• 약학회지
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.749-755
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• 1997

It has been reported that dose-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ increase by menadione in platelets could be measured by fluorescent dye, quin-2. The problems will be described here rel ating to measuring $Ca^{2+}$ in menadione-exposed platelets using fura-2 and fluo-3, widely used fluorescent indicators. Additions of menadione to fura-2 loaded platelets and their lysates resulted in marked reduction in fluorescence intensity at both 340nm ($Ca^{2+}$-unbound form) 380nm ($Ca^{2+}$-undbound form) excitation wavelengths. Fura-2 excitation spectra were overlapped with UV-visible absorption spectra of menadione, suggesting that light absorption by menadione itself could quench fluorescence generated by fura-2. Next approach was to use fluo-3 which has the higher wavelength (490nm) of excitation. Previous work demonstrated that treatment with probenecid to platelets was required to prevent fluo-3 dye leakage. However, probenecid itself was proven to be inadequate to measure the concentration of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$; by reducing menadione-induced cytotoxicity in platelets. Our results suggest that it is not feasible to measure $Ca^{2+}$ in platelets by using fura-2 and fluo-3 in the presence of probenecid, and cautions should be taken to measure changes of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels by fluorescent dyes following chemical exposure.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.273-279
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• 2009

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is an adenosine analogue isolated from Cordyceps militaris, and it has been used as an anti-cancer and anti-inflammation ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. We investigated the effects of cordycepin on human platelet aggregation induced by thapsigargin, and determined the cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}$ levels ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$), an aggregation-stimulating factor. Cordycepin significantly inhibited thapsigargin-induced platelet aggregation. Its inhibitory effect was continually sustained at the maximal aggregation concentration of thapsigargin. The thapsigargin-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were clearly reduced by cordycepin in the presence of exogenous $CaCl_2$ or extracellular $Ca^{2+}$-chelator (EDTA). These results suggest that cordycepin inhibited thapsigargin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-influx from extracellular domain and thapsigargin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-mobilization from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ storage. Accordingly, our data demonstrated that cordycepin may have a beneficial effect on platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic diseases by inhibiting a $[Ca^{2+}]_i$-elevation.

• 한국동물학회지
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.182-189
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• 1996

It has been known that spermatozoa should obtain their fertilizing ability through capacitation and acrosome reaction, and that in these processes of fertilization, Ca2+ platys an important role for their conjugation. Therefore the present study has been designed in order to clarify the effect of fluctuation of the media Ca2+ level and the intracellular concentration of the spermatozoa on the acrosomes. During the incubation of spermatozoa, a considerable fluctuation in the media Ca2+ level has been observed after the BSA administration and the media concentration of Ca2+. It is deduced that these fluctuation rates may have an effect on the acrosome reaction. The fluctuation of K+ flux has been observed in accordance with the incubation period over time, and it's concentration seems to be closely related with the acrosomal reaction. The respiratory exchange rate (RERI of the spermatozoa is kept more regular in the BSA and Cacl2 administration groups than the non-administration group. Based on the experimental findings, it is possible to deduce a hypothesis from these findings that physiological activities of the acrosome reaction are not functionally related to the media Ca2+ level and the intracellular influx of Ca2+ concentration, although Ca2+ platys an important role as a stimulating factor in the acrosome reaction.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.159-163
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• 1995

Previously, we have reported that methylene blue (MB) induces cytotoxicity in human brain tumor cells through the generation of free radicals. In this study the effect of deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator, on MB-induced cytotoxicity was investigated using SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma and U-373 MG human astrocytoma cells as model cellular systems. The cytotoxic effect of MB was potentiated by DFO. The potentiation effect of DFO was significantly blocked by either stoichiometric amounts of ferric ion, various antioxidants, hydroxyl radical scavengers or intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release blockers. These results suggest that hydroxyl radical and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ may act as important mediators of the enhanced cytotoxicity by MB and DFO. These results further suggest that the combined treatment with MB and DFO may be useful for the therapeutical applications of human brain tumors.

• 한국생물물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물물리학회 1997년도 학술발표회
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• pp.27-27
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• 1997

The effects of $a_1$-adrenoceptor stimulation on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ([C $a^{2+}$]$_{i}$ ) transient, contraction, and L-type $Ca^{2＋}$ current ( $I_{Ca,L}$) were studied in single cells isolated from ventricles of guinea pig hearts. Phenylephrine, $\alpha$$_1$-adrenergic agonist, (5$\times$10$^{-5}$ ~10$^{-4}$ M) produced a biphasic pattern of inotropism： transient negative response (decrease in contraction by 23.9$\pm$2.5% of control) followed by a sustained positive response (increase in contraction by 60.0$\pm$3.4%, mean $\pm$ SD, n=12).(omitted)ted)

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.203-216
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• 1995

The effects of ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ receptor stimulation on membrane potential, intracellular $Na^+$ activity, and twitch force were investigated in ventricular muscles from guinea-pig hearts. Action potentials, intracellular $Na^+$ activity, and twitch force of ventricular papillary muscles were measured simultaneously under various experimental conditions. Stimulation of the ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ receptor by phenylephrine produced variable changes in action potential duration, a slight hyperpolarization of the diastolic membrane potential, a decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity, and a biphasic inotropic response in which a transient negative inotropic response was followed by a sustained positive inotropic response. These changes were blocked by prazosin, an antagonist of the ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ receptor, but not by atenolol, an antagonist of the ${\beta}-adrenergic$ receptor. This indicates that the changes in membrane potential, intracellular $Na^+$ activity, and twitch force are mediated by stimulation of the ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ receptor, but not by stimulation of ${\beta}-adrenergic$ receptor. The decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity was not observed in quiescent muscles, depending on the rate of the action pontentials in beating muscles. The intracellular $Na^+$ activity decrease was substantially inhibited by tetrodotoxin. However, the decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity was not affected by an inhibition of the $Na^+-K^+$ pump. Therefore, the decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity mediated by the ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ receptor appears to be due to a reduction of $Na^+$ influx during the action potential, perhaps through tetrodotoxin sensitive $Na^+$ channels. Our study also revealed that the decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity might be related to the transient negative inotropic response. The intracellular $Na^+$ activity decrease could lower intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through the $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchanger and thereby produce a decline in twitch force.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.5-12
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• 2013

Recent studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) can act as modulators of neuronal activity, and are critically involved in persistent pain primarily through spinal mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of NaOCl, a ROS donor, on neuronal excitability and the intracellular calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in spinal substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons. In current clamp conditions, the application of NaOCl caused a membrane depolarization, which was inhibited by pretreatment with phenyl-N-tert-buthylnitrone (PBN), a ROS scavenger. The NaOCl-induced depolarization was not blocked however by pretreatment with dithiothreitol, a sulfhydryl-reducing agent. Confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to confirm whether NaOCl increases the intracellular ROS level. ROS-induced fluorescence intensity was found to be increased during perfusion of NaOCl after the loading of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate ($H_2DCF$-DA). NaOCl-induced depolarization was not blocked by pretreatment with external $Ca^{2+}$ free solution or by the addition of nifedifine. However, when slices were pretreated with the $Ca^{2+}$ ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin, NaOCl failed to induce membrane depolarization. In a calcium imaging technique using the $Ca^{2+}$-sensitive fluorescence dye fura-2, the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was found to be increased by NaOCl. These results indicate that NaOCl activates the excitability of SG neurons via the modulation of the intracellular calcium concentration, and suggest that ROS induces nociception through a central sensitization.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.399-415
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• 1999

세포내 유리칼슘(free calcium, $Ca^{2+}$)은 세균에서 고등동물에 이르기까지 거의 모든 세포에서 세포 고유작용을 조절하는 중요한 세포내 신호전달체계(signal transduction system)의 매개체이다. 타액선 세포에서 부교감 신경 자극으로 타액분비가 증가될 때에도 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도 증가가 가장 중요한 역할을 한다. 그러나 췌장(pancreas)의 경우 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 이외에도 인접세포를 전기적 화학적으로 연결해주는 gap junction이 외분비 기능을 직접적으로 조절할 가능설이 제시되었다. 타액선 세포에서도 세포막에 고농도의 gap junction이 존재하고 있으며 gap junction을 통해 인접세포들이 전기적, 화학적으로 연계되어 있어 gap junction이 타액선 세포의 기능을 직접적으로 조절할 가능성을 내포하고 있다. 따라서 gap junction이 타액선의 타액분비 작용에도 중요한 역할을 하며 이러한 작용이 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도를 조절하여 이루어질 것이라는 가정하에 이를 확인하는 실험을 시행하였다. 흰쥐 악하선에서 유리되는 타액양을 측정하기 위해서 악하선으로 혈액을 공급하는 동맥에 가는 관을 삽입하여 생리 식염수를 관류하면서 타액선관을 통해 타액을 채취하였다. 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도는 분리한 악하선 acini 내에 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도 변화에 민감하게 반응하는 형광물질인 fura-2를 축적시키고 형광 분석기를 사용하여 형광강도를 측정하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. CCh 투여로 타액 분비가 증가하였을 때 gap junction을 봉쇄하는 약물인 octanol(1 mM)을 투여하면 타액분비가 봉쇄되었으며 이는 가역적 반응이었다. 2. CCh투여로 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도가 증가하였을 때 1mM octanol을 투여하면 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도가 CCh 투여전의 상태로 감소되었다. 3. Octanol은 CCh에 의하여 유발된 초기 $Ca^{2+}$ 증가를 억제하지는 못한 반면에 후기 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도를 감소시켰다. 4. 세포막 $Ca^{2+}$ 통로를 열어주는 약물인 thapsigargin($1{\mu}M$)을 투여하여 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도를 증가시킨 후 1mM octanol을 투여하면 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도가 thapsigargin 투여 전의 상태로 감소하였다. 5. 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzohydroquinone(TBQ)의 투여로 세포막을 통한 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도의 주기적 변동인 $Ca^{2+}$의 oscillation이 유발되었는데, 이때 1mM octanol을 투여한 경우에 $Ca^{2+}$농도의 oscillation이 정지하여 역시 gap junction을 봉쇄하면 TBQ에 의해서 유발된 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도의 주기적 변동이 사라지고 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도의 감소가 나타남을 확인하였다. 6. Gap junction을 봉쇄하는 또 다른 약물인 glycyrrhetinic acid($100{\mu}M$)도 CCh 자극으로 인한 타액분비를 억제하였다. 이상의 결과로 미루어 gap junction은 흰쥐 악하선 세포로부터의 타액분비 조절에 중요한 역할을 하는데, 이는 gap junction이 세포막 $Ca^{2+}$ 통로를 조절함으로써 수용체 자극으로 유발된 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도 변화에 영향을 미친 결과인 것으로 추측된다.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.177-184
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• 2011

Potassium cyanate (KOCN) is an inorganic compound and induces the carbamylation of proteins with cytotoxic effects on human cells. Although there is a potential cytotoxic molecule, the role of KOCN on the apoptosis of cancer cell is not well understood. The present study investigated the effects of KOCN on the human colorectal cancer cell line, HCT 116 cells. To understand the anti-cancer effect of KOCN on HCT 116 cells, we examined alteration of apoptosis, the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration, the intracellular signaling pathway and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these cells treated with KOCN. The apoptosis of HCT 116 cells was induced by KOCN in a dose-dependent manner at 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. The apoptosis was processed via the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and activation of caspase 3 in HCT 116 cells. KOCN induced the elevation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration and changed the expressions of Bcl-2 family proteins. The pro-apoptotic Bax was continuously up-regulated, and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was down-regulated by KOCN. KOCN also induced the hyperpolarization of mitochondria and the generation of ROS in HCT 116 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that KOCN induces the apoptosis of HCT 116 cells by disruption of $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and via mitochondrial pathway. This study provides the compound that may be used as a potent agent for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제29권8호
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• pp.657-665
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• 2006

We recently reported that dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a metabolite of sphingolipids, increased intracellular pH and $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in U937 human monocytes. In the present study, we found that dimethylphytosphingosine (DMPH) induced the above responses more robustly than DMS. However, phytosphingosine, monomethylphytosphingosine or trimethylsphingosine showed little or no activity. Synthetic C3 deoxy analogues of sphingosine did show similar activities, with the C16 analogue more so than C18. The following structure-activity relationships were observed between DMS derivatives and the intracellular pH and $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations in U937 monocytes; 1) dimethyl modification is important for the DMS-induced increase of intracellular pH and $Ca^{2+}$, 2) the addition of an OH group on C4 enhances both activities, 3) the deletion of the OH group on C3 has a negligible effect on the activities, and 4) C16 appears to be more effective than C18. We also found that W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor, blocked the DMS-induced pH increase, whereas, KN-62, ML9, and MMPX, specific inhibitors for calmodulin-dependent kinase II, myosin light chain kinase, and $Ca^{2+}$-calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase, respectively, did not affect DMS-induced increases of pH in the U937 monocytes.