Effects of Distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu and Rehmannia glutinosa Pharmacopuncture at GB21 (Jianjing) on Heart Rate Variability: A Randomized and Double-blind Clinical Trial

AbstractBackground/PurposeThe purpose of this study was to use heart rate variability (HRV) to investigate the effects of distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu pharmacopuncture and Rehmannia glutinosa pharmacopuncture on the autonomic nervous system.Materials and methodsForty healthy male participants were divided into two groups: the participants of the C-group received distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu pharmacopuncture and those of the R-group received Rehmannia glutinosa pharmacopuncture. The study design was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Each participant received one of the two solutions injected at GB21 (Jianjing). The changes in HRV were measured seven times using the QECG-3: LXC3203 system (LAXTHA Inc. Korea). Time-dependent changes in HRV for each group were analyzed using the paired t test (significance level: p < 0.05), and the difference in the HRV fluctuations between the two experimental groups was evaluated using the independent sample test (significance level: p < 0.05).Results and conclusionThe results showed that Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu pharmacopuncture and Rehmannia glutinosa pharmacopuncture tended to activate the autonomic nervous system within the normal range. Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu pharmacopuncture tended to activate the sympathetic nervous system, whereas Rehmannia glutinosa pharmacopuncture tended to activate both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Working Memory Impairment in Fibromyalgia Patients Associated with Altered Frontoparietal Memory Network

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain and frequently associated with other symptoms. Patients with FM commonly report cognitive complaints, including memory problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in neural correlates of working memory between FM patients and healthy subjects, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Nineteen FM patients and 22 healthy subjects performed an n-back memory task during MRI scan. Functional MRI data were analyzed using within- and between-group analysis. Both activated and deactivated brain regions during n-back task were evaluated. In addition, to investigate the possible effect of depression and anxiety, group analysis was also performed with depression and anxiety level in terms of Beck depression inventory (BDI) and Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) as a covariate. Between-group analyses, after controlling for depression and anxiety level, revealed that within the working memory network, inferior parietal cortex was strongly associated with the mild (r = 0.309, P = 0.049) and moderate (r = 0.331, P = 0.034) pain ratings. In addition, between-group comparison revealed that within the working memory network, the left DLPFC, right VLPFC, and right inferior parietal cortex were associated with the rating of depression and anxiety? CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that the working memory deficit found in FM patients may be attributable to differences in neural activation of the frontoparietal memory network and may result from both pain itself and depression and anxiety associated with pain

Taurodeoxycholate Increases the Number of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells That Ameliorate Sepsis in Mice

Bile acids (BAs) control metabolism and inflammation by interacting with several receptors. Here, we report that intravenous infusion of taurodeoxycholate (TDCA) decreases serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, normalizes hypotension, protects against renal injury, and prolongs mouse survival during sepsis. TDCA increases the number of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCLT) distinctive from MDSCs obtained without TDCA treatment (MDSCL) in the spleen of septic mice. FACS-sorted MDSCLT cells suppress T-cell proliferation and confer protection against sepsis when adoptively transferred better than MDSCL. Proteogenomic analysis indicated that TDCA controls chromatin silencing, alternative splicing, and translation of the immune proteome of MDSCLT, which increases the expression of anti-inflammatory molecules such as oncostatin, lactoferrin and CD244. TDCA also decreases the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules such as neutrophil elastase. These findings suggest that TDCA globally edits the proteome to increase the number of MDSCLT cells and affect their immune-regulatory functions to resolve systemic inflammation during sepsis

A Study on the local thermal changes following herbal acupuncture on D.I.T.I.

Objectives : This study was done to observe the effect on the local thermal changes of herbal acupuncture on D.I.T.I.. The objects of this study are as follows; If there are remarkable local thermal changes between pre and post herbal acupuncture therapy on D.I.T.I.or not. If there are those, We examine how long that changes are maintained, what the adequate interval is on herbal acupuncture therapy, and what the reaction in a local or whole body are on that therapy. Materials and Methods : To study the local thermal changes in herbal acupuncture therapy, D.I.T.I. was used. Determination of this analysis periods are pre and post-therapy(1 hour, 24hours, 48hours and 7days later). The study group was divided into three groups(comprised 23 students in oriental medical college, Woosuk University). One was NS(Normal Saline) group, another was CF(CARTHAMI SEMEN) group and the other was BU(FEL URSI + BEZOAR BOVIS) group. The Herbal Acupunture solution was injected 0.2ml divide into 0.05ml at the P'ungmun(B12), P'yesu(B13), Pubun(B41), Paek'o(B42) 4 points. Then, in order to analyze the clinical form, we have observed response of 23 students whenever we checked the thermal changes of their after perfoming Results : The results were obtained as follows 1. There is no significant dermatothermal changes at NS group and CF group, but BU group have remarkable changes in 24, 48, 72 hours. 2. From post-therapy 1 hour to 48 hours, there is a significant change(p<0.01) at NS-BU group and CF-BU group, But there is none 7 days later. 3. In the analysis of whole or local body reaction, local pain appears at NS group(22%), CF group(11%), BU group(91%), discomfort reaction appears at CF group(14%), BU group(30%). BU group has feel vertigo(13%), drowsy(70%) and pain in action(52%). 4. In the analysis of the duration of physical reaction, BU group is most lately maintained. Conclusions : These results suggest that in the physical reaction of herbal acupuncture solutions, BU solution is more sensitive than CF solution or NS

The Study on the Composition of Yongdamsagan-tang(龍膽瀉肝湯)’s Essential Oil Obtained by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction

Objectives : This study was performed to analyze the effective components of essential oil obtained from Yongdamsagan-tang, which has been efficacious against leukorrhea in gynecologic diseases. Methods : I obtained the essential oils of Yongdamsagan-tang by hydrodistillation extraction method and supercritical fluid extraction(SFE) method, and then I analyzed those by GC/MS(Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrum). Results : 1. The optimum SFE(Supercritical Fluid Extraction) condition was obtained in the following experiment conditions: pressure 200atm, temperature 45℃, duration of extraction 25minutes. 2. With GC(Gas Chromatography) and GC/MS(Gas Chromato- graphy/Mass Spectrum) analysis, I identified 37 compounds in the Yongdamsagan-tang's essential oil obtained through the SFE method. The main compounds were as follows : 3-Methyl-but-2-enoic acid,2,2-dimethyl-8-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H,8H -pyrano[3,2-g]chromen-3-yl ester(49.81 %), (Z)-6-Pentadecen-1 -ol(3.19%), (-)-Spathulenol(2.40%). 3. I identified 4 compounds in the Yongdamsagan-tang's essential oil obtained through the hydrodistillation method. The main compounds were as follows : 3-Methyl-but-2-enoic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-8-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H,8H-pyrano[3,2-g]chromen-3-yl ester(2.61%). 4. 3 - Methy l - but - 2 - enoic acid, 2, 2 - dimethyl - 8 - oxo - 3, 4 - dihydro - 2H, 8H - pyrano[3, 2 - g] chromen - 3 - yl ester, all were identified in both the SFE method and the hydrodistillation method, but the others were not identified in common. 5. I also conducted an additional test in order to examine the essential oil's antimicrobial action against bacteria. Both MIC(Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations) and MBC(Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations) were 0.125㎎/㎖ against N. meningitidis, however MIC and MBC were 1.0㎎/㎖ in antimicrobial action against 12 different genera of bacteria

Effects of Jungsongouhyul Herbal Acupuncture(JSO) Multi-treatment for Whiplash Injury by Traffic Accident

Objectives : To examine the effects of JSO multi-treatment for whiplash injury patients by traffic accident. Interventions : Nonrandomized, Nonblinded compartson of the JSO+Acupuncture and Acupuncture Treatment. Main Outcome Measures : Subjective evaluation was followed by Clinical Grade and VAS after 5 times treatments. The SPSS 10.0 for windows was used to analyze the date and the Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann-Whitney U-testwere used to verify the results. Results : The following results were obtained ; 1. Clinical Grade of the JSO+Acupuncture treatment was centralized to Gr II(50%) before treatment. After 5 times treatments, it was centralized to Gr I(58.3%). Also Clinical Grade was significantly changed from GR ll to Gr I(p<0.0002). 2. Clinical Grade of the Acupuncture treatment was centralize(d) to Gr II(54.2%) before treament. After 5 times treament, it was tend to cenualize to Gr I(50%). But Clinical Grade was still remained at Gr II(p<0.001) 3. VAS of change between JSO+Acupuncture and Acupuncture treatment, Vas of JSO+Acupuncture was significantly decreased (p<0.003). C onclusion : It is suggested that JSO multi-treatment has development-effectiveness on whiplash injury patients by traffic accident

Clinical Studies on Herbal Acupuncture Therapy in Peripheral Facial Palsy

Objectives : The treatment of Bell's palsy must be divided into three states(acute, subacute and healing state). 41 cases of the patient suffering from Bell's palsy were treated and observed from january 2000 to July 2001. The usage of herbal acupunctures on that disease have been effective. So I propose a method of herbal acupunctures on Bell's palsy. Methods : By the states(acute, subacute and healing state) of Bell's palsy, SY(消炎) herbal acupuncture is used at the acute state, Hominis Placenta(紫河車) at the subacute, JGH(中氣下陷) at the healing state. Results : 1. At the acute state, SY(消炎) herbal acupuncture is effective to postauricular pain. 2. At the subacute state, Hominis Placenta(紫河車) herbal acupuncture is effective to decreasing pain and improving symptoms. 3. By the states(acute, subacute and healing state) of Bell's palsy, SY(消炎), Hominis Placenta(紫河車) and JGH(中氣下陷) herbal acupuncture is effective to improving symptoms of Bell's palsy

The Effects of distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture on the Heart Rate Variability(HRV)

Objectives : We investigated the effects of distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture on autonomic nervous system with the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in adult man. as well as we tried to observe how distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : We investigated on 58 healthy volunteers consisted of 28 subjects in experiment(distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture) group and 30 subjects in control(Normal Saline) group. Study form was a randomized, placebocontrolled, double-blind clinical trial. 28 subjects in experiment group were injected distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture at GB21(Kyonjong) and 30 subjects in control group were injected Normal Saline at G21(Kyonjong). except of 2 subjects(in control group) who can't be measured and 6 subjects(2 in experiment group and 4 in control group) who move or make unforceable error during measuring. Finally 26 subject in experiment group and 24 subject in control group are studied. We measured HRV by PolyG-I on 7 times : before and after injection per 5 minutes during 30 minutes. The SPSS 10.0 for windows was used to analyze the data and the paired t-test(in group) and Student t-test(between two groups) were used to verify the result. Results : 1. After distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture injection, Mean HRV is significantly low only for first 5 minute, SDNN is significantly high after 5 minute, Complexity is significantly low only from 20 minute to 25 minute. HRV index is significantly high for first 5minute and from 10 minute to after 10 minute. 2. HRV index of distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 25 minute to 30 minute, and pNN50 of Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly decreased from 20 minute to 30 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. 3. After distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture injection, Ln(TP) and Ln(VLF) are significantly high after injection. Normalized LF is significantly high from 5 minute to 20 minute and from 25 minute and 30 minute. Normalized HF is significantly low from 5minute to 20 minute and from 25 minute and 30 minute. 4. Ln(TP) and Ln(VLF) of distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 20 minute to 25 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. Conclusions : The results suggest that Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture in healthy adult man tend to activate the autonomic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system compared to Normal Saline within normal range

Difference between Right and Left Facial Surface Electromyography in Healthy People

Introduction. The study was to see whether there were differences in values of facial surface electromyography in subjects of good heath by muscles, age, and sex. Methods. It draws ratio between lower value and higher value (R-LV/HV) and asymmetry index (AI), based on root mean square (RMS) from measurement of facial surface electromyography (sEMG) in 154 people of healthy people (male:female = 70:84) aging between more than 20 and less than 70. Results. For R-LV/HV, it averages 81.70±14.60% on frontalis muscle, 73.74±19.12% on zygomaticus muscle, and 79.72±14.77% on orbicularis oris muscle. With analysis of the AI average was 10.87±10.14% on frontalis muscle, 16.71±14.79% on zygomaticus muscle, and 12.10±10.05% on orbicularis oris muscle. Both values were statistically significant in three parts of muscles as shown. Both of R-LV/HV and AI show no statistically significant difference on age and sex (p>0.05). Conclusions. It could provide basic data for the future diagnosis of facial nerve palsy patients by measuring facial sEMG values for healthy people