• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.341-348
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• 2003

Mechanical stimuli to the cardiac myocytes initiate many biochemical and physiological events. Stretch-activated cation channels have been suggested to mediate these events. In this study, cell-attached and inside-out excised-patch clamp methods were used to identify stretch-activated cation channels in adult rat atrial myocytes. Channel openings were increased in cell-attached configuration when negative pressure was applied to the pipette, and also in inside-out excised patches by negative pressure. The channel was not permeable to $Cl^-$, $Na^+$ and $Cs^+$, but selectively permeable to $K^+$, and the degree of activation was dependent on the magnitude of negative pressure (full activation at ${\sim} -50 mmHg). In symmetrical 140 mM KCl, the slope conductance was $51.2{\pm}3$ pS between the potentials of -80 and 0 mV and $55{\pm}6$ pS between 0 and +80 mV (n=5). Glibenclamide ($100{mu}M$) or ATP (2 mM) failed to block the channel openings, indicating that it is not ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel. Arachidonic acid ($30{mu}M$), which has been shown to activate a $K^+$ channel cooperatively with membrane stretch, did not affect the channel activity. $GdCl_3$ ($100{mu}M$) also did not alter the activity. These results demonstrate that the mechanical stretch in rat atrial myocytes activates a novel $K^+$-selective cation channel, which is not associated with other $K^+$ channels such as ATP-sensitive and arachidonic acid-activated $K^+$ channel.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.73-77
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• 2008

Recent studies have documented that testosterone relaxes several smooth muscles by modulating $K^+$ channel activities. Smooth muscles of seminal vesicles playa fundamental role in ejaculation, which might involve testosterone. This study was aimed to assess the role of testosterone in seminal vesicular motility by studying its effects on contractile agents and on the ion channels of single vesicular myocytes in a rabbit model. The contractile responses of circular smooth muscle strips of rabbit seminal vesicles to norepinephrine ($10{\mu}M$), a high concentration of KCI (70 mM), and testosterone ($10{\mu}M$) were observed. Single vesicular myocytes of rabbit were isolated using proteolytic enzymes including collagenase and papain. Inside-out, attached, and whole-cell configurations were examined using the patch clamp technique. The applications of $10{\mu}M$ norepinephrine or 70 mM KCl induced tonic contractions, and $10{\mu}M$ testosterone (pharmacological concentration) evoked dose-dependent relaxations of these precontracted strips. Various $K^+$ channel blockers, such as tetraethylammonium (TEA; $10{\mu}M$), iberiotoxin ($0.1{\mu}M$), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, $10{\mu}M$), or glibenclamide ($10{\mu}M$) rarely affected these relaxations. Single channel data (of inside-out and attached configurations) of BK channel activity were also hardly affected by testosterone ($10{\mu}M$). On the other hand, however, testosterone reduced L-type $Ca^{2+}$ currents significantly, and found to induce acute relaxation of seminal vesicular smooth muscle and this was mediated, at least in part, by $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition in rabbit.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.2660-2667
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• 2011

TREK-1 channel is a member of the two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channel family that is regulated by intracellular pH, membrane stretch, polyunsaturated fatty acids, temperature, and some neuroprotectant agents. TREK-1 channel can influence neuronal excitability by regulating leakage of potassium ions and resting membrane potential. TREK-1 channel has been shown to be overexpressed in prostate cancer cells. Although the importance of these properties, relatively little is known about flavonoid effects in the regulations of TREK-1 channel. The purpose of the study was to screening of flavonoids as the TREK-1 channel modulator using one of electrophysiological techniques such as excised inside-out patch configuration. We demonstrated blocking effect on TREK-1 channel by flavonoids such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), curcumin and quercetin in CHO cells transiently expressing TREK-1 channel. The inhibition of TREK-1 channel by quercetin and curcumin was reversible, whereas EGCG was little reversible. Quercetin, EGCG and curcumin decreased the relative channel activity to 73%, 91% and 94%, respectively. The half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of curcumin, quercetin and EGCG was $1.04{\pm}0.19\;{\mu}M$, $1.13{\pm}0.26\;{\mu}M$ and $13.5{\pm}2.20\;{\mu}M$ in CHO cells expressing TREK-1 channel, respectively. These results indicate that flavonoids might regulate TREK-1 and this regulation might be one of the pharmacological actions of flavonoid in nervous systems and cancer cells.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 2013

In this paper, a dual-band on-body antenna operating at MICS and ISM band for a wireless medical repeater system is proposed and the antenna performance including the human body effect is investigated. The designed dual-band antenna is comprised of a top patch for ISM band and bottom patch for MICS band. Simulation and measurement was carried out in order to analyze the effects of human body on antenna performance considering real use. The proposed antenna has required impedance bandwidth enough to cover both MICS and ISM bands. The measured peak gains were -12.47 dBi and 1.71 dBi at the each center frequency of MICS and ISM bands, respectively. Furthermore, the antenna has the maximum radiation directed toward the inside of the human body in the MICS band and directed toward the outside in the ISM band. In addition, the return loss property of the antenna is insensitive to human body effects so that the proposed antenna is well suited for the on-body wireless medical repeater system.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2000

ATP-sensitive potassium channels ($K_{ATP}$ channels) play an important role in insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells. We have investigated the effect of propofol on $K_{ATP}$ channels in cultured single pancreatic beta cells of rats. Channel activity was recorded from membrane patches using the patch-clamp technique. In the inside-out configuration bath-applied propofol inhibited the $K_{ATP}$ channel activities in a dose-dependent manner. The half-maximal inhibition dose (ED50) was $48.6{\pm}8.4\;{\mu}M$ and the Hill coefficient was $0.73{\pm}0.11.$ Single channel conductance calculated from the slope of the relationship between single channel current and pipette potential $(+20{\sim}+100\;mV)$ was not significantly altered by propofol $(control:\;60.0{\pm}2.7\;pS,\;0.1\;mM\;propofol:\;58.7{\pm}3.5\;pS).$ However, mean closed time was surely increased. Above results indicate that propofol blocks the $K_{ATP}$ channels in the pancreatic beta cells in the range of its blood concentrations during anesthesia, suggesting a possible effect on insulin secretion and blood glucose level.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.30 no.2 s.79
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• pp.197-204
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• 2000

[$K^+$]-selective ion channels were studied in excised inside-out membrane patches from human osteoblast-like cells (G292). Three classes of $K^+$channels were present and could be distinguished on the basis of conductance. Conductances were $270\pm27\;pS,\;113\pm12\;pS,\;48\pm8\;pS$ according to their approximate conductances in symmetrical 140 mM KCl saline at holding potential of -80 mV It was found that the small conductance (48 pS) $K^+$channel activation was dependent on membrane voltage. In current-voltage relationship, small conductance $K^+$channel showed outward rectification, and it was activated by the positive potential inside the membrane. In recordings, single channel currents were activayed by a negative pressure outside the membrane. The membrane pressure increased $P_{open}$ of the $K^+$ channel in a pressure-dependent manner. In the excised-patch clamp recordings, G292 osteoblast-like cells have been shown to contain three types of $K^+$ channels. Only the small conductance (48 pS) $K^+$channel is sensitive to the membrane stretch. These findings suggest that a hyperpolarizing current, mediated in part by this channel, may be associated with early events during the mechanical loading of the osteoblast. In G292 osteoblast-like cells, $K^+$channel is sensitive to membrane tension, and may represent a unique adaptation of the bone cell membrane to mechanical stress.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.259-264
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• 2004

Cytolysin produced by Vibrio vulnificus has been incriminated as one of the important virulence determinants in V. vulnificus infection. Ion selectivity of cytolysin-induced pores was examined in a CPAE cell, a cell line of pulmonary endothelial cell, using inside-out patch clamp techniques. In symmetrical NaCl concentration (140 mM), intracellular or extracellular application of cytolysin formed ion-permeable pores with a single channel conductance of $37.5{\pm}4.0$ pS. The pore currents were consistently maintained after washout of cytolysin. Replacement of $Na^+$ in bath solution with monovalent ions $(K^+,\;Cs^+\;or\;TEA^+)$ or with divalent ions $(Mg^{2+},\;Ca^{2+})$ did not affect the pore currents. When the NaCl concentration in bath solution was lowered from 140 to 60 and 20 mM, the reversal potential shifted from 0 to -11.8 and -28.2 mV, respectively. The relative permeability of the cytolysin pores to anions measured at $-40\;mV\;was\;Cl^-\;=\;NO_2^-\;{\geq}\;Br^-\;=\;I^-\;> \;SCN^-\;>\;acetate^-\;>\;isethionate^-\;>\;ascorbic acid^-\;>\;EDTA^{2-},$ in descending order. The cytolysin-induced pore current was blocked by $CI^-$ channel blockers or nucleotides. These results indicate that V. vulnificus cytolysin forms anion-selective pores in CPAE cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 1994

Synthetic potassium channel openers (KCOs) are agents capable of opening K-channels in excitable cells. These agents are known to have their maximal potency in the smooth muscle tissue, especially in the vascular smooth muscle. Much attention has been focused on the type of K-channel that is responsible for mediating the effects of KCOs. As the KCO-induced changes are antagonized by glibenclamide, an $K_{ATP}$ (ATP-sensitive K-channel) blocker in the pancreatic ${\beta}-cell,\;K_{ATP}$ was suggested to be the channel responsible. However, there also are many results in favor of other types of K-channel $$(maxi-K,\;small\;conductance\;K_{Ca,}\; SK_{ATP}) mediating the effects of KCOs. Effects of lemakalim, (-)enantiomer of cromakalim (BRL 34915), on the spontaneous contractions and slow waves, were investigated in the antral circular muscle of the guinea-pig stomach. Membrane currents and the effects on membrane currents and single channel activities were also measured in single smooth muscle cells and excised membrane patches by using the patch clamp method. Lemakalim induced hyperpolarization and inhibited spontaneous contractions in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were blocked by glibenclamide and low concentrations of tetraethyl ammonium (< mM). Glibenclamide blocked the effect of lemakalim on the membrane potential and slow waves. The mechanoinhibitory effect of lemakalim was blocked by pretreatment with glibenclamide. In a whole ceIl patch clamp condition, lemakalim largely increased outward K currents. These outward K currents were blocked by TEA, glibenclamide and a high concentration of intracelIular EGTA (10 mM). Volatage-gated Ca currents were not affected by lemakalim. In inside-out patch clamp experiments, lemakalim increased the opening frequency of the large conductance $Ca^{2+}-activated$ K channels $(BK_{Ca},\;Maxi-K).$ From these results, it is suggested that lemakalim induces hyperpolarization by opening K-channels which are sensitive to internal Ca and such a hyperpolarization leads to the inhibition of the spontaneous contraction.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.305-309
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• 2002

There are some evidences that $K^+$ efflux evoked by muscarinic stimulation is not mainly mediated by large conductance $K^+$ (BK) channels in salivary gland. In this experiment, we therefore characterised non BK channels in rat submandibular gland acinar cells and examined the possibility of agonist effect on this channel using a patch clamp technique. Two types of $K^+$ channels were observed in these cells. BK channels were observed in 3 cells from total 6 cells and its average conductance was $152{\pm}7$ pS (n=3). The conductance of the another types of $K^+$ channel was estimated as $71{\pm}7$ pS (n=6). On the basis of the conductance of this channel, we defined this channel as intermediate conductance $K^+$ (IK) channels, which were observed from all 6 cells we studied. When we increased $Ca^{2+}$ concentration of the bath solution in inside-out mode, the IK channel activity was greatly increased, suggesting this channel is $Ca^{2+}$ sensitive. We next examined the effect of carbachol (CCh) and isoproterenol on the activity of the IK channels. $10^{-5}$ M isoproterenol significantly increased the open probability (Po) from $0.08{\pm}0.02$ to $0.21{\pm}0.03$ (n=4, P<0.05). Application of $10^{-5}$ M CCh also increased Po from $0.048{\pm}0.03$ to $0.55{\pm}0.33$ (n=5, P<0.05) at the maximum channel activity. The degree of BK channel activation induced by the same concentration of CCh was lower than that of IK channels; Po value was $0.011{\pm}0.003$ and $0.027{\pm}0.005$ in control and during CCh stimulation (n=3), respectively. The result suggests that IK channels exist in salivary acinar cells and its channel activity is regulated by muscaricinic and ${\beta}-adrenergic$ agonist. We conclude that IK channels also play a putative role in secretion as well as the BK channels in rat submandibular gland acinar cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.353-361
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• 2005

The interaction of cyclosporine A (CsA), an immunosuppressant, with rat brain Kv1.5 (Kv1.5) channels, which were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, was investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. CsA reversibly blocked Kv1.5 currents at +50 mV in a reversible concentrationdependent manner with an apparent $IC_{50}$ of 1.0μM. Other calcineurin inhibitors (cypermethrin, autoinhibitory peptide) had no effect on Kv1.5 and did not prevent the inhibitory effect of CsA. Fast application of CsA led to a rapid and reversible block of Kv1.5, and the onset time constants of the CsA-induced block were decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The CsA-induced block of Kv1.5 channels was voltage-dependent, with a steep increase over the voltage range of channel opening. However, the block exhibited voltage independence over the voltage range in which channels were fully activated. The rate constants for association and dissociation of CsA were $7.0{\mu}M{-1}s^{-1}$ and $8.1s^{-1}$, respectively. CsA slowed the deactivation time course, resulting in a tail crossover phenomenon. Block of Kv1.5 by CsA was use-dependent. CsA also blocked Kv1.3 currents at +50 mV in a reversible concentration-dependent manner with an apparent $IC_{50}$ of $1.1{\mu}M$. The same effects of CsA on Kv1.3 were also observed in excised inside-out patches when applied to the internal surface of the membrane. The present results suggest that CsA acts directly on Kv1.5 currents as an open-channel blocker, independently of the effects of CsA on calcineurin activity.