• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.982-992
• /
• 2005

Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely used for the treatment of many functional disorders such as substance abuse and mental dysfunction. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of drug addiction. Yet, there are still many unanswered questions about the basic mechanism of acupuncture. Studies have shown that both the psychomotor stimulant effects and rewarding properties of addictive drugs, including morphine, are sensitized by repeated drug administration and raised the possibility that both of these effects may De linked to the same or closely overlapping the mesolimbic dopamine systems. Neiguan (PC6) point on the pericardium channel which is associated with the brain and its mental function, has been used to treat mental, psychosomatic disorders and gastroenterological disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of acupuncture on repeated morphine-induced changes in extracellular dopamine levels using in vivo microdialysis and to measure the effect of acupuncture on repeated morphine-induced behavioral changes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated twice a day for three days with increasing doses of morphine (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, s.c.) or with saline. After 15 days of withdrawal, rats were challenged with morphine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, s.c.). Acupuncture was applied at bilateral Neiguan (PC6) points for 1min after the morphine challenge. Results showed that acupuncture at the specific acupoint PC6, but not at control points (tail and HE8) significantly decreased both dopamine release, behavior induced by a systemic morphine challenge or a single s.c. morphine injection in the morphine-repeated animals. These results suggest that reduction in sensitization may be one mechanism whereby acupuncture alleviates morphine craving in addicts. Moreover, in a more general sense these results suggest that acupuncture can be used as a therapeutic intervention for correcting reversible malfunction of the body by direction of brain pathway and thus acupuncture can contribute to the biochemical balance in the central nervous system by regulating neurotransmitters.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.224-238
• /
• 2012

Objectives : From mechanism studies using animal models to high-level evidence based research such as randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews, various acupuncture studies have been performed. Nevertheless, the current research appears insufficient to satisfy clinicians' needs. We aimed at investigating clinicians' perception on the translational research and suggesting ways of symbiosis between basic research and clinical practice. Methods : Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire made available to Korean medicine doctors who were informed through social networking service or e-mail. The survey participants indicated their awareness of acupuncture research and their thoughts on the applicability of research in practice. Results : Forty-seven clinicians completed the survey. While most respondents agreed that acupuncture research is very important, only 40% of them answered that the results of acupuncture research are useful to their own practice. In more than half of those who responded to the survey, the current acupuncture research is not viewed as reflecting clinical practice very much. Respondents agreed that acupuncture research should be based on clinical practice, and they recognized the need to collect valid clinical data from real-world practice. Also, as many as 77% of clinicians had no scruple to participate in research programs. Conclusions : There is no doubt among practitioners that acupuncture research is necessary. More importantly, practice-based research remains essential in order to feed-back research outcomes to clinical practice. Communications and academic exchanges between clinicians and researchers can mutually benefit research and practice with better information, resulting in symbiosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.287-300
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study was finding the pain inhibitory effect of acupuncture at ST-36. The pain at dentes incisor was evoked by noxious electric stimulation and EMG changes based on time interval were measured. To do this, the opioid antagonist was administered intraperitoneally. Followings are some of the results. 1. The pain inhibitory effect of acupuncture at ST-36 was 93.82%, 87.00%, 75.30%, 69.76% at 10 20, 30 and 40 minutes respectively. All the data were calculated based on 100% at 0 minute. The effect was very significant at 40 minutes. 2. The continuous effect of acupuncture at ST-36 after taking out the needle was 77.46%, 79.66%, 87.60%, 91.50%, 95.14%, 99.48% at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 minutes respectively. The overall continuous effect was shown its maximum 20 minutes after taking out the needle and reached to the initial value at 60 minutes. 3. The pain inhibitory effect following the naloxone administration and acupuncture application ST-36 was 93.44%, 94.58%, 90.80%, 88.04% at 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes respectively. All values showed similar tendency to the initial data. 4. The continuous effect of acupuncture at ST-36 after taking out the needle which was preceded by the naloxone administration was 91.26%, 91.90%, 92.06%, 93.66%, 94.12%, 93.50% at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 minutes respectively. This trend was not a significant fluctuation. It Was concluded that effect of acupuncture at ST-36 was shown in conjunction with secretion of analgesic substance. Therefore it is implied that the acupuncture application will play a major role in treating many diseases with more revelation of scientific acupuncture mechanism. Further studies of acupuncture manipulation are needed in the future based on our study.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.88-99
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Saam acupuncture initiated by Saamdoin in $17^{th}$ century is one of the most widely adopted acupuncture techniques used by Korean medical doctors in clinic. Our study aimed to analyze the application of the Saam acupuncture method to pain diseases based on the literature data. Methods : Based on the contents described in "(Do Hae Kyo Kam) Saam's acupuncture method", the texts related to pain condition were analyzed. The frequency of prescription of Saam acupuncture method was analyzed, and then the relationships between each acupoint were visualized by network analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis for the quantitative aspect. Results and conclusions: In our study, Lung tonifying and Liver tonifying acupuncture were the most frequently used method for the treatment of pain disease. As the acupoints, BL66 and SI5 were used the most frequently. It was found that visceral pattern identification was considered as the most important factor in the selection of the Saam acupuncture method. Network analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis showed that each acupoint was closely related to other acupoints, and most of them were connected more closely according to the method of Saam acupuncture operation. The experiential prescriptions of Saam acupuncture were classified as an independent group. In the future, fundamental research on the principle of Saam acupuncture method is needed for the various diseases, and research for the clinical efficacy and the mechanism of Saam acupuncture method should be preceded.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.164-178
• /
• 2001

Objective : To research the trends of the study related to bee venom and arthritis, and to establish the hereafter direction of the study on bee venom herval acupuncture. Method : We searched in PubMed, with bee venom and arthritis (with abstract). Results : 1. We searched15 Papers, and the pattern of the was as fallows: Experimental study(13 Papers), Epidemiologic study(2), Review study(1). 2. The type of the experimental studies(12 Papers) was as follows: In vivo(6 Paper), In vitro(6). And the involved components of bee venom were as follows: Bee venom itself(6 Papers), Melittin(3), PLAP(1), PLAP & Melittin(1), Adolapin(1). 3. Among the experimental studies(12 Papers), the mechanism of inflammation was 10 papers (Inhibition 7, Inducer 3), and the effect of bee venom herbal acupuncture therapy were 2 papers.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.119-127
• /
• 2000

To investigate the acupuncturing function of $ST_{36}$(足三里) on the gastric activity, four different treatment methods such as intact, local anesthesia, ligation and nerve dissection were implemented. Followings are the results from the present study. 1. When a simple acupuncture with intact, the stomach motility and frequency were increased without significance compared with control. 2. Under local anesthesia on femoral region, the stomach motility and frequency showed no such changes compared with control. 3. With ligation of femoral region, the stomach motility and frequency were decreased significantly compared with control. 4. When the siatic nerve was dissected, the stomach motility and frequency showed no such changes compared with control. Overall, the effect of acupuncture on the $ST_{36}$(足三里) was very closely related with the condition of surrounding area. It is assumed that further studies should be done for the investigation of mechanism behind the acupuncturing function in conjunction with the nervous system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.189-198
• /
• 2002

Objective : To research the trend of the study related to rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and to establish the hereafter direction of the study on RA. Methods : We have selected 12 medical report about RA in Arthritis & Rheumatism and Journal of Rheumatology recently, reviewed them, and investigated their methods. Results & Conclusions : The pattern of study was as follows: physical & serologic research in 2 articles, immunologic research in 7 articles, and genetic research in 3 articles. There is now evidence of the benefit of treatment early in the disease course and evidence of the impact of treatment on outcomes. New classes of therapeutic agents have also been introduced. Wherever possible, these revised guidelines are evidence-based. By the above results, it would be needed further research on RA mechanism related immunologic and genetic process.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.232-239
• /
• 2001

Objective & Method : To identify current state of bee venom therapy(BVT) research as a treatment of autoimmune diseases, we reviewed the PubMed electronic database. 9 articles with clinical implications were discussed. Results : BVT is reported as effective in the treatment of such autoimmune related diseases as rheumatoid arthritis and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in animal experiment, The lack of evidence on BVT as a treatment of multiple sclerosis deters us from reaching any determination. There also lacks firm evidences of immune response regulative or anti inflammatory mechanism of BVT. No clinicla trial was found. Conculsion : This review raises the urgent need of study to provide scientific and clinical evidences.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.443-459
• /
• 2000

The Literatural Study on the classification of cause and the effect of Acupuncture and Moxibustion treatment for Youk Jeol Poung was studied from the viewpoint of therapeutic acupuncture and moxibustion effect. And the results were as follows: 1. Youk Jeol Poung is similar to Tong Bi, Ju Bi, Haeng Bi, Tong Poung. 2. The symptoms of Youk Jeol Poung are pain and weakness, difficulty of flexion, swelling and pain, severe pain etc., at night pain is more severe. 3. The cause, mechanism of Youk Jeol Poung is as follow, due to penetration of the wind, cold, moisture, uder situation of whole body is pain. 4. The main treatment is invigorate vital energy and blood, expel wind - evil, promote diuresis, eliminating phlegm, promote blood circulation, cold, heat - clearing. 5. The basal meridian of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment were the channels of Su Jok Sam Yang.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.115-124
• /
• 2007

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on streptozotocin(STZ)-treated rats by subcutaneous implantation of osmotic pump. Methods: STZ was administered to rats at a low dose with osmotic pump to induce beta cell death and diabetes (STZ osmotic pump model), The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups: 1. The control group which was not treated in the STZ osmotic pump model 2. The sham group which was acupunctured at an arbitrary point in the STZ osmotic pump model 3. The sample A group which was acupunctured at the Chung-wan($CV_{12}$) in the STZ osmotic pump model 4. The sample B group which was acupunctured at the Chok-samni($ST_{36}$) in the STZ osmotic pump model. The effect of acupuncture in the STZ osmotic pump model was observed by measuring the serum glucose level and immunostaining of pancreatic tissue of the rats. Results : STZ injection by subcutaneous implantation of osmotic pump caused hyperglycemia by destroying the pancreatic beta cell selectively. Acupuncture at the Chung-wan acupuncture point($CV_{12}$) and Jhok-samni acupuncture point ($ST_{36}$) in the STZ osmotic pump model separately resulted in a decrease of the serum glucose level. In addition, the cyto-protective effect of the pancreatic beta-cell was detected in the STZ osmotic pump model by acupuncture. And there were few differences between the effects of acupuncture at the CV12 and $ST_{36}$. Conclusion : Acupuncture at the CV12 and ST36 had beneficial effects on Type II diabetes mellitus, and action mechanism of the effect was thought to be concerned with secretion of endogenous beta-endorphin.