Clinical effect of phytosterol-enriched saw palmetto extract on urinary function in healthy middle-aged and older males: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized comparative study
Tatsuya Hisajima; Hideaki Waki; Takuya Suzuki; Takashi Izumi
Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 09 Feb. 2024, [Reviewed]
Background: Saw palmetto extract (SPE) is one of the most widely used supplements for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) due to its pharmacological effects. β-sitosterol-enriched saw palmetto oil (VISPO™) contains more than 3% β-sitosterol and 85% total fatty acids and has been shown to improve symptoms in patients with BPH. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) require primary preventive measures in countries with accelerated population aging, including Japan. VISPO™ is expected to be effective against the early symptoms of LUTS. However, the effect of VISPO™ on urinary function in healthy individuals has not been elucidated.Objective: This clinical study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of VISPO™ in the management of urinary complaints among healthy middle-aged and older men who did not require treatment.Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that included 54 male participants who were assigned to consume VISPO™ or placebo (olive oil) capsules for 12 weeks. Biometric data, uroflowmetry results, and salivary hormone levels were assessed at weeks 1 and 12. Urinary function and quality of life were assessed at weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12 using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (CLSS), and WHOQOL-26.Results: Two-way analysis of variance revealed that IPSS and OABSS were significantly lower in the VISPO™ group that in the placebo group. However, there were no significant differences in urine volume, urinary flow rate, or salivary hormone levels. In addition, no participants reported adverse effects (diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc.). Conclusion: The results of the present study, which is the first randomized controlled trial of VISPO™ conducted among healthy participants, demonstrate the effectiveness of VISPO™ in the management of lower urinary tract complaints that do not require treatment. Trial Registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000046386).Keywords: saw palmetto, VISPO™, β-sitosterol, fatty acids, healthy subjects, primary preventive, IPSS, OABSS, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)

Effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on daytime sleepiness, depression, and study engagement in college students: a randomized controlled trial
Hideaki Waki; Takuya Suzuki; Yoichi Minakawa; Naruto Yoshida; Shogo Miyazaki; Tatsuya Hisajima
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 28 Mar. 2023, [Reviewed]

Electroacupuncture on the Ophthalmic Branch of the Trigeminal Nerve Affects Cerebral Blood Flow in the Frontopolar Cortex During Mental Arithmetic: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Takuya Suzuki; Hideaki Waki; Kenji Imai; Tatsuya Hisajima
Medical Acupuncture, Feb. 2023, [Reviewed]

耳鍼を用いたセルフケアが大学生の抑うつに及ぼす効果　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
May 2022

耳鍼を用いたセルフケアで月経前症候群の症状が改善した一症例　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
May 2021

耳介通電が大学生の学習状況、眠気、抑うつに及ぼす効果　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Nov. 2020

耳鍼が大学生の睡眠、抑うつ、学習状況に及ぼす効果(予備研究)　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Aug. 2020

Electroacupuncture of the Ophthalmic Branch of the Trigeminal Nerve: Effects on Prefrontal Cortex Blood Flow.
Takuya Suzuki; Hideaki Waki; Kenji Imai; Tatsuya Hisajima
Medical acupuncture, 01 Jun. 2020, [Reviewed]
Objective: The current authors observed enhanced cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in response to 100-Hz electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. However, it is not yet clear if responsiveness to 100-Hz EA depends on stimulus intensity. This study examined the effects of stimulus strength on PFC CBF during 100-Hz EA of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Materials and Methods: Twelve subjects underwent 3 acupuncture sessions: I, control, no stimulation; II, 0.1 mA EA; and III, 0.2 mA EA). Needles were inserted 1 cm lateral of the head median line; the anterior insertion point was on the front hairline and the posterior insertion point was ∼7 cm behind the hairline. Stimulation frequency was set to 100-Hz. PFC CBF was measured in terms of oxygenated, deoxygenated, and total hemoglobin (OxyHb, DeoxyHb, TotalHb, respectively), using 16-channel (Ch) near-infrared spectroscopy. Results: Stimulation of 0.2 mA was associated with significant elevation of OxyHb levels in the 0.1 mA condition in Chs 6, 10, and 12. Ch 2-6, 10, 12 signals were notably higher than in the control condition. Stimulation of 0.2 mA and 0.1 mA were associated with significant declines in DeoxyHb levels, compared to the control condition in Ch 4. Finally, 0.2 mA stimulation in Chs 12 and 13 was associated with significant elevation of TotalHb levels in the control condition. Conclusions: Using 0.2-mA stimulation, 100-Hz EA of the ophthalmic nerve enhances PFC CBF more strongly than 0.1-mA stimulation.

Effects of a standardized oligomerized-polyphenol from litchi chinensis fruit extract and mixed plant extract supplementation on peripheral circulation and cold sensitivity
Hideaki Waki; Takuya Suzuki; Kazuo Uebaba; Tatsuya Hisajima
Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, 2020

Effects of electroacupuncture to the trigeminal nerve area on the autonomic nervous system and cerebral blood flow in the prefrontal cortex.
Hideaki Waki; Takuya Suzuki; Yuki Tanaka; Hideaki Tamai; Yoichi Minakawa; Shogo Miyazaki; Naruto Yoshida; Kazuo Uebaba; Kenji Imai; Tatsuya Hisajima
Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, Oct. 2017, [Reviewed]
BACKGROUND: The autonomic nervous system and trigeminal nerve are involved in adjusting flow through diverging cerebral arteries in the prefrontal cortex. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 100 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) to the trigeminal nerve area on cerebral blood flow and autonomic nervous system function. METHOD: This was a randomised crossover study of 16 healthy volunteers who were assigned to an EA or control group. Stimulation (in the EA group) was performed five times, each after 1 min of rest. Needles were inserted at the inner edge of the eyebrows and 1 cm from the front hairline midpoint. We used high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) components of heart rate (HR) variability to assess autonomic nervous system function. HF and LF/HF ratio were taken as indicators of parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system activity, respectively. We measured cerebral blood flow using a two-channel near-infrared spectroscope. RESULTS: In the EA group, HR significantly decreased (p=0.004) and HF significantly increased (p=0.006) relative to baseline. By contrast, there were no significant changes in HR or HF within the control group (p>0.05). Accordingly, HR tended to be lower (p=0.087) and HF greater (p=0.071) in the EA group versus the control group. There were no significant differences in LF/HF ratio within/between groups. Compared with the control group, cerebral blood flow was significantly greater in the left (p=0.048) and right (p=0.016) prefrontal cortex in the EA group. CONCLUSIONS: Delivery of 100 Hz EA to the trigeminal nerve area reduces HR and increases parasympathetic nervous activity and cerebral blood flow.

耳鍼を用いたセルフケアで月経前症候群の症状が改善した一症例　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
May 2021

耳鍼のセルフケアが大学生の睡眠、抑うつ、学習状況に及ぼす影響　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
May 2019

耳鍼のセルフケアが大学生の睡眠、抑うつ、学習状況に及ぼす影響　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
脇 英彰; 鈴木 卓也; 皆川 陽一; 吉田 成仁; 宮崎 彰吾; 久島 達也
全日本鍼灸学会学術大会抄録集, May 2019
(公社)全日本鍼灸学会

鍼刺激による心拍数減少反応時の脳機能解析　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
内田 千加子; 脇 英彰; 飯村 佳織; 玉井 清志; 鈴木 卓也; 田中 結希; 皆川 陽一; 玉井 秀明; 吉田 成仁; 宮崎 彰吾; 久島 達也; 今井 賢治
自律神経, Jun. 2017
日本自律神経学会

鍼刺激による心拍数減少反応時の脳機能解析
内田千加子; 脇英彰; 飯村佳織; 玉井清志; 玉井清志; 鈴木卓也; 田中結希; 皆川陽一; 皆川陽一; 玉井秀明; 玉井秀明; 吉田成仁; 吉田成仁; 宮崎彰吾; 宮崎彰吾; 久島達也; 久島達也; 今井賢治; 今井賢治
日本自律神経学会総会プログラム・抄録集, Nov. 2016
日本自律神経学会

鍼通電刺激が前頭前野の脳血液量に及ぼす影響
脇英彰; 鈴木卓也; 皆川陽一; 皆川陽一; 玉井秀明; 玉井秀明; 吉田成仁; 吉田成仁; 宮崎彰吾; 宮崎彰吾; 今井賢治; 今井賢治; 上馬塲和夫; 上馬塲和夫; 高橋秀則; 高橋秀則; 久島達也; 久島達也
全日本鍼灸学会学術大会抄録集, May 2016
(公社)全日本鍼灸学会

三叉神経第一枝領域への100Hz鍼通電が自律神経系に及ぼす影響
鈴木卓也; 脇英彰; 皆川陽一; 皆川陽一; 玉井秀明; 玉井秀明; 吉田成仁; 吉田成仁; 宮崎彰吾; 宮崎彰吾; 今井賢治; 今井賢治; 上馬塲和夫; 上馬塲和夫; 高橋秀則; 高橋秀則; 久島達也; 久島達也
全日本鍼灸学会学術大会抄録集, May 2016
(公社)全日本鍼灸学会

軽度抑うつ者の唾液中sIgAに対する鍼通電作用の検討
脇英彰; 鈴木卓也; 皆川陽一; 玉井秀明; 吉田成仁; 宮崎彰吾; 上馬塲和夫; 久島達也; 高橋秀則
全日本鍼灸学会学術大会抄録集, May 2015
(公社)全日本鍼灸学会

100Hz鍼通電刺激による自律神経活動の変化と抑うつ度の関係
鈴木卓也; 脇英彰; 皆川陽一; 玉井秀明; 吉田成仁; 宮崎彰吾; 上馬場和夫; 久島達也; 高橋秀則
全日本鍼灸学会学術大会抄録集, May 2015
(公社)全日本鍼灸学会