• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.90-90
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• 1997

Natural products, which have been used for the treatment of hypertension, diuresis and nephritis in traditional oriental medicine, were selected for the screening of nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells and kidney tissues in vitro as well as in vivo by measuring the conversion of [$\^$14/C]-L-arginine to [$\^$14/C]-L-citrulline, a coproduct of the enzyme reaction with NO. Confluent monolayer of endothelial cells were used for the screening of 16 natural products. Among the natural products, Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula stimulated endothelial NO synthase activity. Thus, both confluent monolayer of endothelial cells and kidney homogenates (glomeruli, cortical tubules, meudllae) were treated with Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula (final concentration 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) and NO releases were compared with those by receptor - dependent agonists, bradykinin and ADP and receptor - independent calcium ionophore A23187 in vitro. In rat experiment, NO releases in glomeruli, cortical tubules and medullae and plasma renin activity were assessed after intraperitoneal injection of Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula (10 mg/kg/day for 4 days). As a result, both Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula significantly increased NO releases in cultured endothelial cells, kidney tissues in vitro as well as in vivo. Stimulation of NO releases by Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula was similar to those by receptor - dependent agonists, bradykinin and ADP and receptor - independent calcium ionophore A23187 in cultured endothelial cells. However, plasma renin activity was not influenced by these two natural products. In conclusion, stimulatory effects of Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula on NO release in kidney may contribute their hypotensive effects and antinephritic action possibly by increasing renal blood flow.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.220-225
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• 1993

Effect of BR-900317 on the angiotensin I-induced pressor response in pithed rats and the effects of its single oral administration on plasma angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activities in normotensive rats and on the cardiovascular system in hypertensive model rats (SHR, RHR), were compared with those of captopril. BR-900317 attenuated the angiotensin I-induced pressor effects in pithed rats. In a single oral dose administration study, BR-900317 inhibited the plasma ACE activities in a dose-dependent fashion. Duration of the action of BR-900317 was similar to that of captopril. BR-900317 produced antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats and dose-dependent antihypertensive effect in 2-kidney Goldblatt hypertensive rats without affecting heart rate. These results suggest that the main mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of BR-900317 is the suppression of angiotensin II production due to the inhibition of the ACE.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.259-267
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• 1995

The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and in body fluid homeostasis. There is increasing evidence for generation of endogenous angiotensin II in many organs and for its role in paracrine functions. Studies were designed to investigate whether hemorrhage produces rapid changes in the gene expression of angiotensinogen in peripheral and brain tissues. Wistar rats received saline drinking water for 7 days, were bled at a rate of $3\;ml\;kg^{-1}\;min^{-1}$ for 7 min, and then decapitated 0, 2, 4, 8, or 24 hr after hemorrhage. Hemorrhage produced a produced hypotension with tachycardia at $2{\pm}8\;hr$, but blood pressure and heart rate had not fully recovered to the basal level at 24 hr. Plasma renin concentration was significantly increased at 2, 4, and 8 hr (maximum sixfold increase at 4 hr) and had returned to the basal level at 24 hr. Renal renin content was significantly increased only at 4 hr after hemorrhage. Angiotensinogen mRNA in both the kidney and liver were stimulated at 2 to 8 hrs, but recovered to the basal level at 24 hr. On the other hand, angiotensinogen mRNA levels il the hypothalamus and brainstem were continuously increased from 2 to 24 hrs. The present study demonstrates the presence of angiotensinogen mRNA in both hepatic and extrahepatic tissues, and more importantly, their up-regulation after hemorrhage. These results suggest that the angiotensinogen-generating systems in the liver, kideny and brain are, at least in part, under independent control and play a local physiological role.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.175-193
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• 2016

Objective : Diuretics are effective on the patients with hypertension and heart failure, as well as edema by regulating the function of kidney, which is key organ to maintain the balance of the different electrolytes in the body. The present review article is designed to review the diuretic effect of Korean medicinal prescription base on the experimental studies.Method : For this purpose, every article related to ‘diuresis’ and 'Korean medicinal prescription' were analysed from articles which published at domestic and international journals.Results : 1. Representative Korean medicine prescriptions showed diuretic effect along with electrolyte excretion were Oryeong-san, Paeryung-tang, Hwangryungbokryung-tang and Daeganghwal-tang. 2. Some Korean medicinal prescription including Oryeong-san, Jueryeong-tang, Sipcho-tang distribute diuresis through the inhibition of renin-angiotensin-system. 3. Oryeong-san, Bojungchiseup-tang had a diuretic effect on the down-regulation of aquaporin water channel in the renal collecting duct.Conclusion : Korean medicinal transcriptions have a diuretic effect through several types of mechanism such as along with electrolytes excretion, inhibition of renin-angiotensin system, and down-regulation of water channels.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.169-172
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• 1995

The changes in blood pressure may relate to the alterations of the responsiveness to vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, and these alterations can arise the modifications in the properties of angiotensin II (AII) receptor. In order to examine the changes of AII receptor in the hypertensive mechanism of renin-dependent hypertensive rats (RHRs; two-kidney, one-ligated type), we compared the equilibrium binding characteristics of $[^3H]$All in adrenal cortex and medulla from RHRs and normotensive rats. The dissociation constants of AII binding in both tissues of RHRs were very similar to those in the respective tissue of normotensive rats. However, the maximum binding was increased from 805 to 1050 fmole/mg protein in the adrenal cortex of RHRs, and decreased from 172 to 126 fmole/mg protein in the adrenal medulla of RHRs. These results imply that the up- and down-regulation of the All receptor population on the cell surface of adrenal glands from RHRs are consorted with the elevation of blood pressure and the activation of renin-angiotensin system.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-53
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• 1988

The present study was undertaken to clarify the involvement of atrial natriuretic peptide in the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Plasma concentration of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide was higher in spontaneously hypertensive rats than in normotensive Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats. Plasma renin concentration was lower in SHR than in normotensive rats, as observed in earlier experiments. Hydration-induced increase in urine flow and urinary excretions of sodium and potassium were smaller in SHR than in normotensive control rats. Intraarterial infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide resulted in increases in urine flow, urinary excretions of sodium and potassium in both hypertensive and normotensive rats. Renal response to atrial natriuretic peptide was markedly suppressed in SHR. Plasma renin and aldosterone concentration were suppressed by atrial natriuretic peptide in both SHR and normotensive rats. The responses were not significantly different in both groups. These results suggest that the renal responsiveness to atrial natriuretic peptide may be suppressed in SHR by some mechanisms still remaining obscure.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.285-296
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• 2015

Oxidative stress has been linked to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, the complication of diabetes in the kidney. NADPH oxidases of the Nox family, and in particular the homologue Nox4, are a major source of reactive oxygen species in the diabetic kidney and are critical mediators of redox signaling in glomerular and tubulointerstitial cells exposed to the diabetic milieu. Here, we present an overview of the current knowledge related to the understanding of the role of Nox enzymes in the processes that control mesangial cell, podocyte and tubulointerstitial cell injury induced by hyperglycemia and other predominant factors enhanced in the diabetic milieu, including the renin-angiotensin system and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$. The nature of the upstream modulators of Nox enzymes as well as the downstream targets of the Nox NADPH oxidases implicated in the propagation of the redox processes that alter renal biology in diabetes will be highlighted.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.193-198
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• 2001

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Korean Lycii Fructus water extract in Pb-administered rats. The Pb exposed rats were given 100 ppm and 200 ppm in the distilled water. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 90 and 110g were blocked into 6 groups according to body weight. The control group was fed a normal diet, without lead. The experimental groups, which was fed a normal diet plus 100 ppm and 200 ppm lead, and one group received a normal diet plus Lycii Fructus water extracts. The results: the Food intake, the weight gain, and the kidney weight content in the cadmium added groups were lower than those in the Lycii Fructus water extracts group. The contents of Pb in the kidneys of the rats were determined by using ICP(lnductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer). The accumulation of lead in the kidney was lower in the Lycii Fructus water extracts group. The Plasma levels of renin activity was higher in the lead administration groups, as compared with the Lycii Fructus water extracts. Plasma levels of aldosterone activity was higher in the lead administration group, as compared with Lycii Fructus water extracts. These results suggest that Lycii Fructus water extracts has a lowering effects on the accumulation of pb on kidney and it is believed that the Lycii Fructus water extracts have some protective effects on lead-induced nephrotoxicity in rats, but the mechanism of these effects was obscure.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.259-263
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• 2020

Background: Dual-type calcium channel blockers (CCBs), such as efonidipine and cilnidipine, are renoprotective drugs that reportedly reduce proteinuria by dilating afferent and efferent arterioles of the glomerulus. However, studies comparing the effect of dual-type CCB on proteinuria have not been conducted. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effect of dual-type CCB (efonidipine and cilnidipine) usage patterns in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included 53 patients with CKD who 1) initiated efonidipine or cilnidipine treatment while on a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor and 2) had received efonidipine or cilnidipine for at least one year. We compared usage patterns between the efonidipine and cilnidipine groups during the one-year period and analyzed the following outcomes: urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio, blood pressure, and serum creatinine. Results: The study included 25 patients in the efonidipine group and 28 patients in the cilnidipine group. In both groups, blood pressure and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratios tended to decrease; however, the change during each interval was not significant. Conclusions: In patients with CKD who were on renin-angiotensin system inhibitor therapy, the addition of a dual-type CCB (i.e., efonidipine or cilnidipine) tended to reduce proteinuria; however, the change during each interval was not significant.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.388-395
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although Korean fermented foods contain large amounts of salt, which is known to exacerbate health problems, these foods still have beneficial effects such as anti-hypertension, anti-cancer, and anti-colitis properties. We hypothesized that ganjang may have different effects on blood pressure compared to same concentrations of salt. MATERIALS/METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (CT), NaCl (NC), and ganjang (GJ) groups and orally administered with 8% NaCl concentration for 9 weeks. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum chemistry, $Na^+$ and $K^+$ concentrations and renal gene expressions were measured. RESULTS: The SBP was significantly increased in the NC group compared to the GJ and CT groups. In addition, the $Na^+$ concentration in urine was higher in the GJ and NC groups than the CT group, but the urine volume was increased in the GJ group compared to the other groups. The serum renin levels were decreased in the GJ group compared to the CT group, while the serum aldosterone level was decreased in the GJ group relative to the NC group. The mRNA expression of the renin, angiotensin II type I receptor, and mineralocorticoid receptor were significantly lower in the GJ group compared to other groups. Furthermore, GJ group showed the lowest levels of genes for $Na^+$ transporter in kidney cortex such as $Na^+/K^+$ $ATPase{\alpha}1$ ($NKA{\alpha}1$), $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger 3 (NHE3), $Na^+/HCO_3{^-}$ co-exchanger (NBC), and carbonic anhydrases II (CAII). CONCLUSIONS: The decreased SBP in the GJ could be due to decreased renin and aldosterone levels in serum and increased urinary volume and excretion of $Na^+$ with its transporter gene alteration. Therefore, ganjang may have antihypertensive effect despite its high contents of salt.