• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 1997

As it has been reported that the depolarization-induced norepinephrine (NE) release is modulated by activation of presynaptic $A_1$-adenosine heteroreceptor and various lines of evidence indicate that $A_2$-adenosine receptor also presents in hippocampus, and that the adenosine effect is magnesium dependent, the present study was undertaken to delineate the role of adenosine receptors in the modulation of hippocampal NE release. Slices from the rat hippocampus were equilibrated with $[^3H]-NE$ and the release of the labelled product, $[^3H]-NE$, was evoked by electrical stimulation (3 Hz, 5 V $cm^{-1}$, 2 ms, rectangular pulses), and the influence of various agents on the evoked tritium outflow was investigated. $N^6-cyclo-pentyladenosine$ (CPA), in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 ${\mu}M$, decreased the $[^3H]-NE$ release in a dose-dependent manner without changing the basal rate of release, and these effects were significantly inhibited by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 2 ${\mu}M$) treatment. When the magnesium concentration was reduced to 0.4 mM or completely removed, the evoked NE release increased along with decreased basal rate of release. In contrast, increasing the magnesium concentrations to 2.4 and 4 mM, decreased the evoked NE release. The CPA effects on evoked NE release were reducedby magnesium removal, but potentiated by 2.4 mM magnesium in the medium. 5-(N-cyclopropyl)-carboxamodiadenosine (CPCA, 1 & 10 ${\mu}M$), an $A_2$-agonist, decreased the evoked tritium outflow, and this effect was also abolished by DPCPX pretreatment. CGS, a powerful $A_2$-agonist, did not affect the evoked NE release. However, the effects of CPCA and CGS on evoked NE release were significantly increased by pretreatment of DPCPX in the magnesium-free medium. These results indicate that inhibitory effect of $A_1$-adenosine receptor on NE release is magnesium-dependent, and $A_2$-receptor may be present in the rat hippocampus.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2012

Oroxylin A is a flavone isolated from a medicinal herb reported to be effective in reducing the inflammatory and oxidative stresses. It also modulates the production of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in cortical neurons by the transactivation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). As a neurotrophin, BDNF plays roles in neuronal development, differentiation, synaptogenesis, and neural protection from the harmful stimuli. Adenosine $A2_A$ receptor colocalized with BDNF in brain and the functional interaction between $A2_A$ receptor stimulation and BDNF action has been suggested. In this study, we investigated the possibility that oroxylin A modulates BDNF production in cortical neuron through the regulation of $A2_A$ receptor system. As expected, CGS21680 ($A2_A$ receptor agonist) induced BDNF expression and release, however, an antagonist, ZM241385, prevented oroxylin A-induced increase in BDNF production. Oroxylin A activated the PI3K-Akt-GSK-$3{\beta}$ signaling pathway, which is inhibited by ZM241385 and the blockade of the signaling pathway abolished the increase in BDNF production. The physiological roles of oroxylin A-induced BDNF production were demonstrated by the increased neurite extension as well as synapse formation from neurons. Overall, oroxylin A might regulate BDNF production in cortical neuron through $A2_A$ receptor stimulation, which promotes cellular survival, synapse formation and neurite extension.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.319-332
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• 1988

The regulations of renal function and renin release are influenced by neural, humoral and physical factors. During the last decade, considerable progress has been made in the identification and characterization of these extrinsic renal control systems. Mechanisms intrinsic to the kidney are also important for renal function. These include the autoregulation of blood flow, and the local control of renin secretion. Fundamental questions regarding the mechanism of these intrinsic controls remain unanswered. Recently, endogenous renal adenosine has been claimed to influence the tubuloglomerular feedback control and renin release. Two subclasses of adenosine receptors $A_1{\;}and{\;}A_2$ have been described. The present experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of $N_6-cyclohexyladenosine$ $(CHA,{\;}A_1{\;}selective)$ and 5'-N-ethylcarbox-amide adenosine $(NECA,{\;}A_2{\;}selective)$ on the renal function and renin release in the unanesthetized rabbit. Intra-renal arterial infusion of NECA $(0.3{\sim}10.0n{\;}mole/min/rabbit)$ or CHA $(0.03{\sim}10.0n{\;}mole/min/rabbit)$ caused a prompt and dose-dependent decrease in urine volume, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), filtration fraction (FF), electrolyte excretion and free water clearance $(CH_2O)$, the effect being much more profound with CHA than with NECA. The NECA infusion resulted in a profound decrease of systemic blood pressure, but the CHA infusion did not. Both NECA and GHA infusions caused a prompt and dose-dependent decrease in renin secretion rate, again the effect being greater with CHA than with NEGA. These results suggest that both $A_1{\;}and{\;}A_2$ adenosine receptors may be involved in the intrinsic control of renal function and renin release, and that the $A_1$ receptors plays a more important role than the $A_2$ receptor in the regulation of renal fnction.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.335-340
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• 2011

In this study, we attempted to isolate novel mast cell-stimulating molecules from Staphylococcus aureus. Water-soluble extract of S. aureus cell lysate strongly induced human interleukin-8 in human mast cell line-1 and mouse interleukin-6 in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. The active molecule was purified to homogeneity through a $C_{18}$ reverse phase HPLC column. By determination of its structure by MALDITOF and $^1H$- and $^{13}C$-NMR, adenosine was revealed to be responsible for the observed cytokine induction activities. Further studies using 8-sulfophenyl theophylline, a selective adenosine receptor blocker, verified that purified adenosine can induce interleukin-8 production via adenosine receptors on mast cells. Moreover, adenosine was purified from S. aureus-engulfed RAW264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, used to induce phagocytosis of S. aureus. These results show a novel view of the source of exogenous adenosine in vivo and provide a mechanistic link between inflammatory disease and bacterial infection.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 2010

Adenosine (Ado) is an important mediator of the endogenous defense against ischemia-induced injury in the heart. The action of Ado is mediated by activation of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying $K^+$ (GIRK) channels. In turn, GIRK channels are inhibited by reducing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ($PIP_2$) through Gq protein-coupled receptors (GqPCRs). We previously found that GIRK channels activated by acetylcholine, a muscarinic M2 acetylcholine receptor agonist, are inhibited by GqPCRs in a receptor-specific manner. However, it is not known whether GIRK channels activated by Ado signaling are also regulated by GqPCRs. Presently, this was investigated in mouse atrial myocytes using the patch clamp technique. GIRK channels were activated by $100\;{\mu}M$ Ado. When Ado was repetitively applied at intervals of 5~6 min, the amplitude of second Ado-activated GIRK currents ($I_{K(Ado)}$) was $88.3{\pm}3.7%$ of the first $I_{K(Ado)}$ in the control. Pretreatment of atrial myocytes with phenylephrine, endothelin-1, or bradykinin prior to a second application of Ado reduced the amplitude of the second $I_{K(Ado)}$ to $25.5{\pm}11.6%$, $30.5{\pm}5.6%$, and $96.0{\pm}2.7%$, respectively. The potency of $I_{K(Ado)}$ inhibition by GqPCRs was different with that observed in acetylcholine-activated GIRK currents ($I_{K(ACh)}$) (endothelin-1>phenylephrine>bradykinin). $I_{K(Ado)}$ was almost completely inhibited by $500\;{\mu}M$ of the $PIP_2$ scavenger neomycin, suggesting low $PIP_2$ affinity of $I_{K(Ado)}$. Taken together, these results suggest that the crosstalk between GqPCRs and the Ado-induced signaling pathway is receptor-specific. The differential change in $PIP_2$ affinity of GIRK channels activated by Ado and ACh may underlie, at least in part, their differential responses to GqPCR agonists.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 1999

The activities of myocardial antioxidant enzymes are known to increase in the hearts preconditioned with the brief episodes of ischemia. This study was undertaken to elucidate the possible involvement of adenosine in the stimulation of myocardial catalase induced by the brief regional ischemia in rabbit hearts. Coronary artery descending the middle anterior wall of left ventricle was occluded for 15 min, followed by 1 hr of reperfusion. Upon reperfusion after the brief ischemia, the activity of catalase increased significantly in both ischemic and non-ischemic parts of myocardium. Pretreatment of the heart with theophylline, a non-specific adenosine receptor blocker, completely abolished the increase of catalase activity in both the ischemic and non-ischemic regions of myocardium. On the other hand, the administration of exogenous adenosine instead of the ischemia failed to increase the catalase activity in in vivo hearts. Moreover, adenosine infusion did not affect the catalase activity in the isolated, perfused hearts either. These results suggest that the endogenous adenosine released from the ischemic myocardium is involved in the activation of catalase induced by brief ischemia, but that adenosine may not be a final direct activator of cellular catalase in the myocardium.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1503-1504
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• 2005

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 1993

Possible changes in the role of insulin-sensitive cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase(PDE) in mediating the antilipolytic action of insulin were investigated in adipocytes from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Isolated adipocytes prepared from epididymal adipose tissue were incubated, with or without insulin, at $37^{\circ}C$ for 15 min following pretreatment with various drugs or toxins, and three (plasma membranes, microsomal membranes, and cytosol) fractions prepared by differential centrifugation were then assayed for cAMP phosphodiesterase activity. The PDE activities only in the crude microsomal (P2) fractions were activated by insulin both in diabetic and control rats. The basal PDE activities in P2 fractions of adipocytes from diabetic rats were higher than those from control rats, although the maximal effects observed at 2 nM of insulin, $100\;{\mu}M$ of isoproterenol or the combination of both were not significantly different from each other. The insulin-stimulated PDE activities in P2 fractions of adipocytes from diabetic rats were not changed by PIA, a $A_{1}$ adenosine receptor agonist, whereas they were decreased to the basal PDE activities in those from control rats. In addition, the adipocytes from diabetic rats showed an increased sensitivity to pertussis toxin compared to those from controls. There were no differences between diabetic and control rats in the sensitivity of adipocytes to cholera toxin. These data indicate that the impaired signalling through inhibitory receptors such as adenosine receptors in adipocytes from streptozotocin-induced diabetes relates to the loss or the decreased function of $G_i$ proteins, and leads to the increased activity of the insulin-dependent PDE at the basal states.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.425-431
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• 2019

Platelet activation is essential for hemostatic process on blood vessel damage. However, excessive platelet activation can cause some cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and myocardial infarction. Scoparone is commonly encountered in the roots of genus Artemisia or Scopolia, and has been studied for its potential pharmacological properties including immunosuppression and vasorelaxation, but antiplatelet effects of scoparone have not been reported yet. We investigated the effect of scoparone on human platelet activation prompted by an analogue of thromboxane A₂, U46619. As the results, scoparone dose-dependently increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels as well as cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels, both being aggregation-inhibiting molecules. In addition, scoparone strongly phosphorylated inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R) and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), substrates of cAMP dependent kinase and cGMP dependent kinase. Phosphorylation of IP₃R by scoparone resulted in inhibition of Ca²⁺ mobilization in calcium channels in a dense tubular system, and phosphorylation of VASP by scoparone led to an inability of fibrinogen being able to bind to αIIb/β3. Finally, scoparone inhibited thrombin-induced fibrin clotting, thereby reducing thrombus formation. Therefore, we suggest that scoparone has a strong antiplatelet effect and is highly probable to prevent platelet-derived vascular disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.467-479
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• 2018

The aging process induces a plethora of changes in the body including alterations in hormonal regulation and metabolism in various organs including the heart. Aging is associated with marked increase in the vulnerability of the heart to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Furthermore, it significantly hampers the development of adaptive response to various forms of conditioning stimuli (pre/post/remote conditioning). Aging significantly impairs the activation of signaling pathways that mediate preconditioning-induced cardioprotection. It possibly impairs the uptake and release of adenosine, decreases the number of adenosine transporter sites and down-regulates the transcription of adenosine receptors in the myocardium to attenuate adenosine-mediated cardioprotection. Furthermore, aging decreases the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1-alpha ($PGC-1{\alpha}$) and subsequent transcription of catalase enzyme which subsequently increases the oxidative stress and decreases the responsiveness to preconditioning stimuli in the senescent diabetic hearts. In addition, in the aged rat hearts, the conditioning stimulus fails to phosphorylate Akt kinase that is required for mediating cardioprotective signaling in the heart. Moreover, aging increases the concentration of $Na^+$ and $K^+$, connexin expression and caveolin abundance in the myocardium and increases the susceptibility to ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, aging also reduces the responsiveness to conditioning stimuli possibly due to reduced kinase signaling and reduced STAT-3 phosphorylation. However, aging is associated with an increase in MKP-1 phosphorylation, which dephosphorylates (deactivates) mitogen activated protein kinase that is involved in cardioprotective signaling. The present review describes aging as one of the major confounding factors in attenuating remote ischemic preconditioning-induced cardioprotection along with the possible mechanisms.