• Integrative Medicine Research
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.149-155
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• 2017

Background: Naringenin (NRG) is a common dietary polyphenolic constituent of fruits. NRG has diverse pharmacological activities, and is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases including gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells of the GI tract. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of NRG on ICCs and on GI motility in vitro and in vivo. Methods: ICCs were dissociated from mouse small intestines by enzymatic digestion. The whole-cell patch clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in cultured ICC clusters. The effects of NRG on GI motility were investigated by calculating percent intestinal transit rates (ITR) using Evans blue in normal mice. Results: NRG inhibited ICC pacemaker potentials in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride or iberiotoxin, NRG had no effect on pacemaker potentials, but it continued to block pacemaker potentials in the presence of glibenclamide. Preincubation with SQ-22536 had no effect on pacemaker potentials or on their inhibition by NRG. However, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one blocked pacemaker potential inhibition by NRG. In addition, L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester blocked pacemaker potential inhibition by NRG. Furthermore, NRG significantly suppressed murine ITR enhancement by neostigmine in vivo. Conclusion: This study shows NRG dose-dependently inhibits ICC pacemaker potentials via a cyclic guanosine monophosphate/nitric oxide-dependent pathway and $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels in vitro. In addition, NRG suppressed neostigmine enhancement of ITR in vivo.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제62권3호
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• pp.305-313
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• 2019

남성의 클라이맥스 증후군, 남성갱년기, 또는 테스토스테론 결핍 증후군은 고령화시대 남성노인들의 건강에 새로운 문제 중 하나이다. 이 현상은 나이가 들수록 남성에게서 나타나는 자연현상으로 혈중 테스토스테론 수치의 감소와 신체적 및 정신적 활동의 현저한 감소를 특징으로 한다. 이 연구의 목적은 해면체내 일산화질소(NO)와 혈액 내 남성호르몬의 수준을 비교하여 포공영(Taraxacum coreanum) 열수 추출물의 효과를 조사하였다. 포공영 추출물은 생체외 및 생체내에서 NO 생산량을 용량 의존적으로 증가시켰다. 포고영 추출물을 4 주간 섭취 한 나이든 쥐(22주)에서 다이하이드로 테스토스테론과 17-하이드록시 스테로이드 탈수소효소의 수준과 신경 인산화 질소 합성효소와 cGMP의 양은 유의하게 증가했다. 그러나 프로스타글란딘$E_2$, 테스토스테론 및 성 호르몬 결합 글로불린 수치는 모든 군에서 차이가 없었다. 또한, 총 정자 수 및 운동성 정자 수 또한 유의한 차이가 없었다. 전반적으로, 이러한 결과는 NO, cGMP 및 유리 테스토스테론을 향상시키기 위한 안전하고 효과적인 천연물질로서 Taraxacum coreanum 추출물의 가능성을 시사한다.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제62권6호
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• pp.765-776
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• 2020

The retinal degenerative disease, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a major reason of vision impairment in canine population. Canine PRA signifies an inherently dissimilar category of retinal dystrophies which has solid resemblances to human retinis pigmentosa. Even though much is known about the biology of PRA, the knowledge about the intricate connection among genetic loci, genes and pathways associated to this disease in dogs are still remain unknown. Therefore, we have performed a genome wide association study (GWAS) to identify susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PRA. The GWAS was performed using a case-control based association analysis method on PRA dataset of 129 dogs and 135,553 markers. Further, the gene-set and pathway analysis were conducted in this study. A total of 1,114 markers associations with PRA trait at p < 0.01 were extracted and mapped to 640 unique genes, and then selected significant (p < 0.05) enriched 35 gene ontology (GO) terms and 5 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways contain these genes. In particular, apoptosis process, homophilic cell adhesion, calcium ion binding, and endoplasmic reticulum GO terms as well as pathways related to focal adhesion, cyclic guanosine monophosphate)-protein kinase G signaling, and axon guidance were more likely associated to the PRA disease in dogs. These data could provide new insight for further research on identification of potential genes and causative pathways for PRA in dogs.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.82-90
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• 2024

Objectives: Nitric oxide is the most important mediator of penile erection after the onset of sexual excitement. It activates cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), increasing penile blood flow. Most pharmaceutical medications prevent enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) from breaking down cGMP, thus keeping its level high. However, due to the adverse effects of pharmacological therapies, herbal drugs that improve sexual function have gained attention recently. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine amino acid on the sexual performance of individuals with erectile dysfunction (ED) using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Methods: Over three months, 98 men with erectile dysfunction were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg of herbal supplements or placebo pills. Each herbal tablet contained 100 mg of protodioscin, 35 mg of ginsenosides, and 250 mg of L-arginine. Results: The results showed that the changes in the average scores of ILEF-5 within each group before and after the intervention indicated that all parameters related to the improvement of sexual function in patients with erectile dysfunction improved in the herbal treatment group (p < 0.001). The herbal group significantly improved IIEF-5 scores in nondiabetics (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the changes of IIEF-5 scores between the two intervention and control groups in diabetic patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine have properties that increase energy and strengthen sexual function, making them suitable for patients with sexual disorders.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.569-577
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• 2007

영 유아의 정상적인 성장과 발육에 도움을 줄 수 있는 영 유아용 조제식의 영양적 완전성을 강화하기 위하여 우리나라, CODEX, 미국, 일본, EU, 호주 및 뉴질랜드의 관련법령 및 개선안을 비교 분석 후, 우리나라 영 유아용 조제식의 규격기준의 개선방안을 다음과 같이 제시하고자 한다. 조제유류와 영아용 조제식으로 이원화된 기준을 CODEX 규격안과 같이 '영 유아용 조제식'으로 통합하고 사용 대상을 6개월 이내의 영 유아로 한정하도록 제시한다. 영 유아용 조제식의 유단백질에 대한 질소계수를 CODEX 규격안과 동일한 수준으로 변경하고, 단백질 급원에 따른 함량별 차이와 모유내의 필수아미노산 성분을 단백질 함량 규격에 제시한다. 또한 영 유아를 위한 필수지방산인 $\alpha$-linolenic acid, DHA와 EPA, trans fatty acid 함유량을 지방 함량 규격에 제시한다. 영 유아용 조제식의 비타민과 무기질 및 기타 영양소의 성분기준을 선진국과 동일한 중량(100 g)당에서 에너지(100 kcal)당 영양소 함량으로 개선하도록 제시한다. 현행 규격에는 일부 비타민(비타민 A, D)과 무기질(나트륨, 칼륨 및 염소)의 최대값만 지정되어 있으므로 모든 비타민과 무기질의 최대값을 설정하도록 제시한다. CODEX 규격안, EU, 호주 및 뉴질랜드 영 유아용 조제식 관련 규격에서 제시한 모유내 면역증진성분으로 알려진 nucleotide 5종(cytidine, uridine, adenosine, guanosine, inosine 5'-monophosphate)과 치아 건강 유지에 도움이 되는 불소의 함량 규격을 설정하도록 제시한다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.181-190
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• 1994

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) activates guanylate cyclase which mediates the formation of cGMP from GTP in vascular smooth muscle. It is well known that endothelium-dependent relaxation is impaired in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). However, it is still unknown whether the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in SHR results from the reduced release of EDRF or from the decrease of vascular response to EDRF. We investigated the effects of cGMP on the contractility and Ca movement in the aorta of SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The amplitude of the endothelium-dependent relaxation to actylcholine (ACh) was significantly less in SHR than in WKY. L-arginine $(10^{-3}M)$ did not increase endothelium-dependent relaxation in both strains. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an activator of guanylate cyclase, relaxed the 40 mM $K^+-induced$ contraction in a dose-dependent manner $(10^{-10}{\sim}10^{-6}\;M)$ in the endothelium-rubbed aortic strips of both strains. However, there was no significant difference in these relaxations between WKY and SHR. 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP), a cell membrane-permeable derivative of cGMP relaxed the 40 mM $K^+-induced$ contraction in a dose-dependent manner $(10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-4}\;M)$ in the endothelium-rubbed aortic strips of both strains. Also norepinephrine $(10^{-6}\;M)-induced$ contractions in normal and Ca-free Tyrode's solution were suppressed by the pretreatment with 8-Br-cGMP $(10^{-4}\;M)$ in either strain. However, the amplitudes of suppression induced by 8-Br-cGMP were greater in SHR than that in WKY. Basal $^{45}Ca$ uptake and 40mM $K^+-stimulated\;^{45}Ca$ uptake were not suppressed by pretreatment with 8-Br-cGMP $(10^{-4}\;M)$ in single aortic smooth muscle cells of both SHR and WKY. From the above results, it is suggested that cGMP decreases Ca sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle cells and that the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in the aortic strips of SHR is not the result of a reduced vascular response to EDRF.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.107-127
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• 2018

Objectives : The present study investigated the anti-obese and blood flow improvement activities of aqueous extracts of ginseng berry (GBe) on the mild diabetic obese mice as compared with metformin. Methods : After end of 56 days of continuous oral administrations of GBe 150, 100 and 50 mg/kg, or metformin 250 mg/kg, anti-obese and blood flow improvement effects - the changes of body weights, body and abdominal fat density by in live dual-energy x-ray absorptionmetry (DEXA), tail bleeding time, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, aorta and serum cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET)-1 levels, aorta phosphorylated PI3K (pPI3K), phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) and phosphorylated p38 MAPK (pp38 MAPK) levels were systemically analyzed. In addition, aorta vascular dilation and constriction related gene mRNA expressions - PI3K, Akt, eNOS, p38 MAPK and ET-1 were also analyzed by realtime RT-PCR. Results : The obesity and related blood flow impairment, induced by 84 days of continuous HFD supply, were significantly inhibited by 56 days of continuous oral treatment of GBe 150, 100 and 50mg/kg, dose-dependently, and they also dramatically normalized the changes of the aorta vascular dilation and constriction related gene mRNA expressions, also dose-dependently. Especially, GBe 150 mg/kg constantly showed favorable inhibitory activities against type II diabetes related obesity and vascular disorders through PI3K/Akt pathway and p38 MAPK mediated cGMP, NO and ET-1 expression modulatory activities, as comparable to those of metformin 250 mg/kg in HFD mice. Conclusion : By assessing the key parameters for anti-obese and blood flow improvement activities on the HFD-induced mild diabetic obese mice, the present work demonstrated that GBe 150, 100 and 50 mg/kg showed favorable anti-obese and blood flow improvement effects in HFD-induced type II diabetic mice, through PI3K/Akt pathway and p38 MAPK mediated cGMP, NO and ET-1 expression modulatory activities.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.47-57
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• 2010

Objective: The present study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Cynanchum wilfordii (ECW) on vascular relaxation and vascular inflammation in rat artery isolated from rats and anti-inflammatory activity in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Methods: Vascular tone and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) production were examined in rat artery isolated from Sprague Dawley rats, in the presence of ECW. HASMC were incubated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) or Angiotensin II for 24 h. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and anti-oxidant activity of ECW was investigated by pretreatment with ECW in HASMC. Results: Cumulative treatment of ECW relaxed aortic smooth muscles of rats in a dose-dependent manner. ECW-induced vasorelaxation was significantly decreased by pretreatment of L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or oxadiazolo-quinoxalinone (ODQ). Furthermore, ECW treatment of thoracic aorta significantly increased cGMP production. Incubation of ECW with ODQ or L-NAME markedly decreased ECW-induced cGMP production. ECW treatment dose-dependently suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$- or Angiotensin II-induced increase in matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in HASMC. Also, ECW exhibited 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity in vitro and reduced TNF-${\alpha}$-induced increase in reactive oxygen species production in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Taken together, the results suggest that ECW exerts vascular relaxation via NO/cGMP signaling pathway and decreases MMP-2 expression via anti-oxidant activity.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.105-111
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• 1981

전보(前報)에서 변이처리에 의해서 얻은 Brevibacterium ammoniagenes BA 17-2로부터 5'-XMP aminase를 생산(生産)하기 위하여 인산염, 마그네슘이온, 망간이온, thinamine의 예비적정농도를 정(定)하고자 생육도(生育度)를 조사했다. 본실험(本實驗)에서 배지중(培地中)의 인산염의 농도(濃度)가 균(菌)의 생육(生育)에 중요한 영향을 미치는 것을 보여주었다. $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$, 0.2% $MnSO_4{\cdot}H_2O$ 3mg/l, $thiamine{\cdot}HCl$를 포함한 배지(培地)를 사용하면 최대 균체량은 $KH_2PO_4$, $K_2HPO_4$ 각각 0.4%의 농도에서 얻어졌다. 이러한 인산염 농도 이상에서 균생육(菌生育)은 인산염 농도가 1%까지 증가함에 따라 저해되었지만 저해작용은 1%의 $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$와 3mg/l의 $thiamine{\cdot}HCl$을 첨가하여 해소되었다. 5'-XMP aminase 역가도 역시 인산염, 마그네슘이온, 망간이온, thiamine의 농도에 영향을 받았다. 그밖에 효소역가에 대한 배양 최적 pH와 온도는 각각 6.8과 $32^{\circ}C$로 밝혀졌다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.315-324
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• 2016

Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) have various voltage-dependent $K^+$ channels (VDKCs) that can induce apoptosis. Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) modulates VDKCs and induces oxidative stress, which is the main contributor to cardiac injury and cardiac remodeling. We investigated whether $H_2O_2$ could modulate VDKCs in HCFs and induce cell injury through this process. In whole-cell mode patch-clamp recordings, application of $H_2O_2$ stimulated $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ ($K_{Ca}$) currents but not delayed rectifier $K^+$ or transient outward $K^+$ currents, all of which are VDKCs. $H_2O_2-stimulated$ $K_{Ca}$ currents were blocked by iberiotoxin (IbTX, a large conductance $K_{Ca}$ blocker). The $H_2O_2-stimulating$ effect on large-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($BK_{Ca}$) currents was also blocked by KT5823 (a protein kinase G inhibitor) and 1 H-[1, 2, 4] oxadiazolo-[4, 3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor). In addition, 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) stimulated $BK_{Ca}$ currents. In contrast, KT5720 and H-89 (protein kinase A inhibitors) did not block the $H_2O_2-stimulating$ effect on $BK_{Ca}$ currents. Using RT-PCR and western blot analysis, three subtypes of $K_{Ca}$ channels were detected in HCFs: $BK_{Ca}$ channels, small-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($SK_{Ca}$) channels, and intermediate-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($IK_{Ca}$) channels. In the annexin V/propidium iodide assay, apoptotic changes in HCFs increased in response to $H_2O_2$, but IbTX decreased $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that among the VDKCs of HCFs, $H_2O_2$ only enhances $BK_{Ca}$ currents through the protein kinase G pathway but not the protein kinase A pathway, and is involved in cell injury through $BK_{Ca}$ channels.