• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 1996

This study was designed to examine the basal cyclic AMP levels and the $10^{-5}mol/L$ isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP levels of lymphocytes, by which ${\beta}$-adrenoceptor function was shown, between to normal controls and 17 drug free patients(8 major depresive patients and 9 dysthymic patients), who were diagnosed by DSM-III-R. The severity of depression was assessed by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS). Cyclic AMP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay(double antibody). The results were as follows ; 1) HDRS score was significantly higher in major depressive patients($41.8{\pm}4.6$) than in dysthymic patients($24.0{\pm}4.2$)(p<005). 2) There was no Significant difference in basal cyclic AMP levels among normal controls($3.9{\pm}1.7pmol/10^6cells/10min$), major depressive patients($2.1{\pm}0.5pmol/10^6cells/10min$), and dysthymic patients($3.9{\pm}1.8pmol/10^6cells/10min$). 3) There was significant difference in net cyclic AMP levels($10^{-5}mol/L$ isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP levels minus basal cyclic AMP levels) among normal controls($16.5{\pm}6.0pmol/10^6cells/10min$), major depressive patients($3.0{\pm}1.4pmol/10^6cells/10min$), dysthymic patients($10.9{\pm}4.4pmol/10^6cells/10min$)(p <005). 4) The net cyclic AMP levels were significantly correlated with HDRS scores in major depressive patients(${\gamma}=-0.8^6$, p<0.05), but not in dysthymic patients(${\gamma}=0.43$, p=0.25). In conclusion, we suggested that the dysthymic disorder might differ from the molar depressive disorder not only in the severity of depressive symptoms but also in ${\beta}$-adrenergic responsiveness of lymphocytes, which was regarded as a biological marker of depressive disorder.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 2000

Background: Peripheral nerve injury sometimes leads to chronic neuropathic pain such as causalgia. A subset of patients with causalgia have a sympathetically maintained pain which is often evoked by cooling stimuli. However, our knowledge on adrenergic receptor types responsible for cold-evoked pain that is sympathetically dependent is lacking. The present study was conducted to investigate subtypes of adrenoceptors involved in mediating cold-evoked pain that developed following peripheral nerve injury. Methods: Neuropathic surgery was performed by a unilateral ligation of L5 and L6 spinal nerves of rats. Behavioral sign of cold-evoked pain was examined for 5 min by measuring cumulative duration of time that the rat lifted its foot off a metal plate held at cold temperature ($5^{\circ}C$). Whether cold-evoked pain behavior was affected by antagonists of various subtypes of adrenoceptors, which were administered intraperitoneally before and after the ligation, was investigated. Results: After ligation, duration of foot lifting on the ligated side at cold temperature increased as compared to the pre-operative period. This increase maintained for the entire 40-day test period. Pretreatment with alpha-antagonist phentolamine produced a suppression of cold-evoked pain behavior that was not affected by beta-antagonist propranolol pretreatment. Prazosin, alpha-1 antagonist, suppressed cold- evoked pain behavior when treated either before or after nerve ligation. On the other hand, alpha-2 antagonist yohimbine was without effect on cold-evoked pain behavior whether it was treated before or after the ligation. Conclusions: The results suggest that peripheral nerve injury develops cold-evoked pain that is sympathetically dependent, and that alpha-1 adrenoreceptor plays a critical role for the generation of this type of pain in its initiation as well as maintenance.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.533-540
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• 1997

To elucidate the effects of purinergic nerve on relaxation of pig coronary artery, the effects of ATP, 2-methylthio ATP and electrical perivascular nerve stimulation were investigated from physiograph on the isolated coronary artery of pig. The results btained were as follows; 1. The relaxative responses induced by perivascular nerve stimulation(20V, 0.5msec, 10sec) were the frequency(1~8Hz) dependent manner with phentolamine($10^{-5}M$) and atropine($10^{-6}M$) on isolated coronary artery of pig. 2. The relaxative responses induced. by adenosine($10^{-7}{\sim}5{\times}10^{-3}M$) or ATP($10^{-7}{\sim}5{\times}10^{-5}M$) on precontraction with histamine($10^{-5}M$) were the dose-dependent manner, but the contractile responses were often induced by ATP($10^{-4}M$ and $10^{-3}M$). 3. The relaxative responses induced by 2-methylthio ATP($2.5{\times}10^{-8}{\sim}2.5{\times}10^{-6}M$) on precontraction with histamine($10^{-5}M$) were the dose-dependent manner. 4. The relaxative response induced by 2-methylthio ATP($10^{-7}M$) on precontraction with histamine($10^{-5}M$) was completely blocked by the pretreatment with $P_{2Y}$-purinoceptor blocker, reactive blue 2($10^{-4}M$). 5. The neurogenic relaxative response induced by perivascular nerve stimulation(20V, 8Hz, 0.5msec, 10sec) was weakly inhibited by the pretreatment with ${\beta}$-adrenoceptor blocker, propranolol($10^{-5}M$) and blocked by the addition with $P_{2Y}$-purinoceptor blocker, reactive blue 2($10^{-4}M$). The results suggest that the purinergic nerve is innervated, and its relaxative response was mediated by $P_{2Y}$-purinoceptor on isolated coronary artery in pig.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.884-892
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• 1998

Background: The gastroepiploic artery is not only an alternative graft but also may be considered an important primary graft for coronary revascularization. However, the long-term patency of the gastroepiploic arterial graft is yet to be determined and the incidence of perioperative spasm and long-term patency of a coronary graft may be affected by the properties of the graft response to certain vasoactive substances. The reactivity of the gastroepiploic artery to vasoactive substances has not been studied extensively and the results of the studies are contradictory. Material and Method: This study was designed to test the reactivity of human gastroepiploic artery to four constrictors and four relaxants. The middle sections of the human gastroepiploic arteries were collected from the patients undergoing gastrectomy and the arterial rings with intact endothelium were suspended in organ baths for isometric tension recording. Result: Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and potassium chloride induced the maximum constriction to higher forces (7.0$\pm$1.1g, 6.6$\pm$0.9g, and 6.5$\pm$1.1g) than 5-hydroxytryptamine did (3.8$\pm$1.7g, p<0.05). Nitroprusside and histamine induced almost full relaxation in the gastroepiploic arteries preconstricted with norepinephrine. There was no significant difference between two relaxants regarding maximum relaxation force. Acetylcholine induced the maximum relaxation to weaker force when compared with nitroprusside and histamine (p<0.05), and isoproterenol was the weakest of the relaxants (p<0.05 compared with acetylcholine). Conclusion: The gastroepiploic artery has a strong capacity of endothelium-dependent relaxation which could have an important influence on long-term patency. The gastroepiploic artery exhibits a potent contractility to catecholamines and the enhanced contractility may facilitate vasospasm in the presence of high circulating levels of catecholamines. Nitroprusside, a potent relaxant in gastroepiploic artery, might be beneficial for the treatment of gastroepiploic arterial graft spasm. The gastroepiploic arterial graft with intact endothelium may respond weakly to beta-adrenoceptor agonist and 5-hydroxytryptamine.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 1988

Alterations in splanchnic circulatory hemodynamics along with reactivities to the alpha adrenoceptor agonists were assessed in association with the preventive effects of propranolol 10 days after portal ligation. Decreases in precapillary resistance (Ra) and postcapillary resistance (Rv) along with increases in mesenteric blood flow (MBF) and capillary pressure (CP) were observed in conjunction with an increment of splenic pulp pressure (SPP). Dose-dependent increase in Rv in response to noradrenaline, increases in Ra and RV to adrenaline, and increases in superior mesenteric arterial pressure (SMAP), Ra and Rv to phenylephrine observed in sham group were significantly attenuated by portal vein stenosis. In PPL-3 group (propranolol 3 mg/kg, i.p. three times daily for 10 days), MBF was significantly decreased in association with decrease in mesenteric venous pressure (MVP) when compared with those of protal ligated (PL) group, and decreased Ra and Rv in PL group were recovered toward the values of sham group. Likewise, in PPL-1 group (propranolol 5 mg/kg, i.p. once daily for 10 days), the pressor response of Rv to adrenaline was recovered up to the level of sham group. Thus, it is suggested that decreases in Ra and Rv in association with increases in MBF and CP may have a close relevance to the increased SPP, and the changes in circulatory hemodynamics and vascular reactivities were effectively reversed by longterm propranolol treatment. Based on these results, it is concluded that these changes observed in portal hypertension are closely related with the altered functions of the adrenoceptors in the splanchnic vascular beds.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.506-510
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• 2010

As an attempt to develop new functional health beverage by using medicinal herb, we investigated the effect of medicinal plant extract (MPE) on mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of rats. The changes of MABP and rCBF were determined by LDF methods. LDF allows for real time, noninvasive, continuous recordings of local CBF. MABP in MPE treated rats showed significant change of MPE 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg. MPE i.v. administration showed significant increase of rCBF in a dose-dependent manner. Propranolol pretreated MABP showed significant change in the increase of MPE. rCBF of propranolol pretreated rats showed significant change from the i.v. injection concentration of 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg. The ischemia/reperfusion induced oxidative stress may have contributed to cerebral damage in rats, and the present study provides clear evidence for the beneficial effect of MPE on ischemia induced brain injury. Also, the action mechanism in elevation effect of MPE on rCBF might be concerned with the role of $\beta$-adrenoceptor. The exact component and mechanism remains for the future study.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2000

Doxazosin, a postsynaptic selective ${\alpha}1-adrenoceptor$ antagonist, is a potent antihypertensive agent which reduces peripheral resistance and blood pressure by vasodilatation of peripheral vessels. It is also used in the treatment of urinary obstruction by benign prostatic hypertrophy. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two doxazosin tablets, $Cardura^{TM}$ (Pfizer Korea Ltd.) and $Cardil^{TM};$ (Kyungdong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Sixteen normal male volunteers, $24.19{\pm}2.48$ years in age and $62.41{\pm}6.66$ kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 2 mg of doxazosin was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of doxazosin in serum were determined with an HPLC method using spectrofluorometric detector. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two tablets were -1.54%, -1.51 % and 3.42%, respectively, when calculated against the $Cardura^{TM}$ tablet. The powers $(1-{\beta})$ for $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were all more than 99.00%. Minimum detectable differences $(\Delta)$ at ${\alpha}=0.05\;and\;1-{\beta}=0.8$ were all less than 20% (e.g., 12.73%, 12.84% and 13.01% for $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$, respectively). The 90% confidence intervals were all within :${\pm}20%$ (e.g., $-8.97{\sim}5.90,\;-9.01{\sim}6.00\;and\;-4.16{\sim}11.05\;for\;AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max},\;respectively)$. All of the above para- meters met the criteria of KFDA for bioequivalence, indicating that $Cardil^{TM}$ tablet is bioequivalent to $Cardura^{TM}$ tablet.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.1 s.38
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• pp.34-44
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• 1986

In our previous studies, we had clarified many pharmacological effects of majarine: the bacteriostatic effect in vitro; the potentiation of hypnotic action of alcohol; hypotensive effect in rats and hypothermic effect in mice. This study was undertaken to search for a new antihypertensive drug. Red crystalline was obtained from majarine (which was extracted from Berberis koreana Palibin) by chemical methods. And this crystalline was identified as $C_{19}H＿{16}NO＿4$ contained one hydroxy group instead of methoxy group of majarine in isoquinoline ring and named 'Majarol' (5,6-Dihydro-9-hydroxy, 10-methoxybenzo-[g]-1,3-benzodioxolo [5,6-a] quinolizinium). We examined the effects of majarol on blood pressure and heart rate in urethane ancsthetized rats and the rate and amplitude of contraction of isolated frog heart. Several drugs: atropine sulfate, diphenhydramine chloride, hexamethonium bromide, phentolamine, epinephrine, propranolol and isoproterenol were used to clarify the mechanism of the hypotensive action of majarol. The results of experimints were as follows; 1. In low dose (0.5-2mg/kg, i.v.), majarol showed a typical transient hypotensive effect and slight decrease in heart rate. In high dose (5-10 mg/kg, i.v.), majarol showed a typical transient and a subsequent prolonged hypotensive effect and a significant prolonged decrease in heart rate was followed. 2. The hypotensive effects of majarol was not abolished by the pretreatments with atropine sulfate, hexamethonium bromide and diphenhydramine. The pretreatment with phentolamine inhibited significantly the hypotensive effects of majarol and the pretreatment wtih majarol blocked markedly the hypertensive effect of epinephrine. The positive chronotropic effect of isoproterenol was not blocked by the pretreatment with majarol. 3. In low dose, majarol increased the amplitude and decreased rate of contraction, but in high dose, majarol inhibited the amplitude and rate of contraction of isolated frog heart.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2002

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is the inducible from of the rate-limiting enzyme of heme degradation; it regulates the cellular contents of heme. HO-1 is up-regulated by various stimuli including oxidative stress so that it is thought to participate in general cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress in mammalian cells. To investigate the role of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway on nitrogen oxidative stress-induced HO-1 gene expression, RAW 264.7 cell cultures were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP). SNP increased the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein, time- and concentration-dependently. Treatment with H89, PKA inhibitor, but not LY83583, guanylate cyclase inhibitor, significantly diminished the HO-1 expression by SNP, indicating that cAMP plays a crucial role in the induction of HO-1. Incubation with cAMP-elevating agents, such as forskolin or isoproterenol resulted in up-regulation of the expression of HO-1. Forskolin-induced expression of HO-1 was inhibited by H89. Furthermore, propranolol, $\beta$-adrenoceptor blocker, inhibited the isoproterenol-induced HO-1 expression, supporting the importance of cAMP in the induction of HO-1 expression. Higenamine-S, but not higenamineR, enhanced the HO-1 expression induced by SNP. Furthermore, cellular toxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide was attenuated by the presence of SNP, which was further increased by the presence of ZnPPIX, HO-1 inhibitor. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that up-regulation of HO-1 expression in RAW 264.7 cells involves PKA signal pathway.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.339-344
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• 2003

Atenolol is a water soluble, ${\beta}_1$ selective adrenoceptor antagonist used in the treatment of angina and hypertension. It is primarily eliminated renally with minimal hepatic metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of Samchundang Atenolol (Samchundang Pharmaceutical Co., Korea.) to Tenolmin(Hyundai Pharmaceutical Ind. Co., Korea). The atenolol release from the two atenolol tablets in vitro was tested using KP VII Apparatus II method with various different kinds of dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solution and water). Twenty four normal male volunteers, 22.83$\pm$1.99 years in age and 65.82$\pm$7.15 kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 50 mg of atenolol was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of atenolol in serum were determined using HPLC method with fluorescence detector. The dissolution profiles of two atenolol tablets were very similar at all dissolution media. Besides, the pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_{t}$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_{t}$ and $C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_{t}$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ between two tablets based on the Tenolmin were 3.74％, 4.38％ and 17.77％, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two tablets in these parameters. The 90％ confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log(0.8) to log(1.25) (e.g., log(0.98)∼log(1.l1) and log(0.95)∼log(1.l5) for $AUC_{t}$ and $C_{max}$ respectively), indicating that Samchundang Atenolol tablet is bioequivalent to Tenolmin tablet.