• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.189-198
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• 2012

Our former study indicated efficacy of apoptotic cell death on animal study by using Egg white combined Chalcanthite (EC). Clinically, bamboo salt is using because of safety. Hence we investigated a toxicity study for determining safety by adding bamboo salt in former materiel. We had two studies: toxicity of EC and of Bamboo salt with egg white combined Chalcanthite (BC). Both were studied in 1-week single and 5-week repeated oral dose toxicity tests on male Imprinting Control Region mice. In EC, doses used in 1 week single oral dose toxicity tests were 0, 0.05, 0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg/day and 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg/day. In BC, doses used by 0, 0.08, 8.3, 83.3 and 166.6 mg/kg/day in single oral dose toxicity and 0, 4.2, 8.3, 41.7 and 83.3 mg/kg/day in repeated oral dose toxicity tests. Their blood and urine were assayed and organ morphology were examined. Mann-Whitney U test and ANOVA tests were used by analysing methods. First, significant increased left renal weight in all groups of EC and BC. Second, increased ALT score was found in EC-S2 and increased relative liver weight was found in EC-S3. In addition, increased relative weight and urine bilirubin and urobilinogen were found in EC-R2 and EC-R3. There was no significant toxic change in BC. The Mixture of EC had a possibility of hepatotoxicity in the short and long term. Processed BC appears to be safe and non-toxic in these studies and a no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was established at 83.3 mg/kg/day in mice. Relatively, The BC were safer than The EC.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1611-1620
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• 2008

This clinical research was conducted to test patients with Atopic Dermatitis by external application with Hwangryeonhaedok-Tang in cosmetics. We gave scores to 31 patients who visited the Dept. of Oriental Medical Opthalmology & Otolaryngology & Dermatology of Semyung University Jecheon Oriental Medical Hospital from May 15th, 2008 to June 26th. Fifteen patients were treated with the ointment that contain Hwangryeonhaedok-Tang (experimental group) and sixteen patients were treated with normal ointment that doesn't have Hwangryeonhaedok-Tang (control group) for 4 weeks. We observed change of total IgE, eosinophil count, Skin Temperature, Transepidermal Water Loss(TEWL), Skin Hydration and Skin pH. Also Clinical Index of Atopic Dermatitis(SCORAD Index) and global assesment of efficacy were used to evaluate the effects of Hwangryeonhaedok-Tang. Statistical analysis was performed by using frequency analysis and descriptive analysis. Statistical significance was achieved if the probability was less than 5%(p<0.05). After 4 weeks of external application treatment, SCORAD Index in experimental group was significant statistically decreased compared with control group. After 4 weeks of external application treatment, total IgE of both groups were decreased and eosinophil count in control group was decreased but experimental group was unstatistically decreased. Unstatistically, both groups didn't showed significant effect on Skin Temperature. Transepidermal Water Loss(TEWL) in both groups were increased but experimental group was significant decreased compared with control group. Skin Hydration in experimental group was significant statistically increased compared with control group. Statistically, both groups didn't showed significant effect on Skin pH. Only experimental group showed little increase. After 4 weeks of external application treatment, experimental group showed significant effect on global assesment of efficacy. Considering the above results, we can speculate that cosmetics with Hwangryeonhaedok-Tang has some therapeutical effects in mitigating the symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.77-92
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• 2003

Objective; This study was investigated to test the anti-anemic effects of Danggwibohyeol-tang for herbal acupuncture on rat with anemia induced by phenylhydrazine according to composition ratio. Methods; Danggwibohyeol-tang herbal-acupuncture was administered into Kyoksu(膈兪穴, BL17) and RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, platelet, MPV, PDW, indirect bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase were tested. Results; The obtained results are summarized as follows: (1) In control group RBC was significantly reduced in comparison with normal group. And in Danggwibohyeol-tang group A, B, C there was significant inhibitory effect on reduction in comparison with control group. The effect of Danggwibohyeol-tang group C was similiar to that of Danggwibohyeol-tang group B and was higher than that of Danggwibohyeol-tang group A. (2) In control group hemoglobin was significantly reduced in comparison with normal group. And in Danggwibohyeol-tang group A, B, C there was significant inhibitory effect on reduction in comparison with control group but there was no significant difference between Danggwibohyeol-tang group A, B, C. (3) In control group hematocrit was significantly reduced in comparison with normal group. And in Danggwibohyeol-tang group A, B, C there was significant inhibitory effect on reduction in comparison with control group. The effect of Danggwibohyeol-tang group C was higher than that of Danggwibohyeol-tang group A or B. (4) In case of MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW there was no significant anti-anemic effect. (5) Danggwibohyeol-tang group significantly inhibited the growth of platelet. In case of Danggwibohyeol-tang A and B group there was more inhibitory effect than Danggwibohyeol-tang C group but there was no significant difference between Danggwibohyeol-tang A and B group. (6) In case of MPV, PDW and indirect bilirubin there was no significant difference between Danggwibohyeol-tang group and control group. (7) Danggwibohyeol-tang group significantly inhibited the growth of lactate dehydrogenase. In case of Danggwibohyeol-tang C group there was more inhibitory effect than Danggwibohyeol-tang B group and Danggwibohyeol-tang B group showed more inhibitory effect than Danggwibohyeol-tang A group. Conclusion; From above results Danggwibohyeol-tang for herbal acupuncture showed significant anti-anemic effect in some parameters. Further study is needed for the effect of Danggwibohyeol-tang according to different composition ratio.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of massive clinical research and to make a basic analysis on the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion treatment on knee osteoarthritis compared to usual care. Methods and Results : This study is a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Forty participants are assigned to the moxibustion group (n=20) and usual care group (n=20). Participants assigned to the moxibustion group receive moxibustion treatment on the affected knee(s) at six standard acupuncture points (ST36, ST35, ST34, SP9, Ex-LE04 and SP10) three times per week for four weeks (total of 12 sessions). Participants in the usual care group don't receive moxibustion treatment during the study period and follow-up are made on the 5th, 9th and 13th weeks after random allocation. Both groups are allowed to use any kind of treatment, including surgery, conventional medication, physical treatment, acupuncture, herbal medicine, over-the-counter drugs and other active treatments. Education material that explains knee osteoarthritis and current management options and self-exercise is provided for each group. The pain scale of the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Questionnaire (K-WOMAC) is the primary outcome measurement used in this study. Other subscales of the K-WOMAC, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Physical Function test, Patient Global Assessment, and Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) are used as outcome variables to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture. Safety is assessed at every visit. Conclusions : The result of this trial will provide a basis for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.23-29
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• 2006

Objectives : The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of automatically controlled rotating acupuncture (ACRA) on thermal allodynia in neuropathic pain rats, and to examine whether the endogenous opioid system mediates the effects of ACRA. Methods : For the neuropathic surgery, the right superior caudal trunk was resected at the level between S1 and S2 spinal nerves innervating the tail. Two weeks after the nerve injury, ACRA stimulation with 4 different stimulation conditions (i.e., angle and frequency of rotation: 90o+1Hz, 90o+1/4Hz, 360o+/1Hz, and 360o+1/4Hz) was delivered to the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint for 15 min. The behavioral signs of thermal allodynia were evaluated by the tail immersion test (i.e., immersing the tail in cold $(4^{\circ}C)$ or warm $(4^{\circ}C)$ water and measuring the latency to an abrupt tail movement) before and after the stimulation. In an additional set of experiments, we examined the effects of naloxone (opioid Results : ACRA stimulations under all of the conditions above significantly relieved thermal antagonist, 2mg/kg, i.p.) on the action of ACRA stimulation. allodynia. There is no difference in the anti-allodynic effects among the 4 stimulation conditions. In addition, the effect of ACRA on thermal allodynia was reversed by naloxone pretreatment. Conclusion : These results indicate that ACRA stimulations have relieving effects on thermal allodynia in neuropathic pain rats, irrespective of stimulation parameters, and that this is mediated by the endogenous opioid system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.117-127
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• 2010

Background : To demonstrate the efficacy of moxibustion therapy, randomized controled trials are required. But, clinical trials of moxibustion had limitations due to the absence of a sham moxibustion model for an appropriate placebo. Objectives : To develop a new sham moxibustion model based on the thermal characteristics of commercial indirect moxibustion, especially temperature, and to evaluate whether it could be applied in clinical trials. Methods : By applying heat insulation, we created a sham moxibustion device that was indistinguishable from a real one with the naked eye. It also stimulated heat but had inert remedial value. A clinical trial was performed on subjects to test double blinding. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, a treatment group and a sham group. Acupoint Zusanli($ST_{36}$) was used in each group for 3 times. A sham acupuncture credibility questionnaire was modified into a moxibustion credibility questionnaire and was filled out after treatment. Results : No major difference was detected in the subjects' baseline data. Most subjects and practitioners could not distinguish the sham moxibustion device from the real one. But, subjects who had experience of moxibustion therapy more likely to distinguish the sham moxibustion device from the real one than subjects who didn't have experience of moxibustion therapy. The treatment group showed a significant difference in the VAS(Visual Analog Scale) for intensity of sensation during treatment than that of the sham group. Conclusions : The sham moxibustion device in this study is proved sufficient and credible to be applied in investigations of the effect of moxibustion. But it is more appropriate for the people who don't have experience of moxibustion therapy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.14-23
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• 2020

Objectives : We investigated the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture (MA) treatment combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for chronic neck pain (CNP) in an assessor-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial to establish a basis for larger-scale randomized controlled studies on this subject. Methods : Participants (n=36) were recruited and randomly allocated to the MA group, NSAIDs and combined treatment group. The MA group received MA three times over three weeks. The NSAIDs group was administered orally with zaltoprofen 80mg t.i.d. over three weeks. The combined treatment group received MA and zaltoprofen in the same manner as MA and NSAIDs groups. The primary outcome was pain as assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the secondary outcomes were assessed using the Neck Disability index (NDI), EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D), and Patients' Global Impression of Change scale (PGIC). Assessments were made at week 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3 (primary end point) during treatment and at week 7 (4 weeks after the end of treatment). Results : 35 participants completed the study. No serious adverse event occurred and blood test results were within normal limits. The improvement of VAS and NDI was significantly greater in combined and MA group than that in NSAIDs group (p<0.017). The combined group showed better outcomes in EQ-5D at visit 2 and 5, in PGIC at visit 4 than the NSAIDs group (p<0.017). No significant differences were found between combined and MA group. Conclusions : Our results suggest that both combined and MA group can be more effective in improving pain control than NSAIDs group. A large-scale clinical study is warranted to further clarify these findings.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.16-31
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of clinical practice for gout in Korean Medicine (KM). Methods : On-line survey was adopted for this study, targeted at KM Doctors who were registered in the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire included the general status of treatment, pattern identification and treatment method according to three stages given: acute, chronic and asymptomatic hyperuricemia stage. Results : Data from a total of 384 respondents was analyzed. Participants who responded most were in their 40s, working in KM clinics located in Seoul. Acupuncture and herbal medicines were the top priority treatments in preparing recommendations in clinical practice guidelines for gout, and where clinical trials were considered essential. As of the past year, the average number of first visits per month was 86.7%, and the average treatment duration was less than 1 month, accounting for 72.9%. As for the diagnostic method used for gout patients, the "diagnosed by clinical pattern" response was the highest, and the "blood and urine test" response was the highest as the diagnostic equipment used. As for the evaluation scale being used, the "VAS/NRS" response was the highest. Regardless of the gout stage, acupuncture was the most commonly used treatment method for gout patients, and bee venom pharmacopuncture was the highest for the pharmacopuncture used. In the case of herbal medicine, it was found that a wider variety of herbal medication uninsured in health insurance and herbal prescription were used for the staged treatment of gout than herbal medication in national health insurance coverage. In clinical practice, "acupuncture treatment three times a week" was the most common, and the "acupoints in the limb" were the most frequently used; LR3 and SP3 were the most frequently used acupoints. Conclusions : It is suggested that this survey should be helpful to develop clinical practice guideline for gout that reflects actual clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.6-17
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• 2022

Objectives: This study describes the implementation of a training course that aimed to increase the competency of undergraduate students of Korean medicine at a single college to obtain informed consent and perform bee venom acupuncture using an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Methods: We developed and implemented a short training course for 111 fourth-year students of Korean medicine during their clinical rotation at the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine. Lectures were conducted on the effects of and hypersensitivity reactions to bee venom acupuncture, obtaining informed consent, performing skin test and bee venom acupuncture. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some students were offered online lectures, and some could not experience the performance of OSCE in person. A survey with 16 closed and three open questions was used to investigate self-efficacy, opinions about the online lectures, and the OSCE. Results: Out of 111 questionnaires, 104 were completed (94%). Students were generally satisfied with the online lectures and OSCE. For the subjective questionnaire about what was helpful in the training of bee venom acupuncture techniques and OSCE, the authenticity of the teaching method was recorded the highest. Conclusions: This study showed that online lectures were effective in teaching clinical skills of Korean Medicine. It is necessary to produce standard educational materials for clinical skills of Korean Medicine, and studies to analyze the reliability and validity of OSCE are needed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.33-42
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• 2024

Objectives : The sigma-1 receptor is implicated in stress, depression, psychostimulant sensitization, and addiction vulnerability. Prior studies have indicated that ethanol exposure modulates sigma-1 receptor activity within the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA). Here, we explore the sub-mechanisms underlying sigma-1 receptor activity induced by HT7 (Shinmun) stimulation in behavioral alterations following acute ethanol (ETOH) administration. Methods : Male Wistar rats were investigated for pro- and anti-inflammatory markers after injection of ETOH (1 g/kg) using cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)s. After confirming that HT7 stimulation changed the total distance traveled in the open field test (OFT), protein changes in the Ventral tegmental area (VTA) were measured by Western blotting. The expression level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) after administration of a sigma-1 receptor antagonist (dihydrobromide 1047; BD1047, 10 mg/kg i.p.) and Shenmen (HT7) stimulation was compared. Results : As a result, acute ETOH administration increased proinflammatory marker levels (TNF-𝛼 and IL-6). HT7 stimulation restored the total distance response after acute ethanol administration. In addition, in the VTA, the levels of a microglial marker (iNOS), sigma-1 receptor and protein kinase C, which are predicted to be involved in up- and downregulation, were restored by HT7 stimulation. In particular, HT7 stimulation modulates iNOS expression through effects similar to BD treatment. This study suggests that the stimulatory effect of HT7 may be driven by microglial activation. Conclusions : Microglial activity is regulated by sigma-1 receptor, and sigma-1 receptor activity is regulated by HT7 stimulation. Significantly, we demonstrate that HT7 stimulation ameliorates behavioral alterations induced by acute ETOH administration through microglial activation within the VTA.