• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.61-77
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• 2004

Objectives and methods : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of AHCR(ASARI HERBA CUM RADICE) herbal acupuncture at St36 on ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice. C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 12 weeks(once a week). Two experimental groups were treated with different concentrations(1%, 0.1%) of AHCR-HAS at Chok-samni (St36) for the later 8 weeks (3times/week). Results 1. Lung weight of the mice group treated with AHCR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 2. Total Leukocytes in BALF of the mice group treated wtih AHCR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 3. The number of Eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated wtih AHCR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 4. The number of $Gr-1^+/CD11b^+,\;CCR3^+,\;CD4^+,\;CD3e^+/CD69^+,\;IgE^+/B220^+$ cells in the lungs of the mice group treated with AHCR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 5. The number of $CD8^+$ cells in the lungs of the mice group treated with AHCR-HA didn't show significant difference compared with that of control group. 6. The concentration of IgE, IL-13, IL-4 in serum of the mice group treated with AHCR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. Conclusion We conclude that AHCR-HA is effective on OVA-induced asthma in C57BL/6 mouse.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.476-480
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• 2013

Obesity is one of the most serious health problems in developed countries. It negatively affects diverse aspects of human wellbeing. Of these, a relationship between obesity and depression is widely recognized but biomarkers for assessment of obesity-associated mood changes in animal obesity models are rarely known. Here we explored the link between obesity and the plasma levels of monoamine neurotransmitters involved in mood control using a sensitive UPLC/MSMS technique in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model in male C57BL/6 mice to explore the potential utility of plasma tests for obesity-associated mood change. HFD (60% of total calories, 8 weeks) induced significantly higher weight gains in body (+37.8%) and fat tissue (+306%) in male C57BL/6 mice. Bioanalysis of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in plasma at 8 weeks of HFD revealed that serotonin decreased significantly in the obese mice when compared to normal diet-fed mice ($2.7{\pm}0.6$ vs $4.3{\pm}2.0ng/ml$, N=8). Notably, a negative correlation was found between the levels of serotonin and body weight gains. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) with the individual levels of neurotransmitters revealed that plasma levels of dopamine and serotonin could apparently differentiate the obese mice from lean ones. Our study demonstrated that blood plasma levels of neurotransmitters can be employed to evaluate the mood changes associated with obesity and more importantly, provided an important clue for understanding of the relationship between obesity and mood disorders.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.614-628
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• 1998

The effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on blood concentration of endocrine substances were investigated in 6 horses. Three acupuncture points ; Guan Yuan Shu(BL-26), Wei Shu(BL-21) and Da Chang Shu(BL-25) were stimulated for 20 minutes by EA at separate occasions under varying condition ; 2V-1Hz, 2V-5Hz, 2V-30Hz, 4V-1Hz, 4V-5Hz and 4V-30Hz. Plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH), ${\beta}$-endorphin, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serum levels of gastrin were analysed. Blood samplings were carried out before, 0, 20 and 40 minutes after the EA stimulation. The serum gastrin levels were increased by 2V-5Hz stimulation on the Wei Shu. Plasma ACTH levels were decreased by 2V-1Hz stimulation on the Wei Shu, but largely increased by 4V-30Hz stimulation on the Guan Yuan Shu. Plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels were slightly increased or decreased by 2V-1Hz stimulation, but largely increased by 4V-30Hz stimulation on the Guan Yuan Shu. Plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were not so much changed by 2V-1Hz or 5Hz stimulation, but tended to increase by 4V-30Hz stimulation on Guan Yuan Shu. These results suggest that the low voltage-low frequence EA stimulation increased blood concentration of gastrin, but decreased ACTH, ${\beta}$-endorphin, epinephrine and norepinephrine, whereas high voltage-high frequence EA stimulation induced opposite results. Accordingly, there appears to be a close relationship between the changes of gastrointestinal motility and the changes of blood concentration of endocrine substances by EA stimulation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.381-386
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• 2011

This study investigated the effect of herbal extracts fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum (MBN) on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice and HaCaT cells. Five week old mice were applied with MBN topically (0.2 mL) once per for 21 days. Hair regrowth was evaluated by gross examination and verified by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), and transforming growth factor-beta1 ($TGF{\beta}1$), relevant to hair growth, were examined. The data revealed that MBN successfully promoted hair growth in both male and female mice at a dose between 200-500 mg/kg and improved hair thickness. The VEGF and KGF genes were expressed in a dose-dependant manner, whereas $TGF{\beta}1$ was not expressed. Moreover, nitric oxide was significantly increased, suggesting an improvement in blood flow. These results indicate that MBN effectively promoted hair growth and gene expression relevant to hair growth in an animal model.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.105-120
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• 2004

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Mori Folium herbal acupuncture at St36 on ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA (ovalbumin) for 12 weeks (once a week) Two experimental groups were treated with different concentrations (1%, 0.1%) of Mori Folium herbal acupuncture at Chok-samni (St36) for the later 8 weeks (3times/week). Result : 1. Lung weight of the mice group treated with Mori Folium herbal acupuncture decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 2. Total Leukocytes in BALF of the mice group treated with Mori Folium herbal acupuncture decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 3. The number of Eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with Mori Folium herbal acupuncture decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 4. The number of $Gr-1^+/CD11b,\;CCR3^+,\;CD4^+,\;CD8^+,\;CD3e^+/CD69^+,\;IgE^+/B220^+$ cells in the lungs of the mice group treated with Mori Folium herbal acupuncture decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 5. The concentration of IgE, IL-13, IL-4 in serum of the mice group treated with Mori Folium herbal acupuncture decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 6. The concentration of IL-4 in BALF of the mice group treated with Mori Folium herbal acupuncture decreased significantly compared with that of control group. Conclusion : We conclude that Mori Folium herbal acupuncture is effective on OVA-induced asthma of C57BL/6 mouse.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.87-104
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• 2011

Objectives : A safety issue on acupuncture and moxibustion treatment during pregnancy is as important as effectiveness. To establish a rationale and research strategy for future studies, a traditional literature review was performed to summarize how and for what conditions acupuncture and moxibustion treatment was given during pregnancy. Methods : An extensive traditional literature search for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment during pregnancy was conducted in texts on acupuncture and moxibustion, obstetrics and gynecology, and comprehensive medical texts. Treatment conditions, methods, and contraindications were summarized and tabulated. Results : Twenty-eight books were included in our review. Most frequent description of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment use during pregnancy was for difficult delivery including breech presentations; commonly used acupuncture points for difficult labor included LI4, SP6, BL67, BL60, KI6, ST30, SP12, LR4, LR3, PC6, CV3, CV14, KI13, and GB21, indicating that they may have to be avoided during pregnancy. Descriptions of other symptoms or conditions were sparse. For habitual abortion or recurrent miscarriage, moxibustion on GV4, BL23, CV3, KI8, and KI2 was indicated. A combination of LI4 and SP6, and CV4 were contraindicated during pregnancy consistently across the reviewed books. Conclusions : Our traditional literature review has shown that the use of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment during pregnancy has been limited. Given that more and more pregnant women are interested in safe and effective treatment, further research of acupuncture's safety and efficacy during pregnancy is urgently needed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.183-199
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• 1998

The effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on gastrointestinal motility were investigated in 6 horses. Three acupuncture points ; Guan Yuan Shu(BL-26), Wei Shu(BL-21) and Da Chang Shu(BL-25) were stimulated for 20 minutes by EA at separate occasions under varying condition ; 2V-1Hz, 2V-5Hz, 2V-30Hz, 4V-1Hz, 4V-5Hz and 4V-30Hz. Myoelectric activity of stomach and cecum was monitored to investigate the gastrointestinal motility. Electromyogram(EMG) recordings were carried out before, 0, 20 minutes after and 40 minutes after the EA stimulation. EMG bipolar electrode was surgically implanted in seromuscular layer of greater curvature in the stomach and between medial band and ventral band in the cecum. The EA stimulation and monitoring were not commenced until 15 days after electrode implantation. The EA stimulation of Wei Shu influenced on stomach motility and that of Da Chang Shu on, cecum motility. However, the EA stimulation of Guan Yuan Shu influenced on both the stomach and the cecum motility. The myoelectrical spike burst amplitude of the stomach and the cecum was significantly(p<0.05) increased by 2V-1Hz stimulation, but the myoelectrical spike burst frequence of the stomach and the cecum was significantly decreased by 2V-30Hz or 4V-30Hz stimulation. The myoelectrical spike burst duration of the stomach and the cecum was significantly lengthened by 4V-30Hz and 2V or 4V-30Hz stimulation, respectively.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.85-102
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this experiment is to study on the anti-cancer, anti-metastasis and immune response improvement effects of Herbal-acupuncture with Sinomenii acuti lignun infusion solution(SAL-HAS). Methods : We injected Sinomenii acuti Lignum infusion solution into Chung-wan(CV12) of C57BL/6 mouse which is corresponding to human Chung-wan(CV12). We observed its effect on the nunter of $CD25^+/CD4^+$, $CD8^+/CD3e^+$, $CD69^+/B220^+$, $NK^+/CD3e^+$ cells in mouse PBMCs, the number of the pulmonary colony, and the effect on MST and ILs of C57BL/6 mice implanted intravenously with B16-F10 melanoma. Results & Conclusions : 1. The spleen cells proliferation of the sample groups treated with SAL-HAS extract has increased significantly compared with that of the control group. 2. The percentage of the $CD25^+/CD4^+$, $CD8^+/CD3e^+$, $CD69^+/B220^+$, $NK^+/CD3e^+$ cells in C57BL/6 mouse PBMCs of the sample groups treated with SAL herbal-acupuncture has increased compared with that of the control group. 3. The lung colony number of the sample groups SAL Herbal-acupuncture has decreased significantly compared with that of the control group. 4. MST and ILS of the sample groups SAL herbal-acupuncture have increased significantly compared with those of the control group.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.700-704
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• 2008

Anti-obesity effects of $\beta$-cyclodextrin in obese C57BL/6J mice induced by a high fat diet (HD) were observed. The administration of $\beta$-cyclodextrin reduced the gain of body weight, abdominal fat, liver weight, the lipid deposits of hepatocytes and the size of adipocytes in the HD group. In serum analysis, the total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterols were significantly decreased in the $\beta$-cyclodextrin-supplemented HD group than in the HD group. However, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was not changed in these groups. In hypothalamic homogenates, the decrease of neuropeptide Y and increase of $\alpha$-melanocyte stimulating hormone were detected in the $\beta$-cyclodextrin-supplemented HD group compared to that in the HD group. These effects of $\beta$-cyclodextrin were similar to those of Garcinia cambogia, which is widely used as a natural anti-obesity product. These results suggest that $\beta$-cyclodextrin has anti-obesity effects through the lowering of the abdominal fat pad and inhibits the central effects of hunger.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.232-238
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• 2018

Animal models have been used to elucidate the pathophysiology of varying diseases and to provide insight into potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Although alternatives to animal testing have been proposed to help overcome potential drawbacks related to animal experiments and avoid ethical issues, their use remains vital for the testing of new drug candidates and to identify the most effective strategies for therapeutic intervention. Particularly, the study of metabolic diseases requires the use of animal models to monitor whole-body physiology. In line with this, the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS) in Korea has established their own animal strains to help evaluate both efficacy and safety during new drug development. The objective of this study was to characterize the response of C57BL/6NKorl mice from the NIFDS compared with that of other mice originating from the USA and Japan in a chemical-induced diabetic condition. Multiple low-dose treatments with streptozotocin were used to generate a type-1 diabetic animal model which is closely linked to the known clinical pathology of this disease. There were no significantly different responses observed between the varying streptozotocin-induced type-1 diabetic models tested in this study. When comparing control and diabetic mice, increases in liver weight and disturbances in serum amino acids levels of diabetic mice were most remarkable. Although the relationship between type-1 diabetes and BCAA has not been elucidated in this study, the results, which reveal a characteristic increase in diabetic mice of all origins are considered worthy of further study.