• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.392-397
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• 2010

The aim of present study was to investigate the possible influence and related mechanism of additional alcohol on the flavonoid- induced arterial relaxation. Agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contractions involve the activation of thick or thin filament pathway. However, there are no reports addressing the question whether this pathway is involved in quercetin-induced relaxation cotreated with alcohol in rat aortae contracted with phorbol ester, fluoride or thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic U-46619. We hypothesized that cotreated alcohol plays a role in vascular relaxation evoked by quercetin in rat aortae. Endothelium-denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Quercetin inhibited phorbol ester, fluoride or thromboxane $A_2$-induced contraction regardless of endothelial function. However, alcohol didn't decrease any agonist-induced contraction. Interestingly, only in thromboxane $A_2$-induced contraction, synergistic results were observed in aortae denuded and cotreated with quercetin and alcohol suggesting that additional pathways different from antioxidation or endothelial nitric oxide synthesis might be involved in the vasorelaxation. In conclusion, in the agonists-contracted rat aortae, quercetin and alcohol together showed synergistic response regardless of endothelial function in an agonist-dependent manner.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.293-299
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• 2006

The aim of present study was to investigate the possible influence of Rho-kinase inhibition on the plant-derived estrogen-like compounds-induced arterial relaxation. Agonist- or depolarization-induced vascular smooth muscle contractions involve the activation of Rho-kinase pathway. However there are no reports addressing the question whether this pathway is involved in genistein-or daidzein-induced vascular relaxation in rat aortae precontracted with phenylephrine or thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic U-46619. We hypothesized that Rho-kinase inhibition plays a role in vascular relaxation evoked by genistein or daidzein in rat aortae. Endothelium-intact and denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Genistein concentration-dependently inhibited phenylephrine or thromboxane $A_2-induced$ contraction regardless of endothelial function. Surprisingly, in the agonists-induced contraction, similar results were also observed in aortae treated with daidzein, the inactive congener for protein tyrosine kinase inhibition, suggesting that Rho-kinase might act upstream of tyrosine kinases in phenylephrine-induced contraction. In conclusion, in the agonists-precontracted rat aortae, genistein and daidzein showed similar relaxant response regardless of tyrosine kinase inhibition or endothelial function.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.217-223
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• 1998

Oxygen-derived free radicals have been implicated in many important functions in the biological system. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) causes arterial relaxation in animal models. We found that EFS applied to neither muscle nor nerve but to Krebs solution caused a relaxation of rat aorta that had been contracted with phenylephrine. In the present study, therefore, we investigated the characteristics of this EIRF (electrolysis-induced relaxing factor) using rat isolated aorta. Results indicated that EIRF acts irrespective of the presence of endothelium. EIRF shows positive Griess reaction and is diffusible and quite stable. EIRF-induced relaxation was stronger on PE-contracted aorta than on KCl-contracted one, and inhibited by the pretreatment with methylene blue. Zaprinast, a cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, potentiated the EIRF-induced relaxation. $N^G-nitro-L-arginine$, NO synthase inhibitor, did not inhibit the EIRF-induced relaxation. Deferroxamine, but not ascorbic acid, DMSO potentiated the EIRF-induced relaxation. These results indicate that electrolysis of Krebs solution produces a factor that relaxes vascular smooth muscle via cGMP-mediated mechanism.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.377-388
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• 2000

Objective : This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Sunghyangchungisan (SHCS) on the regulation of vascular tone and $Ca^{2+}$ metabolism in arterial tissues. Vascular rings isolated from rabbit carotid artery were myographed isometrically in isolated organ baths and the effect of SHCS on contractile activities, endothelial function and $Ca^{2+}$ metabolism were determined. Methods : In phentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rabbits, SHCS administered through ear vein (100 mg/Kg body wt.) or intragastric dwelling tube (300 mg/Kg body wt.) attenuated phenylephrine (PE, 10 ${\mu}g$/Kg, i.v.)-induced increases in both systolic and diastolic cartoid arterial blood pressure. Results : In experiments with isolated arterial strips, SHCS relaxed arterial rings which were pre-contracted by phenylephrine (PE, 1 ${\mu}M$). 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 PE, it inhibited the PE-induced contraction by a similar magnitude which was comparable to the relaxation of pre-contracted arterial rings. Washout of SHCS after observing its relaxant effect resulted in a full recovery of PE-induced contractions, indicating that the action mechanism is reversible. The observation that SHCS did not change the $ED_{50)$ of PE oh its dose-response curve ruled out the possible interaction of SHCS with ${\alpha}$-receptors. The relaxant effect of SHCS was not affected by removal of endothelium or a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME. Methylene blue, an inhibitor of the soluble guanylate cyclase, did not affect the relaxant effect of SHCS. These results suggest that the action of SHCS is not mediated by the endothelium nor soluble guanylate cyclase. Constant cGMP production determined in arterial strips in the presence or absence of SHCS is consistent with this conclusion. When contraction was induced by additive application of $Ca^{2+}$ in arterial rings which were pre-depolarized by high $K^+$ in a $Ca^{2+}$-free solution, the relaxant effect of SHCS was attenuated by increasing the $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. SHCS, when applied to the arterial rings pre-contracted by PE and then relaxed by nifedipine, a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, did not show additive relaxation. SHCS partially blocked $Ca^{2+}$ influx stimulated by PE and high $K^+$ which was determined by 5-min ^{45}Ca$ uptake, while it did not affect $Ca^{2+}$ efflux. Conclusions : From above results, it is suggested that SHCS relax PE-induced contraction of rabbit carotid artery in an endothelium independent manner, andinhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx may contribute to the underling mechanism.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.593-599
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• 2008

This research was aimed to examine the effect of Polygoni Multiflori Radix extract on the blood pressure in spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) and norepinephrine - induced arterial contraction in rabbit. In order to investigate the effect of Polygoni Multiflori Radix on rabbit's contracted vascular ring detached from common carotid artery, vascular ring with intact or damaged endothelium was used for the experiment using organ bath. To analyze the mechanism of Polygoni Multiflori Radix-induced relaxation, Polygoni Multiflori Radix extract was infused into contracted vascular ring which had been pretreated by $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), Methylene blue(MB), and $Ca^{2+}$ was infused into contracted vascular ring induced by NE after treatment of Polygoni Multiflori Radix extract in $Ca^{2+}$-free solution. The results were as follows: Systolic blood pressure was significantly attenuated by administration of Polygoni Multiflori Radix. Blood flow and aldosterone were significantly decreased, but velocity and renin were not affected by Polygoni Multiflori Radix. Polygoni Multiflori Radix had an effective relaxation to the contracted vascular ring by NE in 0.03 mg/ml, 0.1 mg/ml and 0.3 mg/ml level. Polygoni Multiflori Radix had an effective relaxation to the intact endothelium vascular ring, but when endothelium was removed, vascular ring did not relax. Polygoni Multiflori Radix-induced relaxation was inhibited by the pretreatment of L-NNA and MB. Pretreatment of Polygoni Multiflori Radix extract inhibit the contraction by influx of extra-$Ca^{2+}$ in contracted vascular ring induced by NE in $Ca^{2+}$-free solution. As mentioned above, we suggest that Polygoni Multiflori Radix relaxes vascular ring through suppress influx of extra-cellular $Ca^{2+}$ by the action of nitric oxide from endothelium.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.666-671
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• 2008

This study was undertaken to define the effect of ChungGongGo extract on norepinephrine-induced arterial contraction in rabbit. In order to investigate the effect of ChungGongGo extract on rabbit's contracted vascular ring detached from common carotid artery, vascular ring with intact or damaged endothelium was used for the experiment using organ bath. To analyze the mechanism of ChungGongGo extract-induced relaxation, ChungGongGo extract was infused into contracted vascular ring which had been pretreated by $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), Methylene blue(MB), and $Ca^{2+}$ was infused into contracted vascular ring induced by NE or KCl after treatment of ChungGongGo in $Ca^{2+}$-free solution. The results were as follows: ChungGongGo extract had an effective relaxation to the contracted vascular ring by NE in 1.0mg/ml and 0mg/ml level. ChungGongGo extract had an effective relaxation to the intact endothelium vascular ring, but when endothelium was removed, vascular ring did not relax. ChungGongGo extract-induced relaxation was inhibited by the pretreatment of L-NNA and MB. Pretreatment of ChungGongGo extract inhibit the contraction by influx of extra-$Ca^{2+}$ in contracted vascular ring induced by NE in $Ca^{2+}$-free solution. As mentioned above, we suggest that ChungGongGo relaxes vascular ring through suppress influx of extra-cellular $Ca^{2+}$ by the action of nitric oxide from endothelium.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.730-737
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate vasorelaxant effect of Epimedium koreanum(EK) extract on rabbit carotid artery. In this study, to determine vasorelaxant effect of EK extract on rabbit carotid artery, arterial rings with intact or damaged endothelium were used for experiment using organ bath, and were contracted by norepinephrine(NE). After being contracted, arterial rings were treated with EK extract in a dose-dependent manner To study its mechanism, the contracted arterial rings induced by NE were pretreated with indomethacin(IM), $N_{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB) or tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA) and 0.1 $mg/m{\ell}$ EK extract was added. To analyze the effect of the EK extract on influx of extracellular calcium chloride($Ca^{2+}$) in rabbit carotid artery, in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, krebs solution containing 1 mM $Ca^{2+}$ was infused into the contracted arterial ring by NE after pretreatment of EK extract. To measure the cytotoxicity of the EK extract, cell viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide(NO) was measured by Griess reagent. The EK extract significantly was relaxed the arterial ring with intact endothelium contracted by NE, but the vasorelaxant effect of the EK extract was inhibited in the arterial rings with damaged endothelium. The vasorelaxant effect of the EK extract was not different between the IM-pretreatedand and non-treated arterial rings. The vasorelaxant effect of EK extract were significantly inhibited, when arterial rings were pretreated with L-NNA, TEA, MB. And in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, increasing of arterial contraction by $Ca^{2+}$ addition were also inhibited by the treatment of EK, but not significant. The treatment of EK extract was increased NO concentration in HUVEC. This study suggested that the vasorelaxant effect of EK extract would be related with EDHF and NO production and increasing of cyclic GMP.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.591-598
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• 2017

Propofol is known to cause vasorelaxation of several systemic vascular beds. However, its effect on the pulmonary vasculature remains controversial. In the present study, we investigated the effects of propofol on human pulmonary arteries obtained from patients who had undergone surgery. Arterial rings were mounted in a Multi-Myograph system for measurement of isometric forces. U46619 was used to induce sustained contraction of the intrapulmonary arteries, and propofol was then applied (in increments from $10-300{\mu}m$). Arteries denuded of endothelium, preincubated or not with indomethacin, were used to investigate the effects of propofol on isolated arteries. Propofol exhibited a bifunctional effect on isolated human pulmonary arteries contracted by U46619, evoking constriction at low concentrations ($10-100{\mu}m$) followed by secondary relaxation (at $100-300{\mu}m$). The extent of constriction induced by propofol was higher in an endothelium-denuded group than in an endothelium-intact group. Preincubation with indomethacin abolished constriction and potentiated relaxation. The maximal relaxation was greater in the endothelium-intact than the endothelium-denuded group. Propofol also suppressed $CaCl_2$-induced constriction in the 60 mM $K^+$-containing $Ca^{2+}$-free solution in a dose-dependent manner. Fluorescent imaging of $Ca^{2+}$ using fluo-4 showed that a 10 min incubation with propofol ($10-300{\mu}m$) inhibited the $Ca^{2+}$ influx into human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells induced by a 60 mM $K^+$-containing $Ca^{2+}$-free solution. In conclusion, propofol-induced arterial constriction appears to involve prostaglandin production by cyclooxygenase in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and the relaxation depends in part on endothelial function, principally on the inhibition of calcium influx through L-type voltage-operated calcium channels.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2024

While arterial tone is generally determined by the phosphorylation of Ser¹⁹ in myosin light chain (p-MLC2), Thr¹⁸/Ser¹⁹ diphosphorylation of MLC2 (pp-MLC2) has been suggested to hinder the relaxation of smooth muscle. In a dual-wire myography of rodent pulmonary artery (PA) and mesenteric artery (MA), we noticed significantly slower relaxation in PA than in MA after 80 mM KCl-induced condition (80K-contraction). Thus, we investigated the MLC2 phosphorylation and the expression levels of its regulatory enzymes; soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), Rho-A dependent kinase (ROCK) and myosin light chain phosphatase target regulatory subunit (MYPT1). Immunoblotting showed higher sGC-α and ROCK2 in PA than MA, while sGC-β and MYPT1 levels were higher in MA than in PA. Interestingly, the level of pp-MLC2 was higher in PA than in MA without stimulation. In the 80K-contraction state, the levels of p-MLC2 and pp-MLC2 were commonly increased. Treatment with the ROCK inhibitor (Y27632, 10 µM) reversed the higher pp-MLC2 in PA. In the myography study, pharmacological inhibition of sGC (ODQ, 10 µM) slowed relaxation during washout, which was more pronounced in PA than in MA. The simultaneous treatment of Y27632 and ODQ reversed the impaired relaxation in PA and MA. Although treatment of PA with Y27632 alone could increase the rate of relaxation, it was still slower than that of MA without Y27632 treatment. Taken together, we suggest that the higher ROCK and lower MYPT in PA would have induced the higher level of MLC2 phosphorylation, which is responsible for the characteristic slow relaxation in PA.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.220-227
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• 2005

Although ketamine has been used in the field of anesthetic medicine for its safety and favourable respiratory effects, the cardiovascular effects of ketamine is still controversial. To clarify the action and mechanism of ketamine upon cardiovascular system, arterial blood pressure, tension of aortic ring, left ventricular developed pressure and heart rate were measured in rats, Ketamine produced two types of effects on arterial blood pressure in anesthetized rats; monophasic effect (blood pressure lowering) and biphasic effect (initial transient blood pressure increasing following sustained lowering), The ketamine-induced lowering of aterial blood pressure showed a concentration-dependent manner, inhibited by the pretreament of $MgCl_2$ and potentiated by the pretreatment of $CaCl_2$. The ketamine-induced lowering of aterial blood pressure was suppressed by the pretreatment of nifedipine, verapamil or lidocaine. In phenylephrine-precontracted endothelium intact (+E) aortic rings, ketamine sometimes caused a small enhancement of contraction ($112.5{\pm}3.6{\%}$). However, in many experiments, ketamine produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in +E aortic rings precontracted with either phenylephrine or KCl. Ketamine-induced relaxation was significantly greater in KCl-precontracted strips than phenylephrine-precontracted strips. In phenylephrine-precontracted +E aortic rings, the ketamine-induced vasorelaxation was not suppressed by endothelium removal or by the pretreatment of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, L-$N^G$-nitro-arginine and a guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue, suggesting that the ketamine-induced vasorelaxation is not dependent on the endothelial function. In addition, ketamine elicited an increase in left ventricular developed pressure in perfused hearts accompanied by decrease in heart rate. These results suggest that ketamine could evoke a hypotension due to vasorelaxation and decrease in heart rate in rats. The inhibitory effect of cardiovascular system might be associated with modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis.