• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.99-108
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• 2005

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the analgesic effect and its mechanism of bee venom acupuncture on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) rats. Methods : Bee venom (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously punctured into Choksamni (ST36) of CIA Analgesic effect was evaluated by using the tail flick latency (TFL). Opioid and ${\alpha}2$-adrenergic neurotransmitter system were examined by naloxone as an opioid receptor antagonist and yohimbine as ${\alpha}2$-adrenoceptor antagonist prior to bee venom cupuncture. Results : The results were as follows; 1. The TFL for the CIA rat was decreased as time went by. 2. The TFL in CIA rat was increased in bee venom acupuncture group compared with control group (no treatment). 3. Analgesic effect of bee venom acupuncture was not abolished by naloxone pre-treatment in the CIA rat. 4. Analgesic effect of bee venom aqua-acupuncture was abolished by yohimbine pre-treatment in the CIA rat. 5. Two weeks bee venom acupuncture had the continous analgesic effect for 4 weeks. Conclusions : Bee venom acupuncture has an analgesic effect on the CIA rat and has an antinociception mediated by ${\alpha}2$-adrenergic system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.41-50
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• 2002

Objective : To study anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect and molecular biological mechanism of honey bee venom for aqua-acupuncture, human mast cell line(HMC-1) and human glioma cell line(HS683) were treated with bee venom. Methods : Cell viability of bee venom was tested by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) asssay. To explore whether anti-inflammatory, analgesic effects of bee venom are associated with the control of gene expression, quantitative RT-PCR analysis of inflammation and pain related genes was performed. Results : The MTT assay demonstrated that cell viability was not decreased by treatment with 10-9 ug/ml bee venom in comparison with 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6, 10-7, 10-8, 10-9, 10-10 and 10-11 ug/ml. sPLA2 and COX-l were down-regulated by treatment with 10-9 ug/ml bee venom in HS683 Cell line in comparison with control. COX-2 was up-regulated by treatment with 10-9 ug/ml bee venom in HS683 Cell line and HSP-2 was up-regulated by treatment with 10-9 ug/ml bee venom in HMC-1 Cell line in comparison with control. sPLA2, COX-1 and COX-2 showed no significant regulation in HMC-1 Cell line and cPLA2 also showed no significant regulation in both HMC-l and HS683 Cell line between control and bee venom treated group.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.75-75
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• 2003

Purpose: To investigate whether or not acupuncture of GB34 produces a significant response of the modulation of somatomotor areas by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. Methods: The acupoint, GB34, located in the back of the knee, is known to be effective in recovering motor function after stroke. Using 3T MRI scanner, functional MR imaging of the whole brain was performed in 12 normal healthy subjects during two stimulation paradigms; acupuncture manipulation on GB 34 and sham points. This study investigates the activation of the motor cortex elicited by a soft and an intensified stimulation of GB 34. Three different paradigms were carried out to detect any possible modulation of the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) response in the somatomortor area to motor stimulation through acupuncture. Results: Group analysis from seven individuals showed that bilateral sensorimotor areas (BA 3,4,6 and 7) showed stimulation related BOLD signal contrast of approximately 6% whereas very few areas were activated when sham stimulation is given. Conclusions: The present study shows that acupuncture fMRI study can be safely conducted in 3T MRI environment, and acupuncture stimulation in GB34 modulates the cortical activities of the soma- to motor area in human. The present findings may shed light on the CNS mechanism of motor function by acupuncture and form a basis for future investigations of motor modulation circuits in the stroke patients. Acknowledgement: This study was supported by a grant of the Mid and Long Term Nuclear RID Plan Program, Ministry of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.319-329
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was finding the pain inhibitory effect of acupuncture based on rataining time at LI -4. The pain at dentes incisor was evoked by noxious electric stimulation and digastric electromyogram(dEMG) changes based on time interval were measured. To do this, the opioid antagonist was administered intraperitoneally and four groups were made for convenience. Without naloxone, dEMG was changed by either retaining the needle for 40 minutes (Group I) or by lifting and thrusting the needle (Group II). With naloxone administration, dEMG was changed by either retaining the needle for 40 minutes (Group III) or by lifting and thrusting the needle (Group IV). The results are as following 1. The pain inhibitory effect of acupuncture at LI -4 was expressed best in Group I. 2. The pain inhibitory effect was somewhat expressed in Group II but the effect was smaller than Group I. 3 .In Groups III and IV, the pain inhibitory effect was not expressed. The overall result should be the foundation for the further studies to figure out the underlying mechanism of acupuncture. In addition, it is assumed that the results will be useful for optimal retaining time of acupucture for its maximal effect.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.53-65
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• 2003

Although the effect of Bee Venom has been reported, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Nitric Oxide(NO) is one of the free radicals and mediates in inflammation diseases. Chemokines contribute to the pathogenesis of several disorders such as allergic rhinitis and rheumatoid arthritis and so on. The objective of this study was to investigate the scavenging effect of Bee Venom on NO and on expression of chemokine genes. There was no significant NO scavenging effect in Crude Bee Venom, Apamin, Melittin, and MCD-peptide. The expression of chemokines was examined by RT-PCR using the human mast cell line(HMC-1), which is known to secrete and express chemokines. In order to investigate the protective effect of Bee Venom, HMC-1 cells were incubated with pretreatment of Bee Venom for 24 hrs and stimulated with 1 uM calcium ionophore A23178 for 2 hrs. RT-PCR analyses of chemokine genes showed that expressions of RANTES and MCP-1 were increased compared to the calcium ionophore-only treated group. But IL-8 and MCP-3 did not express increasing effect compared to control group. This study may provide important basic data on the possibility of the clinical treatment of Bee Venom in inflammation diseases.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.42-52
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• 2003

Objective: For designing an optimal countermeasure against ageing and ageing related disease, it is necessary to understand the ageing mechanism and other reactive species. Free radicals are associated with the mechanisam of biological ageing and age-related diseases. This study was performed to identifiy the scavenging effect of Radix Cynanchi Wilfordii Herbal-Acupunture Solution(RCWHA) on Nitric Oxide(NO), 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl(DPPH) and Interleukin-4(IL -4). Methods: The activity to scavenge DPPH radicals and NO was observed in vitro, We evaluated the antioxidant activity of RCWHA by using DPPH or NO free radical method. Also the inhibitory effect on IL-4 in RCWHA was observed in vitro, Results: The followings are the summary of the results; (1) There is a significant scavenging effect of RCWHA on NO in 0.1mg/ml and 10mg/ml group after 24hrs. (2) There is no significant scavenging effect of RCWHA on DPPH. (3) There is a significant scavenging effect of RCWHA on IL-4 in $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ group. Conclusions: These findings indicate that RCWHA can be used as antioxidant or antiimflamatory drug. But further study is needed about the effect of RCWHA.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2005

Objectives and methods: We investigated 17 books to study symptoms, pathology and acupuncture & moxibustion treatment of Hu-Ro(fatigue). Results and Conclusions: 1. The symptoms of Hu-Ro are the deafness, the amblyopia, the mass of sweat, the stiff joint, etc. There are also symptoms such as the fever of palm and legs, avoiding cold temperature in the afternoon, the fever during night time, the stomach fullness and diarrhea, the powerlessness of limbs, red colored urine. 3. The representing pathological mechanisms of Hu-Ro are Yang-deficiency(陽虛), Yin-deficiency(陰虛), Energy(Qi)-deficiency(氣虛), Blood(Hyul)-deficiency(血虛). The other pathological mechanisms are deficiency of Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, Kidney and the basic Energy. 4. The fundamental treatment of Hu-Ro is "warming on worned ones(勞者溫之), supplying on damaged ones(損者益之), strengthening the weakened ones(虛卽補之)" as basis and also supplying blood with fostering spleen(養血建脾) and droping fever with clearing the clogged(降火淸鬱). 5. The meridians that could be used in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment application of Hu-Ro are the urinary bladder meridian, the conception vessel meridian(任脈), governor channel meridian(督脈), kidney meridian(腎經), liver meridian, heart meridian, spleen meridian, lung meridian, stomach meridian, small intestine meridian, gall bladder meridian, pericardium meridian and triple-warmer meridian in order of frequently refered. 6. The meridian points that could be used in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment application of Hu-Ro are Joksamni (足三里:25times), Sinsu(腎兪:20回), Bisu(脾兪:19回), Pyesu(肺兪:18回), Qihye(氣海:17回), Gohwang(膏肓:15回), Kwanwon(關元:14回), Sameumgyo(三陰交:13回), Eumgeuk(陰郄:12回), Daechu(大樞:12回), Sinmun(神門:11回), Simsu(心兪:11回), Nyegwan(內關:10回), Jungwan(中脘:10回) in order of frequently refered.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.166-176
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• 2010

Objective : Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) is one of the most common diseases among elderly men. In BPH, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) acts as a potent cellular androgen and promotes prostate growth. Many reports conclude the component melittin in bee venom has the potential to treat various diseases including prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and action mechanism of Bee venom herbal acupuncture with BPH induced by castration and testosterone treatment. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with testosterone after castration for induction of experimental BPH. A total of 24 rats were equally divided into four groups: Group 1 was the model group; Group 2 served as control (sham-operated group); Group 3 animals were treated with Bee venom herbal acupuncture as an experimental specimen; Group 4 served as a positive control group and was treated with finasteride at a dose of 1 mg/kg. The drugs were administered orally. The prostates were evaluated by prostatic weight, volume, histopathological changes and testosterone levels. Results : While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation, the rats treated with Bee venom herbal acupuncture showed a diminished range of tissue damage and showed significant decrease in their prostatic weights, volume and histopathological examination. Conclusions : These results suggest that Bee venom herbal acupuncture may protect the glandular epithelial cells and also inhibit stromal proliferation. From theses results, we suggest that Bee venom herbal acupuncture could be a useful remedy agent for treating the benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.111-120
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• 2009

Objectives : Although Hwe Yang Gu Chim Hyul is important for acupuncture treatment in emergency and has been widely used, but there is few study about that, except some comments in ancient literatures. So in this study, the author reviewed the Hwe Yang Gu Chim Hyul, investigating the composition and the function, and found the meaning with analysis based on meridian. Methods : 1. The author reviewed several ancient literatures related with the Hwe Yang Gu Chim Hyul. 2. The author investigated the composition of Hwe Yang Gu Chim Hyul, and the location, acupuncture treatment, specificity, disease of each acupoint. 3. Following the investigation, the author found the meaning, the mechanism of function, and the clinical usefulness, based on analysis with meridian. Results : 1. Hwe Yang Gu Chim Hyul had been referred in "Chim Gu Chwei Young" for the first time. 2. Hwe Yang Gu Chim Hyul is composed of 9 acupoints, i.e. 1 acupoint of Governor Vessel, 1 acupoint of Conception Vessel, 2 acupoints of Yang Myoung meridian, 1 acupoint of So Yang meridian, 1 acupoint of Tae Eum meridian, 2 acupoints of So Eum meridian, 1 acupoint of Gwel Eum meridian. 3. It has not been controversial since the comment of "Chim Gu Chwei Young", and it became the origin. Conclusions : 1. Hwe Yang Gu Chim Hyul can be used for an emergency resulted from chronic disease based on heart failure and accumulation of food.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2007

목 적 : 흡연에 따른 건강적 피해가 많이 알려져 있음에도 불구하고 특히 여성 및 청소년 계층의 흡연이 증가하고 있으며 폐암 사망자수는 급격히 늘어나고 있는 상황이다. 완전한 금연이 실패하는 주요 이유는 담배의 중독성에서 비롯되며 금단현상을 극복하지 못해 일어나는 것으로 알려져 있다. 흡연의 중독성은 담배 주요성분 중의 하나인 니코틴(nicotine)에 의해 유발되며 따라서 모든 금연 요법 및 금연 치료보조제 들은 이 니코틴 작용을 어떻게 효과적으로 억제 또는 대체하느냐에 초점을 맞추고 있다. 최근 금연치료 요법으로 한방 침이 주목 받고 있으며 본 논문을 통해 한방 침의 금연효과에 대한 신경학적 기전을 고찰하고자 한다. 방 법 : 금연을 돕는 전형적인 보조 치료제 및 치료법이 몇 종류 개발되어 사용 중에 있으며 대표적으로 니코틴 대체 요법(nicotine replacement therapy, NRT)이나 항우울제로 사용되는 bupropion 등을 들 수 있다. 이 치료 방법들은 뇌의 도파민계 신경전달 체계에 영향을 미쳐 금연 효과를 발휘하게 되는데 실질적인 금연성공확률은 그리 높지 않은 것으로 알려져 있다 따라서 침의 자극에 대한 도파민계 신경전달 조절효과를 중심으로 고찰함으로써 침의 금연효과에 대한 의과학적 기전을 설명하고자 하였다. 결 과 : 침자극은 우수한 금연효과를 가져올 수 있는 치료법으로 기존의 금연 치료요법 및 치료제 들을 보완할 수 있는 보다 확실한 치료요법 중의 하나이며 특히 금연 후에 오는 금단현상을 효과적으로 완화시키는 작용을 한다. 그리고 이 같은 효과는 부분적으로 도파민계를 비롯한 신경전달계를 조절함으로써 가능한 것으로 판단된다. 결 론 : 본 논문을 통해 니코틴에 의한 금단현상의 신경학적 기전과 금연과 관련된 신경전달체계에 대한 침자극의 효능에 대해 고찰하였으며 기존의 금연보조치료법을 대체할 수 있는 우수한 의학적 치료법으로써의 침치료법을 제시하였다.