Mi-Yeon Song

Acupuncture for chronic low back pain: a multicenter, randomized, patient-assessor blind, sham-controlled clinical trial.

Study Design. Multicenter, randomized, patient-assessor blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. Objective. To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment with individualized setting for reduction of bothersomeness in participants with chronic low back pain (cLBP). Summary of Background Data. Low back pain is one of the main reasons of disability among adults of working age. Acupuncture is known as an effective treatment of cLBP, but it remains unclear whether acupuncture is superior to placebo. Methods One hundred thirty adults aged 18 to 65 years with nonspecific LBP lasting for at least last 3 months prior to the trial participated in the study from 3 Korean medical hospitals. Participants received individualized real acupuncture treatments or sham acupuncture treatments for more than 6 weeks (twice a week) from Korean Medicine doctors. Primary outcome was change of visual analogue scale (VAS) score for bothersomeness of cLBP. Secondary outcomes included VAS score for pain intensity and questionnaires including Oswestry Disability Index, general health status (Short Form-36), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results There were no baseline differences observed between the 2 groups, except in the Oswestry Disability Index. One hundred sixteen participants finished the treatments and 3- and 6-month follow-ups, with 14 subjects dropping out. Significant difference in VAS score for bothersomeness and pain intensity score of cLBP has been found between the 2 groups (P < 0.05) at the primary end point (8 wk). In addition, those 2 scores improved continuously until 3-month follow-up (P = 0.011, P = 0.005, respectively). Oswestry Disability Index, the Beck Depression Inventory, and Short Form-36 scores were also improved in both groups without group difference. Conclusion. This randomized sham-controlled trial suggests that acupuncture treatment shows better effect on the reduction of the bothersomeness and pain intensity than sham control in participants with cLBP.

Evaluation of body composition: practical guidelines.

The measurement of body composition in the truest sense allows for the estimation of body tissues, organs, and their distributions in living persons without inflicting harm. It is important to recognize that there is no single measurement method that is error-free. Furthermore, bias can be introduced if a measurement method makes assumptions related to body composition proportions and characteristics that are inaccurate across different populations. Some methodologic concerns include hydration of fat-free body mass changes with age and differences across ethnic groups [73]; the density of fat-free body mass changes with age and differences between men and women [74, 75]; total body potassium decreases with age [73] and fatness [76] and differences between African Americans and Caucasians [77]; the mass of skeletal muscle differences across race group [63]; and VAT differences across sex [78] and race [67, 79, 80] groups, independent of total adiposity. These between-group differences influence the absolute accuracy of methods for estimating fatness or FFM that involve the two-compartment model approach. The clinical significance of the body compartment to be measured should be determined before a measurement method is selected, because the more advanced techniques are less accessible and more costly.

Coix seed extract attenuates the high-fat induced mouse obesity via PPARγ and C/EBPα a downregulation

The seed of the Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf seed (CLMS) extract has been prescribed to alleviate obesity by practitioners of traditional Korean medicine. Here, we investigated the effect of CLMS extract on PPARγ2 and c/EBPα and obesity responses in C57BL/6J obese mice fed on a high fat diet. The mouse body index, blood profile, and fat accumulation levels in the liver were measured. The protein expression levels of PPARγ2 and c/EBPα in the mice livers were also measured to determine the molecular mode-of-action of the reducing effect of CLMS extract on mouse adipogenesis. The results showed that HFD-induced mouse obesity, fat accumulation, and serum cholesterol were alleviated by the CLMS extract addition. Moreover, PPARγ2 and C/EBPα, proteins, those are related to the adipogenesis, were downregulated by the CLMS extract intake considerably. This study indicates that as a food additive, CLMS extract has a reducing effect on the high-fat diet induced fat accumulation and on body weight through the downregulation of adipogenesis.

Transcriptomic analysis of the bitter taste receptor-mediated glucagon-like peptide-1 stimulation effect of quinine

Quinine is a bitter taste receptor agonist that has been studied its anti-pyretic, anti-malarial, anti-pain, and anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) stimulation effect of quinine was investigated. Bitter taste receptors are G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), which transfer the molecular signal through its downstream cascade. The activation of bitter taste receptor, which expressed in the enteroendocrine L cells, stimulates the GLP-1 secretion and therefore can be a therapeutic target of the type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Here, we studied GLP-1 stimulation effect of quinine on the endocrine differentiated NCI-H716 cells. To investigate the molecular mode-of-action of the GLP-1 stimulation effect of quinine in the enteroendocrine L cells, transcriptomic analysis was performed. Our data suggest that quinine stimulates the GLP-1 secretion through the bitter taste receptor-signaling pathway, and thus has the possibility of therapeutic agent of T2DM.

Effects of a Brief Qigong-based Stress Reduction Program (BQSRP) in a distressed Korean population: a randomized trial

BackgroundDistressed individuals in Korea may benefit from the practice of mind–body exercises such as Qigong. However, the effectiveness of such techniques needs to be investigated.MethodsFifty participants who were eligible to this study were randomized into a group receiving a 4-week intervention of a brief Qigong-based stress reduction program (BQSRP) or a wait-list control group. Before and after the intervention period, saliva samples were collected and questionnaires were completed on perceived stress, anxiety, “Hwa-Byung” (anger syndrome), and quality of life. Salivary cortisol has emerged in mind-body therapy research as an easy-to-collect, relatively inexpensive, biologic marker of stress. Salivary corisol were collected to evaluate physiological effect of BQSRP. Between-group comparisons of change from baseline to study completion were analyzed by analysis of covariance for the Perceived Stress Scale and independent two sample t- tests for other measures.ResultsCompared with the control group, the BQSRP intervention group displayed significantly larger decreases in Perceived Stress Scale scores (p = 0.0006), State Anxiety scores (p = 0.0028), Trait Anxiety scores (p < 0.0001), personality subscale scores of the Hwa-Byung Scale (p = 0.0321), symptoms scores of the Hwa-Byung Scale (p = 0.0196), and a significantly larger increase in World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated version scores (p s < .05). Salivary cortisol levels were not changed.ConclusionsThe BQSRP appears to be effective in reducing stress perception, anxiety, anger, and improving quality of life (KCT0000056).

Efficacy of a 0.1% Capsaicin Hydrogel Patch for Myofascial Neck Pain: A Double-Blinded Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVEnThe objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a hydrogel patch containing capsaicin 0.1% compared with a placebo hydrogel patch without capsaicin to treat chronic myofascial neck pain.nnnDESIGNnThe study was designed as a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting.u2002 The study was set at Kyung-hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Korea.nnnSUBJECTSnSixty-one participants between 18 and 65 years with at least 3 months duration of neck pain and a clinical presentation of myofascial pain syndrome were enrolled in the study from September 1 to November 20, 2010. Interventions.u2002 Participants received capsaicin 0.1% hydrogel patches or control hydrogel patches without capsaicin according to the randomization scheme. All participants were instructed to apply one patch to each side of the neck and shoulder girdle overlying the point of maximal pain for 12 hours daily during the duration of the 4-week study.nnnOUTCOME MEASURESnEach participant completed five surveys at baseline, at 2 weeks after the start of treatments, and at the conclusion of the 4-week study. The primary outcome measure was visual analog scale (VAS). Other outcome measures included the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Becks Depression inventory (BDI), Short Form 36 Korean version, and Euroqol 5-D.nnnRESULTSnFifty-seven patients completed the study. The mean VAS, NDI, and BDI scores were significantly decreased at 2 and 4 weeks after the start of the intervention in both groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the outcome measures.nnnCONCLUSIONSnu2002 Future research may help to discern specific effects of capsaicin, trigger point stimulation by application of the patch, and the placebo effect.

Gentiana scabra extracts stimulate glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion via G protein-coupled receptor pathway

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) which secreted by enteroendocrine L cell have been issued as a therapeutic agent for type II diabetes mellitus, because of its function to stimulate insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. It is widely studied that sweet, bitter, and umami taste stimuli induce the secretion of GLP-1 in enteroendocrine L cell via G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathway. Gentiana scabra (GS) is one of the bitter tasting herbal medicines which have been used in traditional oriental medicine to treat the diabetes mellitus. This study shows the GLP-1 secretion of the enteroendocrine L cell stimulated by stimulation of GS extractions through GPCR pathway. To examine the molecular mode-of-action, GLP-1 ELISA and microarray was performed. This study provides the understanding the possibility of GS used as a therapeutic herbal medicine for the type II diabetes.

Acupuncture for chronic low back pain: protocol for a multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled trial

BackgroundUse of acupuncture has widely increased in patients with chronic low back pain. However, the evidence supporting its efficacy remains unclear. In this article, we report the design and the protocol of a multi-center randomized sham-controlled trial to treat chronic low back pain. Our goal is to verify the effect of acupuncture on chronic low back pain.Methods/DesignThis study is a multi-center randomized sham-controlled trial with 2 parallel arms. Participants included in the study met the following criteria: 1) low back pain lasting for at least the last 3 months, 2) a documented ≥ 5 points on a 10 cm visual analog scale for bothersomeness of low back pain at the time of screening and 3) between 18 and 65 years of age. Participants were blinded to the real and sham acupuncture treatments. The real acupuncture treatment group received real acupuncture 2 times a week, during a total of 12 sessions over 6 weeks. The control group received sham acupuncture during the same period. In order to assess the primary and secondary outcome measures, the participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire at the baseline and 6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after starting the treatments. The primary outcome was measured using the visual analog scale for bothersomeness of low back pain at 8 weeks after the initiation of treatments.DiscussionThe result of this trial (which will be available in 2010) will demonstrate the efficacy of using acupuncture to treat chronic low back pain.Trial registrationThis study is registered with the U.S. National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials registry: NCT00815529

Effects of bee venom on the maturation of murine dendritic cells stimulated by LPS.

AIM OF STUDYnThis study was performed to elicit the effectiveness of bee venom (BV), a traditional immunosuppressive Korean acupuncture agent, on the maturation of dendrtic cells (DCs).nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnImmature dendritic cells (iDCs) were generated from mouse bone marrow cells with GM-CSF. After 10 days of initial differentiation, DCs were activated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) for another 48h in the presence or absence of BV. Surface molecule analysis, intracytoplasmic staining of cytokines, FITC-conjugated antigen uptake, and transwell migration assays were conducted with iDCs and activated DCs.nnnRESULTSnUp-regulation of costimulatory molecules, typical of mature DCs (mDCs) was inhibited by addition of BV. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were also found to be reduced with BV treatment in LPS-stimulated DC. A decrease in antigen uptake upon the maturation of DC was reversed in low dose BV treated mDC. In addition, BV treated mDC demonstrated reduced directional migration in response to CCL21, a lymphoid chemokine which directs mDC.nnnCONCLUSIONSnBV may have a therapeutic effect an on abnormally activated immune status, such as autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis, through an immune-modulatory effect on DC.

Effects of acupuncture on serum metabolic parameters in premenopausal obese women: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundComplex metabolic changes cause obesity, making weight loss difficult. For this reason, understanding metabolism is important, and considering the shortcomings of conventional treatment options for obesity, acupuncture is a possible option. However, evidence supporting its efficacy on metabolic parameters in obese patients is lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of acupuncture on serum metabolic parameters in premenopausal obese women.Methods/designThis ongoing study is a randomized, patient-assessor blind, two-arm parallel non-penetrating sham-controlled clinical trial. Eligible participants, premenopausal adult women (19 years of age or older) with a clinical diagnosis of obesity (body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or more) blinded to the treatment received, will be randomly allocated blindly into the real acupuncture treatment group (manual acupuncture plus electroacupuncture, n = 60) or the sham acupuncture control group (sham acupuncture plus placebo acupuncture without electrical stimulation, n = 60) and receive treatment two times a week for a total of 12 sessions over 6 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the serum cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels at baseline and endpoint. The secondary outcomes are body weight, body fat mass, muscle mass, waist and hip circumference, other serum metabolic profiles, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), Stress Response Inventory (SRI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and urine metabolites. Adverse events will be assessed at every visit.DiscussionThe results of this trial (which will be available in 2015) will provide important clinical evidence for the effect of acupuncture on serum metabolites and demonstrate how acupuncture can be helpful for the treatment of obesity.Trial registrationTrial registration registered via US National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) on 11 November 2014, identifier: NCT02066090.