• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 1994

The purpose of the present study was to determine the in vivo effect of oxytocin antagonist-I(Al) on uterine oxytocin receptor number (Rn) and/or binding affinity (Kd) in the estrous rat. Anesthetized rats were given a bolus infusion of control or 5${\mu}\textrm{g}$ of AI and sacri-ficed 0.5 and 4 hours later. The uterine tissue was removed, trimmed and frozen. Membrane oxytocin receptors were isolated after homogenization of uterine tissue and differential ultracentrifugation. The oxytocin receptor assay was performed by saturation with cold oxytocin competion with a high specific activity oxytocin antagonist. Rn and Kds were determined by nonlinear curve fitting methods. No differences(p>0.05) between the AI and control treated animals in either oxytocin receptor number or binding affinity was detected in this study. These data suggest that the major mode of action of AI is via competitive inhibition at the uterine oxytocin receptor and not by altering receptor number or binding affinity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.328-335
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• 2008

This study was undertaken to investigate whether honokiol could enhance the pentobarbitalinduced sleeping behaviors through $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor $Cl^-$ channel activation. Thirty minutes after the oral administration of honokiol, mice were received sodium pentobarbital (42 mg/kg, i.p.). The time elapsed from pentobarbital injection to the loss of the righting reflex was taken as sleeping latency. The time elapsed between the loss and voluntary recovery of the righting reflex was considered as the total sleeping time. Western blot technique and $Cl^-$ sensitive fluorescence probe were used to detect the expression of $GABA_A$ receptor subunits and $Cl^-$ influx in the primary cultured cerebellar granule cells. Honokiol (0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg) prolonged the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital (42 mg/kg) in a dosage-dependent manner. Honokiol (20 and 50 ${\mu}M$) increased $Cl^-$ influx in primary cultured cerebellar granule cells, and selectively increased the $GABA_A$ receptor $\alpha$-subunit expression, but had no effect on the abundance of $\beta$ or $\gamma$-subunits. Chronic treatment with 20 ${\mu}M$ honokiol in primary cultured cerebellar neurons did not affect the abundance of GAD65/67. The results suggested that honokiol could potentiate pentobarbital-induced sleeping through $GABA_A$ receptor $Cl^-$ channel activation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1993

The Preventive effect of the saponin fraction of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer against hyperchole- sterolemia was demonstrated by assaying the cholesterol and triacylglyceride level of the blood serum and liver of rats fed high-cholesterol diet with and/or without ginsenoside. To understand the mechanism of the preventive action of ginsenoside, ginsenoside effect on LDL receptor binding ability, cholesterol level, and cAMP level of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells cultured under various conditions were examined. When LDL (20 $\mu$g/ml) was added to the culture medium for CHO cell culture, LDL receptor binding activity of the cell was suppressed down to 58% of that of normal group. Ginsenosides at 10--2% and 10-3% level (w/v) were shown to exert an appreciable stimulatory effect on CHO cell LDL receptor activity, which partially overcame the suppression due to the presence of LDL (20 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) in the medium. Ginsenosides also reduced the increased cholesterol level of test group almost to that of normal group, and it increased cAMP level, which was usually reduced to 55% of that of the normal group due to the presence of LDL in the medium. Comparison of Kd and Bmax value of CHO cells cultured under different conditions revealed that this stimulation was due not to the receptor's binding affinity but to its number. Addition of ginsenoside (10-2%) decreased the uptake of taurocholic acid as much as 20% at the actively transporting everted ileal sacs, but it failed to form a large mixed micelles with taurocholic acid, which was one of the proposed mechanisms by which ginsenoside inhibits bile acid reabsorption. From the above results, it seemed likely that ginsenoside prevented hypercholestrolemia by decreasing cholesterol level in cells thereby relieving the inhibition of LDL receptor synthesis by cholesterol and also by inhibiting bile acid reabsorption from the small intestine.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.130.2-130.2
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• 2003

The present study was undertaken to examine the hypothesis that $\mu$-opioid receptors play a crucial role in behavioral sensitization to nicotine using $\mu$-opioid receptor knockout mice. All mice were treated acutely or repeatedly with nicotine 0.05 mg/kg twice daily for 7 consecutive days. The mice were challenged with nicotine on day 11. And locomotor activity was measured for 30min. (omitted)

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 1996

To investigate the effect of the third intracellular loop (i3 loop) peptide of human $\beta$$_2$-adrenergic receptor on receptor agonist binding, we expressed third intracellular loop region of human $\beta$$_2$-adrenergic receptor as glutathione S-transferase fusion protein in E. coli. DNA fragment of the receptor gene which encodes amino acid 221-274 of human $\beta$$_2$-adrenergic receptor was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and subcloned into the bacterial fusion protein expression vector pGEX-CS and expressed as a form of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein in E. coli DH5$\alpha$. The receptor fusion protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot using monoclonal anti-GST antibody. The fusion protein expressed in this study was purified to an apparent homogeneity by glutathione Sepharose CL-4B affinity chromatography. The purified i3 loop fusion proteins at a concentration of 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ι caused right shift of the isoproterenol competition curve of [$^3$H]Dihydroalprenolol binding to hamster lung $\beta$$_2$-adrenergic receptor indicating lowered affinity of isoproterenol to $\beta$$_2$-adrenergic receptor possibly due to the uncoupling of receptor and G protein in the presence of the fusion protein. The uncoupling of receptor and G protein suggests that i3 loop region plays a critical role on $\beta$$_2$-adrenergic receptor G protein coupling.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 1995

The effects and interactions of $4{\beta}-phorbol$ 12,13-dibutyrate(PDB) and polymyxin B(PMB) with adenosine on the electrically-evoked norepinephrine (NE) release were studied in the rat hippocampus. Slices from the rat hippocampus were equilibrated with $^3H-noradrenaline$ and the release of the labelled product, $^3H-NE$, which evoked by electrical stimulation$(3\;Hz,\;2\;ms,\;5\;VCm^{-1},\;rectangular\;pulses)$ was measured. PDB$(0.3{\sim}10\;{\mu}M)$, a selective protein kinase C(PKC) activator, increased the evoked NE release in a dose related fashion while increasing the basal rate of release. And the effects of $1\;{\mu}M$ PDB were significantly inhibited by $0.3\;{\mu}M$ tetrodotoxin(TTX) pretreatment or $Ca^{++}-free$ medium. $PMB(0.03{\sim}1\;mg)$, a specific PKC inhibitor, decreased the NE release in a dose dependent manner while increasing the basal rate of release. Adenosine $(1{\sim}10\;{\mu}M)$ decreased the NE release without changing the basal rate of release, and this effect was significantly inhibited by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine$(2\;{\mu}M)$, a selective $A_1-receptor$ antagonist, treatment. Also, adenosine effects were significantly inhibited by PDB-and PMB-pretreatment. These results suggest that the PKC plays a role in the NE release in the rat hippocampus and might be participated in a post-receptor mechanism of the $A_1-adenosine$ receptor.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.263-275
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• 2019

Based on our preliminary results, we examined the possible role of low-dose and chronic-exposing of the chemicals those are known as endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC), on the proliferation of uterine endometrium and the localization of steroid receptors. Immunohistochemical or immunofluorochemical methodology were employed to evaluate the localization of antigen identified by monoclonal antibody Ki 67 protein (MKI67), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2), and progesterone receptor (PGR). In $133{\mu}g/L$ and $1,330{\mu}g/L$ di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and $50{\mu}g/L$ nonylphenol (NP) groups, the ratio of MKI67 positive stromal cells was significantly increased but not in $500{\mu}g/L$ NP group. The ratios of MKI67 positive glandular and luminal epithelial cells were also changed by the chronic administration of NP and DEHP in tissue with dose specific manner. ESR1 signals were localized in nucleus in glandular and luminal epithelia of control group but its localization was mainly in cytoplasm in DEHP and NP administered groups. On the other hand, it was decreased at nucleus of stromal cells in $1,330{\mu}g/L$ DEHP group. The colocalization patterns of these nuclear receptors were also modified by the administration of these chemicals. Such a tissue specific and dose specific localization of ESR2 and PGR were detected as ESR1 in all the uterine endometrial tissues. These results show that the chronic lows-dose exposing of NP or DEHP modify the localization and colocalization of ESRs and PGR, and of the proliferation patterns of the endometrial tissues.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.293-300
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• 2017

Prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) may act against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and play an anti-inflammatory role in the heart. Although the effect of $PGD_2$ in regulation of ANP secretion of the atrium was reported, the mechanisms involved are not clearly identified. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether $PGD_2$ can regulate ANP secretion in the isolated perfused beating rat atrium, and its underlying mechanisms. $PGD_2$ (0.1 to $10{\mu}M$) significantly increased atrial ANP secretion concomitantly with positive inotropy in a dose-dependent manner. Effects of $PGD_2$ on atrial ANP secretion and mechanical dynamics were abolished by AH-6809 ($1.0{\mu}M$) and AL-8810 ($1.0{\mu}M$), $PGD_2$ and prostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ ($PGF2{\alpha}$) receptor antagonists, respectively. Moreover, $PGD_2$ clearly upregulated atrial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and the $PGD_2$ metabolite 15-deoxy-${\Delta}12$, 14-$PGJ_2$ (15d-$PGJ_2$, $0.1{\mu}M$) dramatically increased atrial ANP secretion. Increased ANP secretions induced by $PGD_2$ and 15d-$PGJ_2$ were completely blocked by the $PPAR{\gamma}$ antagonist GW9662 ($0.1{\mu}M$). PD98059 ($10.0{\mu}M$) and LY294002 ($1.0{\mu}M$), antagonists of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling, respectively, significantly attenuated the increase of atrial ANP secretion by $PGD_2$. These results indicated that $PGD_2$ stimulated atrial ANP secretion and promoted positive inotropy by activating $PPAR{\gamma}$ in beating rat atria. MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were each partially involved in regulating $PGD_2$-induced atrial ANP secretion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 2003

The medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons are controlled by excitatory synaptic transmission from the vestibular afferent and commissural projections, and by inhibitory transmission from interneurons. Spontaneous synaptic currents of MVN neurons were studied using whole cell patch clamp recording in slices prepared from 13- to 17-day-old rats. The spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) were significantly reduced by the $GABA_A$ antagonist bicuculline ($20{\mu}M$), but were not affected by the glycine antagonist strychnine ($1{\mu}M$). The frequency, amplitude, and decay time constant of sIPSCs were $4.3{\pm}0.9$ Hz, $18.1{\pm}2.0$ pA, and $8.9{\pm}0.4$ ms, respectively. Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) were mediated by non-NMDA and NMDA receptors. The specific AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI-52466 ($50{\mu}M$) completely blocked the non-NMDA mediated sEPSCs, indicating that they are mediated by an AMPA-preferring receptor. The AMPA mediated sEPSCs were characterized by low frequency ($1.5{\pm}0.4$ Hz), small amplitude ($13.9{\pm}1.9$ pA), and rapid decay kinetics ($2.8{\pm}0.2$ ms). The majority (15/21) displayed linear I-V relationships, suggesting the presence of GluR2-containing AMPA receptors. Only 35% of recorded MVN neurons showed NMDA mediated currents, which were characterized by small amplitude and low frequency. These results suggest that the MVN neurons receive excitatory inputs mediated by AMPA, but not kainate, and NMDA receptors, and inhibitory transmission mediated by $GABA_A$ receptors in neonatal rats.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.370-374
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• 2005

Lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein that is found in milk, neutrophils, and other biological fluids, and its receptors have also been identified in the central nervous system. Recently, it was reported that bovine milk-derived lacto­ferrin (BLF) produced analgesia via a $\mu$-opioid receptor-mediated response in the spinal cord. However the precise mech­anism of this analgesic effect is remains unclear. In Randall-Selitto paw pressure study, each single administration of morphine (10 mg/kg) and BLF (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) induced analgesia, however, NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg), inhibited analgesia induced by BLF (100 mg/kg). Intracerebroventricular infusion (I.C.V.) of N­methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) ($0.3\;{\mu}g/8.0\;{\mu}l/hr/day$), as a NMDA receptor agonist, reversed inhibition of MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg) on analgesia induced by BLF (100 mg/kg). These results suggest that BLF have analgesic effect, through NMDA recep­tor activation.