• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2008

To investigate the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment on regions remote from the application, we measured cellular, enzymatic, and transcriptional activities in various internal tissues of healthy rats. The EA was applied to the well-identified acupoint ST36 of the leg. After application, we measured the activity of natural killer cells in the spleen, gene expression in the hypothalamus, and the activities of antioxidative enzymes in the hypothalamus, liver and red blood cells. The EA treatment increased natural killer cell activity in the spleen by approximately 44%. It also induced genes related to pain, including 5-Hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 3a (Htr3a) and Endothelin receptor type B (Ednrb) in the hypothalamus, and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase in the hypothalamus, liver, and red blood cells. These findings indicate that EA mediates its effects through changes in cellular activity, gene expression, and enzymatic activity in multiple remote tissues. The sum of these alterations may explain the beneficial effects of EA.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.657-666
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• 2017

Paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic drug, induces severe peripheral neuropathy. Gabapentin (GBT) is a first line agent used to treat neuropathic pain, and its effect is mediated by spinal noradrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Electro-acupuncture (EA) is used for treating various types of pain via its action through spinal opioidergic and noradrenergic receptors. Here, we investigated whether combined treatment of these two agents could exert a synergistic effect on paclitaxel-induced cold and mechanical allodynia, which were assessed by the acetone drop test and von Frey filament assay, respectively. Significant signs of allodynia were observed after four paclitaxel injections (a cumulative dose of 8 mg/kg, i.p.). GBT (3, 30, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) or EA (ST36, Zusanli) alone produced dose-dependent anti-allodynic effects. The medium and highest doses of GBT (30 and 100 mg/kg) provided a strong analgesic effect, but they induced motor dysfunction in Rota-rod tests. On the contrary, the lowest dose of GBT (3 mg/kg) did not induce motor weakness, but it provided a brief analgesic effect. The combination of the lowest dose of GBT and EA resulted in a greater and longer effect, without inducing motor dysfunction. This effect on mechanical allodynia was blocked by spinal opioidergic (naloxone, $20{\mu}g$), or noradrenergic (idazoxan, $10{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, whereas on cold allodynia, only opioidergic receptor antagonist blocked the effect. In conclusion, the combination of the lowest dose of GBT and EA has a robust and enduring analgesic action against paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain, and it should be considered as an alternative treatment method.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.159-174
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• 2002

Objective : The meridian theory in oriental medicine explains that each acu-point has a characteristic functional effect. It will be supposed that an acupuncture stimulation on different acu-point evokes different activation on different areas in the central nervous system(CNS) according to the meridian theory. On this supposition, our group tried the semi-quantitative [14C]2-deoxyglucose([14C]2-DG) autoradiography on the acupuncture stimulation to the hindlimb acu-points of Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : A venous catheter for the intravenous administration of isotope was equipped in the right external jugular vein on 3 days prior to the [14C]2-DG study. On the day of the study, two acupuncture needles were inserted into the ST36(Zusanli) or LR3(Taichong) on the left hindlimb. Electro-acupuncture stimulation (2 Hz, 5 ms, 1~3 mA, 15 minutes) started just before the i.v. injection of [14C]2-DG ($25{\mu}Ci/rat$). The brain and the spinal cord were removed and processed for the [14C] 2-DG autoradiography. Results : The EA stimulation on ST36 reveals over 120% metaboilc activation in Arcuate nucleus, Anterior pretectal nucleus, Dorsal cochlear nucleus, Interposed cerebellar nucleus, and Nucleus of Darkschewitsch. The EA stimulation on LR3 reveals over 120% metaboilc activation in Lateral habenula nucleus, Medial vestibular nucleus, Ventromedial thalamic nucleus, Anteroventral thalamic nucleus, Anterior cingulate cortex, Dentate gyrus, Antero cortical amygdaloid nucleus, Anterior pretectal nucleus, and Dorsal tegmental nucleus compared with the non EA stimulation control group. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that the different acu-points evoke the different activations in brain areas. And with this functional brain mapping study, a new scientific elucidation for the basis of the acupuncture-meridian theory in oriental medicine through differences of activated area in CNS according to the each acupuncture point.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.83-92
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study is to research the trend of the TCD-related studies in Korean medicine and to establish the hereafter direction for the study on celebral blood flow. Methods : We reviewed the domestic papers searched by search engine of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society and Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine etc. Results : We have searched 42 articles in 14 journals. 1. There were 2 or more articles every year. In 2004 there were 5 articles. 2. 11 studies were associated with the usefulness of TCD as a diagnostic tool for CVA. 3. 8 studies were associated with the effect of acupuncture on cerebral blood flow. 5 studies were about acupuncture, 2 studies were about electro-acupuncture, and 1 study was about pharmacopuncture. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture could have a specific effect on cerebral blood flow. But we need more studies about the effect of various acupuncture point on cerebral blood flow.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.27-34
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• 2005

Objectives : To evaluate the pain improvement of the frozen shoulder patients taken the electro-acupuncture therapy using Visual Analogue Scale. Methods : The 38 frozen shoulder patients visited department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion in National Medical Center from 1st September 2004 to 28th February 2005 had taken the electroacupuncture therapy or body-acupuncture therapy more than 3 times.(Electroacupuncture group was 24 persons and body-acupuncture group was 14 persons.) We evaluated their improvement of shoulder pain using Visual Analog Scale(VAS) at each visit. Then we analyzed the pain improvement comparing with two groups. Results : Both VAS scores of electroacupuncture group and body-acupuncture group have significantly improved. VAS score at third visit of electroacupuncture group and body-acupuncture group have significantly improved. VAS score at third visit of electroacupuncture group was significantly lower than that of body-acupuncture group (p=0.0057). The decreased VAS score after first visit of electroacupuncture group was also significantly higher than that of body-acupuncture group(p=0.0225). Conclusion : The pain of electroacupuncture group decreased more than body-acupuncture group at early visit. But the total decreased VAS scores of two groups was not significantly different.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.81-96
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• 2020

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the effect of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation treatment for cerebral palsy in children. Methods 7 electro-database (PubMed, CENTRAL, CNKI, DBpia, KISS, OASIS, KJTK) were searched for using the keywords "cerebral palsy AND acupuncture" which study is designed in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results 10 out of 303 studies were included in analysis after screened. Acupuncture combined with rehabilitation treatment had a significant effect on motor function. Only 1 study reported minor adverse effects. Conclusions All of the studies have shown acupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation treatment was effective in cerebral palsy. Additional well-designed studies are needed to justify the effectiveness of acupuncture in cerebral palsy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.87-99
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• 2013

Objectives : The objective of this study is to find out the method and effects of fire needling on frozen shoulder in China. Methods : We searched journals using the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) and PubMed. The keywords were a combination of "fire needling", "fire needle", "burning acupuncture", "frozen shoulder", "adhesive capsulitis", "periarthritis". Results : There were 23 studies finally selected, 7 were case control studies and 16 were case series studies. There were 9 out of 14 main meridians and 31 kinds of acupoints. The most frequently adopted meridians were LI, SI and TE. The most frequently used acupoints were $LI_{15}$, $SI_9$ and $TE_{14}$. Adjacent points were used more often than distant points. They usually heated the needle before insertion and needle retention was mostly not done. 7 case control studies showed that fire needling reported better results than the filiform needle or electro-acupuncture treatment. 15 case series studies reported a significant improvement in fire needling on frozen shoulder patients. Conclusions : There have been many studies regarding fire needling on frozen shoulder in China. Further studies should be required and these can be applied to clinical practices in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.209-230
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to describe the details and to assess the clinical evidence of acupuncture and moxibustion for non-specific chronic neck pain. Methods : We searched seven databases including Korean, English, and Chinese databases through July 2016. Studies using acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, auricular-acupuncture, acupressure for non-specific chronic neck pain were included. Only controlled clinical trials or randomized clinical trials were assessed. Study design, number of subject, inclusion criteria, intervention, and results were extracted. In addition, details of intervention including needle type, retention time, acupoints were analyzed. Results : Total 64 studies(39 acupuncture, 9 laser, 6 pharmaco-acupuncture, 3 electro-acupuncture, 3 auricular-acupuncture, 3 moxibustion, 1 acupressure) were included. Among 39 acupuncture studies, 35 used acupuncture as sole intervention. Sham treatment was the most common intervention for control group, followed by no intervention. Various outcome including pain, disability, quality of life, range of motion was used as outcome measurement. The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion was different depending on the type of control and outcome measurement. The most commonly used method in acupuncture for neck pain was GB21, SI3, GB20, LI4, BL11 acupoints, 10~30 mm insertion depth, 20~30 retention time, and 1~2 times per week. Conclusions : Analyzing the details of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment could be helpful for researches and clinics. Further studies should consider the characteristics of study design, intervention, and outcome to assess the effect of TKM.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.216-223
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• 2012

Objectives : Electroacupuncture is widely used because of its diverse curative influence. However, its electrical safety is not guaranteed when applied on the human body. Therefore, in this study, we did research on the corrosiveness of electroacupuncture when applied on the body fluid. Methods : We did research using acupuncture needles which were made of STS304 or STS316 and which were coated or not coated in silicone. They were 0.25 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length. We immersed them to the depth of about 1cm in Hank's Solution and gave a stimulus in 120 Hz for 60 minutes. Then, we measured the pH of Hank's solution and mass of needles and observed their shape. Results : Acupuncture needles which were made of STS304 corroded more easily than those which were made of STS316 when they were applied on the human body. Acupuncture needles which were coated in silicone corroded much more easily than those which were not coated in silicone when they were applied on the body fluid. Conclusions : In this study, we did research on the corrosiveness of electroacupuncture when it is applied on the body fluid using several acupuncture needles. We made a conclusion that when acupuncture needles were applied on the body fluid, the coated one made of STS304 corrodes more easily than the uncoated one made of STS316. We hope that additional further researches on the effect of the corrosiveness of an acupuncture needle will be carried out.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 1991

Clinical study on the 114 facial paralysis patients, visited Won Kwang University Oriental Medical Hospital in Kwang ju from July 1990 to Jun 1991, was carried out. The results obtained are as follows. 1. Prevalence was almost same in both sexes and high in the age of 3 and 4 decades but distributed in an age group. 2. Majority of the patients were nomotensive, which meant blood pressure did not affect the incidence. 3. The incidence distributed in every occupations but high in housewife as 37 cases ($32\%$) and decreased gradually in office employee, labor worker, student and merchant in order. 4. Overwork, wind and cold, emotional stress, and numerous implicated agents were etiological factor. 5. The paralysis mostly occured in summer and winter as 40($35\%$) and 37 cases($32\%$) respectively, 18($16\%$) and 19cases($17\%$) were recorded respectively in spring and autumn. 6. The majority of patients showed only facial muscle paralysis without other complications, whose cure rate was $60\%$ (47 cases). The patients with auditory impairment or taste loss was less common and cure rate was low. 7. The number of the patients with migraine or mastoid pain was 81($71\%$), which was more than 33 patients($29\%$) with such pain. The cure rate was high in the patients without migraine than with migraine as a raito of 64 to $46\%$. 8. Most of duration from attack to admission were in a week as 86 cases($75\%$) and the patients with duration over 4 weeks 11 cases($10\%$). The cure rate of the patients in a week, was 54 cases($60\%$) and the patients over 4 weeks was none($0\%$), which meant shorter the duration was, the beter the result was. 9. Response on electro acupuncture on initiating therapy showed good in 39 cases($34\%$) the majority group, moderate in 37 cases, exellent in 29 cases and poor in 5 cases. 10. The results of treatment were as follows : asymptomatic in 58 cases($51\%$), improved n 40cases($35\%$), effective in 10 cases($9\%$) and ineffective in 6 cases($5\%$). 11. Cure rate according to the response on electro acupuncture showed $72\%$ in exellent group, $59\%$ in good group, $27\%$ in moderate groop, and $0\%$ in poor group. These show the better the response on the electro-acupuncture is, the higher the cure rate is, which will be able to indicate the prognosis of facial paralysis.