Pharmacopuncture(AR-P) at Joksamni(ST36) on collagen II induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice. The authors evaluated arthritis index, arthritis incidence and joint edema, and measured body weight, spleen size and stenosis rate, serum cytokine level, serum antibody level, immune cell populations In spleen, lymph node, and knee joint, and performed histological analysis of CIA mouse joint. Results : In the AR-P group, arthritis index, arthritis incidence and joint edema were decreased, and the enlargement, malformation and stenosis of spleen and the malformation of joint appeared milder than the control group. In AR-P group, the levels of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$ in serum were significantly decreased. And the level of anti-collagen II in serum was maintained lower in AR-P group than in the control group. In AR-P group, the level of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-10, and $IFN-{\gamma}/IL-4$ ratio were significantly decreased, and the ratios of $CD3e^+$ cells to $CD45^+$ cells, $CD4^+$ cells to $CD8^+$ cells in spleen were similarly maintained as those of the normal group. In the AR-P group, the populations of $CD4^+/CD25^+$ cells in spleen and lymph nodes, $CD45R^+/CD69^+$ cells in lymph nodes, $CD3^+/CD69^+$ cells and $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells in knee joint were decreased. In the histological analysis, the cartilage destruction, synovial cell proliferation and the collagen fiber destruction were decreased in the AR-P group Conclusions : The results suggest that AR-P at right ST36 has a therapeutic effect on collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.31-47
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• 2008

Objectives : The objective of this study is to apply the contents of "WaHyul(訛穴 : The errors of acupoint locations"of "ChimGuKyungHumBang" to modern acupoint locations. Methods : The text of "WaHyul" was closely examined and analyzed. "WHO standard acupuncture point locations in the western pacific region" was reviewed based on its contents. Results : According to the analysis, the correct 少商(LU11) was mentioned as a spot appropriately distanced from the corner of the nail root under the skin. This is the most accurate and reasonable synthesis of other related texts. Furthermore, the necessity of defining the locations of all the well points was also emphasized and their locations were mentioned that could be located by the same method. There is no further discussion of other acupoints apart from descriptions of their locations from other texts. Some parts that were pointed out as common errors included not only commonly made mistakes, but errors made in acupuncture texts as were true for 神門(HT7) and 肩井(GB21). The standards of 少商(LU11), 合谷(LI4) and 足三里(ST36) presented in the WHO Standardization are not only similar to what 「WaHyul」 indicated as errors in acupoint locations, but also deviate other acupuncture texts; appropriate corrections must be made. The standard of 肩井(GB21) presents a new acupoint locating method never mentioned before in received classic acupuncture texts and so a rediscussion is in need. Other standards, such as the 絶骨(GB39), had some points of controversy, yet somewhat incomplete while HT7 did not go beyond the bounds of "WaHyul". Conclusions : "WaHyul" can be used to revise WHO standards, and has practical value in modern acupoint locating.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.143-151
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• 2007

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Hap-Kok(LI4) and Jok-Sam-Lee(ST36) acupuncture on blood flow in In-Young(ST9). Method : Monitoring of TCD was examined in each 25's healthy men and wemen in 20s before and after acupucture on both(right and left) Hap-kok(LI4) and was done on both(right and left) Jok-Sam-Lee(ST36) by different group with same condition. Mean velocity and Pulsatility index analyzed from TCD at both In-Young(ST9). Both group was acupuctured for 15-20 minutes laying at bed. Results : The results showed a significant($p{\le}0.05:$ Paired T-test) decrease in mean velocity and increase in pulsatility index at both group. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupuncture could have a specific effect on blood flow called In-Young acupoint.