Research Article2011-09-01

Comparison of Acupuncturing Hegu (LI4) by Metal or Laser Needle on Facial Blood Perfusion Using Laser Speckle Technique

Yuying Tian¹, Tao Huang¹, Gerhard Litscher², Lu Wang², Guangjun Wang¹, Shuyong Jia¹, Yuqing Zhang¹, Weibo Zhang^1*

2011; 4(3): 187-192 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2011.09.007

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AimTo compare the difference of remote effects of acupuncture between metal needle and laser needle on facial blood perfusion (FBP).MethodsHand acupuncture and laser-needle acupuncture were randomly used on Hegu (LI4) in 20 healthy volunteers. FBP was observed by speckle contrast imager before, during, and after the acupunctures.ResultsFor hand acupuncture there were gradual increases on the nose and left and right visor areas (p 

Recommended Article2012-06-01

Effects of Atractylodis Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture on an Acute Gastric Mucosal Lesion Induced by Compound 48/80 in Rats

Yun-Kyu Lee, Jae-Soo Kim, Seong-Chul Lim

2012; 5(3): 140-140 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2012.04.006

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(5) Journal of Pharmacopuncture, Vol.14, No.1, pp.12~17, 2012 Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Atractylodis Rhizoma pharmacopuncture (ARP) against acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by compound 48/80 in rats. Methods: The ARP was injected in Joksamni (ST36) and Jungwan (CV12) 1 hr before treatment with compound 48/80. The animals were sacrificed under anesthesia 3 hrs after treatment with compound 48/80. The stomachs were removed, and the amounts of gastric adherent mucus, gastric mucosal hexosamine, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), xanthine oxidase (XO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Also, histological examination were performed. Results: Gastric adherent mucus, gastric mucosal hexosamine and histological defects of gastric mucosa declined significantly after ARP treatment. Changes in gastric mucosal TBARS were also reduced by ARP treatment, but this result was not statistically significant. ARP treatment did not change the XO and the SOD activities. Conclusions: ARP showed protective effects for acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by compound 48/80 in rats. These results suggest that ARP may have protective effects for gastritis.

Recommended Article2012-08-01

Effects of Atractylodis Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture on an Acute Gastric Mucosal Lesion Induced by Compound 48/80 in Rats

Yun-Kyu Lee, Jae-Soo Kim, Seong-Chul Lim

2012; 5(4): 192-192 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2012.05.012

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(5) Journal of Pharmacopuncture, Vol.15, No. 1, pp.12~17, 2012 Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Atractylodis Rhizoma pharmacopuncture (ARP) against acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by compound 48/80 in rats. Methods: The ARP was injected in Joksamni (ST36) and Jungwan (CV12) 1 hr before treatment with compound 48/80. The animals were sacrificed under anesthesia 3 hrs after treatment with compound 48/80. The stomachs were removed, and the amounts of gastric adherent mucus, gastric mucosal hexosamine, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), xanthine oxidase (XO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Also, histological examination were performed. Results: Gastric adherent mucus, gastric mucosal hexosamine and histological defects of gastric mucosa declined significantly after ARP treatment. Changes in gastric mucosal TBARS were also reduced by ARP treatment, but this result was not statistically significant. ARP treatment did not change the XO and the SOD activities. Conclusions: ARP showed protective effects for acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by compound 48/80 in rats. These results suggest that ARP may have protective effects for gastritis.

Research article2017-02-01

Acupuncture as Adjuvant Therapy for Sleep Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease

Fábio Henrique de Amorim Aroxa¹, Ihana Thaís Guerra de Oliveira Gondim², Elba Lúcia Wanderley Santos², Maria das Graças Wanderley de Sales Coriolano², Amdore Guescel C. Asano², Nadja Maria Jorge Asano^3*

2017; 10(1): 33-38 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2016.12.007

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There are few studies which attest the efficacy of acupuncture on treatment of sleep disturbs in Parkinson disease. The aimed of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on sleep disturbs of 22 patients with diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease (Hoehn–Yahr 1 to 3) who have assistance on the Pro-Parkinson Program of Clinical Hospital at Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil. All participants were evaluated by Parkinson Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) before and after 8 weeks. The experimental group was submitted to 8 sections (once a week) which had duration of 30 minutes. The control group had no intervention. The intervention was executed using the acupuncture points LR3 (Taichong), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), LI4 (Hegu), TE5 (Wai-Guan), HT7 (Shenmen), PC6 (Neiguan), LI11 (Quchi), GB20 (Fengchi). Paired analyses were obtained by Wilcoxon test and independent analyses were made according to Mann–Whitney test. This study presented a potential therapeutic benefit of acupuncture on sleep disturbs of Parkinson's disease patients. This study showed a possible therapeutic benefit through acupuncture in sleep disorders in patients with PD. However, we propose new studies related to the effects of acupuncture on the clinical symptoms and evolution of the disease.

Research Article2018-10-01

Acupuncture in Postdate Pregnancy Management

Isabella Neri^*, Lucrezia Pignatti, Francesca Fontanesi, Fabio Facchinetti

2018; 11(5): 332-336 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2018.06.001

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ObjectivesPharmacological labor induction is obtained through prostaglandins application and/or oxytocin infusion; however, the use seems to be related to fetal and maternal side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine advocates the use of acupuncture to soften the cervix and induce uterine contractions. at which presented for The primary outcome was the rate of women admitted for labour induction in case of prolonged pregnancy at 41 + 5 weeks, and the secondary outcome was the rate of induction planning for other indications.MethodsAfter obtaining informed consent, 375 undelivered women after 40 + 2 gestational age were enrolled for the study: 112 women received acupuncture and 263, routine care. Acupuncture was applied every odd day starting from 40 + 2 weeks up to 41 + 4 weeks. Women allocated to the control group received standard care. At 41 + 5 weeks, a pharmacological induction was planned.ResultsThe rate of labor induction significantly differed between acupuncture and observation groups (19.6% vs. 38%; p 

Research Article2018-10-01

Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Auxiliary Treatment for Chronic Headache

Wildete Carvalho Mayrink^1*, João Batista Santos Garcia², Alcione Miranda dos Santos², Joana Kátya Veras Rodrigues Sampaio Nunes¹, Tárcia Heliny Nojoza Mendonça²

2018; 11(5): 296-302 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2018.07.003

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ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of acupuncture as an auxiliary analgesic treatment for chronic headaches and the influence of this treatment on the quality of life, as the effectiveness of acupuncture in chronic headache is still controversial.MethodsThirty-four patients selected from a University Hospital Clinic on Chronic Pain were divided into two groups: True acupuncture (Group 1), in which the recommended points of the Traditional Chinese Medicine were used for each type of headache and sham acupuncture (Group 2), in which the needles were inserted into a device (the stick-on moxa), at the same points as Group 1. Both groups used the prescribed preventive medication for pain. The verbal numeric scale before (VNS0) and after (VNS1) treatment, the number of crisis, and the number of analgesics used during the first and second months of treatment were used for assessment. Quality of life was also assessed before and after treatment with the Brazilian version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire: SF-6D, 2002.ResultsThe true acupuncture group showed greater effectiveness in controlling pain in chronic headache, which was statistically significant in all domains compared to the sham acupuncture group, including quality of life.ConclusionsAcupuncture can be considered an auxiliary treatment for chronic headache, reducing the intensity of pain, the number of crisis, the quantity of analgesics used, and improving the quality of life in patients with this painful condition.

International Scientific Acupuncture and Meridian Symposium (ISAMS) 2019 Conference Abstracts2020-04-01

Enhanced Therapeutic Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Using Surface-Modified Nanoporous Acupuncture

Su Il In

2020; 13(2): 70-70 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2020.03.009

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Acupuncture originated within the auspices of Oriental medicine, and today is used as an alternative method for treating various diseases and symptoms. The physiological mechanisms of acupuncture appear to involve the release of endogenous opiates and neurotransmitters, with the signals mediating through electrical stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS). Earlier we reported a nanoporous stainless steel acupuncture needle with enhanced therapeutic properties, evaluated by electrophysiological and behavioral responses in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Herein, we investigate molecular changes in colorectal cancer (CRC) rats by acupuncture treatment using the nanoporous needles. Treatment at acupoint HT7 is found most effective at reducing average tumor size, β-catenin expression levels, and the number of aberrant crypt foci in the colon endothelium. Surface modification of acupuncture needles further enhances the therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment in CRC rats.

International Scientific Acupuncture and Meridian Symposium (ISAMS) 2019 Conference Abstracts2020-04-01

A synergistic effect of combination of acupuncture and herb on the methamphetamine’s reinforcement

Bong Hyo Lee

2020; 13(2): 71-71 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2020.03.012

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Objective Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the representative drugs abused world widely and the reinforcing effect is exerted by the increase of dopamine (DA) release in the mesolimbic system. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat diverse disease including neuropsychiatric problems and been shown to be effective in the suppression of intravenous METH self-administration. Ja-Geum-Jung, a kind of herbal formula of Korean medicine, was reported to be effective for the atopic dermatitis. The present investigated if the combination of acupuncture and Ja-Geum-Jung could be better than alone treatment. Materials and methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given methamphetamine (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and the locomotor activity and ultrasound vocalization (USV) expression were measured. Electrophysiological methods were used to investigate a possible neuronal mechanism in the brain. Results Ja-Geum-Jung attenuated METH induced increases in the locomotor activity and USV. Acupuncture enhanced these effects showing a synergistic effect in the combination with Ja-Geum-Jung. Also, amygdala was shown to be involved in these effects. Conclusion Combination of acupuncture and herbal formula has been demonstrated to make better effects than alone treatment on the METH, in parallel with the experience of thousands of years in the Eastern Asia.

International Scientific Acupuncture and Meridian Symposium (ISAMS) 2019 Conference Abstracts2020-04-01

Mechanisms of Acupuncture Analgesia in Mice Pain Models

Yi-Wen Lin

2020; 13(2): 72-72 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2020.03.016

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Objectives Chronic pain has a definitive lack of objective parameters in the measurement and treatment efficacy of diseases such as inflammatory and fibromyalgia (FM) pain. This disease has indicated a refractory tendency to conventional treatment ventures, largely resultant from a lack of etiological and pathogenic understanding of the disease development. Emerging evidence indicates that the central nervous system (CNS) plays a critical role in the amplification of pain signals. It remains unclear whether or not electroacupuncture (EA) can attenuate the chronic pain associated with inflammatory and FM pain. Methods We examined the contribution of the transient receptor potential vanalloid 1 (TRPV1) channel to inflammatory and fibromyalgia-like pain in inflammatory and intermittent cold-stress (ICS) model, in the prefrontal cortex, somatosensory cortex, hippocampus and thalamus areas of the brain. The potential therapeutic benefits of electroacupuncture (EA) was analysed in order to identify the analgesic effects and mechanism. Results We suggest that TRPV1 upregulation is central to the inflammatory and FM pain induced hyperalgesia and the treatment of EA showed a decrease in these pain induced nociceptive sensitization, suggesting TRPV1 and related nociceptive conduit upregulation and overexpression can be attenuated by EA. The results indicate that EA treatment successfully attenuated both mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. A majority of proteins associated with the nociceptive signalling cascade indicated overexpression in inflammatory and FM pain, which was rescued through the use of EA. The use of TRPV1 knockout mice allowed for a successful blockade of TRPV1 expression, and further served to elucidate the role of the TRPV1 receptor in the development and expression of inflammatory and FM-like pain. This evidence strongly suggests that the TRPV1 signalling pathway and related components may represent promising therapeutic targets for FM treatment. Conclusion Furthermore, the treatment of EA showed a decrease in the inflammatory and FM induced nociceptive sensitization, suggesting TRPV1 upregulation and overexpression can be attenuated by EA at bilateral ST36, and that EA can provide analgesic benefits to patients suffering from inflammatory and FM pain.

International Scientific Acupuncture and Meridian Symposium (ISAMS) 2019 Conference Abstracts2020-04-01

Acupuncture and Related Therapies for the Management of Psychological and Psychiatric Disease: From Ancient Healing Art to Modern Sciences

Zhang-Jin Zhang

2020; 13(2): 75-75 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2020.03.029

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There have been numerous psychological and psychiatric terms recorded in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) bibliographies, developing a TCM specialty called mental-emotional diseases, where symptomatology, etiology, psychopathology, and various therapies are well established. Acupuncture and related therapies, such as acupressure, moxibustion, massage, cupping, scraping, psychological consultant, exercise therapy (e.g., tai-qi), meditation, and mindfulness were often used in the management of mental disease and wellbeing in early days. These therapies also have been increasingly introduced into today’s clinical practice of psychiatry, aiming to enhance the clinical efficacy, reduce side effects associated with conventional treatment, and comorbid symptoms. Over the past two decades, the speaker and other researchers have published a large number of clinical trials that have demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), cognitive impairment, drug abuse, and psychotic disorders. Neuroimaging, neurochemical, and omic evidence further reveals the underlying mechanisms of psychotropic effects of acupuncture. This talk will provide an overview of ancient TCM psychological concepts and therapies, evidence-based findings obtained from preclinical and clinical studies, and the putative mechanisms of acupuncture effects in the treatment of psychological and mental diseases.