• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.127-135
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• 1999

As part of a study on the effects of dexamethasone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the biological roles of astrocytes in brain injury, this study evaluated the effects of dexamethasone and DHEA on the responses of primary cultured rat cortical astrocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and antimycin A. Dexamethasone decreased spontaneous release of LDH from astrocytes, and the dexamethasone effect was inhibited by DHEA. However, the inhibitory effect of DHEA on the dexamethasone-induced decrease of LDH release was not shown in astrocytes treated with LPS, and antimycin A-induced LDH release was not affected by dexamethasone or DHEA. Unlike dexamethasone, DHEA increased MTT value of astrocytes and also attenuated the antimycin A-induced decrease of MTT value. Glutamine synthetase activity of astrocytes was not affected by DHEA or LPS but increased by dexamethasone, and the dexamethasone- dependent increase was attenuated by DHEA. However, antimycin A markedly decreased glutamine synthetase activity, and the antimycin A effect was not affected by dexamethasone or DHEA. Basal release of $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid from astrocytes was moderately increased by LPS and markedly by antimycin A. Dexamethasone inhibited the basal and LPS-dependent releases of $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid, but neither dexamethasone nor DHEA affected antimycin A-induced $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid release. Basal IL-6 release from astrocytes was not affected by dexamethasone or DHEA but markedly increased by LPS and antimycin A. LPS-induced IL-6 release was attenuated by dexamethasone but was little affected by DHEA, and antimycin A-induced IL-6 release was attenuated by DHEA as well as dexamethasone. At the concentration of dexamethasone and DHEA which does not affect basal NO release from astrocytes, they moderately inhibited LPS-induced NO release but little affected antimycin A-induced decrease of NO release. Taken together, these results suggest that dexamethasone and DHEA, in somewhat different manners, modulate the astrocyte reactivity in brain injuries inhibitorily.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.311-319
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• 2018

Mitochondrial calcium overload is a crucial event in determining the fate of neuronal cell survival and death, implicated in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. One of the driving forces of calcium influx into mitochondria is mitochondria membrane potential (${\Delta}{\psi}_m$). Therefore, pharmacological manipulation of ${\Delta}{\psi}_m$ can be a promising strategy to prevent neuronal cell death against brain insults. Based on these issues, we investigated here whether nobiletin, a Citrus polymethoxylated flavone, prevents neurotoxic neuronal calcium overload and cell death via regulating basal ${\Delta}{\psi}_m$ against neuronal insult in primary cortical neurons and pure brain mitochondria isolated from rat cortices. Results demonstrated that nobiletin treatment significantly increased cell viability against glutamate toxicity ($100{\mu}M$, 20 min) in primary cortical neurons. Real-time imaging-based fluorometry data reveal that nobiletin evokes partial mitochondrial depolarization in these neurons. Nobiletin markedly attenuated mitochondrial calcium overload and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in glutamate ($100{\mu}M$)-stimulated cortical neurons and isolated pure mitochondria exposed to high concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ ($5{\mu}M$). Nobiletin-induced partial mitochondrial depolarization in intact neurons was confirmed in isolated brain mitochondria using a fluorescence microplate reader. Nobiletin effects on basal ${\Delta}{\psi}_m$ were completely abolished in $K^+-free$ medium on pure isolated mitochondria. Taken together, results demonstrate that $K^+$ influx into mitochondria is critically involved in partial mitochondrial depolarization-related neuroprotective effect of nobiletin. Nobiletin-induced mitochondrial $K^+$ influx is probably mediated, at least in part, by activation of mitochondrial $K^+$ channels. However, further detailed studies should be conducted to determine exact molecular targets of nobiletin in mitochondria.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.31-36
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• 2004

Three workers, field operators in lubricating oil processing of petroleum refinery industry were found unconscious by other worker. One of them who were exposed to an high concentration of H2S was presented with Glasgow Coma Score of 5, severe hypoxemia on arterial blood gas analysis, normal chest radiography, and normal blood pressure. On hospital day 7, his mental state became clear, and neurologic examination showed quadriparesis, profound spasticity, increased tendon reflexes, abnormal Babinski response, and bradykinesia. He was also found to have decreased memory, attention deficits and blunted affect which suggest general cognitive dysfunction, which improved soon. MRI scan showed abnormal signals in both basal ganglia and motor cortex, compatible with clinical findings of motor dysfunction. Neuropsychologic testing showed deficits of cognitive functions. SPECT showed markedly decreased cortical perfusion in frontotemporoparietal area with deep white matter. Another case was recovered completely, but the other expired the next day.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.137-142
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• 2000

The physiological roles of brain angiotensin II in mediating water deprivation-induced drinking and in regulating renal renin release were assessed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Specific $AT_1$ receptor antagonists, losartan and SK 1080, and antisense oligonucleotide (AS-ODN) directed to $AT_1$ receptor mRNA were intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) administered in conscious unrestrained rats. When water was given 20 min after i.c.v. injection of $AT_1$ receptor antagonists in 48-h water-deprived rats, losartan and SK 1080 produced approximatly 20% and 50% decrease in 1-h water intake, respectively. In contrast, i.c.v. treatment of the AS-ODN to $AT_1$ receptor mRNA for 24-h did not alter 1-h water intake in 24-h water-deprived rats, but prevented the increase in overnight water intake after 24-h water-deprivation. Six-day i.c.v. treatment of AS-ODN did not alter either the basal plasma renin concentration or renal cortical levels of renin and renin mRNA. The present results suggest that endogenous brain Ang II plays an important role in thirst and water intake through $AT_1$ receptors, but further studies are required to elucidate its regulatory role in renal renin synthesis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.1063-1071
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• 1997

연구배경 : 스테로이드제제는 기관지 천식 및 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환 환자치료에 매우 효과적으로 항염작용, 기관지내 과민반응 억제 및 기타 면역학적인 기전으로 작용한다. 그러나 부신피질 기능억제, 쿠싱 증후군, 골다공증 등의 전신적 부작용으로 인해 그 사용 범위가 제한되어 왔다. 1970년대 초반부터 고도의 국소적 작용을 갖는 흡입성 스테로이드제제가 천식 치료에 활발히 이용되고 있으나 이 약물 투여에 따른 기저 코티솔 농도에 미치는 영향에 대해서는 아직도 논란이 많다. 이에 저자들은 최근에 개발된 강력한 흡입성 스테로이드제제인 fluticasone propionate의 시상하부-뇌하수체-부 신축에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 기관지천식과 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환 환자를 대상으로 하여, 단기간 투여용량에 따른 fluticasone propionate의 기저 코티솔 농도에 미치는 영향을 관찰하였다. 방 법 : 1993년 7월부터 1997 년 3월까지 전북대학교 병원 내과에 입원치료한 기관지 천식과 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환환자를 대상으로 하였다. 환자는 흡입성 fluticasone propionate 투여전 최소한 10일 동안 어떠한 종류의 스테로이드도 투여하지 않았고, 치료기간 12일 동안 하루에 $500{\mu}g$과 $1000{\mu}g$을 Metered Dose Inhahler(MDI) 방법으로 투여하였다. Fluticasone propionate의 투여전과 투여후 3일, 6일, 9일 및 12일째 오전 8시에 혈철 코티솔을 측정하였고, 이와 동시에 24시간 소변을 채취하여 요중 유리 코티솔 농도를측 정하였다. 결 과 : $500{\mu}g$/day 투여군에서는 투여하기 전의 혈철 및 24시간 요중 유리 코티솔 농도는 투여기간 및 투여 후와 비교시 변화를 보이지 않았다. $1000{\mu}g$/day 투여군에서는 혈철 코티솔 농도는 투여 9일 그리고 12일째 (p<0.05). 24시간 요중 유리 코티솔 농도는 투여 3일 그리고 12일째 유의있는 감소(p<0.05)를 보였으며, 전반적으로 투여전과 비교시 투여기간에 따른 혈청 및 24시간 요중 유리 코티솔 농도의 감소를 보였다. 결 론 : 이상의 결과로, 단기간 하루 $500{\mu}g$의 fluticasone propionate 투여는 내인성 코르티솔 생산에 영향을 주지 않지만, 하루 $1000{\mu}g$의 fluticasone propionate투여는 내인성 코리티솔 생산에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 사료된다.