• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.27-33
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• 2007

The psychopharmacological profile of ginsenosides has not yet been confirmed systematically although various neuropharmacological activities associated with them have been investigated. In the present study, the psychological activities of Rb1 were investigated to evaluate whether it can be used in treatment or prevention of psychological disorders. Rb1 was intravenously injected at doses of O.2,2,5 and 10 mg/kg. The effects of Rb1 on the $Cl^-$ ion influx were investigated using IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, locomotor activity, forced swimming activity, activity on rotating rod and activity in elevated plus-maze were tested in mice. Rb1 increased the $Cl^-$ influx into the intracell region in a dose-dependent manner. Rb1 did not cause change in behavior in total open field when locomotor activity was tested, however it increased activities, especially, such as rearing frequency in center area. Administration of Rb1 at 0.2 mg/kg significantly reduced activities on rotating rod however administration at high dosages had no effect on them. Rb1 administration decreased animal immobile time in a water chamber in a dose dependent manner, and increased the strong mobile time of animals. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that Rb1 contributes to the psychopharmacological effects of ginseng and may be used in treatment or prevention of psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.40-45
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• 2017

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable seizures that are usually controlled with antiepileptic/anticonvulsive drugs. However, most antiepileptic drugs produce various side effects such as tolerance and sedation. Thus, there is a growing interest for alternative anticonvulsive drugs, preferably from natural or herbal sources. In this study, we evaluated the anticonvulsive effects of Rehmannia glutinosa (RG). The anticonvulsive effect of RG extract was evaluated using electroshock- and chemical-induced seizure tests in mice. To identify its probable mechanism of action, the effects of RG extract on $Cl^-$ influx was measured in vitro. We found that RG extract has anticonvulsive effects against electroshock-induced seizures, as indicated by an increased seizure threshold in mice. The RG extract also decreased the percentage of seizure responses induced by the GABAergic antagonist, pentylenetetrazole. These results suggest that the anticonvulsive effects of RG extract are mediated through a GABAergic mechanism. In support of this mechanism, our in vitro test showed that RG extract increases intracellular $Cl^-$ influx. Furthermore, RG extract did not show sedative and/or muscle relaxant effects in the open-field and rota-rod tests. Altogether, these results confirm that RG extract could be a herbal anticonvulsant and a potential alternative for clinical use.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.273-279
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• 2009

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is an adenosine analogue isolated from Cordyceps militaris, and it has been used as an anti-cancer and anti-inflammation ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. We investigated the effects of cordycepin on human platelet aggregation induced by thapsigargin, and determined the cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}$ levels ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$), an aggregation-stimulating factor. Cordycepin significantly inhibited thapsigargin-induced platelet aggregation. Its inhibitory effect was continually sustained at the maximal aggregation concentration of thapsigargin. The thapsigargin-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were clearly reduced by cordycepin in the presence of exogenous $CaCl_2$ or extracellular $Ca^{2+}$-chelator (EDTA). These results suggest that cordycepin inhibited thapsigargin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-influx from extracellular domain and thapsigargin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-mobilization from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ storage. Accordingly, our data demonstrated that cordycepin may have a beneficial effect on platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic diseases by inhibiting a $[Ca^{2+}]_i$-elevation.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.78-82
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• 2003

We identified two proteins in Haemophilus influenzae Rd that exhibited high similarity to two major serine transporters of Escherichia coli (SstT and SdaC). Then, we investigated serine transport in H. influenzae Rd and detected $Na^{+}$-stimulated L-serine transport activity. The optimum NaCl concentration for this stimulation was about 20 mM. The uptake of $Na^{+}$ by H. influenzae Rd was found to be elicited by L-serine influx, which supports the idea that L-serine is transported by a mechanism of $Na^{+}$/serine symport. No uptake of $H^{+}$ elicited by L-serine influx was detected. $Na^{+}$/serine symport activity was not inhibited by other amino acids such as L-threonine or D-serine. Two distinct Km values were obtained from the kinetic analysis of serine transport. Thus, two serine transport pathways may exist in H. influenzae Rd, and it appears that both systems are stimulated by $Na^{+}$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.353-362
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• 1990

Fluoride (F-), a known stimulator of G-protein, induced strong contraction in rabbit trachealis muscle. $AlCl_3\;(5{\sim}20\;{\mu}M)$, which is required for G-protein stimulation by $F^-$, potentiated the contractile response to $F^-$. $Ca^{2+}-removal$ and verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibited the fluoroaluminate-induced contraction. Fluoroaluminate increased $^{45}Ca$ influx in the absence and presence of verapamil. In heparin-loaded muscle high $K^+-induced$ contraction was not affected, but acetylcholine and fluoroaluminate-induced contractions were inhibited. The fluoroaluminate-induced contraction was partially relaxed by isoproterenol, a stimulator of adenylate cyclase. Pertussis toxin partially inhibited fluoroaluminate-induced contraction and potentiated isoproterenol-induced relaxation in the presence of fluoroaluminate, but had no effect on acetylcholine-induced contraction and the isoproterenol-induced relaxation in the presence of acetylcholine. These results suggest that fluoroaluminate has the ability to stimulate at least two putative G-proteins in rabbit trachealis muscle; One causes $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the potential-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channel and the other induces intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release by the increase of inositol-1, 4, 5-triphosphate.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권5호
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• pp.377-381
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• 2014

Propofol is a widely used anesthetic. Many studies have shown that propofol has direct effects on blood vessels, but the precise mechanism is not fully understood. Secondary intrapulmonary artery rings from male rats were prepared and mounted in a Multi Myograph System. The following constrictors were used to induce contractions in isolated artery rings: high $K^+$ solution (60 mmol/L); U46619 solution (100 nmol/L); 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; $3{\mu}mol/L$); or phenylephrine (Phe; $1{\mu}mol/L$). The relaxation effects of propofol were tested on high $K^+$ or U46619 precontracted rings. Propofol also was added to induce relaxation of rings preconstricted by U46619 after pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The effects of propofol on $Ca^{2+}$ influx via the L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels were evaluated by examining contraction-dependent responses to $CaCl_2$ in the absence or presence of propofol (10 to $300{\mu}mol/L$). High $K^+$ solution and U46619 induced remarkable contractions of the rings, whereas contractions induced by 5-HT and Phe were weak. Propofol induced dose-dependent relaxation of artery rings precontracted by the high $K^+$ solution. Propofol also induced relaxation of rings precontracted by U46619 in an endothelium-independent way. Propofol at different concentrations significantly inhibited the $Ca^{2+}$-induced contractions of pulmonary rings exposed to high $K^+$-containing and $Ca^{2+}$-free solution in a dose-dependent manner. Propofol relaxed vessels precontracted by the high $K^+$ solution and U46619 in an endothelium-independent way. The mechanism for this effect may involve inhibition of calcium influx through voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs) and receptor-operated calcium channels (ROCCs).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.227-234
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• 2000

Many reports suggest that neurotensin (NT) in the gastrointestinal tract may play a possible role as a neurotransmitter, a circulating hormone, or a modulator of motor activity. NT exerts various actions in the intestine; it produces contractile and relaxant responses in intestinal smooth muscle. This study was designed to investigate the effect of NT on motility of antral circular muscle strips in guinea-pig stomach. To assess the role of $Ca^{2+}$ influx in underlying mechanism, slow waves were simultaneously recorded with spontaneous contractions using conventional intracellular microelectrode technique. At the concentration of $10^{-7}$ M, where NT showed maximum response, NT enhanced the magnitude $(863{\pm}198%,\;mean\;SEM,\;n=13)$ and the frequency $(154{\pm}10.3%,\;n=11)$ of spontaneous contractions. NT evoked a slight hyperpolarization of membrane potential, tall and steep slow waves with abortive spikes $(278{\pm}50%,\;n=4).$ These effects were not affected by atropine $(2\;{\mu}M),$ guanethidine $(2\;{\mu}M)$ and tetrodotoxin (0.2μM). NT-induced contractile responses were abolished in $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution and reduced greatly to near abolition by $10\;{\mu}M$ of verapamil or 0.2 mM of $CdCl_2.$ Verapamil attenuated the effects of NT on frequency and amplitude of the slow waves. Taken together, these results indicate that NT enhances contractility in guinea-pig gastric antral circular muscle and $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the voltage-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channel appears to play an important role in the NT-induced contractile mechanism.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.248-254
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• 2022

Background: Zinc homeostasis is essential for human health and is regulated by several zinc transporters including ZIP and ZnT. ZIP4 is expressed in the small intestine and is important for zinc absorption from the diet. We investigated in the present study the effects of Panax ginseng (P. ginseng) extract on modulating Zip4 expression and cellular zinc levels in mouse Hepa cells. Methods: Hepa cells were transfected with a luciferase reporter plasmid that contains metal-responsive elements, incubated with P. ginseng extract, and luciferase activity was measured. Using ⁶⁵ZnCl₂, zinc uptake in P. ginseng-treated cells was measured. The expression of Zip4 mRNA and protein in Hepa cells was also investigated. Finally, using a luciferase reporter assay system, the effects of several ginsenosides were monitored. Results: The luciferase activity in cells incubated with P. ginseng extract was significantly higher than that of control cells cultured in normal medium. Hepa cells treated with P. ginseng extract exhibited higher zinc uptake. P. ginseng extract induced Zip4 mRNA expression, which resulted in an enhancement of Zip4 protein expression. Furthermore, some ginsenosides, such as ginsenoside Rc and Re, enhanced luciferase activity driven by intracellular zinc levels. Conclusion: P. ginseng extract induced Zip4 expression at the mRNA and protein level and resulted in higher zinc uptake in Hepa cells. Some ginsenosides facilitated zinc influx. On the basis of these results, we suggest a novel effect of P. ginseng on Zip4-mediated zinc influx, which may provide a new strategy for preventing zinc deficiency.

• 한국수의병리학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.53-60
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• 1998

A fourteen-month-old Holstein bull from a private cattle fattening farm at Ansung county in Kyunggi Province Korea was submitted on August 2nd 1997, for examination at the Pathology Division of the National Veterinary Research Institute. The bull died within 24 hours after developing clinical signs of abrupt inertia, complete anorexia high fever(40.3℃) diffuse severe emphysematous swelling of upper part of the right hind leg lateral recumbancy and paralysis. At necropsy diffuse severe subcutaneous redness and influx of serosanguinous exudate containing gas bubbles had accumulated under the thorax right hip and upper region of right hind leg. Muscles in upper right hind leg were blackish to dark red and yellowish brown in color. Muscle bundles were dry and separated by gas bubbles and serosanguinous fluids and muscles sections from affected regions floated in water. Histopathologically muscle fibers were partially or entirely degenerated fragmented and separated by exudate and gaseous substance mixed with polymorphonuclear cells. Blood vascular walls in affected regions showed severe acute fibrinoid necrosis. Typical large rod-shaped bacteria with or without oval central to subterminal spores were frequently observed in tissue sections stained with H-E and Gram stain. The large Gram-positive anaerobic endospore-producing rods were isolated from the suspension of muscle lesions. Isolated bacteria were identified as Clostridium(CL) chauvoei and CL. sordellii by biochemical tests. This case was diagnosed as blackleg based on the typical clinical signs gross finding histopathological observation and bacteriological results. This is the first case report on blackleg associated with Cl. chauvoei and Cl. sordellii in Holstein cattle in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권5호
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• pp.677-692
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• 2021

Many studies have focused on pre-operative sagittal alignment parameters which could predict poor clinical or radiological outcomes after laminoplasty. However, the influx of too many new factors causes confusion. This study reviewed sagittal alignment parameters, predictive of clinical or radiological outcomes, in the literature. Preoperative kyphotic alignment was initially proposed as a predictor of clinical outcomes. The clinical significance of the K-line and K-line variants also has been studied. Sagittal vertical axis, T1 slope (T1s), T1s-cervical lordosis (CL), anterolisthesis, local kyphosis, the longitudinal distance index, and range of motion were proposed to have relationships with clinical outcomes. The relationship between loss of cervical lordosis (LCL) and T1s has been widely studied, but controversy remains. Extension function, the ratio of CL to T1s (CL/T1s), and Sharma classification were recently proposed as LCL predictors. In predicting postoperative kyphosis, T1s cannot predict postoperative kyphosis, but a low CL/T1s ratio was associated with postoperative kyphosis.