• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

Objectives Disuse muscle atrophy occurs in response to pathologies such as joint immobilization, inactivity or bed rest. Muscle disuse is accompanied by an increase in apoptotic signaling, which mediates some of the responses to unloading in the muscle. GB34 (Yanglingquan) is a acupuncture point on the lower leg and one of the most frequently used points in various skeletomuscular diseases. In this study, the hypothesis that the acupuncture at GB34 could attenuate immobilization-induced skeletal muscle atrophy was tested. Methods The left hindlimb immobilization was performed with casting tape in both GB34 group (n=10) and Control group (n=10). The rats in GB34 group were daily treated with acupuncture at GB34. After 2 weeks of immobilization, the morphology of right and left gastrocnemius muscles in both GB34 and Control groups were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. To investigate the immobilization-induced muscular apoptosis, the immunohistochemical analysis of Bax and Bcl-2 was carried out. Results GB34 group represented the significant protective effects against the reductions of the left gastrocnemius muscles weight and average cross section area to compared with Control group. The acupuncture at GB34 significantly reduced the immunoreactivity of BAX and increased the immunoreactivity of Bcl-2 in gastrocnemius muscle compared with Control group. Conclusions These results suggest that the acupuncture at GB34 has protective effects against immobilization-induced muscle atrophy by regulating the activities of apoptosis-associated BAX/Bcl-2 proteins in gastrocnemius muscle.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.143-158
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the anti-oxidative effects of electroacupuncture at GB34(Yangreungcheon) in rats. Methods : The authors performed several experimental items including measurements of body weight, relative liver weight, levels of albumin, total bilirubin, LDL-cholesterol, LDH, GOT and GPT in blood serum, levels of SOD, glutathione, catalase, NO and MDA in liver, and histological analysis of liver. The conclusions are as follows. Results : 1. In the GB34-EA group, liver index was lower than those of the control group and the holder group. 2. In the GB34-EA group, the levels of albumin and total bilirubin in serum were increased significantly compared to those of the control and the holder group. LDL-cholesterol level was decreased significantly compared to those of the control group and the holder group. 3. In the GB34-EA group, liver SOD, glutathione, catalase activity were increased, and NO concentration in liver was decreased significantly compared to those of control and the holder group. 4. In the GB34-EA group, the density of liver tissue was more similarly maintained to that of the normal group compared to those of the control group, holder group and sham-EA group. Conclusions : These results suggest that electroacupuncture at GB34 may have an antioxidant effect in rat.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.111-123
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of high frequency electro-acupuncture (hf-EA) at Yanglingquan(GB34) on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage in rats. Methods : The author performed several experimental items, including measurements of body weight and liver weight, hematological analysis for RBC, WBC, PLT, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and biochemical assays for ALT, AST, ALP and total cholesterol in serum, and histological analysis of liver tissue. Results & Conclusion : 1. WBC level in blood was slightly reduced by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 2. Lymphocyte level in blood was decreased by $CCl_4$-intoxication and significantly increased by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 3. Neutrophils level in blood was slightly reduced by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 4. ALT and AST in serum were reduced significantly by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 5. The pathological changes of liver tissue induced by $CCl_4$ was reduced by hf-EA at GB34. 6. No significant difference was found between the effects of acupuncture and hf-EA on CCl4-induced liver damage in rats.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.211-224
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• 2008

Objectives : To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) at GB34 on hepatotoxicity in $CCl_4$-intoxicated rats. Methods : Rats were injected with $CCl_4$ and treated with acupuncture or 2 Hz electro-acupuncture (EA) at left GB34 three times a week for 10 weeks. A non-acupoint in left gluteal area was selected as a sham point. To estimate the effects of EA on hepatotoxicity in rats, body weight, liver weight and liver index were measured, and biochemical assays for serum ALT, AST, ALP and total cholesterol, and hematological analysis for RBC, WBC, PLT, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes, and histology analysis of liver tissue were performed. Results : 1. Lymphocyte level in blood was significantly decreased by $CCl_4$-intoxication and significantly increased by acupuncture and 2 Hz EA at left GB34. 2. Neutrophill and monocyte level in blood was increased by $CCl_4$-intoxication and significantly reduced by acupuncture and 2 Hz EA at left GB34. 3. Acupuncture and 2 Hz EA at left GB34 significantly reduced serum ALT and AST which were increased by $CCl_4$-intoxication. 4. EA at GB34 significantly reduced serum ALT and AST as compared with EA at sham point in $CCl_4$-intoxicated rat. 5. No significant difference was found between the effects of acupuncture and that of 2 Hz EA on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage in rats. Conclusions : 2 Hz EA at GB34 has hepatoprotective effects on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage in rats and the point-specificity of GB34 may be involved in these effects.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-140
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• 2010

Objectives & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Bupleuri Radix Herbal-acupuncture at GB34(Yangneungcheon) of hyperlipidemic rats. The author performed several items to analyze body-weight of the rats, weight of its liver, serum as well as urine changes in each group. Results : 1. Bupleuri Radix herbal-acupuncture(BR-HA) infused solution (MCR-HAS) increased both DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. BR-HA at GB34 significantly decreased the level of serum total cholesterol and atherogenic index(AI), while significantly increased the ratios of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/total cholesterol and phospholipid/total cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats. 3. BR-HA at GB34 significantly decreased urine glucose in hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusions : From the results above, it is suggested that Bupleuri Radix herbal -acupuncture at GB34 has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.65-75
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of warm needling at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$ on Complete Freund's Adjuvant(CFA)-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by injecting CFA subcutaneously into the left knee joint and paw. Acupuncture(AT) and warm needling(W-AT0.5, W-AT1.0) were injected at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$, every other day for a total of 5 times beginning on day 10 after the CFA injection. Thereafter, external shape, paw edema, serum aminotransferase and anti-inflammatory factors were assessed, and hematological and histological observations were made. Results : In paw edema volume all 3 groups(AT, W-AT0.5, W-AT1.0) showed significant decrease compared to the CFA control group. In TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, all 3 groups showed significant decrease compared to CFA control group. In AST and ALT all 3 groups showed no significant change. In IL-$1{\beta}$, W-AT0.5 and W-AT1.0, groups showed significant decrease compared to the CFA control group. Leucocyte, erythrocyte and thrombocyte, all 3 groups showed no significant change. In histological observations, all 3 groups were similar to the intact group in terms of synoviocyte, cartilage lacuna and cartilage cells. Conclusions : The results suggest that warm needling at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$, has the effect of suppressing inflammation of CFA-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.119-132
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• 2008

Objectives : To compare the effects of low-frequency electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation at left and right GB34s on hepatotoxicity in $CCl_4$-intoxicated rats. Methods : Rats were injected with $CCl_4$ and treated with 2 Hz electro-acupuncture (EA) at left and right GB34s for 15 minutes 3 times per week, for 10 weeks. Holder group, injected with $CCl_4$ and strained in a cylinder for same period as the EA group, was established to compare the hepatotoxicity against the two electroacupuncture groups. To estimate the effects of EA on hepatotoxicity in rats, body weight, liver weight and liver index were measured. Biochemical assays for serum ALT, AST, ALP and total cholesterol ; hematological analysis for RBC, WBC, PLT, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes ; and histology analysis of liver tissue were also performed. Results : Lymphocyte level in blood was significantly decreased by $CCl_4$-intoxication, and increased by low-frequency electroacupuncture applied on both left and right GB34s. Low-frequency EA applied on right and left GB34s significantly reduced serum ALT and AST, both of which had been increased by $CCl_4$-intoxication. Conclusion : Low-frequency electroacupunctures at both left and right GB34s have hepatoprotective effects on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage in rats. However, no significant differences were found between the effects of EAs at left and right GB34s.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.195-207
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of laser acupuncture according to the wavelength(532 nm, 650 nm, 830 nm, 904 nm, and 1064 nm) at the acupoint of GB34 GB39 on neuropathic pain rat induced by tibial and sural nerve transection(TST). Methods : Neuropathic pain in rats was induced by tibial nerve and sural nerve transection. The rats were divided into the intact group, the TST control group, and the laser acupuncture therapy group. The laser acupuncture therapy groups were then divided into subgroups with 532 nm(L532), 650 nm(L650), 830 nm(L830), 904 nm(L904), and 1064 nm(L1064) laser acupuncture therapy. The acupoint of GB34 GB39 was selected, and laser acupuncture therapy was provided on both sides alternatively twice a week in a total of 6 sessions. Results : All the laser acupuncture groups showed a significant decrease in reaction time and force intensity. L532, L904, and L1064 groups showed a significant decrease in Bax, the L532 group showed a significant increase in Bcl-2, L532 and L1064 groups showed a significant decrease in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and L532 and L650 groups showed a significant increase in mGluR5, as compared with the TST control group, among nerve tissue reaction. Conclusions : These results showed that laser acupuncture therapy at each of the wavelengths had some significance on neuropathic pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.85-109
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• 2009

Objective & Methods : The present study was to investigate the effect of Moutan Cortex Radicis Herbal-acupuncture (MCR-HA) at GB34 (Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis induced by high fat diet in rats. Results : 1. Moutan Cortex Radicis herbal-acupuncture infusion solution (MCR-HAS) increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. MCR-HA at GB34 decreased serum total cholesterol level, and increased serum phospholipid/total cholesterol in rats with high fat diet. 3. MCR-HA at GB34 decreased atherogenic index in rats with high fat diet. 4. MCR-HA at GB34 increased hepatic catalase activity in rats with high fat diet. Conclusion : These results suggested that Moutan Cortex Radicis herbal-acupuncture at GB34 has therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia and related complications in rats with high fat diet.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.25-46
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• 2010

Objective & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of herbal- acupuncture with Achyranthis Radix(AR-HA) at GB34(Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia in rats. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum and liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results : 1. Achyranthis Radix herbal acupuncture solution increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. AR-HA at GB34 decreased the level of serum total cholesterol, and increased the ratios of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol, phospholipid to total cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rat. 3. AR-HA at GB34 decreased the hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity in hyperlipidemic rat. 4. AR-HA at GB34 increased the hepatic GSH level in hyperlipidemic rat. Conclusion : From the above results, it is suggested that AR-HA at GB34 has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia.