• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.49-55
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• 2003

This study was undertaken to define the effect of ChungSangSaWhaTang on the norepinephrine-induced arterial contraction and the mechanism of ChungSangSaWhaTang-induced relaxation. In order to investigate the effect of ChungSangSaWhaTang on contracted rabbit carotid arterial strips, transverse strips with intact or damaged endothelium were used for the experiment using organ bath. To analyze the mechanism of ChungSangSaWhaTang-induced relaxation, ChungSangSaWhaTang extract infused into contracted arterial strips induced by norepinephrine after treatment of indomethacin, $N_{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine, or tetraethylammonium chloride. ChungSangSaWhaTang relax arterial strip with endothelium contracted by norepinephrine, but in the strips without endothelium, ChungSangSaWhaTang-induced relaxation was significantly inhibited. The endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by ChungSangSaWhaTang was decreased by the pretreatment of $N_{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine, but it was not observed in the strips pretreated with indomethacin or tetraethylammonium chloride. We suggest that ChungSangSaWhaTang may inhibit agonist-induced contraction through the formation of nitric oxide in the vascular endothelial cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.35 no.5
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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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.515-522
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• 2004

The vasorelaxant effect of serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine was investigated in rat isolated thoracic aorta. Fluoxetine induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in aorta precontracted with phenylephrine (PE) and KCl. These relaxations were suppressed by removal of the endothelium (-E) or pretreatment of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and N(omega)-nitro-Larginine methyl ester (L-NAME), guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue (MB) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, in PE-precontracted +E rings. However, fluoxetine-induced relaxations were not suppressed by pretreatment of $K^{+}$ channel blockers, tetrabutylammonium and glibenclamide, in PE-precontracted endothelium intact (+E) rings. The fluoxetine-induced relaxations were not suppressed by removal of the endothelium or pretreatment of LNNA and MB in KCl-precontracted +E rings. Also, fluoxetine inhibited PE-induced sustained contraction in +E rings. These inhibitory effects of fluoxetine on contractions could be reversed by removal of the endothelium or pretreatment of L-NNA, L-NAME, MB, ODQ, nifedipine and verapamil, but not by pretreatment of etrabutylammonium and glibenclamide. These findings suggest that the vasorelaxant effect of fluoxetine is modulated by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ with an involvement of endothelial NO-cGMP pathway and also may be related to the inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.163-181
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to analyze the Rhizoma on the blood pressure, heart rate and to define the mechanism of Notopterygii Rhizoma-induced relaxation in rabbit common carotid arterial contracted by agonists. Method : In order to explore the effect of Notopterygii Rhizoma on the blood pressure and heart rate, Notopterygii Rhizoma extract was injected in vein of rabbit ear. In order to investigate the effect of Notopterygii Rhizoma on norepinephrine(NE)-induced contracted rabbit carotid arterial strips, transverse strips with intact or damaged endothelium were used for the experiment using organ bath. To analyze the mechanism of Notopterygii Rhizoma-induced relaxation, Notopterygii Rhizoma extract infused into NE-induced contracted strips induced by agonists after treatment of methylene blue, propranolol, ouabain and it infused into serotonin, potassium chloride-induced contracted strips. Result : The blood pressure was significantly decreased by Notopterygii Rhizoma, but heart rate was insignificantly. In addition, Notopterygii Rhizoma significantly relaxed the norepinephrine, serotonin, potassium-induced contracted strips with intact endothelium or damaged endothelium. The relaxing effect of Notopterygii Rhizoma In NE-induced contracted strips with damaged endothelium by pretreatment of methylene blue, propranolol was not changed, but Ouabain was significantly decreased. Conclusion : These results were shown that Notopterygii Rhizoma affected the NE -induced contracted smooth muscle without the participation of endothelium, and demonstrated that the mechanism of NotoDtervgii Rhizoma-induced relaxation was the obstruction of receptor-operated Ca2+ channel.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2000

To evaluate the involvement of nitric oxide production on the endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetes, we have measured vascular and endothelial function and nitric oxide concentration, and the expression level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were induced by the injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg i.v.) in the Sprague-Dawley rats. Vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine (NE) showed that maximal contraction to norepinephrine $(10^{-5}\;M)$ was significantly enhanced in the aorta of diabetic rats. Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine was markedly impaired in the aorta of diabetic rats, these responses were little improved by the pretreatment with indomethacin. However, endothelium-independent relaxation induced by nitroprusside was not altered in the diabetic rats. Plasma nitrite and nitrate $(NO_2/_3)$ levels in diabetic rats were significantly lower than in non-diabetic rats. Western blot analysis using a monoclonal antibody against endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) revealed that the protein level was lower in the aorta of diabetic rats than in non-diabetic rats. These data indicate that nitric oxide formation and eNOS expression is reduced in diabetes, and this would, in part, account for the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in the aorta of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.597-606
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• 2003

Although the antidepressant effects of imipramine (IMI) have been well known in several studies, the effects on cardiovascular system, particularly the vasorelaxant effects, have not known clearly. We hypothesis that IMI-induced vasorelaxation involves NO (nitrie oxide), activation of guanylate cyclase (GC) and $Ca^{2+}$ channel. The possible roles of the endothelium and $Ca^{2+}$ in IMI-induced responses were investigated using isolated rings of rat thoracic aorta and anesthesized rats. In KCl-precontracted rings. IMI produces endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxations in intact (+E) as well as endothelium-denuded (-E) rat aorta in a concentration-dependent manner. In phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted rings, the IMI-induced relaxation was significantly greater in +E rings. The IMI-induced relaxations were suppressed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and aminoguanidine, a non-selective GC inhibitor, methylene blue, $Na^+$ channel blockers, lidocaine and procaine, or $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, in PE-precontracted +E rings, but not in PE-precontracted -E rings. These relaxations were also suppressed by lidocaine or procaine in -E aortic rings. However, IMI-induced relaxations were not inhibited by a PLC inhibitor 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n,n-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC), an inositol monophosphatase inhibitor, lithium, indomethacin and dexamethasone in +E and -E rings. In vivo, infusion of IMI elicited significant decrease in arterial blood pressure. After intravenous injection of saponin, NOS inhibitors. MB and nifedipine, infusion of IMI inhibited the IMI-lowered blood pressure markedly. These findings suggest that the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by IMI is mediated by activation of NO/cGMP signaling cascade or inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel, and this mechanism may contribute to the hypotensive effects of IMI in rats.

• 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.22 no.1
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• pp.131-136
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• 2008

This study was undertaken to define the effect of Polygoni cuspidatae Radix on contracted rabbit common carotid artery and its mechanism. In order to investigate the effect of Polygoni cuspidatae 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 cuspidatae Radix-induced relaxation, Polygoni cuspidatae 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 or KCl after treatment of Polygoni cuspidatae Radix extract in $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution. The results were as follows : Polygini cuspidatae Radix had an effective relaxation to the contracted vascular ring by NE in 0.1 mg/ml and 0.3 mg/ml level. Polygini cuspidatae Radix had an effective relaxation to the intact endothelium vascular ring, but when endothelium was removed, vascular ring did not relax. Polygini cuspidatae Radix-induced relaxation was inhibited by the pretreatment of L-NNA and MB. Pretreatment of Polygini cuspidatae Radix extract inhibit the contraction by influx of $extra-Ca^{2+}$ in contracted vascular ring induced by NE or KCl in $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution. As mentioned above, we suggest that Polygini cuspidatae Radix relaxes vascular ring through suppress influx of extra-cellular $Ca^{2+}$ by the action of nitric oxide from endothelium.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.119-125
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• 2005

The previous reports demonstrated that ginseng saponins, active ingredient of Panax ginseng, inhibited blood vessel contraction induced by various hormones or high $K^+$. Recently, we demonstrated that 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$. regulate ion channel activities with differential manners. The aim of this study was to examine whether ginsenoside $Rg_3$ isomers also show differential effects on swine coronary artery contractionresponses induced by high $K^+$, serotonin (5-HT) or acetylcholine. Treatment of 20(S)- but not 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of coronary artery contracted by 25mM KCI. 20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ induced significant relaxations of coronary artery contraction induced by 5-HT $(3{\mu}M)$ in the presence of endothelium with concentration-dependent manner and, also in the absence of endothelium only 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ induced a strong Inhibition of coronary artery contraction induced by 5-HT in a concentration-dependent manner. 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ caused relaxation of coronary artery in the absence and presence of endothelium. In contrast, treatment of 20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3\;(100{\mu}M)$ did not show significant inhibition of coronary artery contraction induced by acetylcholine $(0.01\;to\;30{\mu}M)$ in the presence of endothelium, whereas both isomers caused significant inhibition of coronary artery contraction induced by acetylcholine $(0.01\;to\;30{\mu}M)$ in the absence of endothelium in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings indicate that 20(S)-or 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ exhibits differential relaxation eff3cts of swine coronary artery contractions caused by high $K^+$, acetylcholine, and 5-HT treatment and that this differential vasorelaxing effects of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ isomers also might be dependent on endothelium.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.325-330
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• 2011

Red ginseng saponin fraction-A (RGSF-A) contains a high percentage of panaxadiol saponins that were isolated from Korean red ginseng by ultrafiltration. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of RGSF-A on the porcine distal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. The relaxant responses to RGSF-A were examined during contractions induced by 100 nM U46619 (9,11-dideoxy-9a,11a-methanoepoxy-prostaglandin F2a), a stable analogue of thromboxane A2. RGSF-A dose-dependently induced biphasic (fast- and slow-) relaxation in the distal LAD coronary artery in the presence of an intact endothelium. The fast-relaxation was quickly achieved in a minute, and then the slow-relaxation was slowly developed and sustained for more than thirty minutes after the administration of RGSF-A. The slow-relaxation had a tendency to be bigger than the fast-relaxation. Fast relaxation induced by RGSF-A was almost blocked by $N_{\omega}$-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase synthase inhibitor and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a guanylate cyclase inhibitor. However slow relaxation induced by RGSF-A was only partially inhibited by L-NAME and ODQ. In the endothelium-removed ring, RGSF-A evoked only slowrelaxation to a certain extent. These data suggest that RGSF-A induced both endothelium dependent fast- and slow-relaxation and endothelium independent slow-relaxation in the porcine distal LAD coronary artery. The endothelium dependent fast-relaxation is mediated by the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathway, and the endothelium dependent slow-relaxation is at least partially mediated by the NO-cGMP pathway. However, the endothelium-independent slow-relaxation remains to be elucidated.