• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.87-100
• /
• 1994

It has been known for some time that dopamine-containing cells are existed in sympathetic ganglia, i.e., small, intensely fluorescent cells. However, its role and mechanism of action as a peripheral neurotransmitter are poorly understood so far. In the present study, an attempt was made to examine the effect of apomorphine, which is known to be a selective agonist of dopaminergic $D_2$. receptor on secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of a low concentration of 10uM apomorphine into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced significant reduction in CA secretion induced by 5.32 mM ACh, 56 mM KCl, 100 uM DMPP and 100 uM McN-A-343. Increasing apomorphine concentration to 30 uM led to more markedly decreased CA secretion as compared to the case of 10 uM apomorphine and also did inhibit clearly CA release by $10^{-5}M$ Bay-K-8644. Furthermore, in adrenal glands preloaded with a higher dose of 100 uM apomorphine, CA releases evoked by ACh, excess $K^+$, DMPP and McN-A-343 were almost abolished by the drug. The perfusion of $3.3{\pm}10^{-5}M$ metoclopramide, which is well-known as a selective dopaminergic $D_2$ antagonist, produced significantly inhibitory effect of CA release by ACh, DMPP and McN-A-343 but did not affect that by excess $K^+$. However, preloading of 30uM apomorphine in the presence of metoclopramide did not modify the CA secretory effect of excess $K+$ and DMPP. These experimental results demonstrate that apomorphine causes dose-dependent inhibition of CA secretion by cholinergic receptor stimulation and also by membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland, suggesting that these effects appear to be exerted by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium into the rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells through activation of inhibitory dopaminergic receptors.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.447-456
• /
• 1994

In order to elucidate the characterization of receptors involved in inestinal motility of Israeli carp, spontaneously contracting Israeli carp intestinal preperations were prepared and mounted in the organ chambers for contraction traicings using a polygraph. Various contractile agonists were treated and their dose-response curves were constructed. $EC_{50}$ values$(pD_2)$ of each agonist on specific receptors, $pA_2$ values of competitive antagonists against some agonists, and $K_1$, values of noncompetitive antagonists against some agonists were analyzed for characterization of receptors related with the intestinal contraction. Results obtained through the experiments were summarized as follows: 1. Acetylcholine(ACh) exhibited biphasic dose-response curves: initial ACh-induced dose dependent contractions were observed in pM levels but followed by decreased response in in-between concentration levels. Dose dependent contractions reappeared in ${\mu}M$ level. The peaks in pM and ${\mu}M$ levels appeared in $10^{-13}M$ and $3{\times}10^{-5}M$, respectvely. 2. Carbachol(CaCh) exhibited dose dependent contractions from $10^{-9}M$ to $10^{-5}M$, and its $pD_2$ values were higher than those of ACh($5.60{\pm}0.11$). ACh and CaCh exhibited equiactive contractions. Nicotine had no effects on contractile responses of Israeli carp intestine. 3. ACh-induced responses were inhibited by atropine($K_1:7{\times}10^{-8}M$), a muscarinic antagonist, in a non-competitive manner. But CaCh-induced responses were inhibited by both antimuscarinic atropine($pA_2:9.52{\pm}0.14$) and selective $M_2$ antagonistic 4-DAMP($pA_2:8.16{\pm}0.09$), in competitive manners. Nicotine receptor antagonistic decamethonium and hexamethonium had no effects on ACh-and CaCh-induced contractions. Therefore, the cholinergic receptor related to intestinal motility of Israeli carp was assumed as $M_2$ type. 4. In Israeli carp intestine, 5-HT (serotonin) exhibited dose dependent contractions in concentration range from $10^{-8}M$ to $10^{-5}M$. The maximal responses, however, were corresponded to about 50% of those of ACh or CaCh. 5-HT induced contractions were inhibited by $5-HT_2$ antagonistic ketanserin ($K_1: 7.8{\times}10^{-4}M$) in a non-competitive manner, but not by both of anti $5-HT_1$, spiperone and anti $5-HT_3$, MDL-72222. Hence, $5-HT_2$ receptors are suggested to be existed in Isreli carp intestine.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.327-332
• /
• 2001

In recent years, experimental evidence have been suggested that melatonin has either contractive or relaxing effects on the vascular smooth muscle in vitro. But the effect of melatonin on the cardiovascular system in vivo had been emphasized about the hypotensive effect. In this work, we found not only hypotensive effect but also hypertensive effect of melatonin in rats and attempted to determine the mechanism of these effects elicited by melatonin. Regadless of concentration, melatonin(0.002~5 mg/kg) produced increase in mean blood pressure (MBP) in 36% (54/150 cases) and decrease in mean blood pressure in 64%(96/150 cases). As a whole melatonin caused an increase or a decrease in MBP without compensatory decrease or increase in heart rate. The melatonin-induced hypertension was abolished by the pretreatment of phenoxybenzamine, a ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor antagoninst. The melatonin-induced hypotension was abolished by the pretreatment of propranolol, a ${\beta}$-adrenoceptor antagonist, ODQ, a NO-sensitive guanylate cyclase inhibitor, or nifedipine, a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, but not by bilateral cervical vagotomy. The results indicate that melatonin-induced hypertension may be related to ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor stimulation and melatonin-indued hypotension may be related to ${\beta}$-adrenoceptor stimulation, inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ channel and/or activation of guanylate cyclase.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.117-123
• /
• 2008

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are toxic agents that may be involved in various neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies indicate that ROS can act as modulators of neuronal activity, and are critically involved in persistent pain primarily through spinal mechanisms. In the present study, whole cell patch clamp recordings were carried out to investigate the effects of tert-buthyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH), an ROS, on neuronal excitability and the mechanisms underlying changes of membrane excitability. In current clamp condition, application of t-BuOOH caused a reversible membrane depolarization and firing activity in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons. When slices were pretreated with phenyl-N-tert-buthylnitrone (PBN) and ascorbate, ROS scavengers, t-BuOOH failed to induce membrane depolarization. However, isoascorbate did not prevent t-BuOOH-induced depolarization, suggesting that the site of ROS action is intracellular. The t-BuOOH-induced depolarization was not blocked by pretreatment with dithiothreitol (DTT), a sulfhydryl-reducing agent. The membrane-impermeant thiol oxidant 5,5-dithiobis 2-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) failed to induce membrane depolarization, suggesting that the changes of neuronal excitability by t-BuOOH are not caused by the modification of extrathiol group. The t-BuOOH-induced depolarization was suppressed by the phospholipase C (PLC) blocker U-73122 and inositol triphosphate ($IP_3$) receptor antagonist 2-aminoethoxydiphenylbolate (APB), and after depletion of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ pool by thapsigargin. These data suggest that ROS generated by peripheral nerve injury can induce central sensitization in spinal cord, and t-BuOOH-induced depolarization may be regulated by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ store mainly via $PLC-IP_3$ pathway.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.25-32
• /
• 1999

The pharmacological actions of ambrein were investigated alone or in combination as a pretreatment with agonists (adrenaline, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, histamine, nicotine), antagonists (atropine, atenolol) and calcium channel blocker (verapamil) in vivo in anaesthetized SWR rats using blood pressure, heart rate and myocardial contractility as parameters. Ambrein in the dose range of 50-200 mg/kg to the normotensive anaesthetized rats demonstrated negative chronotropic effect and increased the myocardial contractility significantly. At the mid dose (100 mg/kg) this increase in contractile force was 36% and 44% above the normal at 30 min and 60 min intervals post-treatment, respectively. Both of the lower and high doses (50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) had similar effects. Furthermore, this contractile response was dose related. Also, this compound produced a considerable increase in myocardial contractility when used as a pretreatment with some agonists and antagonists. The results on blood pressure did not show a considerable change when ambrein was used alone. However, ambrein pretreatment at the dose of 100 mg/kg did not block the effects of adrenaline, noradrenaline, isoprenaline and acetylcholine on heart rate and blood pressure. On the other hand, this pretreatment attenuated the sympathoadrenal effects of nicotine significantly. Chronotropic and blood pressure changes produced by histamine were also inhibited by ambrein pretreatment. This pretreatment significantly reversed the effects of atenolol but failed to demonstrate any change in the negative chronotropic, inotropic and hypotensive responses induced by verapamil. It is concluded that ambrein induced nonselective dose dependent antagonism of the effects of some agonists and antagonists require contribution of some neuromediators. However, the positive isotropic effects of ambrein possibly involve the enhancement of slow Ca channels and/or activation of ${\beta}-adrenergic$ receptors in the heart. At this moment it is difficult to explain the exact mode of action of ambrein and the studies dealing with Ca channel blocker and adrenergic blocker followed by ambrein may help to define the factors which contribute to its positive inotropic effects.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.193-209
• /
• 1987

Patterns of amylase secretion in mouse pancreatic fragments were studied over a period of time after the tissue was stimulated by acetyicholine and MNNG. MNNG is known to activate guanylate cyclase and thus increase the cGMP concentration in the pancreatic acinar cell. These amylase secretion patterns were studied to investigate the role of cGMP in reaction cascade during secretion response of the tissues stimulated by acetyicholine. Cellular response of amylase secretion in the pancreas by acetyicholine was divided into two phases. During the first phase, zymogen granules which had existed in the cells were secreted by the action of $Ca^2$+ and calmodulin immediately after secretagogue administration, this being known as the initial response. When the tissue was stimulated by acetylcholine in a $Ca^2$+-deficient medium or one containing trifluoperazine as a calmodulin antagonist, this initial response was reduced. In the second phase, newly formed zymogen granules were secreted as sustained response after protein synthesis was triggered by secretagogue. This response was provoked by an activation of protein kinase C. When either cycloheximide as a protein synthesis inhibitor or dibucaine as a protein kinase C inhibitor were added to the incubation medium, this sustained response was remarkablely depressed in the pancreatic fragments stimulated with acetylcholine. In the pancreatic acinar cell, phosphatidylinositol turnover plays an important role in the secretion response and hexachlorocyclohexane inhibits this phosphatidylinositol turnover. The pancreatic tissue treated with the hexachlorocyclohexane exhibited inhibition on both initial and sustained responses of amylase secretion by acetylcholine. MNNG also accelerated amylase secretion from the tissue gradually along incubation time. The 22 minutes fraction of the pancratic secretion after administration of both acetylcholine and MNNG showed higher amylase activity than the neighboring fractions. Guanylate cyclase potentiated the sustained response. Even if it is experimented with an indirect method, guanylate cyclase was found responsible for activation of the sustained response of a step prior to the action of protein kinase C. As conclusion, it was considered that amylase secretion in mouse pancreatic fragments stimulated by acetylcholine is a three phasic response.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.470-479
• /
• 2019

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells that exhibit periodic spontaneous depolarization in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and generate pacemaker potentials. In this study, we investigated the effects of ghrelin and motilin on the pacemaker potentials of ICCs isolated from the mouse small intestine. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration, we demonstrated that ghrelin depolarized pacemaker potentials of cultured ICCs in a dose-dependent manner. The ghrelin receptor antagonist [D-Lys] GHRP-6 completely inhibited this ghrelin-induced depolarization. Intracellular guanosine 5'-diphosphate-${\beta}$-S and pre-treatment with $Ca^{2+}$-free solution or thapsigargin also blocked the ghrelin-induced depolarization. To investigate the involvement of inositol triphosphate ($IP_3$), Rho kinase, and protein kinase C (PKC) in ghrelin-mediated pacemaker potential depolarization of ICCs, we used the $IP_3$ receptor inhibitors 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and xestospongin C, the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632, and the PKC inhibitors staurosporine, Go6976, and rottlerin. All inhibitors except rottlerin blocked the ghrelin-induced pacemaker potential depolarization of ICCs. In addition, motilin depolarized the pacemaker potentials of ICCs in a similar dose-dependent manner as ghrelin, and this was also completely inhibited by [D-Lys] GHRP-6. These results suggest that ghrelin induced the pacemaker potential depolarization through the ghrelin receptor in a G protein-, $IP_3$-, Rho kinase-, and PKC-dependent manner via intracellular and extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ regulation. In addition, motilin was able to depolarize the pacemaker potentials of ICCs through the ghrelin receptor. Therefore, ghrelin and its receptor may modulate GI motility by acting on ICCs in the murine small intestine.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.17-22
• /
• 1981

In the electrically stimulated guinea-pig ileum, which was incubated in the modified Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer solution containing various concentrations of electrolytes at $4^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours, the effect of naloxone on the inhibitory action of morphine was investigated. Incubation potentiated the inhibitory action of morphine. In the incubated preperation, the inhibitory action of morphine was potentiated in the $Na^+\;75mM$, and $K^+\;2.9mM$ groups, while that action of morphine was reduced in the $Ca^{++}\;3.6mM,\;Mg^{++}$ free and $Mn{++}\;0.2mM$ groups. Naloxone in incubation media potentiated in the inhibitory action of morphine. In the preparations which were incubated in various concentrations of electrolytes plus naloxone, the action of morphine was reduced in $Na^+\;75mM,\;K^+\;2.9mM$, and $Ca^{++}\;3.6mM$ groups, while that action of morphine was potentiated in $Mg^{++}$free and $Mn{++}\;0.2mM$ groups. Naloxone antagonised those actions of morphine. However, $pA_2$ values for naloxone (index for affinity for antagonist) was not changed. Thus changes in the inhitory action of morphine caused by incubation are probably not the result of changes in the affinity of receptor, but due to the alterations in the events which precede or follow the receptor binding by incubations.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.499-504
• /
• 2000

We previously demonstrated that 6-paradol, a compound structurally related to capsaicin, showed to produce prolonged analgesia in experimental animals. The effects of 6-paradol on the release of adenosine were investigated in the rat spinal cord synaptosomes by high performance liquid chromatography. In the presence of $Ca^{++}$, adenosine was released from synaptosomes of rat spinal cord by 6-paradol and capsaicin in a dose dependent manner. Nifedifine, L-type voltage sensitive calcium channel blocker, was found to be ineffective in releasing adenosine by $10\;{\mu}M$ 6-paradol. After exposure to $10\;{\mu}M$ capsazepine, a novel capsaicin selective antagonist, the level of adenosine evoked by $10\;{\mu}M$ 6-paradol was decreased by 75%, and that evoked by $10\;{\mu}M$ capsaicin was blocked completely. These results suggest that the analgesic effect of 6-paradol might be mediated by the vanilloid (capsaicin) sensitive pathway, or the direct binding to the vanilloid receptor.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.377-380
• /
• 2010

In this study, we investigated the effect of egg yolk lipids (EYL) on collagen ($10\;{\mu}g/ml$)-stimulated platelet aggregation in vivo. Dietary EYL significantly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation, in addition, increased the formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-antagonist as aggregation-inhibiting molecules, in collagen-stimulated platelets. These results suggest that EYL inhibits the collagen-induced platelet aggregation by up-regulating the cAMP and cGMP production. On the other hands, prothrombin time (PT) on extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation was potently prolonged by dietary EYL in vivo. These findings suggest that EYL prolongs the internal time between the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. Accordingly, our data demonstrate that EYL may be a crucial tool for a negative regulator during platelet activation and blood coagulation on thrombotic diseases.