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Objectives: A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is characterized by back pain and fracture of a vertebral body on spinal radiography. VCFs of the thoraco lumbar spine are common in the elderly. In general, appropriate analgesics should be prescribed to reduce pain and, thus, promote early mobilization. The ideal treatment approach for VCFs has not been determined. In Korea, acupuncture and herbal medication have been used to treat VCFs for many years. There is empirical evidence that acupuncture might benefit patients with a VCF. However, no randomized, controlled, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and the safety of acupuncture for treating a VCF have been published. Therefore, we designed a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial to obtain information for the design of a further full scale trial. Methods: A five week protocol for a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial is presented. Fourteen patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to two groups: a control group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections once a week for three weeks, and an experimental group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections plus acupuncture treatment (three acupuncture sessions per week for three weeks, nine sessions in total). The primary outcomes will be the pain intensity (visual analogue scale and PainVisionTM system). The secondary outcome measurements will be the answers on the short form McGill pain questionnaire and the oswestry disability index. Assessments will be made at baseline and at one, three, and five weeks. The last assessment (week five) will take place two weeks after treatment cessation. This study will provide both an indication of feasibility and a clinical foundation for a future large scale trial. The outcomes will provide additional resources for incorporating acupuncture into existing treatments, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, narcotics and vertebral augmentation. This article describes the protocol.

Objectives : Free radical metabolism seems to occupy a remarkably common position in the mechanisms of aging and aging related disease. Oxidative damage to DNA, lipids. proteins and other molecules may contribute to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease and possibly neurodegenerative disease. This study was designed to find out whether Carthami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution can scavenge Nitric Oxide(NO) or not. SNAP is NO generator. NO concentration was estimated after 2,6, 12 and 24 hrs in no treatment group, after treatment with Vit. C or 1, 10, 100g/m1 of Carthami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution. There was no significant scavenging effect of Carthami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solutionon NO after 2 hrs. But there was a significant scavenging effect of Cafhami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution on NO in 10/m1 group after 6hrs. And there was a significant scavenging effect of carthami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution on NO in 1, 10g/ml group after 12, 24 hrs. These results suggest that Carhami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution has scavenging effect on NO. This study shows that Carthami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution can be used for aging related disease and further studies are required to investigate the antioxidative effects of it.

Objectives : Tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. This study was designed to investigate the relation between TNF- gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis in Korean population. Methods : This study was carried out on 103 rheumatoid arthritis patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and 208 healthy control subjects. Blood samples from all subjects were obtained for DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was amplified by polymerse chain reaction(PCR). PCR products were visualized by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. We investigated the genotyping of TNF- by using Pyrosequencing. Results : The genotypes of TNF- gene were GG, AG and AA. While the distribution of TNF- polymorphism in control subjects was 92.31%, 7.21%, 0.48% respectively, in rheumatoid arthritis patients was 93.20%, 6.80%, 0.00%(GG, AG. AA). There was no statistical significant allelic frequency difference between control and rheumatoid arthritis groups. Conclusion : We concluded that there was no significant association between TNF- gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the findings of this study need to be confirmed in more patients and further studies.

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate nucleotide sequence and extract cytotoxicity of Scolopendrae corpus. The nature and taste of Scolopendrae corpus is hot, Warm and toxic, and the effect of this is dispelling wind, anti-spasmodic action and detoxication so it has been used for C.V.A, facial palsy, sensory disorder at extremities, wounds and arthritis. Methods : Scolopendrae corpus were collected by locality on the market. They were morphologically classified. Their nucleotide sequence was investigated and compared among them. In addition, the water-alcohol extract cytotoxicity of them was studied by MTT-based cytotoxicity assay. Results : It was shown that the each Scolopendrae corpus by locality is almost identical at genetic result and is identified as Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch. Nucleotide sequence of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch in this study will help to discriminate other species of Scolopendrae corpus. The water-alcohol extract of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch did not induce cytotoxicity on Hep G2, L929 cell and peritoneal macrophages. Besides, it did not influence nitrite production of peritoneal macrophages. These results can be used as basic data for genetic discrimination with another species of scolopendrae corpus.

Objective : The purpose of this study is to estimate the effects of spiral taping treatment on temporomandibular disorder. Methods : 22 temporomandibular disorder patients were treated with spiral taping, and no other treatments such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, herbal acupuncture, and chiropractic therapy were added. We evaluated the improvement by temporomandibular pain and mouth opening range. Results : 11 patients felt no pain or inconvenience of daily life and 4 patients showed improvement of pain or symptom after 1 month of spiral taping theraphy. 3 patients had normal opening size of mouth and convenience of daily life, and 2 patient showed improvement of opening size of mouth as 35mm-40mm after 1 month of spiral taping theraphy. Conclusions : These results suggest spiral taping treatments contribute to the improvement of temporomandibular disorders. Further study is needed for the confirmation of this effect of spiral taping treatments on temporomandibular disorders.

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the functional and clinical improvement effect on temporomandibular disorder by additional Hominis Placenta and bee venom herbal acupuncture treatment. Methods : A patient was treated with Hominis Placenta, bee venom herbal acupuncture, simple acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, and herbal medicine. We evaluated the improvement by visual analogue scale(VAS) score, mouth opening range, and X-ray image. Results : The VAS score was significantly decreased and mouth opening range was increased after treatment. X-ray image showed improved change after treatments. Conclusions : We think Hominis Placenta and bee venom herbal acupuncture treatment mainly contributed to the improvement of temporomandibular disorders. Further study is needed for the confirmation of this effect of on temporomandibular disorders.

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Scolopendrid Herbal-Acupuncture. Methods : Scolopendrid Herbal-Acupuncture was administered one time on everyday and A-shi points were selected. Except Scolopendrid Herbal-Acupuncture administration, other therapies (conventional body acupuncture, physical therapy and so on) were not performed at all. We evaluated the patient through Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging(DITI). Results : After 2 or 3 times of treatment, the patient showed that clinical symptoms and VAS were lessened and there was a change of temperature in DITI. Conclusions : According to the results, Scolopendrid Herbal-Acupuncture may have anti-inflammatory effects. But further studies are required to prove the exact effect.

Bee venom has been clinically used to control the pain of inflammation disease etc. in general. Although the effect of bee venom herbal acupuncture has been reported, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated yet. Free radical metabolism seems to occupy a remarkably common position in the mechanisms of inflammation and ageing related disease. Oxidative damage to DNA, lipids, proteins and other molecules may contribute to the development inflammation disease. NO or DPPH is one of the free radicals and a mediator in inflammation diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the scavenging effect of bee venom herbal acupuncture against NO and DPPH. The followings are the summary of the results: (1) There is no significant scavenging effect of bee venom herbal acupuncture on NO in BVS and BVP group. (2) There is a significant scavenging effect of bee venom herbal acupuncture on DPPH in BVS-1 and BVP-1 group. These results suggest that bee venom herbal acupuncture can be used for inflammation diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. This study would provide important basic data on the possibility of the clinical treatment of bee venom herbal acupuncture. Further studies are required to investigate the antioxidative effects of it.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop and activate the methods of using the arsenic compounds as the anti-cancer medicine. Methods: We investigated some literatures on the using methods, the effects for anti-cancer, and the toxicity of the arsenic compounds. Results: The results are summarized as follows. 1. As is the one of the nitrogen familIy(5A familly). 2. The Arsenic compounds which have been used as the one of the oriental medicine are the Arsenicum Sulbimatum(A52O3) and the Realgar(AsS). 3. As+ 3 is more toxic than the other arsenic compounds. The fatal amount is 100-300 mg. So, it is used 1-5 mg/day as a medicine. 4. The Arsenicwn Sulbimatum(A52O3) and the Realgar(AsS) are used after the heat treatment or the boiling with the acetic acid. 5. The gastrointestinal tract, vessel, and respiration are affected by the acute toxicity of the arsenic compounds. 6. The arsenic compounds are good for the dermatosis and the malignant cancer, especially the acute promyelocytic leukcrnia(APL). we should study the reason of these and the different effect in concentration, also develop new methods of using the the arsenic compounds as getting rid of their toxicity.

By process of treatment for a case which diagnosed as HNP of left posterolateral aspect of L4/5 disc and treated from the 10th, May 2001 to the 23rd, Jun 2001, the results are as follows. Method & Results : This patient was medicated Hwallaktang-gami, taken acupuncture, phototherapy, TENS, electric acupuncture, exercises, Mori Cortex-bee venom acupuncture. As a result, the patient's clinical symptom were improved but a computed tomagraphy confirmed L4/5 and L5/S1 HNP was not changed as seen on repeated CT scanning. Conclusion : These results suggest that among conservative therapies the oriental medical treatments including Mori Cortex-bee venom acupuncture improve clinical symptom effectively. But in this case, the structure of herniated disc was not changed.

Objective: This study was perfomled to examine the therapeutic effect of aqua-acupuncture solution of Hominis Placenta(HP) on kidney and liver intoxicated by HgCl2 in rats. Methods: 10% and 25% HP aqua-acupuncture were carried out everyday for 8 days on corresponding bilateral loci of Shinsu(BL23) and Kansu(BL18), respectively, after mercuric chloride intoxication in rats. Thereafter BUN, creatinine, GOT, GPT, ALP, -GT, albumin and total bilirubin were measured before intoxication, and at the 4th and the 8th experimental day. Histopathological and immunochemical observation were also carried out. Results: 1. It showed significant decreases of BUN in the group of 10% HP aqua-acupuncture into Shinsu on the 4th experimental day as compared with the control group. 2. It showed significant decreases of creatinine in the group of 10% HP aqua-acupuncture into Shinsu on the 4th and the 8th experimental days as compared with the control group. 3. There were not any significant changes of GOT, GPT, ALP, γ-GT, albumin and total bilirubin in the HP aqua-acupuncture groups compared with the control group. 4. By the histopathological observations on kidney under a light microscope, all the 10% and 25% HP aqua-acupuncture into Shinsu showed the preventive effect on tubulo-interstitial necrosis and muItifocal calcification in tubular lumen respectively compared with the control group. 5. By the histopathological observations on liver under a light mIcroscope, the groups 10% and 25% HP aqua-acupuncture into Kansu did not show any significant changes in the liver compared with the control group. 6. By the immunochemical analysis of heat shock protein(hsp) and glucose-regulated protein(grp) in rat renal cortex, the expressions of hsp70 and grp78 were decreased in the and HP aqua-acupuncture into Shinsu respectively compared with the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that Hominis Placenta aqua-acupuncture have an effect on prevention and protection of renal intoxication by HgCl2 in rats.

To study anti-cancer effect and molecular biological mechanism of bee venom for aqua-acupuncture, the effects of bee venom on cell viability and apoptosis were analyzed using MTT assay, tryphan blue assay, [3H]thymidine release assay, flow cytometric analysis, and activity of caspase-3 protease activity assay. To explore whether anti-cancer effects of bee venom are associated with the transcriptional control of gene expression, quantitative RT-PCR analysis of apoptosis-related genes was performed. The obtained results are summarized as follows: 1. The MTT assay demonstrated that cell viability was decreased by bee venom in a dose-dependant manner. 2. Significant induction of apoptosis was identified using tryphan blue assay, [3H]thymidine release assay, and flow cytometric analysis of sub G1 fraction. 3. In analysis of caspase-3 protease activity, the activity had increased significantly, in a dose-dependant manner. 4. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the apoptosis-related genes showed that Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL were down-regulated whereas Bax was up-regulated by bee venom treatment.

【Purpose. Free radicals are implicated in the pathophysiology of aging, ischemic injury and neurodegenerative disorders. To deform]no whether Hominis Placenta extract prevents $H_2O_2$ -induced apoptosis, we have performed morphological and biochemical analyses for the detection of apoptotic phenomena in the pineal tumor cell line $PGT-{\beta}$ We have also peformed cytochemical and immunocytochemical analyses for the detection of changes in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and estimated the expression . of apoptotic genes using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Methods. $PGT-{\beta}\;cells$ were pretreated with Hominis Placenta extracts $(0,\;10^{-2}\;{\mu}g/ml)$ for 2 hours and then exposed to $H_2O_2\;(0,\;50\;{\mu}M)$ for 3 hours. Appearance of apoptotic characteristics were monitored using 4, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and flow cytometric analysis. NOS activity was measured by NADPH-diaphorase cytochemistry. Expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF k B) was assessed via immunocytochemistry. The expression of apoptotic genes was examined by RT-PCR. Results. After 3 flours of exposure to $H_2O_2$ , it was shown that $PGT-{\beta}\;cells$ treated with $H_2O_2(50\;{\mu}M)$ exhibit classical apoptotic features and increases in NOS activity and caspase-3 expression. Treatment with Hominis Placenta extract resulted in a reduced occurrence of apoptotic features. DAPI staining, TUNEL and flow cytometric assays revealed decreases in the occurrence of nuclear fragmentation and in the sub-Gl fraction in the $PGT-{\beta}\;cells$ treated with Hominis Placenta extract. Cells treated with Hominis Placenta extract also showed lower activity of NADPH-diaphorase and immunoreactivities of both iNOS and NF k B than those of $H_2O_2$ -treated cells which were not treated with Hominis Placenta extract. By RT-PCR, it was shown that the level of caspase-3 mRNA was derreased In the cells treated with Hominis Placenta . extract. Conclusions. This study shows that Hominis Placenta extract prevents $H_2O_2$ -induced apoptosis in $PGT-{\beta}\;cells$ ; inhibitions of iNOS and caspnse-3 are possible mechanisms of the protection against apoptosis.】