Laser-Doppler velocimetry (LDV) was used to evaluate the effects of low energy laser irradiation on peripheral circulation disturbance in patients with collagen diseases, progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Using a commercially available LDV flometer (Periflux, Perimed KB, Sweden), the response to laser irradiation at the acupuncture points of Tian zhu, Feng chi, Jian jing, Shou san li, Jing qu, He gu, Stellate ganglion, was recorded in 4 patients with PSS and 6 with SLE. The digital pitting scars and Raynaud's phenomenon were observed in all the patients. The low energy of 10mW laser was irradiated for 1 minute at each acupuncture points, and LDV flow values ware recorded in fingertips at room temperature 25±0.5°C. Ten minutes after the laser irradiation, the LDV flow values increased significantly (p<0.5).
Present data suggest that the low energy laser irradiation to patients with PSS or SLE who suffered from circulation disturbance is effective.

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Comparing the effects of low energy laser and acupuncture was conducted in 14 patients with gonarthrosis. Effectiveness on the pain on going up or down stairs, range of motion (ROM) of knee joint and tenderness were examined. After acupuncture treatment, the pain on going up or down stairs, and ROM of knee joint were significantly improved. Laser therapy showed the same significant effects both on the pain on going up or down stairs and ROM of knee joint. In addition, laser therapy showed a significant effect on tenderness. In the statistical evaluation, no remarkable difference was shown between acupuncture therapy and laser therapy. Present data suggest that the laser therapy is as effective as acupuncture therapy in gonarthrosis.

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The osteoarthritis of knee joints in early stage were treated with acupuncture, SSP and therapeutic exercise. The clinical effect of this treatment was evaluated by the our original score methoed for osteoarthritis of knee joints, and the muscle strength of extensors of knee joint were measured. Symptoms of the osteoarthritis of knee joints were improved significantly and the power of the extensors increased by these treatments.

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Laser-Doppler velocimetry was used to evaluate the effects of acupuncture stimulation on peripheral circulation disturbance in patients with collagen disease, progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The response to acupuncture stimulation to shou-san-li was recorded in 8 patients with PSS and 6 patients with SLE. The digital pitting scars and Raynaud's phenomenon were observed in all the patients. The mean of laser-Doppler flow values in fingertips at room temperature 23°C was 4.83 (V) in normals (n=11), 2.82 (V) in patients (n=14). Patient group showed significantly lower values than normals (p<0.01). Ten minutes after acupuncture stimulation to shou-san-li, the flow values increased in 7, and decreased in 1 out of 13 patients (p<0.05). In normals no significant change was observed after the same stimulation. Present data suggest that the acupuncture therapy to the patients with PSS or SLE who suffered from peripheral circulation disturbance is effective.

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A case of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) with peripheral circulation disturbance, pulmonary fibrosis and stenosis of esophagus-cardia (E-C) junction, was treated with acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. The patient had digital pitting scar due to the peripheral circulation disturbance. Effect of acupuncture was examined using laser Doppler velosimetry (LDV). Acupuncture treatment was operated 3 times a week and laser therapy, once a week. And Chinese medicine was administered. The LDV measurements were done before and after acupuncture. In the total 9 times of measurements, 8 were increased in peripheral blood flow. Two times from the measurements of peripheral blood flow after acupuncture reached in the normal flow level. After the treatment of 2 months, polyarthralgia was reducted, vomiting was disappeard, and the stenosis of the E-C junction was improved. Present data suggest that the acupuncture therapy to the PSS patient is effective.

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We report the succesful treatment for improvement of orthostatic hypotension of a case of Shy-Drager syndrome (SDS).
CASE REPORT
A 56 year-old man diagnosed with SDS was admitted to our hospital on July 8, 1988 because of orthostatic hypotension. He had been suffering from dizziness, dysuria and muscular rigidity for 2 years. He had been treated with drug-therapy, but these sympton had progressed. Physical examination on admission revealed severe orthostatic hypotension due to disorders of autonomic nervous system, so he could not stand still.
For the treatment, we performed Yushi and punctured its points (Geshu. Hachiyu, Danshu, Pishu, Weishu) or 3 points (Sanyinjiao, Taixi, Taichong) that is located on legs. Acupuncuture therapy was applied from July 13, 1988 to December 10, 1988, every day except on holiday. We estimated the effect of acupuncture therapy with transition of blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension. Transition of acupuncture therapy were as follows.
(1) Yushi were performed alone.
(2) 3 points of legs (Sanyinjiao, Taixi, Taichong) were punctured alone.
(3) Yushi were performed, and 3 points of legs were punctured.
(4) Geshu, Genshu, Pishu and 3 points of legs were punctured.
(5) Subcutaneous needle at Yushi points.
(6) Punctured depth of 1cm to Yushi points.
Symptomatical respons was observed at about 70th treatment, and blood pressure was stabilized constantly and activity of daily life was improved.
Kinoshita et al. reported that Yushi act to sympathetic nervous system inhibitory, so serve to treat for hypertension. But in this case, its act was accelerate. It is speculated that Yushi act to autonomic nervous system homeostatically.

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It is well known that opioids cause analgesia and feeding elicitation by action in the either periaqueductal gray (PAG) or ventral tegmental area (VTA).
We have investigated that determination of opioids receptor subtype on the lateral hypothalamic area, as feeding center, electrical stimulation induced feeding (LHA-ESIF) followed microinjection of μ-(morphine), δ-(DADLE) and κ-(U50, 488H) receptor selective agonists and physiological saline into the VTA and PAG of chronic Wistar male rats, weighing between 350 and 480g. with stimulation fixed at a modulate level, 50Hz. time to eat three-45mg pellets within 45sec. were studied.
Dose of 10 (but not 1) nmol of three agonists microinjected into the VTA significantly (p<0.01) reduced time of LHA-ESIF, these agonists were almost equally effective at this dose. Naloxone(NLX) reversed the effects of each agonists. NLX was slightly more effective agonist morphine than against DADLE or U50, 488H. This results suggest that all three receptor subtype may be contributed to the VTA fascilitation of the LHA-ESIF, and NLX is a selective antagonist of μ-receptor.
In the microinjection of PAG, morphine (20, but not 2nmol) showed increasing LHA-ESIF, while both δ-and κ-agonists were each without effects. These results indicated that the PAG inhibition of LHA-ESIF is mediated solely by μ-receptor.
It is, thus suggests that opioids receptor subtypes on the PAG, as site of the acupuncture analgesia, might be contributed, neither δ-nor κ-receptors, through only via μ-receptor.

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We examined the effects of acupuncture stimulation (ACP-S) to the bilateral Quchi points (Q-P) on insulin secretion with or without electric stimulation (E-S) after an oral glucose load of 75g. This study was performed for 9 healthy volunteers classified into 5 group, a group of ACP-S to Q-P without E-S, a group of ACP-S to Q-P with E-S, a group of ACP-S to the bilateral points 1.5cm laterally apart from Q-P (P apart from Q) without E-S, a group of ACP-S to P apart from Q-P with E-S and a group of no ACP-S. Values of blood suger and serum insulin were determined before and 30min, 60min and 120min after an oral glucose administration. The value of serum insulin at 30min after oral glucose load and the total insulin values during the oral glucose tolerance test were significantly higher in a group of ACP-S to Q-P without E-S compared with those in the other group. These results suggested that acupuncture stimulation to Quchi points might increase insulin secretion.

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We examined relation between mucosal findings of tongue and gastric mucosal lesion by comparison photographic findings of tongue with gastroendoscopic findings of stomach. Subjects of this study were 115 cases undergoing gastroendoscopic examination in our hospital. The state of tongue surface was evaluated by thickness and color of tongue coating and tongue fissure. Especially, the tongue area was divided into 9 sections in order to investigate distribution of coating and fissure. The cases showing thick coating at the lateral sections of tongue were significantly numerous in patients who had gastric ulcer, compared with the cases in those who had no gastric ulcer. From these results, it was suggested that inspection of tongue mucosa could become one of the useful examination of oriental medicine for gastrointestinal disease.

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In a classic “Zhen-jiu-jia-yi-jing” position and name on relating to Meridian points has been touched on. That includes the depth of acupuncture's insertion. Based on this, this effort to look for those Meridian points ensured. In addition comparision between acupuncture depth, its position and the differences in Meridian have also been done. All together these are 347 hols, maximan being the 9mm which accounts for 135 (39%), second comes the 15mm hole of 49 (14%), third are 38 (11%) for the 12mm Meridian-points. The depth until 15mm accounts for 75% of the total. Face, upper limbs, the head and chest are especially shallow.
Meridian points of depth in 45mm to 75mm amounts to 3% as a whole. They are located in the lower abdominal and sacral regions. The deepest acupuncture points of the meridian are in the Conception Vessel Meridian, The Bladder Meridian and The Stomack Meridian. In the limbs, the Yin Meridian is especially shallow, while the Yong Meridian deep. Pertaining to the underlying reason for depth of different points, what depth meaning what the thickness of skin has likewise been studied. It seems that acupuncture depth and skin thickness goes parallel.

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So far when the ORT has been used for identification of meridians and acupoints a piece of the palm of the test person.
In the present study we examined the usefullness of adding a neurotransmitter (dopamine, adrenalin, noradrenalin, GABA, serotonin, acetylcholine) to the tissue sample.
It was found that this procedure led to an increased accuracy in the identification of meridians and acupoints.
The study suggests that sdding neurotransmitters to the tissue sample improves the usefullness of the ORT.

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