• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.497-503
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• 2017

Recent reports claimed that glucosylsphingosine (GS) is highly accumulated and specifically evoking itch-scratch responses in the skins of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. However, it was unclear how GS can trigger itch-scratch responses, since there were no known molecular singling pathways revealed yet. In the present study, it was verified for the first time that GS can activate mouse serotonin receptor 2a (mHtr2a) and 2b (mHtr2b), but not 2c (mHtr2c) that are expressed in HEK293T cells. Specifically, effects of GS on all mouse serotonin receptor 2 subfamily were evaluated by calcium imaging techniques. The GS-induced intracellular calcium increase was dose-dependent, and antagonists such as ketanserin (Htr2a antagonist) and RS-127445 (Htr2b antagonist) significantly blocked the GS-induced responses. Moreover, the proposed GS-induced responses appear to be mediated by phospholipase C (PLC), since pretreatment of a PLC inhibitor U-73122 abolished the GS-induced responses. Additionally, the GS-induced calcium influx is probably mediated by endogenous TRPC ion channels in HEK293T cells, since pretreatment of SKF-96365, an inhibitor for TRPC, significantly suppressed GS-induced response. In conclusion, the present study revealed for the first time that GS can stimulate mHtr2a and mHtr2b to induce calcium influx, by utilizing PLC-dependent pathway afterwards. Considering that GS is regarded as a pruritogen in AD, the present study implicates a novel GS-induced itch signaling pathway.

• 약학회지
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.416-426
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• 1991

The effects of an irreversible or a reversible $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor antagonist (dibenamine or prazosin) on $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstrictions were studied in the endothelium-denuded rat aorta. In these experiments, the mobilization of intracelluier calcium and translocation of extracellular calcium were also studied. To exclude the modulation of endothelium releasing EDRF and EDCF, the endothelium was removed in all rat aortas. Contraction induced by phenylephrine (a full $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor agonist) was separated into a fast phasic component of the response due to the release of intracellular calcium and a slow tonic one due to the influx of extracellular calcium. Pretreatments with increasing doses of reversible $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin, as well as irreversible $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor antagonist dibenamine, inhibited the phasic component of phenylephrine-induced contraction more effectively than the tonic one. Pretreatment of dibenamine (0.2 $\mu{M}$) or prazosin (10 nM) to the rat aorta abolished phasic response but remained tonic one about 41% and 51%, respectively. These results suggest that as the efficiency of phenylephrine was progressively reduced by pretreatments with increasing doses of an irreversible or a reversible $\alpha_1$-adrenoceptor antagonist (dibenamine or prazosin), the contraction induced by phenylephrine became progressively more dependent on the influx of extracellular calcium.

• 한국동물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국동물학회 1997년도 한국생물과학협회 학술발표대회
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• pp.308.2-308
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• 1997

No Abstract, See Full Text

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.258-267
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• 1998

해혈 및 진동 효과를 가진 APAP는 과량 복용시 CYP-450에 의해 독성 유발 물질인 NAPQI로 대사되어 간장과 세포막을 붕괴시켜 세포 내 calcium 유입을 증가시킴으로서 간세포의 괴사를 일으킨다. DIL은 CYP-450 작용을 억제하는 것으로 알려진 칼슘채널차단제이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 APAP 300mg/kg을 경구 투여한 후 3, 6. 9 및 12시간에 DIL을 복상내로 투여하여 DIL이 APAP의 독성에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. APAP 투여 12시간후 DIL 투여군에서 혈청과 간조직의 생화학 분석과 조직학적 관찰에서 간손상의 개선 효과가 확인되었으며, 이는 세포내로의 calcium 유입과 지질과산화의 억제 및 GST의 활성도 증가에 기인한 것으로 보인다. 그러므로 APAP 과량 복용 12시간 후의 DIL 투여는 간손상의 억제에 효과적일 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권5호
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• pp.377-381
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• 2014

Propofol is a widely used anesthetic. Many studies have shown that propofol has direct effects on blood vessels, but the precise mechanism is not fully understood. Secondary intrapulmonary artery rings from male rats were prepared and mounted in a Multi Myograph System. The following constrictors were used to induce contractions in isolated artery rings: high $K^+$ solution (60 mmol/L); U46619 solution (100 nmol/L); 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; $3{\mu}mol/L$); or phenylephrine (Phe; $1{\mu}mol/L$). The relaxation effects of propofol were tested on high $K^+$ or U46619 precontracted rings. Propofol also was added to induce relaxation of rings preconstricted by U46619 after pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The effects of propofol on $Ca^{2+}$ influx via the L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels were evaluated by examining contraction-dependent responses to $CaCl_2$ in the absence or presence of propofol (10 to $300{\mu}mol/L$). High $K^+$ solution and U46619 induced remarkable contractions of the rings, whereas contractions induced by 5-HT and Phe were weak. Propofol induced dose-dependent relaxation of artery rings precontracted by the high $K^+$ solution. Propofol also induced relaxation of rings precontracted by U46619 in an endothelium-independent way. Propofol at different concentrations significantly inhibited the $Ca^{2+}$-induced contractions of pulmonary rings exposed to high $K^+$-containing and $Ca^{2+}$-free solution in a dose-dependent manner. Propofol relaxed vessels precontracted by the high $K^+$ solution and U46619 in an endothelium-independent way. The mechanism for this effect may involve inhibition of calcium influx through voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs) and receptor-operated calcium channels (ROCCs).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.569-575
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• 2020

Crotamiton is an anti-scabies drug, but it was recently found that crotamiton also suppresses non-scabietic itching in mice. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unclear. Therefore, aim of the study is to investigate mechanisms of the anti-pruritic effect of crotamiton for non-scabietic itching. Histamine and chloroquine are used as non-scabietic pruritogens. The effect of crotamiton was identified using fluorometric intracellular calcium assays in HEK293T cells and primary cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Further in vivo effect was evaluated by scratching behavior tests. Crotamiton strongly inhibited histamine-induced calcium influx in HEK293T cells, expressing both histamine receptor 1 (H1R) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), as a model of histamine-induced itching. Similarly, it also blocked chloroquine-induced calcium influx in HEK293T cells, expressing both Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor A3 (MRGPRA3) and transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1), as a model of histamine-independent itching. Furthermore, crotamiton also suppressed both histamine- and chloroquine-induced calcium influx in primary cultures of mouse DRG. Additionally, crotamiton strongly suppressed histamine- and chloroquine-induced scratching in mice. Overall, it was found that crotamiton has an anti-pruritic effect against non-scabietic itching by histamine and chloroquine. Therefore, crotamiton may be used as a general anti-pruritic agent, irrespective of the presence of scabies.

• BMB Reports
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.128-133
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• 2016

Astrocytes play a critical role in normal brain functions and maintaining the brain microenvironment, and defects in astrocytogenesis during neurodevelopment could give rise to severe mental illness and psychiatric disorders. During neuro-embryogenesis, astrocytogenesis involves astrocytic differentiation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) induced by signals from ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) or pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP). However, in contrast to the CNTF signaling pathway, the exact mechanism underlying astrocytic differentiation induced by PACAP is unknown. In the present study, we aimed to verify a signaling pathway specific to PACAP-induced astrocytogenesis, using exchange protein directly activated by cAMP2 (Epac2)-knockout mice. We found that PACAP could trigger astrocytic differentiation of NPCs via Epac2 activation and an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration via a calcium ion influx. Taken together, we concluded that astrocytogenesis stimulated by PACAP occurs through a novel signaling pathway independent from CNTF-JAK/STAT signaling, that is the well-known pathway of astrocytogenesis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.181-186
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• 2011

Beta-amyloid (A${\beta}$) is considered as one of the major causes of Alzheimer's disease. This study examined the neuroprotective effects of chlorogenic acid, a naturally occurring polyphenol which is distributed widely in plants, fruits and vegetables, against A${\beta}$-induced toxicity. A${\beta}$ decreased significantly the viability of PC12 cells. This was accompanied by an increase in the intracellular calcium levels and cleaved caspase-3. In addition, A${\beta}$ induced an increase in Bax, and a decrease in Bcl-2 compared to the controls. However, a pre-treatment with chlorogenic acid rescued the PC12 cells from A${\beta}$ by attenuating the elevated intracellular calcium levels and reducing the levels of the apoptosis related proteins, including caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax. These results suggest that the protective effects of chlorogenic acid are, at least in parts, by attenuating the intracellular calcium influx and reducing apoptosis induced by A${\beta}$.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.59-69
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• 1988

Strontium은 calcium파 같은 2가 양이온으로서 평활근에서 calcium과 치환되어 평활근을 수축시킬 수 있으며, 골격근에서도 calcium과 치환되어 이를 수축시킬 수 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 심근에서는 strontium이 calcium과 치환되어 심근을 수축시킬 수 있다는 보고가 있으나 그 기전에 대해서는 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 이에 저자는 심근에서 strontium이 calcium과 치환되어 사용될 수 있는지를 관찰하고, 그 기전을 알아보기 위해서 다음과 같은 실험을 하였다. 체중 200 g m 내지 230 g m의 흰쥐(Sprague-Dawley)의 심장을 적출하여 Langendorff씨 심관류 장치에 현수한 후 자율 수축운동을 하는 적출심장의 좌심실 내에 balloon을 넣어 수축성, 좌심실압 및 심박동수의 변화를 측정하였다. 먼저 strontium 치환용액의 관류시 나타나는 좌심실압, 수축성 및 심박동수의 변화를 관찰하였다. 그리고 심근을 흥분시키는 norepinephrine과 억제하는 verapamil이 포함된 strontium 치환용액을 관류할 때 나타나는 수축성, 좌심실압 및 심박동수의 변화를 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. 저 calcium 관류용액을 관류 하였을 때 심근수축력은 현저히 억제되었으며, strontium을 첨가하여 calcium파 strontium의 농도의 합이 정상 관류용액의 calcium농도 (2.43mM)가 되게 하여 관류 하였을 때 심근 수축력은 정상 calcium농도의 관류용액을 관류했을 때의 심근 수축력에 비해 억제되지 않았다. 2. 관류용액 내의 calcium을 strontium으로 완전치환시 심정지가 유발되었으며, 이때 관류용액내에 calcium이나 strontium을 첨가 했을 때도 심근수축력은 회복되지 않았다. 3. Norepinephrine 유발 양성변력성 작용은 정상관류용액, 저calcium 관류용액 및 strontium 치환용액 모두에서 농도에 비례한 증가 양상을 보였다. Strontium 치환용액에서는 정상 관류용액에서와 차이가 없었으나, 저calcium용액에서는 고농도의 norepinephrine의 수축력 증가작용은 정상 용액에서와 차이가 없었고 저농도의 norepinephrine의 수축력 증가작용은 정상용액에서 보다 유의하게 낮았다. 4. verapamil은 calcium 용액 뿐만 아니라 strontium 치환용액에서도 심근 수축력을 현저히 감소시켰다. 이상의 실험 결과로 미루어 볼 때 strontium은 calcium과 대치되어 심근을 수축시킬 수 있으며 calcium과 같은 자격으로 norepinephrine 유발 양성 변력성작용에 참여하고 verapamil에 의해서는 calcium과 같은 양상으로 그 이동이 억제된다고 사료된다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.93-101
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• 2009

The use of magnesium sulphate has recently increased in anesthesiology and pain medicine. The roles of magnesium sulphate are as an analgesic adjuvant, a vasodilator, a calcium channel blocker and reducing the anesthetic requirement. These effect are primarily based on the regulation of calcium influx into the cell and antagonism of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. We discuss here the clinical effects of magnesium sulphate on anesthesiology and pain medicine.