• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 1987

The present experiment was performed in 35 normal male volunteers to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on the human nociception more clearly and to demonstrate the effect of different parameters of electrical stimulation through acupuncture needles. The threshold of the pain(Tp) and the nociceptive flexion reflex(Tr), the threshold for intolerable pain(Tip) and that for obtaining maximal reflex response(Tmr) were studied before and after electroacupuncture performed on the acupoints of tsusanli and hsuanchung. 1) For the pricking pain, electroacupuncture with intermittent stimulation induced a significant decrease in Tp which recovered after removal of the needles. There was no significant change in other thresholds. 2) For the dull pain, electroacupuncture with intermittent stimulation produced a significant increase in Tp which continued after removal of the needles. But there was no signifcant change in Tip. Electroacupuncture with continuous stimulation induced a slight increase in Tp. 3) After resting without electroacupuncture, Tp and Tip of the dull pain were slightly decreased. These results suggest that electroacupuncture had no significant analgesic effect on the pricking pain induced by electrical stimulation of the foot skin. However, electroacupuncture with intermittent stimulation had significant analgesic effect on the weak dull pain and it had slightly greater analgesic effect than electroacupuncture with continuous stimulation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 1988

Gastro-intestinal mortility and transit time of barium sulfate after electroacupuncture were investigated in normal dogs and administration of xylatine in dogs. Electroacupuncture was performed with a current of 1.5 volt and 20 Hz at the acupoints of Tsu San Li(right(+) left(-) in dogs for 30 minutes. The results were as follows: 1. After electroacupuncture stimnlation in normal dogs, rates of stomach contractions was not changed, but amplitudes of stomach motility was markadly increased. The electroacupuncture stimulation tasted about 60 minutes after the end of electroacupuncture. 2. The stomach contractions was markedly increased, while the amplitudes of stomach motility was sligltly decreased by the administration of xylazine in dogs. 3. The rates of stomach contractions and amplitudes of motility were markedly increased after administration of xylazine in the electroacupuncture stimulated dogs. 4. Gastric emptying time o barium sulfate after electroacupuncture stimulation in dogs was highly significantly decreased compared with that of normal dogs(p < 0.01). 5. Small bowel transit time of barium sulfate after electroacupuncture stimulation in dogs was highly significantly decreased compared with that of normal dogs (p < 0.01). 6. Gastroduodenal transit time of barium sulfate after administration of xylazine following electroacupuncture stimulation dogs was blighty significantly decreased compared to that of dogs dosed with xylazine (p< 0.01). 7. Small bowel transit time of barium sulfate after administration of xylazine following electroacupuncture stimulation dogs markedly decreased compared to that of dogs dosed with xylazine (p < 0.05).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.426-442
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of Zusanli and nonacupoint electroacupuncture stimulation on ultrasonographic gastric emptying and vital signs in eight healthy participants. Gastric emptying and its rate of change were analyzed to search for correlation with physical characteristics such as body mass index (BMI), sternocostal angle, and abdominal wall thickness. Methods: Eight healthy participants with no gastrointestinal disorders were enrolled in this study. Each participant went through three abdominal sonographies for gastric emptying assessment. At the second and third visits, participants received Zusanli and nonacupoint electroacupuncture stimulation in a random order. During the study period, we examined the BMI, sternocostal angle, and abdominal wall thickness of all participants. Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature) were also examined before and after the electroacupuncture stimulation. Results: Electroacupuncture stimulation at Zusanli significantly improved gastric emptying when compared to nonacupoint stimulation. Gastric emptying showed a positive correlation with BMI, sternocostal angle, and abdominal wall thickness, but this correlation was statistically insignificant. The improvement rate of gastric emptying by Zusanli electroacupuncture stimulation showed a positive correlation with BMI and sternocostal angle and a negative correlation with abdominal wall thickness. However, such results were also statistically insignificant. Among vital signs, only heart rate showed a significant decrease according to Zusanli electroacupuncture stimulation. Conclusions: A significant effect of Zusanli electroacupuncture was confirmed through ultrasonographic gastric emptying in healthy participants.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1544-1548
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to learn the effects of ST36 ST44 and ST25 ST36 electroacupuncture stimulation on high fat diet-induced obese mouse. The control group was provided with high fat diet without electroacupuncture stimulation, while the experimental group received a electroacupuncture stimulation on ST36 ST44 and ST25 ST36 with three frequencies (10Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz) for 5 times a week during five week periods with the high fat diet. We investigated the body weight, weight gain, and food intake. After the electroacupuncture stimulation, a significant inhibition of increase in weight was found in the experimental group compared with the high fat diet group. But there were no significant differences made by the change of acupoint combinations and frequencies. After the electroacupuncture stimulation, no significant change was found in the food intakes, but the weight gain a week was decreased compared with the high fat diet group. Electroacupuncture stimulation may be effective in treatments of obesity to high fat diet, But no significant difference was found between three frequencies.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.986-994
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• 1999

This study was carried out (a) to investigate the variations of blood chemistry and (b) to examine the secretion trend of endocrine substances in a dog model after electroacupuncture and laser stimulation at different time period(9 to 11a.m. and 6 to 8p.m.). Two acupuncture points ; Da Zhui(GV-14) and Shen Shu(BL-23) were electroacupunctured for 20 minutes with 2Vol, 20Hz and irradiated for 5 minutes with 8,000Hz. Before stimulation and after a lapse of time(10-minutes, 30-minutes and 60-minutes) all dogs were checked the following parameters ; cortisol, ACTH, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, WBC, Ca, P, SGPT, SGOT and creatinine. The results were as follow : The levels of cortisol and ACTH have been increased 10 minutes after the stimulation of the electroacupuncture and laser. The higher levels of cortisol and ACTH have been decreased to keep the normal levels from 30 minutes after the stimulation of the electroacupuncture and laser. The RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit and WBC showed the physiological phenomena in the electroacupuncture and laser stimulation. In sero chemical analysis, calcium, phosphate, SGOT, SGPT and creatinine levels were within normal physiological ranges.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 1981

Experiments were conducted in ischemic decerebrate cats to study the effects of electroacupuncture and electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve on pain reaction. Flexion reflex was used as an index of pain. The reflex was elicited by stimulating the sural nerve(20 V, 0.5 msec duration) and recorded as a compound action potential from the nerve innervated to the semitendinosus muscle. Electroacupuncture was performed, using a 23-gauge hyperdermic needle, on the tsusanli point in the lateral upper tibia of the ipsilateral hindlimb. The common peroneal nerve was selected as a peripheral nerve which may be associated with electroacupuncture action, as it runs through the tissue portion under the tsusanli point. Both for electroacupuncture and the stimulation of common peroneal nerve a stimulus of 20 V-intensity, 2 msec-duration and 2 Hz-frequency was applied for 60 min. The results are summerized as follows: 1) The electroacupuncture markedly depressed the flexion reflex; this effect was eliminated by systemic application of naloxone $(0.02{\sim}0.12\;mg/kg)$, a specific narcotic antagonist. 2) Similarly, the electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve significantly depressed the flexion reflex, the effect being reversed by naloxone. 3) When most of the afferent nerves excluding sural nerve in the ipsilateral hindlimb were cut, the effect of electroacupuncture on the flexion reflex was not observed. Whereas direct stimulation of the common peroneal nerve at the proximal end from the cut resulted in a significant reduction of the flexion reflex, again the effect was reversible by naloxone application. 4) Transection of the spinal cord at the thoracic 12 did not eliminate the effect of peripheral nerve stimulation on the flexion reflex and its reversal by naloxone, although the effect was significantly less than that in the animal with spinal cord intact. These results suggest that: 1) the analgesic effect of an electroacupuncture is directly mediated by the nervous system and involves morphine-like substances in CNS, 2) the site of analgesic action of electroacupuncture resides mainly in the brainstem and in part in the spinal cord.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.50-59
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of high frequency electroacupuncture, low frequency electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system in stroke patients by using a heart rate variability measuring device. Methods: Thirty-nine participants were recruited and each participated in the high frequency electroacupuncture group, low frequency electroacupuncture group, manual acupuncture group and non-acupuncture group. Some participants received needle insertion with 100 Hz stimulation, with 2Hz stimulation and manual stimulation under mental arithmetic stress during 2 sections. Other participants maintained in the supine position without acupuncture under mental arithmetic stress during the 2 sections. Acupuncture needles were directly inserted perpendicularly to the right Liv 3 acupoint followed by delivery of electric pulses to these points for 8 minutes. Heart rate variability was measured 8 minutes before and 16 minutes after acupuncture stimulation by a heart rate variability measuring system. Results: We found a significant elevated HF total power between 1 section and 2 section and between 1 section and 4 section in the non-acupuncture group, between 3 section and 4 section in the 100Hz electroacupuncture group, and between 1 section and 2 section in the manual acupuncture group and with no change in the 2Hz electroacupuncture group. We also found a significant VLF total power between 2 section and 3 section in the 2Hz electroacupuncture group and between 1 section and 4 section and between 2 section and 4 section in the 100Hz electroacupuncture group. All four groups showed no significant differences in other parameters including heart rate mean, low-frequency power, and the ratio of low-frequency power to high-frequency power. Conclusions: This study may be a basis for research about effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture because the parameters measured, heart rate variability, showed differences according to acupuncture.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.127-135
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• 1987

Ruminal and abomasal motility after electroacupuncture was investigated in normal goats and in goats with induced hypocalcaemia. Electroacupuncture was performed with a current of 1 volt and 3Hz at the acupoints of Tien Ping(positive) and Pai Hui(negative) for 30 minutes. The adequate range of electroacupuncture stimulation for goats was 1 to 2 volt and 2 to 3 Hz. After electroacupuncture stimulation in normal goats, rates of rumen and abomasal contractions were not changed or were slightly increased, but amplitudes of rumen and abomasal motility markedly increased. The effects of electroacupuncture stimulation lasted from about 10 minutes to 30 minutes after the end of electroacupuncture. The amplitudes of rumen motility were increased by the administration of bethanechol chlorids in goats. Ruminal contractions were not influenced by electroacupuncture following atropine sulphate. The rates of rumen and abomasal movements were not changed, but its amplitudes were reduced by inducing hypocalcaemia in goats. Motilily of the rumen and abomasum was not accelerated by electroacupuncture in goats with induced hypocalcaemia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.220-225
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• 2004

We undertook this study to investigate the effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture on colonic transit time in old age constipation persons. Twenty three volunteers were old age constipation persons(mean age 69.72±2.43 years, mean defecation rate 1.83±0.41/week). Before acupuncture was only to check the radio-opaque markers transit time all the way through gastrointestinal tract. Simple acupuncture was to apply acupuncture therapy for three days. The fourth acupoints(both ST.25, TE.6) were selected and the needle was kept for 15 minutes. Electroacupuncture was same as the simple acupuncture except for applying 2Hz electrical stimulation. After Then we compare with three method Each transit time in the whole colon, right colon, left colon and rectosigmoid colon were checked in the order of before acupuncture, simple acupuncture, and electroacupuncture stimulation. In the before acupuncture stimulation, the transit time in each part of colon was as follows 19.48±1.76 32.74±2.69 25.61±2.13 76.62±7.95 hours. Simple acupuncture stimulation, the transit time was 17.47±1.10 33.10±1.87 24.12±1.65 74.87±3.91 hours. Compared with before acupuncture stimulation, the transit time was significantly shortened(P<0.05), especially in right colon transit time of simple acupuncture stimulation was significantly shortened(P<0.05). Electroacupuncture stimulation, was 16.32±1.97 32.91±2.48 21.53±1.94 71.59±2.82. Compared with the previous two trial, transit time in right colon and rectosigmoid colon were significantly shortened(P<0.05). Acupuncture and electroacupuncture stimulation change on the right colonic transit time in old age constipation persons and rectosigmoid colonic transit time was changed as electroacupuncture stimulation. In other words, old age constipation persons who suffer chronic constipation, acupuncture and electroacupuncture stimulation reduces the total colonic transit time.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.56-68
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• 2001

Objective : Functional brain mapping study on acupuncture stimulation using the [14C]2-deoxyglucose([14C]2-DG) autoradiography provides quantitative data and visualized pathway in central nervous system(CNS). We aimed to investigate the neural pathway and spatial distribution of metabolic activity elicited in CNS on electroacupuncture stimulation using [14C]2-DG autoradiography. Methods : The study were divided into three groups by stimulation times. 45-mins stimulation group according to Sokoloffs method, 5-mins stimulation group according to Duncun's method, and 15-mins stimulation group. ;A venous catheter was equipped into right jugular vein. The rats (Sprague-Dawley rats, 230-260g) were kept fastened loosely on a holding platform without anesthesia. Electroacupuncture stimulation (5 ms, 2 Hz, 1~3 mA) were applied on the left Zusanli (ST36) acupoint and [14C]2-DG ($25{\mu}Ci/rat$) injection was performed through the catheter. After sacrifice, the brain and the spinal cord were made to sections for film image. The film images were digitalized as the isotope concentration based upon comparison of optical densities with that of the standards and normalized by the optical density of corpus callosum. Results : 1. 15-mins stimulation group was most effective among 3 experiments. 2. On 15-mins stimulation group, medial geniculate nucleus, intetpeduncular nucleus intermedius, ventral periolivary nucleus, caudal periolivary nucleus, medial superior olive, lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, including hypothalamic arcuate nucleus were increased by more than 25% (at least, p<0.05) by electroacupuncture stimulation. 3. Especially, the metabolism in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus was increased by 90% (p<0.05). 4. The fact that arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus might play a role of interconnection area between ascending and descending pathway of acupuncture stimulation was demonstrated visually. Conclusions : Advanced study on electroacupuncture stimulation elicited significant increase of metabolic activity in various nuclei of hypothalamus will provide the important experimental basis in research of the relationship between electroacupuncture stimulation and internal visceral functions.