Journal of Meridian and Acupoint

Article Outline

 

In this issue of the journal, recommended articles are selected from the Journal of Korean Pharmaco-puncture Institute (ISSN: 1226-4849) and from the Journal of Meridian and Acupoint (ISSN: 1229-7933), which were published in the Korean language.

(6) Journal of Meridian and Acupoint, Volume 26, No. 3, 1-11, 2009

Analysis of the Meridian Energy and its Pattern of Change With Time by Measuring the Skin Capacitance on Source Points

Soo-Byung Kim, Sun-Min Kwon, Hyoun-Seok Myoung, Kyoung-Joung Lee, Hee-Jung Kang, Yun-Kyoung Yim, Yong-Heum Lee

Abstract Objectives: This study investigated the balance/imbalance of skin capacitances between left and right meridians and analyzed the patterns of change of the electric energy on meridians with time.

Methods: The electric potential was measured at five source points (LU9, PC7, HT7, LI4 and SI4) bilaterally for 4 hours. The energy balance/imbalance between left and right was investigated, and the patterns of change with time were analyzed.

Results: The amplitudes of the meridian energies on five source points and the energy balance/imbalance between left and right varied in each individual. When a source point showed a balanced meridian energy bilaterally, the patterns of change of the meridian energy with time were similar between left and right. On the other hand, when a source point showed an imbalanced energy between left and right, the patterns of change of the meridian energy were also different between left and right.

Conclusion: Through this study, we propose a new diagnostic method for determining the meridian energy.

Keywords: Meridian, Source point, Skin capacitance, Energy balance, Change pattern

(7) Journal of Meridian and Acupoint, Volume 26, No. 3, 13-25, 2009

Study on Acupoints and Muscles Used for Cosmetic Acupuncture

Misung Yang and Misook Shin

Abstract Objective: This study was performed to investigate the acupoints and the muscles used for cosmetic acupuncture. The data in this paper should allow most clinicians practicing cosmetic acupuncture to understand the theoretical background and to treat cosmetic diseases more diversely.

Method: We collected useful information about cosmetic acupuncture from selected books and websites in order to select major acupoints and muscles.

Results: The most frequently used acupoints for cosmetic acupoints are LI20, ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST8, SI18, SI19, BL1, BL2, BL3, BL4, TE17, TE18, TE19, TE20, TE21, TE22, TE23, GB1, GB2, GB3, GB4, GB5, GB6, GB7, GB8, GB13, GB14, GV20, GV21, GV22, GV23, GV24, GV25, GV26 and CV24. The head and the neck muscles, including the SCM muscle, plastyma, frontalis, corrugators supercilii, orbicularis oculi, auricularis, temporalis, masseter, pterygoid, zygomaticus, and risorius can be used for cosmetic acupuncture.

Conculsion: Most acupoints and muscles are located in the face and the head, which seems to be related to concerns about face wrinkles.

Keywords: Cosmetic acupuncture, Acupoint, Muscle

(8) Journal of Meridian and Acupoint, Volume 26, No. 3, 27-42, 2009

Effects of Electroacupuncture on the Excitability of Medial Vestibular Nuclei in Rats

Jae Hyo Kim, Sung Ho Lee, In Chul Sohn, Young Sun Kim, Min Sun Kim

Abstract Objective: The vestibular system detects head movement and serves to regulate and maintain the equilibrium and orientation of the body. Vestibular imbalance is known to lead to vestibular symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, vertigo and postural disturbance. The objectives of the present study were to examine a modification of the dynamic activities of medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons following electroacupuncture (EA) of GB43 (Hyepgye).

Methods: In Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g, dynamic responses induced by sinusoidal whole body rotation about a vertical axis at 0.2 Hz were observed in MVN neurons of rats during EA at 0.2 ms, 40 Hz and 600 ± 200 mA at GB43 (Hyepgye). Also, expression of cFos protein was observed 2 hours after EA for 30 minutes.

Results: In the dynamic response of vestibular neurons, the excitatory or inhibitory responses of gain were predominant in the ipsilateral MVN neurons during EA, but were not predominant in the contralateral MVN neurons. Most neurons showing decreased gain were classified as having an inhibitory response of spontaneous discharge during EA, and those showing increased gain were classified as having an excitatory response to spontaneous discharge during EA. Also, EA of the left GB43 (Hyepgye) for 30 minutes produced an expression of cFos protein in MVN and in inferior olive (IO) and solitary tract nuclei (SOL). Spatial expressions of cFos protein were predominant in the contralateral MVN, ipsilateral inferior olive and bilateral solitary tract nuclei neuclei.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the excitability of MVN neurons was influenced by EA of GB43 (Hyepgye) and the EA may be related to the convergence on MVN.

Keywords: Medical vestibular nuclei, Electroacupuncture, GB43 (Hyepgye), Rat

(9) Journal of Meridian and Acupoint, Volume 26, No. 3, 43-54, 2009

Effects of Prunella Vulgaris Pharmacopuncture on the Lipopolysaccharide-induced Acute Inflammatory Rat Model

Jong Wook Lee, Hyang Sook Lee, Eun Lee, Joon Moo Lee

Abstract Objectives: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory rat model.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control (n = 8), LPS control (n = 8), LPS + Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV4 (CV4, n = 8), LPS + Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at ST36 (ST36, n = 8), and LPS + Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 (CV12, n = 8). Pharmacopuncture was given every two days for 4 weeks, followed by inflammation induction with peritoneal LPS injection (5 mg/kg). Proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1b (IL-1βb), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) from blood and liver tissue, were compared before and 5 hours after inflammation induction.

Results: In the CV4 and the CV12 groups, the plasma IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were increased by LPS injection and significantly decreased at 5 hours after injection (p < 0.05). For the CV12 group, the plasma IL-10 concentration was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Liver IL-1β and IL-6 levels were significantly decreased in the CV4 and the CV12 groups (p < 0.05) while the normal and the LPS control groups showed no significant differences in the TNF-α and the IL-10 levels. The plasma TBARS concentration was significantly decreased in the CV12 group, while no significant difference existed between the LPS control and the pharmacopuncture groups.

Conclusion: Based on the present findings, Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 may have a potentially preventive anti-inflammatory effect in the LPS-induced inflammatory rat model.

Keywords: Pharmacopuncture, Prunella vulgaris, Anti-inflammation, CV12

(10) Journal of Meridian and Acupoint, Volume 26, No. 3, 103-10, 2009

Review on the Seven Acupoints for Stroke

Bong-Hyo Lee, Sung-Chul Lim, Kyung-Min Lee, Jae-Su Kim, Tae-Young Jung

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the seven acupoints for stroke and to reveal the meaning of their composition.

Methods: The authors reviewed several studies related to the seven acupoints for stroke. The authors also investigated the composition of the seven acupoints for stroke and found a mechanism explaining their function and clinical utility.

Results and Conclusion: The seven acupoints for stroke are composed: 1 acupoint of the Governer Vessel, 2 acupoints of the Yang Myoung meridian, and 4 acupoints of the So Yang meridian. The seven acupoints for stroke can be used to treat many central nervous diseases related to stress.

Keywords : Stroke, CVA, Infarction, Stress