• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.175-188
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• 2022

Relaxin has been demonstrated to have regulatory functions on both the smooth muscle and extracellular matrix (ECM) of blood vessels and fibrotic organs. The diverse mechanisms by which relaxin acts on small resistance arteries and fibrotic organs, including the bladder, are reviewed here. Relaxin induces vasodilation by inhibiting the contractility of vascular smooth muscles and by increasing the passive compliance of vessel walls through the reduction of ECM components, such as collagen. The primary cellular mechanism whereby relaxin induces arterial vasodilation is mediated by the endothelium-dependent production of nitric oxide (NO) through the activation of RXFP1/PI3K, Akt phosphorylation, and eNOS. In addition, relaxin triggers different alternative pathways to enhance the vasodilation of renal and mesenteric arteries. In small renal arteries, relaxin stimulates the activation of the endothelial MMPs and EtB receptors and the production of VEGF and PlGF to inhibit myogenic contractility and collagen deposition, thereby bringing about vasodilation. Conversely, in small mesenteric arteries, relaxin augments bradykinin (BK)-evoked relaxation in a time-dependent manner. Whereas the rapid enhancement of the BK-mediated relaxation is dependent on IK_Ca channels and subsequent EDH induction, the sustained relaxation due to BK depends on COX activation and PGI₂. The anti-fibrotic effects of relaxin are mediated by inhibiting the invasion of inflammatory immune cells, the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and the differentiation and activation of myofibroblasts. Relaxin also activates the NOS/NO/cGMP/PKG-1 pathways in myofibroblasts to suppress the TGF-β1-induced activation of ERK1/2 and Smad2/3 signaling and deposition of ECM collagen.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 1983

Contractile responses of myocardium and vascular smooth muscle to angiotensin II were studied in isolated rabbit papillary muscles and aortic helical strips, with respect to the sensitivity and the mechanism of action. All experiments were performed in $HCO-_3\;-buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with $3%\;CO_2-97%\;O_2$ and kept pH 7.35 at $35^{\circ}C$. Action potentials were measured by conventional microelectrode technique in the papillary muscles. Helical strips of vascular smooth muscle were prepared from the descending thoracic aorta of the rabbit. Angiotensin II elicited a positive inotropic effect in doses from $10^{-8}$ to $10^{-6}\;M$, and this effect was dose-dependent and characterized by a symmetrical increase of maximum dP/dt during contraction and relaxation phase. Slow responses (or slow action potentials) were induced by A. II $(10^{-6}\;M)$ in the papillary muscle hypopolarized by 27 mM $K^+$. These A. II-induced slow action potentials were eliminated by verapamil (2 mg/l), but not affected by propranolol $(10^{-5}\;M)$. In aortic helical strips, contractile force was increased dose-dependently in the range of $10^{-10}{\sim}10^{-7}\;M$ A. II. $ED_{50}$ in aorta was $3{\times}10^{-9}\;M$ A. II, whereas that in paillary muscle was $2.5{\times}10^{-7}\;M$ A. II. A. II contracted vascular smooth muscle in depolarizing concentration of $K^+$ (100 mM $K^+$), and also produced a sustained contraction even in the presence of verapamil and regitine. The results of this experiment suggest that the primarily important physiological role of A. II is the action on the blood vessel, and the positive inotropic effect of A. II in papillary muscle results from the increase of slow inward $Ca^{++}$ current, and that A. II-induced contraction of aorta is independent of transmembrane potential and associated with promoting bet transmembrane $Ca^{++}\;-influx$ and the mobilization of cellular $Ca^{++}$.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.220-232
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of HwangRyunHaeDok-Tang and combinations of constituent herbs on the arterial contraction. Methods : In order to investigate the effects Scutellariae Radix. Coptidis Rhizoma, Phellodendri Cortex and Gardeniae Fructus, in which one of them, two of them, and all of them, were used to exam. Results : The results were summarized as follows; 1. HwangRyunHaeDok-Tang significantly inhibited the contraction of artery induced by Norepinephrine(NE). However the atonic effect was slightly blunted when the vascular endothelial cell was removed. No significant change in the atonic effect of HwangRyunHaeDok-Tang was found when $_L-NNA$ was used as a preliminary treatment. These results indicate that the vascular atonic effect by HwangRyunHaeDok-Tang is slightly dependent on the endothelial cell, and that the HwangRyunHaeDok-Tang works directly to the vascular smooth muscle in creating the vascular atonic effect. 2. The pretreatment of HwangRyunHaeDok-Tang extract significantly inhibited the contractile response to additive application of $Ca^{2+}$ in the strips which were contracted by NE in $Ca^{2+}$-free solution. 3. HwangRyunHaeDok-Tang extract increased the contraction of arterial smooth muscle induced by KCl. Therefore, it can be concluded that HwangRyunHaeDok-Tang may block the NE-receptor or receptor-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channel. 4. It was determined that Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Cortex among the ingredients of HwangRyunHaeDok-Tang have a vascular atonic effect. In addition, those ingredients plays a role in strengthening the atonic effect by working with other herbal medicines. Gardeniae Fructus causes the blood vessel to contract. but it does not influence the atonic effects of other herbal medicines. However Gardeniae Fructus tends to inhibit the vascular atonic effect of Phellodendri Cortex. Conclusion : Based on the above results, it can be said that HwangRyunHaeDok-Tang can be applied to cure hypertension considering those three herbs have significant effects of relaxation.