• 대한약침학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.13-20
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• 2009

In this study, the effects of Ganoderma lucidum (GL) on fat metabolism were performed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The effects of GL on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiation were also examined. Our results showed that GL decreased the TG content by ORO staining. To elucidate the mechanism of the effects of GL on lowering TG content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we examined whether GL modulate the expressions of transcription factors and adipokines related to control of energy expenditure process because adipokines regulate adipocyte mass and increased expenditure may consume much TG in adipocytes. As a result, the expression of C/$EBP{\beta}$, C/$EBP{\delta}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, and $PPAR{\gamma}$, genes, which induce the adipose differentiation and adipose-specific FAS, aP2, and adipsin genes, which compose fat formation were decreased. In addition, GL increased the expression of leptin, UCP2, adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, resulting in energy homeostasis. In conclusion, GL could regulate transcript factor related to induction of adipose differentiation and control TG content by up-regulation of adipokines related to fat burn.

• 대한의료기공학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.22-39
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• 2001

This study is designed to compare the effect of a needle with the magnet on body. We took the skin temperature of the belly with digital infrared thermographic imaging while we sticked needle and apply magnets on L14. We made experiments on 40 healthy male volunteers for one month. We classified control group not acupuncture or magnet adhering(CON). acupuncture group on left and right L14(LA). and the permanent magnet group adhering to left and right(LM). And LM is divided into S-polar permanent magnet group(LMS) and N-polar permanent magnet group adhering to left and right L14(LMN). When we observed that temperature changed with time, the skin temperature of th belly in CON descended significantly but LM, LMS and LMN is not changed significantly. As mentioned above. we observed that the needles on L14 affected the change of temperature on the belly, and conjectured that the appliance of magnets had the same results. If the mechanism depends on the meridian of body and energy. we suppose that the appliance of magnets and needles has same effects.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제8권3호
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• pp.5-9
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• 2005

미분간섭현미경법과 아크리딘-오렌지(acridine-orange) 형광 염색을 이용하여 쥐 혈관 내의 실 모양 구조물을 관찰하였다. 공초점현미경법과 헤마톡실린-에오신(hematoxylin-eosin) 염색을 통해 피브린, 모세혈관, 소정맥, 소동맥 혹은 림프관의 핵 분포와 뚜렷이 구별되는 혈관 내 실 모양 구조물의 핵 분포 패턴을 얻어낼 수 있었다. 이 실 모양 구조물의 생리적 기능을 침술과 연관하여 논의하였다. 특히, 이 실 모양 관을 통한 약물의 흐름이 약침의 기전에 해당할 것이라는 가설을 제기하였다.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.1346-1351
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• 2007

Crohn' disease is an auto-immune disease characterized by intermittent chronic diarrhea, high fever, weight loss, abdominal spastic pain or abdominal discomfort which is followed by granulomatous necrosis and cicatrical inflammation. It is also called segmental enteritis or granulomatous enteritis. In western medicine the exact cause is undefined, however it is presumed as an immunological unbalance in alimentary tract commoonly occured in ileum portion of small intestitine or ascending colon and therefore immuno suppressive agents(usually steroids) and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. In case of emergency such as ileus, perforation of intestinal wall surgical methods are considered. In oriental medicine this falls under the category of diarrhea(泄瀉), dysentery(痢疾), splenic diarrhea(脾泄). As to the pathological mechanism the abnormal ascending and descending circulation of stomach and splenic energy(脾不升淸, 胃不下降) the hepatic stagnation(肝鬱氣滯) and dysfunction of small intestine in expelling urine and feces(小陽淸獨不利) all together causes such condition. Main treatments are inducing diuresis(利小便), warming kindey to reinforce yang(溫賢助陽), nourishing the middle energy to invigorate spleen(補中健脾), elimination of the dampness by cooling(淸熱燥濕). In this case the patient was diagnosed as soyangyin(少陽人) constitution and herb medicine soyangyin Hyongbangjihwan-tang(少陽人 荊防地黃湯), Sa-am acupuncture Sojangjeonggyeok(小腸政格) was applied. There was an significant improve in chief complaints and general conditions.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.224-229
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• 2008

Eucommia ulmoides (Duchung) is commonly used for treatment of diabetes in Korean traditional medicine. However, the exact mechanism of its anti-diabetic effect has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, the effect of E. ulmoides extract on glucose uptake was investigated in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells. E. ulmoides extract stimulated the activity of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase that is a major regulatory molecule in glucose uptake pathway. Protein kinase B (PKB) and protein kinase C-${\xi}$ (PKC-${\xi}$), downstream mediators of PI 3-kinase, were also activated by E. ulmoides extract. We assessed the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), another regulatory molecule in glucose uptake pathway. Phosphorylation level of AMPK did not change with treatment of E. ulmoides extract. Phosphorylations of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), downstream mediators of AMPK, were not significantly different. Taken together, our results suggest that E. ulmoides may stimulate glucose uptake through PI 3-kinase but not AMPK in L6 skeletal muscle cells.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.182-190
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• 2006

Objective : Based on immunological mechanisms, this study examined whether subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of Clematis mandshurica Maxim. water extract (CMA) has anti-inflammatory effects, and its effect on $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-1 and IL-10 release from synoviocytes on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the rat. Methods : Complete Freund's adjuvant was used to induce AA in rats. Synoviocytes were separated by the method of collagenase and DNase digestion Synoviocytes proliferation was assayed by 3-(4, 5 dimethylthiazol 2 yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-1 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production of synoviocytes was measured with ELISA. The expression of IL-10 mRNA of synoviocytes was determined using RT PCR. Results : There were significant secondary inflammatory reactions in AA rats, accompanied by the decrease of body and immune organs weight simultaneously. Synoviocytes proliferation of AA rats significantly increased, and the levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-1 in supernatants of synoviocytes in AA rats were also elevated compared with the sham group. The administration of CMA (2, 5, 10 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced the above changes significantly. In contrast to $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-1, IL-10 production and the level of its mRNA of synoviocytes in AA rats apparently decreased. CMA (2, 5, 10 mg/kg, s.c.) markedly increased IL-10 in synoviocytes at protein and transcription level. Conclusion : The results indicate that CMA has a beneficial effect on rat AA due to modulating inflammatory cytokine production of synoviocytes, which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.49-77
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism and effect of moxa bucket moxibustion. Objectively, to be used as the quantitative data through the measurement of temperature, and to grasp the thermodynamic characteristics of moxa bucket moxibustion. Methods: We have selected of the moxa bucket moxibustion. We make a comparative study of the thermodynamic characteristics of moxa bucket moxibustion. We examined combustion times, temperatures, temperature gradients in each period during a combustion of moxa bucket moxibustion made by oak wood. Results: 1. We can design the moxa bucket moxibustion that it has 57.6$^{\circ}C$ maximum temperature with 7g weight and 10mm height, if we use more weight of moxa or lower the height of moxa, we can observe relatively elavated maximum temperature. We observe the maximum temperature following the measuring position of moxa bucket and we can see higher temperature at the center of the moxa bucket and lower temperature at the side of the moxa bucket. 2. We can design the moxa bucket moxibustion with 5g moxa and 10mm height that it has 0.121 $^{\circ}C$/sec of maximum temperature gradient, and it has relatively high temperature gradient at lower weight and height condition. 3. We can design the moxa bucket moxibustion with 7g moxa and 15mm height that it has 4,135sec of the longest effective temperature combustion time, if we use more weight of moxa or higher height of moxa, we can observe relatively extended effective temperature combustion time. We observe the longest effective combustion time following the measuring position of moxa bucket. We can see higher temperature at the center of the moxa bucket and lower temperature at the side of the moxa bucket.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.97-107
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• 2002

Objective : Acupuncture is a method used to treat many kinds of pain in oriental cultural medicine. Especially when hetero-segmental area acu-points are stimulated, the therapeutic effects of pain control have more critical properties than other methods of acupuncture. However, the mechanism of pain control by acupuncture is contradictory so far. The present study examined the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to the acu-point of the hetero-segmental area on modulation of formalin-induced pain in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : In order to apply EA to acu-points in the plantar area of right forepaws, a pair of Teflon-coated stainless steel wires were implanted in HT 7 (Shin-Moon) and PC 7 (Dae-Reung) 7 days before the behavioral test. A behavioral test was performed by means of video camera after injection of 5% formalin ($50{\;}\mu\textrm{l}$) into the lateral plantar region of the left hind paw. EA was delivered by a constant DC current stimulator at 4~5 mA, 2 ms, and 10 Hz for 30 min. c-Fos protein expression was measured in the lumbar spinal cord at 2 hr and 4 hr after formalin injection. Results : Behavioral responses including favoring, flinching and biting occurred in the biphasic pattern, such as the 1st phase (0~5 min) and the 2nd phase (20~45 min) after formalin injection. However, EA (4~5 mA, 2 ms, 10 Hz) significantly inhibited the behavioral responses. Injection of formalin expressed c-Fos protein on the ipsilateral dorsal horn neurons in L3 - L5 and the expression was sustained more than 4 hrs after formalin injection. However, EA decreased c-Fos protein expression at dorsal horn neurons in the lumbar spinal cord till 4hrs after formalin injection. Conclusions : These results suggest that EA modulates formalin-induced pain and this inhibitory action may be elicited by the descending inhibitory system.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.715-723
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• 1999

Bee venom (BV) has been traditionally applied to relieve pain and to cure inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and neuritis. While several investigators have evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of BV treatment, the anti-nociceptive effect of BV treatment on inflammatory pain is not reported. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the analgesic effect of BV treatment using Freund's adjuvant induced chronic arthritis model. Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis has been used as an experimental animal model for RA in humans to assess the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs. In this study, subcutaneous BV treatment (1mg/kg/day) produced significantly reductions of symptoms related to arthritic pain (i.e. mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal hyperalgesia). The anti-nociceptive effect of BV was observed from at least 12 days after BV treatment. Furthermore, BV treatment significantly suppressed adjuvant induced Fos expression in lumbar spinal cord. We also found that local injection of BV into near the inflammatory site (especially Zusanli-acupoint) showed more potent analgesic effect on arthritic pain rather than distant injection of BV from inflammatory site (arbitrary side of back). The present study demonstrates that BV treatment has anti-nociceptive effect on arthritis induced inflammatory pain. The analgesic effect of BV on RA is probably mediated by the effect of BV itself or possible other mechanism such as counter-irritation. Furthermore, it is possible that BV acupuncture is one of the promising candidates for long-term therapy of RA.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.21-34
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of the present study is to examine the effect and mechanism of Erycibae Caulis and Corydalis Tuber Pharmacopuncture (ECP) on a mouse model with collagen induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA). Methods : We evaluated the Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Creatinine, and the Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of serum to examine the safety of this study. In vivo, we compared the results of the non-treated group, the normal saline pharmacopuncture treated control group, the indomethacin treated group and the ECP group. We evaluated rheumatoid arthritis manifestation and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Index (AI). Also, immune cells in blood affected by ECP were evaluated by calculating the level of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil, lympocytes and monocytes. Next, the level of Immunoglobulin M (IgM), Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and Granulocyte-macrophage Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)in serum were measured. We examined the imaging of cartilage degeneration using micro CT-arthrography of the hind paw. Additionally, we examined the effects of reducing bone volume (BV) ratio and bone surface/bone volume (BS/BV) ratio with 3D Micro-CT. Finally, we did a histopathologic examination analysis. Results : The absence of liver and kidney toxicity was evident. In vivo, edema of the joints of the ECP group decreased greatly in macroscopic observation. AI measurement of the ECP group also decreased significantly compared to the control group. The level of WBC, neutrophil, lympocytes, and monocytes in the blood decreased but there was no statistical significance of this data. IgM of the ECP group decreased significantly compared to the control group. IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and GM-CSF production of the ECP group decreased significantly compared to the control group. As a result of examining joint condition with 3D micro CT, deformation and destruction of the joint was shown to have decreased. Bone density of ECP group increased at a statistically significant level compared to the control group. Degree of joint inflammation of ECP group decreased significantly compared to the control group. After H&E and M-T staining, infiltration of immune cells, subsidence of the cartilage, damage to the synovial cells and joint erosion decreased. Conclusion : This study showed that ECP hindered the process of rheumatoid arthritis and protected joints and cartilage.