• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.588-596
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• 2009

Background: To clarify the effect of hypoxia on vascular contractility, we tried to show whether hypoxia induced the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and the nature of the underlying mechanism for this release. Material and Method: Isometric contractions were observed in rabbit aorta, and the released EDRF from the rabbit aorta was bioassayed by using rabbit denuded carotid artery. The intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in the cultured rabbit aortic endothelial cells was recorded by a microfluorimeter with using Fura-2/AM. Hypoxia was evoked to the blood vessels or endothelial cells by eliminating the $O_2$ in the aerating gases in the external solution. Chemical hypoxia was evoked by applying deoxyglucose or $CN^-$. Result: Hypoxia relaxed the precontracted rabbit thoracic aorta that had its endothelium, and the magnitude of the relaxation was gradually increased by repetitive bouts of hypoxia. In contrast, hypoxia-induced relaxation was not evoked in the aorta that was denuded of endothelium. In a bioassay experiment, hypoxia released endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and the release was inhibited by L-NAME or the $K^+$ channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA). In the cultured endothelial cells, hypoxia augmented the ATP-induced increase of the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) and this increase was inhibited by TEA. Furthermore, chemical hypoxia also increased the $Ca^{2+}$ influx. Conclusion: From these results, it can be concluded that hypoxia might induce the release of NO from rabbit aortic endothelial cells by increasing $[[Ca^{2+}]_i$.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3 s.39
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• pp.77-86
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• 1999

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Sunghyangchungi-san (SHCS) on the oxidant-induced contraction and lipid peroxidation in rabbit carotid artery. Vascular rings isolated from rabbit carotid artery were exposed to t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), an extrinsic oxidant, and the effect of SHCS on the changes of vascular tension and lipid peroxidation induced by t-BHP was determined. t- BHP induced a slowly developing and sustained contraction of the arterial rings. SHCS effectively relaxed the arterial rings that were pre-contracted by t-BHP. The responses to SHCS were partially dose-dependent at concentrations lower than 0.5 mg/ml. When SHCS was applied prior to the exposure to t-BHP, it inhibited the t-BHP-induced contraction as well. t- BHP increased lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. SHCS as well as well-known anti-oxidants GSH and DPPD reduced significantly lipid peroxidation induced by t-BHP. SHCS partially blocked the increase in $^{45}Ca$ uptake induced by t-BHP. In contrast to SHCS, anti-oxidants GSH and DPPD failed to inhibit significantly the t- BHP-induced contraction or $^{45}Ca$ uptake. From the above results, it is suggested that SHCS relaxed t-BHP-induced contraction of rabbit carotid artery independently of its anti-oxidant action, and inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx may contribute to the underlying mechanism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2012

It has been reported that activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) can mediate endocannabinoid-induced short-term depression of synaptic transmission in cerebellar parallel fiber (PF)-Purkinje cell (PC) synapse. mGluR1 has signaling pathways involved in intracellular calcium increase which may contribute to endocannabinoid release. Two major mGluR1-evoked calcium signaling pathways are known: (1) slow-kinetic inward current carried by transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channel which is permeable to $Ca^{2+}$; (2) $IP_3$-induced calcium release from intracellular calcium store. However, it is unclear how much each calcium source contributes to endocannabinoid signaling. Here, we investigated whether calcium influx through mGluR1-evoked TRPC channel contributes to endocannabinoid signaling in cerebellar Purkinje cells. At first, we applied SKF96365 to inhibit TRPC, which blocked endocannabinoid-induced short-term depression completely. However, an alternative TRP channel inhibitor, BTP2 did not affect endocannabinoid-induced short-term depression although it blocked mGluR1-evoked TRPC currents. Endocannabinoid signaling occurred normally even though the TRPC current was mostly blocked by BTP2. Our data imply that TRPC current does not play an important role in endocannabinoid signaling. We also suggest precaution in applying SKF96365 to inhibit TRP channels and propose BTP2 as an alternative TRPC inhibitor.

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

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.189-198
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• 2015

Background: Antiallergic effect of 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT), an intestinal metabolite of ginseng saponins, was investigated in guinea pig lung mast cells and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells activated by a specific antigen/antibody reaction. Methods: Increasing concentrations of PPT were pretreated 5 min prior to antigen stimulation, and various inflammatory mediator releases and their relevant cellular signaling events were measured in those cells. Results: PPT dose-dependently reduced the release of histamine and leukotrienes in both types of mast cells. Especially, in activated bone marrow-derived mast cells, PPT inhibited the expression of Syk protein, cytokine mRNA, cyclooxygenase-1/2, and phospholipase $A_2$ ($PLA_2$), as well as the activities of various protein kinase C isoforms, mitogen-activated protein kinases, $PLA_2$, and transcription factors (nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ and activator protein-1). Conclusion: PPT reduces the release of inflammatory mediators via inhibiting multiple cellular signaling pathways comprising the $Ca^{2+}$ influx, protein kinase C, and $PLA_2$, which are propagated by Syk activation upon allergic stimulation of mast cells.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.3 s.49
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• pp.163-169
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• 2006

Mineralogy and geochemistry of the sediment core from the seamount (2710 m below the sea level) just south of the Antarctic Polar Front were examined to draw paleoceanographic information in glacial-interglacial cycles. Smectite was most abundant clay mineral associated with illite and chlorite. Its content was slightly higher below 170 cm, suggesting a boundary between isotope stage 4 and 5. Si, Zr, Cs, Th, REE, $K_{2}O$, and $Al_{2}O_{3}$ show complete antithetical distribution with respect to $CaCO_{3}$ through the core. $SiO_{2}$ maxima and $CaCO_{3}$ minima at depths of 24, 136, and 176 cm are probably correlated with massive influx of ice-rafted debris during the advance of Antarctic ice shelves. Ni, Cu, and Ba show rather little correlation with $SiO_{2}$, suggesting their relation to biogenic debris, precipitation from seawater, or hydrothermal input. Particularly, Ba maxima tend to lag $10{\sim}20cm$ after $SiO_{2}$ maxima, probably due to rapid increase of productivity following deglaciation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.345-356
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• 2019

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3-fatty acid, modulates multiple cellular functions. In this study, we addressed the effects of DHA on human umbilical vein endothelial cell calcium transient and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation under control and adenosine triphosphate (ATP, $100{\mu}M$) stimulated conditions. Cells were treated for 48 h with DHA concentrations from 3 to $50{\mu}M$. Calcium transient was measured using the fluorescent dye Fura-2-AM and eNOS phosphorylation was addressed by western blot. DHA dose-dependently reduced the ATP stimulated $Ca^{2+}$-transient. This effect was preserved in the presence of BAPTA (10 and $20{\mu}M$) which chelated the intracellular calcium, but eliminated after withdrawal of extracellular calcium, application of 2-aminoethoxy-diphenylborane ($75{\mu}M$) to inhibit store-operated calcium channel or thapsigargin ($2{\mu}M$) to delete calcium store. In addition, DHA ($12{\mu}M$) increased ser1177/thr495 phosphorylation of eNOS under baseline conditions but had no significant effect on this ratio under conditions of ATP stimulation. In conclusion, DHA dose-dependently inhibited the ATP-induced calcium transient, probably via store-operated calcium channels. Furthermore, DHA changed eNOS phosphorylation suggesting activation of the enzyme. Hence, DHA may shift the regulation of eNOS away from a $Ca^{2+}$ activated mode to a preferentially controlled phosphorylation mode.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.246-254
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• 2018

Enzyme fermentation is a type of food processing technique generally used to improve the biological activities of food and herbal medicines. In this study, a Syzygii Flos (clove) extract was fermented using laccase derived from Trametes versicolor (LTV). The fermented clove extract showed greater neuroprotective effects against glutamate toxicity on HT22 than the non-fermented extract did. HPLC analysis revealed that the eugenol (1) and dehydrodieugenol (2) contents had decreased and increased, respectively, after fermentation. The content of 2 peaked at 1 h after fermentation to $103.50{\pm}8.20mg/g_{ex}$ (not detected at zero time), while that of 1 decreased to $79.54{\pm}4.77mg/g_{ex}$ ($185.41{\pm}10.16mg/g_{ex}$ at zero time). Compound 2 demonstrated promising HT22 neuroprotective properties with inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx, the overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxidation. In addition, LTV showed the best fermentation efficacy compared with laccases derived from Pleurotus ostreatus and Rhus vernicifera.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.571-578
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• 1999

This study evaluated the effects of PKC activation using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and PKC inhibition using the isoquinoline sulfomide derivative H-7 on hemodynamics and glucoregulation in the isolated perfused rat liver. Livers were isolated from fed male Holtzman rats and perfused with Krebs Ringer bicarbonate solution under a constant flow of 50 ml/min at $35^{\circ}C.$ Portal vein pressure, glucose and lactate concentrations in the medium and oxygen consumption rates were continuously monitored by a Grass polygraph, YSI glucose and lactate monitors, and a YSI oxygen monitor, respectively. PMA at concentration of 2 to 200 nM increased the portal vein pressure, glucose and lactate production, but decreased oxygen consumption rate in a dose-dependent fashion. H-7 $(200\;{\mu}M)$ attenuated PMA (50 nM)-induced vasoconstriction $(15.1{\pm}1.36\;vs\;10.56{\pm}1.17\;mmHg),$ glucose production rate $(91.3{\pm}6.15\;vs\;71.8{\pm}2.50\;{\mu}moles/g/hr),$ lactate production rate $(72.4{\pm}6.82\;vs\;53.6{\pm}4.82\;{\mu}moles/g/hr)$ and oxygen consumption rate $(33.7{\pm}1.41\;vs\;27.9{\pm}1.75\;{\mu}l/g/min).$ The effects of PMA were blocked either by addition of verapamil $(9\;{\mu}M)$ or perfusion with $Ca^{2+}-free$ KRB. These results suggest that the hemodynamic and glucoregulatory changes in the perfused rat liver are mediated by protein kinase C activation and require $Ca^{2+}$ influx from the extracellular fluid.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.1 s.57
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• pp.63-74
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• 1995

It has been known that, during hypoxia, the adrenal medulla is activated to release catecholamines (CA) while hypoxia also inhibits high $K^+$ -induced CA secretion in the cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. The present study was attempted to examine the effect of hypoxia on CA secretion evoked by chlinergic stimulation and membrane-depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal glands and also to clarify its mechanism of action. For this purpose, using the isolated rat adrenal glands, the effects of hypoxia on CA release evoked by nicotinic ($N_1$) and muscarinic ($M_1$) receptor agonists, membrane-depolarizing agent, $Ca^{++}$-channel activator, intracellular $Ca^{++}$-releaser and ACh were determined. Experiments were carried out, perfusing Krebs solution pre-equilibrated with a gas mixture of 95% N_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. Hypoxia was maintained for $3{\sim}4$ hours through the experiments. Hypoxia gradually caused a time-dependent seduction in CA secretion evoked by DMPP ($100{\mu}M$), McN-A-343 ($100{\mu}M$), ACh (5.32 mM), Bay-K-8644 ($10{\mu}M$) and high $K^+$ (56 mM) respectively. How-ever, it did not affect CA secretion evoked by cyclopiazonic acid ($10{\mu}M$). Hypoxia itself also did fail to produce any influence on spontaneous secretory response of CA. These experimental results suggest that hypoxia depresses CA release evoked by both cholinergic stimulation and membrane-depolarization from the isolated rat adrenal medulla, and that this inhibitory activity may be due to the result of the direct inhibition of $Ca^{++}$ influx into the chromaffin cells without any effect on the calcium mobilization from the intracellular store.