• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.81-96
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of the present study is to determine the effective analgesic parameters of manual acupuncture (MA) and/or electroacupuncture (EA), thus how MA & EA of specific acupoint works after acute ankle sprain in rats. Thus, one series of experiments was designed to analyze the analgesic effects of acupuncture in either the normal or sprained rat, by comparing the behavioral features before and after MA or EA at several acupoints. Methods : Ankle sprain was induced manually by hyper-extension of ligaments of the right ankle in rat. Either MA or EA was applied to the LI4, TE17, 足三里 and SI-6 acupoints at an intensity of 2 mA (1 ms pulse duration) with a frequency of 10 Hz for 30 minutes. Results : Behaviorally, manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture produced potent analgesic effects on acute ankle sprained animals as measured by weight bearing capacity of the affected limb. Furthermore, antinociceptive effect of EA was suppressed by alpha adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) but not by opioid antagonist naltrexone (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Conclusions : It is suggested that acupuncture-induced antinociception may involve the descending inhibition of ${\alpha}2$-adrenoceptor.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.105-111
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• 2007

Objectives : The electroacupuncture(EA) was often used in Oriental medicine clinic and basic researches. However, there have been neither any national standard of acupuncture needles in Korea nor many studies about the property of acupuncture needles for applying electrical stimulations. Therefore we investigated the electrical corrosion property of acupuncture needles used for EA stimulation in clinic. Methods : We observed the occurrence of electrical corrosion like changes in the surface of acupuncture needles after EA stimulation with various parameters(electrical stimulation intensity, treatment duration, diameter of needle) under a light microscope. We performed EA stimulation on Baekhoe($GV_{20}$) or Joksamli($ST_{36}$) of rats with intensity of 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.25 or 0.5mA at a 10Hz frequency. Results : The electrical corrosion-like changes were found on the surface of needles when the EA stimulation was given over 0.05mA of intensity. When electrical stimulation was treated for 10min, the electrical corrosion-like changes were low, but the electrical corrosion-like changes gradually increased by the treatment duration(20, 30min). We also found that acupuncture needles of 0.2mm diameter were produced more extensive electrical corrosion-like changes than acupuncture needles of 0.3 or 0.4mm diameter by electrical stimulation. Conclusions: These results suggested that EA stimulation could produce electrical corrosion-like changes of acupuncture needles through intensity of current, duration of electric stimulation and/or diameter of needle.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.84-98
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of recruiting women into a clinical trial designed to examine the effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in treating overactive bladder (OAB) in menopause women. We tried to determine if there was preliminary evidence to suggest that acupuncture may be effective in reducing OAB symptoms and improving disease-specific quality of life. We also tried to determine the appropriate treatment duration of OAB, with safety of performing acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatment. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial. 7 menopause women were randomly assigned to a electroacupuncture group (EA group) (n=4) or acupuncture group (AC group) (n=3) and received electroacupuncture or acupuncture treatment twice a week (16 sessions) in 8 weeks, and follow up assessment was performed after the end of treatment. Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), 3-day bladder diary, and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) were performed 4 times (at baseline (visit 0), the middle of treatment (visit 8), after the end of treatment (visit 16), and at 4 weeks of follow-up (visit 17)) and analyzed. 2 subjects were dropped out, and finally 5 subjects completed the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0 for window program. Results: There was an significant improvement in night-time frequency after the treatment (visit 17) in PP (Per-protocol) group analysis (p=0.042). In additional ITT (Inter-to-treat) group analysis, the OABSS (p=0.042) and night-time frequency (p=p=0.017) were improved significantly after the treatment (visit 17). But there was no significant difference of KHQ before and after the treatment. Also there was no significant difference between EA and AC group after the treatment (visit 16, 17). Conclusions: The results of this pilot study suggested that it was feasible to recruit subjects and perform the study procedures, after reconstructing several details of study protocol in performing further clinical trial.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.341-352
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was carried out to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on reactive gliosis expressing GFAP in rat with transient global cerebral ischemia. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and a electroacupuncture group on ST36, LI11 and SP9 with 2 Hz and 1 mA. The rats were sacrificed on 1, 3 and 7 days after transient cerebral ischemia using ligation of left common carotid artery. After making brain slide sections, they were immunostained with GFAP antisera(1:2,500). The results were as follows: The numbers of astrocytes of electroacupuncture group were decreased than those of control group at every 1, 2 and 7 days. Especially, the numbers of astrocytes at 3 days(p<0.01) and 8 days(p<0.05) were different statistically. And astrocytes had resting, hypertrophic and moving types on cerebral cortex. The decrease of numbers of astrocytes expressing GFAP showed that electroacupuncture could localise and minimize the brain damage by transient cerebral ischemia and cause brain cell plasticity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.79-92
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• 2006

Acupuncture has acupoints to treat, prevent, and reduce disease and to recover health by meridian guidance and reflexion. In the oriental medicine, meridian and acupoints are the foundations of treatment. Therefore, in the clinical treatment, we have to decide the therapeutic methods, meridian, acupoints, acupoint place, and acupoint match according to the disease. This study was designed to investigate the combined effects of ST36, ST37, and ST39 using electroacupuncture in rats. The present study was conducted to see the effects produced by combined electro-acupuncture(EA) at ST36, ST37, and ST39 on small intestine transportation in rats. EA(2 Hz, 5mA, pulse duration 1 ms) was applied for 30 minutes at acupoints of ST36, ST37, and ST39. The results are as follows. Compared to other acupoint place matches, ST36(left)+ ST37(right), ST36(left)+ST39(right), and ST37(left)+ST39 (right) were more effective than ST36(right)+ST37(left), ST36 (right)+ST39(left), and ST37(right)+ST39(left) for small intestine transporation(+ means acupoint place match). In terms of acupoint placement, ST36(left), ST37(right), and ST39(right) were more effective than the other sides for small intestine transporation. The data suggests that we have to consider acupoint place and acupoint match for acupucture therapy.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.105-114
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• 2011

Objectives : The transient inflammation has been demonstrated to alter visceral motor response (VMR) and acute mucosal inflammation may precede the manifestation of visceral hyperalgesia in animal models. The purpose of our study is to compare effects of the different frequencies applied electroacupuncture (EA) on acupoints in acute colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS). Methods : In Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250~400g, a single colorectal administration of TNBS (5mg/kg) was made and electrode for electromyography (EMG) recording were stitched into the external oblique musculature. EA of either ST25 or ST36 were applied and stimulation parameter was modulated as follows: 2, 10, or 100 Hz with intensity of 2 mA and 1 ms pulse duration for 30 min. The balloon was inserted intra-anally and VMR to colorectal distension (CRD) was quantified with an EMG recording system. Results : The VMR increased significantly 3 days after TNBS intra-rectal colonic injection in rats. Both 2 Hz and 10 Hz EA on ST36 suppressed VMR to CRD in the acute colitis model but not 100 Hz. Only 10 Hz EA on ST25 suppressed VMR to CRD in the acute colitis. Conclusions : These data show that 10 Hz EA potently inhibits hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate whether the spinal cholinergic and serotonergic analgesic systems mediate the relieving effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic cold allodynia in rats. The cold allodynia induced by an oxaliplatin injection (6 mg/kg, i.p.) was evaluated by immersing the rat's tail into cold water ($4^{\circ}C$) and measuring the withdrawal latency. EA stimulation (2 Hz, 0.3-ms pulse duration, 0.2~0.3 mA) at the acupoint ST36, GV3, or LI11 all showed a significant anti-allodynic effect, which was stronger at ST36. The analgesic effect of EA at ST36 was blocked by intraperitoneal injection of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist (atropine, 1 mg/kg), but not by nicotinic (mecamylamine, 2 mg/kg) receptor antagonist. Furthermore, intrathecal administration of $M_2$ (methoctramine, $10{\mu}g$) and $M_3$ (4-DAMP, $10{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, but not $M_1$ (pirenzepine, $10{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, blocked the effect. Also, spinal administration of $5-HT_3$ (MDL-72222, $12{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, but not $5-HT_{1A}$ (NAN-190, $15{\mu}g$) or $5-HT_{2A}$ (ketanserin, $30{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, prevented the anti-allodynic effect of EA. These results suggest that EA may have a significant analgesic action against oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain, which is mediated by spinal cholinergic ($M_2$, $M_3$) and serotonergic ($5-HT_3$) receptors.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.15-23
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• 2003

Objective : The role of high frequency 120 Hz electroacupuncture(EA) in carrageenan-induced pain was studied by examining the alnalgesic effects, and prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ levels measurement and spinal N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptor expression. Inflammation was induced by an intraplantar injection of 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw. Method : Bilateral EA stimulation with 120 Hz were delivered at those acupoints corresponding to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao in man via the needles for a total of 30 min duration in carrageenan-injected rats. Results : EA stimulation showed significant analgesic effects as measured by analgesy-meter at all time points tested compared with controls. Three hours after carrageenan injection, PGE2 levels were measured by commercial kit. EA significantly inhibited PGE2 production in the right paw. The number of NR1 and NR2A, NMDA receptor, immunoreactive neurons was significantly increased in the superficial dorsal horn(laminae I-II) and nucleus proprius(laminae III-IV) of ipsilateral spinal cord at L4-5. But the number of carrageenan-induced NR1 and NR2A immunoreactive neuron, especially NR1 immunoreaction in the superficial dorsal horn, was reduced by 120 Hz EA stimulation. Conclusions : These results indicate that NMDA receptors may mediate transmission of nociceptive information originating in tissue inflammation of hind paw and high frequency 120 Hz EA stimulation have an alleviating action against local inflammatory pain.

• 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.20 no.3
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• pp.166-176
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• 2003

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of 15Hz electroacupuncture(EA) on carrageenan-injected rats. Inflammation was induced by an intraplantar injection of 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw. Methods : Bilateral EA stimulation with 15 Hz were delivered at those acupoints corresponding to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao in man via the needles for a total of 30 min duration in carrageenan-injected rats. Results: The developing edema was measured 30 minutes interval afer carrageenan injection and 15 Hz EA stimulation presented significant edema inhibition. Three hours after carrageenan injection, prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and nitric oxide(NO) levels were measured. The 15Hz EA stimulation significantly inhibited $PGE_2$ and NO production in the right paw. The pro-inflammatory mRNA expression such as cyclooxygenases(COX)-2 and interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$ were slightly down-regulated by EA stimulation. The number of COX-2, IL-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ immunoreactive cells were abundantly observed in paw edema. But these cells were decreased in nmber according to anti-edema effect of 15Hz EA. Conclusions: These results indicate that 15Hz EA stimulation have an alleviation action against carrageenan-induced edema and local inflammation.