• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.402-414
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• 1988

In order to clarify the receptor types and mechanisms underlying the positive inotropic effect of dopamine on the mammalian ventricular myocardium, the action potential, its first derivatives and isometric contraction of the rabbit papillary muscle were recorded using a force transducer and glass capillary microelectrodes filled with 3M KCl. The results were as follows; (1) In normal Tyrode solution, the contractile force was increased and duration of action potential was shortened with increments of dopamine concentration ($10^{-6}-10^{-4}M$). (2) The dose-response curve was markedly shifted to the right by pretreatment with reserpine (5mg/kg i.p., 24hrs prior to the experiment). (3) In 19mM $K^+-Tyrode$ solution, the duration of action potential, maximum rate of rise (V_{max}) of action potential and overshoot were significantly increased with increments of dopamine concentration ($10^{-6}-10^{-4}M$). (4) The inotropic effect of dopamine on the rabbit papillary muscle pretreated with reserpine was antagonized by atenolol ($10^{-6}M$), but not by phentolamine ($3{\times}10^{-6}M$). (5) In rabbit papillary muscle partially depolarized by 19mM $K^+-Tyrode$ solution, slow electrical response (calcium mediated action potential) as well as contraction were restored by dopamine ($10^{-4}M$); this restoration was blocked by calcium antagonists ($3{\times}10^{-5}M$ $LaCl_3{\cdot}6H_2O$, $3{\times}10^{-6}M$ diltiazem) or ${\beta}-adrenoceptor$ antagonist ($3{\times}10^{-6}M$ atenolol), but not affected by ${\alpha}-adrenoceptor$ antagonist ($10^{-5}M$ phentolamine, $3{\times}10^{-6}M$ yohimbine) or vascular dopaminergic receptor antagonist ($10^{-5}M$ haloperidol). The above results may be interpreted as that the positive inotropic effect of dopamine through both direct and indirect action are caused by increase in slow inward current ($Ca^{2+}$ influx into themyocardial cell), and the direct action is mainly due to the stimulation of ${\beta}-adrenoceptors$ in the rabbit papillary muscle.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.240-248
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• 2001

The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of quinine on secretion of catecholamines (CA) etroked by cholinergic stimulation and membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of quinine (15-150${\mu}$M) into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh ($5.32{\times}10^{-3}M$), high $K^{+}5.6{\times}10^{-2}M$, DMPP ($10^{-4}M$ for 2 min), McN-A-343 ($10^{-4}M$ for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid ($10^{-5}$ for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 ($10^{-5}$ M for 4 min). Also, under the presence of pinacidil ($10^{-4}$ M), which is also known to be a selective potassium channel activator, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also greatly reduced. When preloaded along with quinine ($5{\times}10^{-5}M$) and glibenclamide ($10^{-6}$ M), a specific blocker of ATP-regulated potassium channels, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were recovered as compared to those of quinine-treatment only. taken together, these results demonstrate that quinine inhibits CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization through inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenmodullary chromaffin cells. These findings suggest that activation of potassium channels may be involved at least in inhibitory action of quinine on CA secretion from the rat adrenal gland.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2010

Water extracts from 20 medicinal plants, traditionally used for postmenopausal symptoms in Korea, were examined for their vasorelaxant activity in isolated rat thoracic aorta rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE). Among the 20 medicinal plants, Cornus officinalis (CoEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Schisandra chinensis (ScEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Erythrina variegate (EvEx, 0.3 mg/mL), and Epimedium koreanum (EkEx, 0.3 mg/mL) showed rapid relaxation of endothelium-intact aorta ($69\pm4%$, $40\pm3%$, $25\pm2%$, and $23\pm3%$ of active tone induced by NE, respectively). In contrast, the extracts of Erythrina variegata (EvEx), Angelica gigas (AgEx), Pueraria thunbergiana (PtEx), and EkEx lead to gradual (i.e., long-term) relaxation to baseline in endothelium-intact vessels. The time to complete relaxation was 20～40 min. These 6 plant extracts were selected for the investigation of possible underlying mechanisms. The CoEx-, ScEx-, or EkEx-induced rapid relaxations were virtually abolished by endothelium denudation, and were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10 ${\mu}M$), indicating that increased formation of NO might contribute to the endothelium-mediated relaxation. In long-term responses, the endothelium denudation did not affect PtEx-induced relaxation, whereas it delayed responses by EvEx and AgEx, and significantly inhibited the effect of EkEx. Among EvEx, AgEx, and PtEx, EvEx attenuated the $CaCl_2$-induced vasoconstriction in high-potassium depolarized medium, implying that EvEx is involved in inhibition of the extracellular calcium influx to smooth muscle through voltage dependent calcium channels. These results provide the scientific rationale for the interrelationships between the use of 20 medicinal plants and their effects on cardiovascular health in estrogen deficient conditions.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 1999

The effects of 2-bromo-3-(3,5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxylphenyl)-1,4-naphthalenedione(TPN2), a synthetic vitamin K derivative, on platelet aggregation and its action mechanisms were investigated in rat platelet. TPN2 inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by collagen($10\mu\textrm{g}$/ml), thrombin(0.1 U/ml), A23187($10\mu\textrm{M}$) and arachidonic acid($100\mu\textrm{M}$) in concentration-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of 6.5$\pm$1.3, 59.3$\pm$4.5, 13.0$\pm$2.37 and 2.9$\pm$$1.0\mu\textrm{M}$, respectively. Collagen-induced serotonin release was significantly reduced by TPN2. The elevation of intracellular free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i) by collagen stimulation was greatly decreased by the pretreatment of TPN2, which was due to the inhibition of calcium release from intracellular store and influx from outside of the cell. TPN2 also significantly reduced the thromboxane $A_2$($TXA_2$) formation in a concentration-dependent manner. The collagen-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release in [$^3H$]-AA incorporated platelet, an indicative of the phospholipase $A_2$ activity, was decreased by TPN2 pretreatment. TPN2 significantly inhibited the activity of thromboxane synthase, but did not affect the cyclooxygenase activity. From these results. it is suggested that TPN2 exert its antiplatelet activity through the inhibition of the intra-cellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization and the decrease of the $TXA_2$ synthesis.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.401-415
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• 2002

Lim and his coworkers (1987; 1988; 1989) have also found that all of total Ginseng saponin, panaxadiol-and panaxatriol-type saponins cause the increased secretion of catecholamines (CA) in a $Ca^{2+}$ -dependent fashion from the isolated perfused rabbit adrenal glands through the activation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors. These CA secretory effects are partly due to the direct action on the rabbit adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. However, the present study was designed to examine the effect of total ginseng saponin on CA secretion evoked by activation of cholinergic nicotinic receptors in the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal gland. Total ginseng saponin given (100 ${\mu}g$/20 min) into an adrenal vein did fail to produce alteration of spontaneous CA release from the rat adrenal medulla. Acetylcholine(5.32 mM)- and DMPP(100 ${\mu}M$, a selective nicotinic receptor agonist)-evoked CA secretory responses were reduced markedly after the pretreatment with the total ginseng saponin at a rate of 100 ${\mu}g$/6.2 ml/20 min, respectively. Pretreatment with total ginseng saponin also depressed greatly high potassium (56 mM, a membrane depolarizing agent)- and Bay-K-8644 (10 ${\mu}M$, a calcium channel activator)-induced CA secretions. Taken together, it is thought that total ginseng saponin can inhibit the releasing effect of CA evoked by nicotinic receptor stimulation from the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla, which seems to be associated to the direct inhibition of influx through L-type calcium channel into the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. It seems that there is species differences in the adrenomedullary catecholamine secretion between the rabbit and rat.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.747-755
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• 2003

The aim of the present study was to clarify whether cotinine affects the release of catecholamines (CA) from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland, and to establish the mechanism of its action, in comparison with the response of nicotine. Cotinine (0.3∼3 mM), when perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min, inhibited CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), DMPP (a selective neuronal nicotinic agonist, 100 $\mu$M for 2 min) and McN-A-343 (a selective muscarinic $M_1 -agonist, 100 \mu$ M for 2 min) in dose- and time-dependent manners. However, cotinine did not affect CA secretion by high $K^+$ (56 mM). Cotinine itself also failed to affect basal CA output. Furthermore, in the presence of cotinine (1 mM), CA secretory responses evoked by Bay-K-8644 (an activator of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels, 10 $\mu$ M) and cyclopiazonic acid (an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}-ATPase, 10 \mu$ M) were relative time-dependently attenuated. However, nicotine (30$\mu$ M), given into the adrenal gland for 60 min, initially rather enhanced CA secretory responses evoked by ACh and high $K^+$, followed by the inhibition later, while it time-dependently depressed the CA release evoked by McN-A-343 and DMPP. Taken together, these results suggest that cotinine inhibits greatly CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors, but does fail to affect that by the direct membrane-depolarization. It seems that this inhibitory effect of cotinine may be exerted by the cholinergic blockade, which is associated with blocking both the calcium influx into the rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells and $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store. It also seems that there is a big difference in the mode of action between cotinine and nicotine in the rat adrenomedullary CA secretion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.297-305
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• 2014

Flavonoids have an ability to suppress various ion channels. We determined whether one of flavonoids, cyanidin-3-glucoside, affects adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced calcium signaling using digital imaging methods for intracellular free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential in PC12 cells. Treatment with ATP ($100{\mu}M$) for 90 sec induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i increases in PC12 cells. Pretreatment with cyanidin-3-glucoside ($1{\mu}g/ml$ to $100{\mu}g/ml$) for 30 min inhibited the ATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i increases in a concentration-dependent manner ($IC_{50}=15.3{\mu}g/ml$). Pretreatment with cyanidin-3-glucoside ($15{\mu}g/ml$) for 30 min significantly inhibited the ATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i responses following removal of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ or depletion of intracellular [$Ca^{2+}$]i stores. Cyanidin-3-glucoside also significantly inhibited the relatively specific P2X2 receptor agonist 2-MeSATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i responses. Cyanidin-3-glucoside significantly inhibited the thapsigargin or ATP-induced store-operated calcium entry. Cyanidin-3-glucoside significantly inhibited the ATP-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i responses in the presence of nimodipine and ${\omega}$-conotoxin. Cyanidin-3-glucoside also significantly inhibited KCl (50 mM)-induced [$Ca^{2+}$]i increases. Cyanidin-3-glucoside significantly inhibited ATP-induced mitochondrial depolarization. The intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator BAPTA-AM or the mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter inhibitor RU360 blocked the ATP-induced mitochondrial depolarization in the presence of cyanidin-3-glucoside. Cyanidin-3-glucoside blocked ATP-induced formation of ROS. BAPTA-AM further decreased the formation of ROS in the presence of cyanidin-3-glucoside. All these results suggest that cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits ATP-induced calcium signaling in PC12 cells by inhibiting multiple pathways which are the influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through the nimodipine and ${\omega}$-conotoxin-sensitive and -insensitive pathways and the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from intracellular stores. In addition, cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits ATP-induced formation of ROS by inhibiting $Ca^{2+}$-induced mitochondrial depolarization.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 1996

Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), acetylcholine (ACh) and KCl caused a dose dependent contraction in muscle cells enzymatically digested from cat gallbladder. Maximal contraction was obtained at concentration of $10^{-9}M$ for CCK-8, $10^{-5}M$ for ACh and 20mM for KCl. CCK-8 induced contraction was unaffected in calcium free physiological salt solution (PSS) and was completely blocked by strontium substitution for calcium (p<0.001). In contrast, KCl evoked contraction was blocked in calcium free PSS (p<0.01) but was unaffected by strontium replacement of calcium. The contraction elicited by ACh was only slightly reduced in calcium free PSS (p<0.05) and was unaltered by strontium. Muscle cells permeabilized with saponin contracted in response to inositol 1,4.5-trisphosphate $(IP_3)$ and CCK-8. The contraction was blocked by the calmodulin antagonist CGS 9343B (p<0.001), whereas heparin completely blocked the effect of $IP_3$ (p<0.001). The protein kinase C (PKC) antagonist H7 had no effect on either agonist. We conclude that CCK-8 induced gallbladder muscle contraction is mediated by $IP_3$ dependent intracellular calcium release from intracellular stores and a calmodulin dependent pathway; ACh may utilize both extracellular and intracellular calcium. KCl causes muscle contracrion through influx of extracellular calcium and a calmodulin independent machanism.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.127-135
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• 2005

The uptake of putrescine, spermidine and spermine by Fortner's hamster amelanocytic melanoma AMEL-3 cells was observed in this study to be time-dependent, temperature-sensitive, pH-dependent and saturable. Metabolic poisons nullified polyamine uptake, an indication that this is an energy-requiring mechanism. The presence of $Na^+$ ions was found to be requisite to full activity. Valinomycin, gramicidin, monensin and the calcium ionophore calcimycin were also observed to inhibit the process substantially. The transporter active site would seem to contain sulfhydryl groups. Other diamines and polyamine analogues, as well as cationic diamidines, suppressed putrescine uptake. The presence of the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor DFMO in the culture medium induced putrescine inflows. Putrescine, in turn, induced the negative expression of the carrier, thus suggesting that this influx mechanism is governed by up/down regulation. The cationic diamidine CGP 40215A and its analogue CGP039937A competitively inhibited putrescine transport, with Ki values of 1.9 and $15{\mu}M$, respectively. The role of polyamine uptake in these cultures is discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 1992

The present study was aimed at elucidating the mode of inhibitory action of tricyclic antidepressants on the smooth muscle. Effects of amitriptyline on the isolated detrusor muscle strips of the urinary bladder of the rabbit were examined. The spontaneous rhythmic movement of the muscle preparation was frequently observed, which was decreased or abolished by addition of amitriptyline $(10^{-5}{\sim}10^{-3}\;M)$. The muscle preparation responded with contraction dose dependently to carbachol, of which dose response curve shifted to the right in the presence of either amitriptyline or atropine. However, amitriptyline produced a nonparallel shift, whereas atropine caused a parallel one. In calcium free medium, the contraction response to carbachol was markedly decreased, which was resumed by the addition of $CaCl_2$ (2.5mM), but not in the presence of either amitriptyline or nifedipine. KCI (60 mM) produced a potent contraction, which was abolished in the presence of amitriptyline or nifedipine. These results suggest that amitriptyline, unlike atropine, not only acts as a noncompetitive antagonist at cholinergic muscarine receptors but also inhibits Ca-influx through the muscle cell membrane.