• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2005

Background: Nerve ligation injury may produce mechanical allodynia, but this can be reversed after an intrathecal administration of adenosine analogues. In many animal and human studies, ATP-sensitive potassium channel blockers have been known to reverse the antinociceptive effect of various drugs. This study was performed to evaluate the mechanical antiallodynic effects of spinal R-PIA (Adenosine A1 receptor agonist) and the reversal of these effects due to pretreatment with glibenclamide (ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker). Thus, the relationship between the antiallodynic effects of R-PIA and ATP-sensitive potassium channel were investigated in a neuropathic model. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were prepared by tightly ligating the left lumbar 5th and 6th spinal nerves and implantation of a chronic lumbar intrathecal catheter for drug administration. The mechanical allodynia was measured by applying von Frey filaments ipsilateral to the lesioned hind paw. And the thresholds for paw withdrawal assessed. In study 1, either R-PIA (0.5, 1 and $2{\mu}g$) or saline were administered intrathecally for the examination of the antiallodynic effect of R-PIA. In study 2, glibenclamide (2, 5, 10 and 20 nM) was administered intrathecally 5 min prior to an R-PIA injection for investigation of the reversal of the antiallodynic effects of R-PIA. Results: The antiallodynic effect of R-PIA was produced in a dose dependent manner. In study 1, the paw withdrawal threshold was significantly increased with $2{\mu}g$ R-PIA (P < 0.05). In study 2, the paw withdrawal threshold with $2{\mu}g$ R-PIA was significantly decreased almost dose dependently by intrathecal pretreatment of 5, 10 and 20 nM glibenclamide (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrated that an intrathecal injection of ATP-sensitive potassium channel blockers prior to an intrathecal injection of adenosine A1 receptors agonist had an antagonistic effect on R-PIA induced antiallodynia. The results suggest that the mechanism of mechanical antiallodynia, as induced by an intrathecal injection of R-PIA, may involve the ATP-sensitive potassium channel at both the spinal and supraspinal level in a rat nerve ligation injury model.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2021

Caffeine, a methylxanthine analog of purine bases, is a compound that is largely consumed in beverages and medications for psychoactive and diuretic effects and plays many beneficial roles in neuronal stimulation and enhancement of anti-tumor immune responses by blocking adenosine receptors in higher organisms. In single-cell eukaryotes, however, caffeine somehow impairs cellular fitness by compromising cell wall integrity, inhibiting target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling and growth, and overriding cell cycle arrest caused by DNA damage. Among its multiple inhibitory targets, caffeine specifically interacts with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-related kinases causing radiosensitization and cytotoxicity via specialized intermediate molecules. Caffeine potentiates the lethality of cells in conjunction with several other stressors such as oxidants, irradiation, and various toxic compounds through largely unknown mechanisms. In this review, recent findings on caffeine effects and cellular detoxification schemes are highlighted and discussed with an emphasis on the inhibitory interactions between caffeine and its multiple targets in eukaryotic microorganisms such as budding and fission yeasts.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 1989

The effect of metoclopramide (MCP), which is well-known as a selective dopaminergic antagonist used in treating esophageal refulx, gastroparesis and emesis induced by anticancer chemotherapy, on secretion of catecholamines (CA) in the perfused isolated rat adrenal gland was investigated. MCP given into an adrenal vein produced the dose-related increase in CA secretion from the adrenal gland. The secretory effect of CA evoked by MCP was inhibited markedly by atropine-pretreatment. but only partially blocked when chlorisondamine was added. The secretion of CA induced by MCP was potentiated by pretreatment with physostigmine, adenosine or ouabain. However, MCP-induced CA secretion was suppressed significantly by perfusion of calcium-free Krebs solution containing 5 mM-EGTA for 30 min. Perfusion of MCP (200 ug/30 min.) attenuated the secretory effect of CA evoked by potassium chloride or acetylcholine. These experimental results demonstrate that metoclopramide releases CA significantly by a calcium-dependent exocy totic mechanism. It is thought that the secretory effect of metoclopramide is due to activation of cholinergic muscarinic receptors present in the adrenal gland rather than nicotinic receptors and partly to the direct action on the chromaffin cell itself.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.520-525
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• 2018

Cardiovascular diseases arising from atherosclerosis are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Lipid-lowering agents have been developed in order to treat hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, indicating a need to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop new treatment agents. Adenosine receptors (ARs) are emerging as therapeutic targets in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, ischemia, and inflammatory diseases. This study assessed whether LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knock-out ($ApoE^{-/-}$) mice who are fed a western diet. Plaque formation was significantly lower in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 than in mice not administered LJ-1888, without any associated liver damage. LJ-1888 treatment of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice prevented western diet-induced hypercholesterolemia by markedly reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and significantly increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Reduced hypercholesterolemia in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 was associated with the enhanced expression of genes involved in bile acid biosynthesis. These findings indicate that LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, may be a novel candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.133-143
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• 2021

In contrast to the human lutropin receptor (hLHR) and rat LHR (rLHR), very few naturally occurring mutants in other mammalian species have been identified. The present study aimed to delineate the mechanism of signal transduction by three constitutively activating mutants (designated M410T, L469R, and D590Y) and two inactivating mutants (D383N and Y546F) of the eel LHR, known to be naturally occurring in human LHR transmembrane domains. The mutants were constructed and measured cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation via homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assays in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells. The activating mutant cells expressing eel LHR-M410T, L469R, and D590Y exhibited a 4.0-, 19.1-, and 7.8-fold increase in basal cAMP response without agonist treatment, respectively. However, inactivating mutant cells expressing D417N and Y558F did not completely impaired signal transduction. Specifically, signal transduction in the cells expressing activating mutant L469R was not occurred with a further ligand stimulation, showing that the maximal response exhibited approximately 53% of those of wild type receptor. Our results suggested that the constitutively activating mutants of the eel LHR consistently occurred without agonist treatment. These results provide important information of LHR function in fish and regulation with regard to mutations of highly conserved amino acids in glycoprotein hormone receptors.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.435-443
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• 2022

In response to environmental changes, signaling pathways rewire gene expression programs through transcription factors. Epigenetic modification of the transcribed RNA can be another layer of gene expression regulation. N⁶-adenosine methylation (m⁶A) is one of the most common modifications on mRNA. It is a reversible chemical mark catalyzed by the enzymes that deposit and remove methyl groups. m⁶A recruits effector proteins that determine the fate of mRNAs through changes in splicing, cellular localization, stability, and translation efficiency. Emerging evidence shows that key signal transduction pathways including TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β), ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), and mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) regulate downstream gene expression through m⁶A processing. Conversely, m⁶A can modulate the activity of signal transduction networks via m⁶A modification of signaling pathway genes or by acting as a ligand for receptors. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the crosstalk between m⁶A and signaling pathways and its implication for biological systems.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 1988

The effect of Panaxadiol(PD), which is an active component of Korean Ginseng Saponins, on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the rabbit adrenal gland and its mode of action were investigated in the present study. $PD(400{\mu}g)$ increased significantly the secretion of CA from the isolated perfused rabbit adrenal gland. PD-induced secretion of CA was reduced markedly by treatment of atropine, CA secretion induced by Ach or PD was potentiated significantly by physostigmine-treatment. Chlorisondamine did inhibit CA secretion of PD or Ach. Perfusion of $PD(400{\mu}g)$ for 30 min enhanced the secretory activity of CA by Ach. Ouabain weakened the secretory response induced by PD but rather enhanced the response by Ach. Adenosine-treatment resulted in marked enhancement of CA secretion by PD or Ach, Pefusion with $Ca^{2+}-free$ Krebs containing EGTA (5 mM) for about 30 min totally blocked secretory effect induced by Ach and also weakened that by PD. From the above experimental results, it is suggested that PD causes secretion of catecholamines from the rabbit adrenal gland by a calcium-dependent exocytotic mechanism. The secretory effect of PD is due to the stimulation of cholinergic muscarinic and nicotinic receptors present in the adrenal gland and partly to a direct action on the chromaffin cell itself.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1988.08a
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• pp.55-62
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• 1988

The effect of panaxadiol (PD). an active component of Korean ginseng saponins on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the rabbit adrenal gland and its mode of action were investigated. PD ($400\;{\mu}g$) increased significantly the secretion of CA from the isolated perfused rabbit adrenal gland. PD-induced secretion of CA was reduced markedly by treatment with atropine. CA secretion induced by Ach or PD was potentiated by physostigmine treatment. Chlorisondamine inhibited CA secretion of PD or Ach. Perfusion of PD ($400\;{\mu}g$) for 30 minutes enhanced the secretory activity of CA by Ach. Ouabain weakened the secretory rsponse caused by PD but enhanced the response by Ach. Adenosine treatment resulted in marked increase in CA secretion by PD or Ach. Perfusion with calcium free Krebs solution containing 5 mM EDTA for 30 minutes completely blocked the secretory effect induced by Ach and also weakened that evoked by PD. It is suggested that PD causes the secretion of CA from the rabbit adrenal gland by a calcium dependent exocytotic process. The secretory effect of PD is due to the stimulation of cholinergic muscarinic and nicotinic-receptors present in the adrenal gland partly by direct action on the chromaffin cell.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.246-259
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• 1995

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of baclofen on the detrusor muscle isolated from rat. Rats (Sprague-Dawley) were sacrificed by decapitation and exsanguination. Horizontal muscle strips of $2mm{\times}15mm$ were prepared for isometric myography in isolated muscle chamber bubbled with 95% / 5%-$O_2$ / $CO_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$, and the pH was maintained at 7.4. Detrusor strips contracted responding to the electrical field stimulation (EFS) by 2 Hz, 20 msec, monophasic square wave of 60 VDC. The initial peak of EFS-Induced contraction was tended to be suppresed by ${\alpha},{\beta}$-methylene-adenosine 5'-triphosphate (mATP), a partial agonist of purinergic receptor, and baclofen, a $GABA_B$ receptor agonist (statistically nonsignificant). The late sustained contraction by EFS was suppressed significantly (p < 0.05) by additions of atropione, a cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonist and baclofen. The adenosine 5'-triphosphate-induced contraction was completely abolished by mA TP but not by baclofen. In the presence of atropine, the subsequent addition of acetylcholine could not contract the muscle strips: but the addition of acetylcholine in the presence of baclofen evoked a contraction to a remarkable extent. These results suggest that in the condition of present study, the cholinergic innervation may play a more important role than the purinergic one, and baclofen suppresses the contractility of rat detrusor by the stimulation of the $GABA_B$ receptors to inhibit the release of neurotransmitter from the cholinergic nerve ending.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.233-241
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• 2021

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is known to accelerate wound healing process by acting on specific adenosine receptors. Differently from the PDRN substances obtained so far from piscine tissues, unique PDRN was prepared recently from Porphyra, a seaweed species. In this study, effects of the Porphyra PDRN was evaluated by inducing artificial skin wounds in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. The wound recovered almost completely in 2 weeks without any treatment, however only a partial recovery was done after one week. Facilitated healing was observed by PDRN fed for 5 days before wound induction at 10 or 20 mg/kg, against the partially recovered 1-week old wound. The healing effects were identified not only by visual observation, wound area measurement, but also by colorimetric estimations. These novel wound healing effects suggest beneficial therapeutic utility of Porphyra-derived PDRN for wound treatments in fishes occurring from various causes.