• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.71-75
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• 2015

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are essential for neurotransmission and important therapeutic targets of diseases related to neurotransmission. A recent experimental study identified three residues (Lys185, Asp187, and Ile188) of the ${\alpha}6$ nAChR subunit as determinants of ${\alpha}$-conotoxin BuIA selectivity, yet how these residues confer toxin selectivity remains unclear. In this study, we performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations with two toxin-bound ${\alpha}4{\beta}2$ nAChR systems: the wild-type ${\alpha}4{\beta}2$ and one in which we replaced the three ${\alpha}4$ subunit residues with three ${\alpha}6$ subunit residues identified in an experimental study (Tyr185Lys, Thr187Asp, and Arg188Ile). After mutation, Asp199 lost the salt bridge formed with Arg188 in the wild type located around loop C. Then, the loop C conformation changed and became more flexible than that of the wild type. We also detected reduced space between the toxin and the binding site in the mutant simulation, resulting in increased binding affinity to the toxin. Therefore, we propose a new Asp199 mutation that breaks the salt bridge and may produce similar selectivity to that of the Arg188 mutation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.273-278
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• 2010

Tropical inhabitants are able to tolerate heat through permanent residence in hot and often humid tropical climates. The goal of this study was to clarify the peripheral mechanisms involved in thermal sweating pre and post exposure (heat-acclimatization over 10 days) by studying the sweating responses to acetylcholine (ACh), a primary neurotransmitter of sudomotor activity, in healthy subjects (n=12). Ten percent ACh was administered on the inner forearm skin for iontophoresis. Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing, after iontophoresis (2 mA for 5 min) with ACH, was performed to determine directly activated (DIR) and axon reflex-mediated (AXR) sweating during ACh iontophoresis. The sweat rate, activated sweat gland density, sweat gland output per single gland activated, as well as oral and skin temperature changes were measured. The post exposure activity had a short onset time (p<0.01), higher active sweat rate [(AXR (p<0.001) and DIR (p<0.001)], higher sweat output per gland (p<0.001) and higher transepidermal water loss (p<0.001) compared to the pre-exposure measurements. The activated sweat rate in the sudomotor activity increased the output for post-exposure compared to the pre-exposure measurements. The results suggested that post-exposure activity showed a higher active sweat gland output due to the combination of a higher AXR (DIR) sweat rate and a shorter onset time. Therefore, higher sudomotor responses to ACh receptors indicate accelerated sympathetic nerve responsiveness to ACh sensitivity by exposure to environmental conditions.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.131-144
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• 1997

The present study was carried out to investigate the processes of the ultrastructural differentiation and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities of the developing rat retina. The results are as follows. The retina of fetal rat on the 13th day of gestation showed the early stage of differentiation. Briefly, there appeared dividing chromosomes, the plentiful free ribosomes, and the high ratio of nucleus to cytoplasm. The reaction products by AChE were localized at the membrane of endoplasmic reticulum and on the outer membrane of nucleus. Ultrastructures and AChE activities in the retina of the fetal rats on the 18th day of gestation were similar to those of the prior stages, except the appearence of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. According to the ultrastructural observations, the rat retina was still in immature state at birth, but the pigment epithelial cells were fully differentiated, e. g. the increase of melanin granules, the development of mitochondria and Golgi apparatus. The AChE activity was weekly detected. The differentiated retinal layers and the outer segment of photoreceptor cells were observed on the 7th postnatal day. And the pigment epithelium appeared to be fully differentiated. On the 14th postnatal day, rat retina were completely differentiated. In other words, the rat retina was characterized by the prominent outer segments, phagocytosed residues in the pigment epithelium, and the localization of reaction products by AChE in the synapses. In conclusion, the differentiation of rat retina is charaterized by the changes of cell shape, the increase of retinal layers, and the alterations of AChE activities. It seems that rat retina is to be functional from 2 weeks of birth onward, coinciding with the eye opening of the juvenile rats.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2004

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Coptis japonica Makino(CJM) on the Alzheimer's disease. The effects of CJM extract on $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, amyloid precursor proteins (APP), acetylcholinesterase(AChE), glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) mRNA of PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$ plus $rIL-1{\beta}$ and AChE activity of PC-12 cell lysate treated by $A{\beta}$ plus $rIL-1{\beta}$ and behavior of memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine and mice glucose, uric acid, AChE activity of memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine were investigated, respectively. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. CJM extract suppressed $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 mRNA in PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$ plus $rIL-1{\beta}$ 2. CJM extract suppressed APP, AChE, GFAP mRNA in PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$ plus $rIL-1{\beta}$ 3. CJM extract suppressed AChE activity in cell lysate of PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$ plus $rIL-1{\beta}$ 4. CJM extract group showed significantly inhibitory effect on the memory deficit of mice induced by scopolamine in the experiment of Morris water maze. 5. CJM extract increased glucose, decreased uric acid and AChE significantly in the serum of the memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine. According to the above results, it is suggested that CJM extract might be usefully applied for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and memory deficit symptom.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.564-569
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• 2000

This study was designed to investigate the effect of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) powder on lipofuscin, acetylcholine (ACh) and its related enzyme activities in brain of rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats ($160{\pm}10g$) were fed basic diet (control group), and experimental diets (SWP-200 and SWP-400 groups) added 200 and 400 mg/kg BW/day for 6 weeks. In case of liver membranes, lipofuscin (LF) levels resulted in a slight decreases (4.6% and 11.5%, respectively) in SWP-200 and SWP-400 groups compared with control group. But in case of barin as the most sensitive organ, LF levels were remarkably inhibited about 16.7% and 20.0% in SWP-200 and SWP-400 groups compared with control group. There were no significant differences in acetylcholine (ACh) syntheses as a very important neurotransmitter, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities as a synthesis enzyme of ACh, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities as a hydrolysis enzyme, which were concerned in transmission of neuron through synapses in brain of SWP-200 and SWP-400 groups compared with control group. Monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activities were significantly inhibited (about 10.2%) in brain of SWP-400 groups compared with control group. These results suggest that inhibiting effects of LF accumulation and MAO-B activity of silkworm powder (SWP) may play a pivotal role in attenuating a various age-related changes for improvement of brain function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.637-646
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• 1991

Effect of noradrenaline and endothelium on the high K+ or Ach-induced contraction were investigated in the pig myocardial coronary artery. The helical strip of isolated pig myocardial coronary artery was immersed in the Tris-buffered Tyrode`s solution equilibrated with 100% O2 at 37oC and its isometric tension was measured. High K+ and Ach-induced contraction were dose-dependent. By denuding the endothelium, dose-contraction curve of K+ was not shifted significantly to the left and upward, but that of Ach was shifted significantly to same direction 25 mM K+ - and Ach-induced contraction were relaxed by norepinephrine[NE]. NE-induced relaxation was blocked by the pretreatment of propranolol, which was known as b-adrenoceptor blocker. And, phenylephrine known as a-adrenoceptor agonist, and clonidine known as a-adrenoceptor agonist increased the 25mM K+ - induced contraction respectively. Denuding of endothelium did not show any significant effects on NE-induced relaxation and contraction increased by phenylephrine and clonidine. Tyramine increased 25mM K+ - induced contraction further. The contractile response by tyramine on the 25mM K+ - induced contraction was not blocked by the pretreatment of phentolamine, but was partially blocked by the pretreatment of atropine. From the above results, it is suggested that activation of a1-and a2-adrenoceptors induce the contraction, activation of b-adrenoceptors induce the relaxation, and NE-induced relaxation is mainly due to activation of b-adrenoceptors. Also it is suggested that denudation of endothelium did not influence NE-induced relaxation, but influence Ach-induced contraction in the pig myocardial coronary artery.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 1993

Using in vitro autoradiography with a digital autoradiography system and radioreceptor assay, the distribution and the binding characteristics of the muscarinic cholinergic receptors (mAChR) were studied in regions of rat brain. Radioreceptor assay revealed that mAChR could be measured with saturation binding assay in the brain and heart homogenates: No difference in Kd or Bmax of the brain or heart was found between the normal Wistar rats and SHR rats. Specific binding of $^3H$ quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) increased and saturation was reached by 2 hours after incubation with slide-mounted brain tissue. The distribution of mAChR was heterogeneous along the fields of brain. Affinity (Kd) of mAChR was not different significantly among cortex, hippocampus and caudate-putamen. No difference was found between normal rats and SHR strain. More receptors (Bmax) were found in the cortex and hippocampus than in the caudate-putamen in normal rats. More receptors were found in the cortex and caudate-putamen in SHR rats than in normal rats. Radioreceptor assay and digital autoradiographic analysis of affinity and number of mAChR gave the same results. With the above findings, we concluded that we could use digital autoradiographic system with $^3H$-QNB in the characterization of mAChR of rats and that the cortex and caudate-putamen of SHR strain rats have more receptors than those of normal rats.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.81-96
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• 2005

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Dichroa febrifuga(DIF) on the Alzheimer’s disease. The effects of DIF extract on $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA of THP-1 cell treated by $A{\beta}$ plus LPS and amyloid precursor proteins(APP), acetylcholinesterase(AChE), glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) mRNA of PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$ plus $rIL-1{\beta}$ and AChE activity of PC-12 cell lysate treated by $A{\beta}$ plus $rIL-1{\beta}$ and behavior of memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine and mice glucose, uric acid, AChE activity of memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine were investigated, respectively. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. DIF extract suppressed APP, AChE, GFAP mRNA in PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$. 2. DIF extract suppressed $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA in THP-1 cell treated by LPS. 3. DIF extract suppressed AChE activity in cell lysate of PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$. 4. DIF extract increased glucose, decreased uric acid and AChE significantly in the serum of the memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine. 5. DIF extract group showed significantly inhibitory effect on the memory deficit of mice induced by scopolamine in the experiment of Morris water maze. According to the above results, it is suggested that DIF extract might be usefully applied for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and memory deficit.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 2005

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Rheum palmatum(RHP) on the Alzheimer's disease. The effects of RHP extract on amyloid precursor proteins(APP), acetylcholinesterase(AChE), glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) mRNA of PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}\;and\;IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA of THP-1 cell treated by LPS and AChE activity of PC-12 cell lysate treated by $A {\beta}$and behavior of memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine and mice glucose, uric acid, AChE activity of memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine were investigated, respectively. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. RHP extract suppressed APP, AChE, GFAP mRNA in PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta} $. 2. RHP extract suppressed $IL-1{\beta} $, IL-6 $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA in THP-1 cell treated by LPS. 3. RHP extract suppressed AChE activity in cell lysate of PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$. 4. HP extract increased glucose, decreased uric acid and AChE significantly in the serum of the memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine. 5. RHP extract group showed significantly inhibitory effect on the memory deficit of mice induced by scopolamine in the experiment of Morris water maze. According to the above results, it is suggested that RHP extract might be usefully applied for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and memory deficit symptom.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2006

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Amomum villosum(AMV) on the Alzheimer's disease. The effects of AMV extract on amyloid precursor proteins(APP), acetylcholinesterase(AChE), glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) mRNA of PC-12 cell line treated by amyloid $\beta$ protein($A{\beta}$) : IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA of THP-1 cell line treated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) : AChE activity of PC-12 cell lysate treated by $A{\beta}$ : serum glucose, uric acid, AChE activity of memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine : behavior of memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine were investigated, respectively. AMV extract suppressed APP, AChE, GFAP mRNA in PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$ : IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA in THP-1 cell treated by LPS , AChE activity in cell lysate of PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$. AMV extract increased glucose, decreased uric acid and AChE significantly in the serum of the memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine. AMV extract group showed significantly inhibitory effect on the memory deficit of mice induced by scopolamine in the experiment of Morris water maze. According to the above results, it is suggested that AMV extract might be usefully applied for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.