Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies

Electroacupuncture for Control of Blood Glucose in Diabetes: Literature Review

Philip V. Peplow, G. David Baxter — 2012-01-16

Abstract: Electrical stimulation at acupuncture points (acupoints) has been investigated for its utility in lowering blood glucose in hyperglycemic humans and animal models. Only two studies were found using electroacupuncture in human subjects, and in both of these, the participants were normal (nondiabetic) and electrical stimulation was carried out at several acupoints. It had a hypoglycemic effect in obese women with calorific restriction diet using electrical stimulation of 2Hz for 30 minutes/day for 20 days, but no change occurred in blood glucose of fasted patients in the other study using 1Hz for 15 minutes. Fourteen animal studies were found, of which, 11 were performed in diabetic and normal rats. A hypoglycemic effect was observed in fasted type 1 diabetic rats using the Zusanli (ST36) leg acupoint with electrical stimulation of 15Hz for 30 minutes and 60 minutes. In fasted type 2 diabetic rats, blood glucose was lowered using the Zusanli acupoint with electrical stimulation parameters of 15Hz and 10mA for 30 minutes. Also, using the Zhongwan (CV12) abdomen acupoint with electrical stimulation parameters of 15Hz and 10mA for 90 minutes had a hypoglycemic effect in fasted type 2 diabetic rats. In fasted normal rats, electrical stimulation of 2Hz or 15Hz for 30 minutes at the Zusanli or Zhongwan acupoint caused a decrease in blood glucose. Future studies are required in fasted diabetic rats to determine the effect of electroacupuncture on blood levels of insulin, lipids, fatty acids and β-endorphin, and blood flow and nerve conduction velocity. Studies with fasted normal and diabetic human subjects treated by electroacupuncture are warranted using data from animal experiments to inform such studies.

Electro-acupuncture Stimulation at Acupoints Reduced the Severity of Hypotension During Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation

2012-01-09

Abstract: Background: Patients with end-stage liver diseases who undergo liver transplantation may suffer from hypotension related to the liver disease itself or related to the surgical procedure. Because electro-acupuncture (EA) at the Neiguan (PC-6) and the Jianshi (PC-5) points influences hemodynamics, we hypothesize that electro-acupuncture at the traditionally used acupuncture points will reduce the severity of hypotension in patients who undergo liver transplantation.Methods: Forty patients with end-stage liver disease who underwent orthotropic deceased donor liver transplantation were randomized into two groups. The norepinephrine (NE) group received norepinephrine as a vasoconstrictor, and the electro-acupuncture group received EA at the PC-5 and the PC-6 points for treatment of hypotension during anesthesia for the liver transplantation. The patients were monitored, during the three stages of liver transplantation by using hemodynamic parameters.Results: During the three stages of liver transplantation, there were no significant differences in the hemodynamic measurements including the mean arterial pressure, heart rate and central venous pressure between the two groups (p>0.05).Conclusions: Electro-acupuncture at the acupuncture points reduced the severity and the incidence of hypotension during anesthesia for liver transplantation.

A Naturalistic Study of the Effect of Acupuncture on Heart-Rate Variability

2012-01-09

Abstract: Objectives: To study the effect of acupuncture on heart rate variability (HRV) by using linear and non-linear methods of analysis.Methods: 40 patients were recruited consecutively, including patients with insomnia, stomachache, diarrhea, dizziness, cervical syndrome, lower back pain, gonarthritis, peripheral facial paralysis, post-traumatic organic brain syndrome and urinary retention. Different acupoint prescriptions were used, according to the textbook for 5-years' education on traditional Chinese medicine specialty, which is used in Chinese Universities. HRV was recorded before, during, and after acupuncture.Results: Acupuncture substantially reduced variability, causing a 41% reduction in the standard deviation. Using a Fourier analysis, the variances both in the low frequency (LF) and the high frequency (HF) ranges were markedly reduced, but the LF/HF ratio (an indication of sympatho-vagal balance) was not altered. The HR was unchanged. The sample entropy, which is a measure of the complexity of time series, was significantly increased (+35%).Conclusions: Acupuncture produced a pattern of changes different from that seen in pathological conditions, where increased variability and reduced complexity is expected.

Blood Fluidity Enhancement by Electrical Acupuncture Stimulation is Related to an Adrenergic Mechanism

2012-01-09

Abstract: We have reported that electrical acupuncture stimulation (ACU) increases blood fluidity by decreasing platelet aggregation. In this study, we investigated the mechanism causing the increase of blood fluidity. The effects of ACU on blood fluidity and platelet adhesion were examined using a Micro Channel Array Flow Analyzer (MC-FAN) and a laser scattering platelet aggregometer (PA-20).Male Wistar rats (7–8 weeks old) were used in the study. ACU (1 or 100Hz, 3–5V), which causes slight muscle twitching, was applied to the ZuSanli (ST-36) acupoint for 15 or 60 minutes once/day. Blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava.ACU applied to ST-36 revealed significant increases in blood fluidity, while platelet adhesion activity decreased, regardless of the difference of stimulus time. The acupuncture had an immediate effect. Even if naloxone was administered during acupuncture stimulus, the blood flow time shortened in a similar way, as in the only acupuncture stimulus group. In addition, the effect of acupuncture on blood fluidity was inhibited by a β-antagonist. The results indicate that ACU affects blood fluidity depending on the acupoints, and that the effect of ACU might involve an endogenous adrenergic mechanism.

Moxibustion at Mingmen Reduces Inflammation and Decreases IL-6 in a Collagen-Induced Arthritis Mouse Model

2012-01-09

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of moxibustion (MOX) treatment at the GV4 and CV12 acupoints, and to determine the correlations between MOX treatment and interleukin (IL)-6 and corticosterone levels in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. CIA mice were immunized twice intradermally over a 3-week interval with bovine type II collagen. After the second immunization (day 21), MOX was applied to the mouse equivalent of the GV4 and CV12 acupoints with a 1mg moxa cone five times/day. Clinical symptoms of CIA were observed three times/week until day 35. The concentrations of IL-6 and corticosterone in the blood samples were measured by immunoassay kits. At day 35, the incidence of CIA was significantly decreased in mice treated with MOX at the GV4 acupoint (78%, n=23, p<0.05), compared to untreated CIA mice (100%) and mice treated with MOX at the CV12 acupoint (100%). IL-6 and corticosterone levels were significantly increased by immunization. IL-6 levels significantly decreased in mice treated with MOX at the GV4 acupoint. These results suggest that MOX treatment suppressed CIA at the GV4 acupoint, not at the CV12 acupoint, possibly through inhibition of IL-6 production.

High Capacity Optical Channels for Bioinformation Transfer: Acupuncture Meridians

Jiří Pokorný, Tomáš Martan, Alberto Foletti — 2012-01-13

Abstract: Mammalian bodies are hierarchical systems whose internal cooperation and coherent activity require high capacity information transfer between the central control unit – the brain – and the periphery – the organs. A communication system capable of meeting information capacity requirements should be based on transmission of electromagnetic signals. Structures that fulfill requirements for such information transfer have not yet been analyzed. Acupuncture meridians have been demonstrated experimentally in some animals. They might represent systems of information transfer between the brain and the peripheral organs. The ducts of the meridians may correspond to optical fibers operating from the far infrared to the visible wavelength region. The main features of a model of the duct as an optical fiber are delineated and its properties outlined. However, to analyze essentials of the transmission capabilities, the whole meridian structure should be mapped and a more comprehensive set of physical parameters measured. In particular, experimental data concerning morphological arrangements of ordered water in the ducts and corpuscles, and a complete content of the biological particles in the flowing water and its permittivity are missing.

Retrosplenial Cortex is Involved in Analgesia Induced by 2- but not 100-Hz Electroacupuncture in the Rat Tail-Flick Test

Marcelo L. Silva, Josie R.T. Silva, Wiliam A. Prado — 2012-01-09

Abstract: This study examined whether or not the antinociceptive effect of 2- or 100-Hz electroacupuncture (EA) depends on the integrity of the retrosplenial cortex (RSC). Rats were taken for determination of tail-flick latency before and after injection of saline or 2% lidocaine (0.25μl) into the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) bilaterally. Five minutes later, they were submitted to a 20-minute period of 2Hz, 100Hz, or sham EA at the Zusanli and Sanyinjiao acupoints bilaterally, and tail-flick latency was measured within 30 seconds after the end of stimulation and at 5-minute intervals for up to 30 minutes. EA at a frequency of either 2 or 100Hz induced a strong and long-lasting inhibition of the tail-flick reflex in rats treated with saline (0.25μl) injected into the RSC. The analgesia produced by 2-Hz EA lasted for a shorter time in lidocaine-treated rats. By contrast, RSC impairment did not change the analgesic effect of 100Hz EA. The integrity of the RSC is implicated in the duration of analgesia induced by low-frequency EA but is not essential for the analgesic effects evoked by high-frequency EA.

High-intensity Laser for Laser Acupuncture Application

Chang-Sop Yang, Seung-Ho Sun, In-Soo Jang — 2012-02-01

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review laser acupuncture studies to investigate the possibility for applying high-intensity lasers to acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.

Analysis of the Effect of Using Combined Stimulation with PEMFs and LEDs on Muscle Fatigue Recovery at LR9

2012-02-01

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a combined medical stimulus system consisting of the PEMFs (pulsed electromagnetic fields) and LEDs (light-emitting diodes) for the stimulation of local points such as acupoints and trigger points.

Review of Stimulating Technologies of Acupuncture Points in Patients

Chin-Su Park, Yo-Sun Hwang, Sung-Tae Koo — 2012-02-01

Objectives: We have examined and analyzed patients regarding acupuncture point stimulating methods in order to understand the stimulation technology and research trends for acupuncture points.

Acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Idiopathic Chronic Fatigue: a Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2012-02-01

Objectives: Our aim is to evaluate the feasibility of massive clinical research and to make a basic analysis of the efficacy and the safety of acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue.

Review of the Blood-letting Therapy Written in the Donguibogam

Young-Wan Kwon, Sang-Ryong Lee — 2012-02-01

Objectives: This study is designed to use a review of the literature recorded in the Donguibogam to improve the practical possibility of using Blood-letting therapy. Methods: Records on Blood-letting therapy were extracted from the Donguibogam. First all articles containing the key words ‘Hyul (血)’ and ‘Rak (絡)’ were extracted. Of them, records associated with Blood-Letting therapy that had been cited and classified in terms of search patterns for Blood-Letting area, instruments for Blooding-Letting, cautions and side effects for the practice, applicable symptoms, acupoints/extraordinary acupoints, and Blood-Letting areas were selected.

Effect of Intravenous Injection of a Water Extract of Angelica Gigas Nakai on Gliosis in Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats

2012-02-01

Objectives: Gliosis becomes a physical and mechanical barrier to axonal regeneration. Reactive gliosis induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion is involved with up-regulation of CD81 and GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein). The current study is to examine the effect of the Angelica Gigas Nakai (intravenous injection: 100 mg/kg twice in a day) on the CD81 and the GFAP levels in the brains of rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Effects of Sweet Bee Venom on the Central Nervous System in Rats: Use of a Functional Observational Battery

Joong Chul An, Ki Rok Kwon — 2012-02-01

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the effects of Sweet Bee Venom (Sweet BV-pure melittin, the major component of honey bee venom) on the central nervous system in rats.

Biological Activities and Cell Proliferation Effects of Red Ginseng Ethanol Extracts

Sung-Yeoun Hwang, Seong-Hun Ahn — 2012-02-01

Objectives: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously produced at a high rate as a by-product of aerobic metabolism. Because of tissue damage by free radicals, ROS such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) increase with age. Several lines of evidence show that ROS appear to cause the development of various aging-related diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological effects of red ginseng to determine the feasibility of using it as a pharmacopuncture drug source or health food.

Characterization of Fibrinolytic Proteases from Gloydius Blomhoffii Siniticus Venom

Suk Ho Choi — 2012-02-01

Objectives: This study was undertaken to identify fibrinolytic proteases from gloydius blomhoffii siniticus venom and to characterize the major fibrinolytic protease purified from the venom.

Review of a series of case reports on the Effect of Hand Acupuncture with a Focus on 29 Patients with Headaches

Seung-Ho Sun — 2012-02-01

Objectives: Twenty-nine (29) case reports were reviewed to determine the possibility of using hand acupuncture as an effective treatment for headaches. Methods: After approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB), the medical records of 29 outpatients with headaches, who had visited the Oriental Medical Hospital from December 2008 to December 2010, who had undergone hand acupuncture treatment without other intervention, and who had been diagnosed with one disease listed in the international Classification of Headache Disease, second version (ICHD-2) were analyzed. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test to determine whether hand acupuncture treatment affected the difference between the before-and the after-treatment Visual Analogue Scales (VASs) for various types of headaches and syndrome differentiation. The statistics program SPSS 18.0 was used. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05.