• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.146-156
• /
• 2003

Isolated rat thoracic aorta which is pharmacologically precontracted by phenylephrine induces photorelaxation when exposed to long wave length UV-light. The aim of the present study was to characterize the mechanism of UV-light induced by photorelaxation in the rat aorta. 1. UV light relaxed both endothelium-intact and -denuded rat aortic rings contracted by phenylephrine. The magnitude of relaxation on UV light was dependent on the exposure time and slightly greatly in endothelium-denuded rings than in endothelium-intact preparations. 2. L-NAME (10 nM - 100 $\mu$M) but not D-NAME completely inhibited the photorelaxation in a concentration dependent manner. 3. The UV-induced relaxation was inhibited by methylene blue (1 - 100 uM), and verapamil (100 nM), and removal of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. In contrast, UV-light induced photorelaxation was potentiated by $N^{w}$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) treatment. These results suggest that UV light-induced photorelaxation may be due to nitric oxide from exogenously administered L-arginine as well as endogenous nitric oxide donors such as amino acid and arginine derivatives

• 약학회지
• /
• 제43권6호
• /
• pp.843-850
• /
• 1999

We investigated whether endothelium-derived NO and endothelin-1 might result enhanced vasoconstriction induced by administration of norepinephrien (NE) at the early stage of one-kidney, one-clip (1K1C) renal hypertensive rats. We also studied the relation ship of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) using rat aorta in this hypothesis. L-NMMA (30$\mu$M) and L-NAME(30${\mu}M$) enhanced vasoconstriction induced by NE in thoracic aorta of control rats. However angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor didn't. The aorta of 1KIC rats showed a singnificantly exaggerated contractile response to NE as compared with control rats. Rub-bing the endothelium abolished this difference. Ach and SNP-induced vasorelaxation show no significant difference between 1KIC and control rats. The treatment of phosphoramidon (10${\mu}M$) and oral administration of captopril (0.05, w/v%) abolished the exaggerated contractile response to NE at early stage of 1KIC rats. These results suggest that the increase of contractile response at the early phase in 1KIC rat is partially involved in the activation of ACE.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• 제62권3호
• /
• pp.265-273
• /
• 2019

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic and anti-hypertensive effects of six different plant extracts using a N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced rat model of hypertension. All extracts were administered orally for six weeks. At the end of the study period blood pressure, blood flow, aortic histopathology, and hepatic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression were measured. Subsequently, we also measured the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide (NO), and anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro. Based on these screening results, we selected extracts of Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia) and Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza) for further evaluation. C. cassia and S. miltiorrhiza extracts ameliorated hypertension and atherosclerosis in L-NAME-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, a mixture of C. cassia and S. miltiorrhiza had an additive effect to reduce blood pressure, increase blood flow, and normalize aortic tissue. This mixture demonstrated anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. In conclusion, although further analysis of the therapeutic mechanism is required, the anti-hypertensive and anti-atherosclerotic effects of this mixture are likely mediated by increased eNOS expression, and its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제22권4호
• /
• pp.409-417
• /
• 2018

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder that is characterised by severe hypertension and increased risks of foetal and maternal mortality. The aetiology of PE not completely understood; however, maternal nutrition and oxidative stress play important roles in the development of hypertension. The treatment options for PE are currently limited to anti-hypertensive drugs. Punicalagin, a polyphenol present in pomegranate juice, has a range of bioactive properties. The effects of supplementation with punicalagin on angiogenesis and oxidative stress in pregnant rats with induced hypertension were investigated. The pregnant rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=12 per group). Hypertension was induced using an oral dose of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 mg/kg/day) on days 14-19 of pregnancy. Punicalagin (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) was given orally on days 14-21 of pregnancy. Punicalagin treatment at the tested doses significantly reduced diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in L-NAME treated rats from day 14. Punicalagin also restored angiogenic balance by increasing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and downregulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1/fms-like tyrosine kinase-1. Punicalagin, significantly increased the placental nitric oxide levels as compared to PE group. The increased levels of oxidative stress in rats with PE were markedly decreased by treatment with punicalagin. Punicalagin at the tested doses markedly (p<0.05) enhanced the placental antioxidant capacity in L-NAME-treated rats. The raised catalase activity observed following L-NAME induction was significantly (p<0.05) and restored to normal activity levels in punicalagin treatment. Further, 100 mg dose of punicalagin exhibited higher protective effects as compared to lower doses of 25 and 50 mg. This study shows that supplementation with punicalagin decreased blood pressure and oxidative stress and restored angiogenic balance in pregnant rats with induced PE.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• 제34권1호
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2009

The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of peripheral nitric oxide (NO) pathways in the onset of interleukin (IL)-1$\beta$-induced mechanical allodynia in the orofacial area. Experiments were carried out on male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230-280 gm and surgical procedures were performed under pentobarbital sodium (40 mg/kg, i.p.). Under anesthesia, a polyethylene tube (PE10) was implanted into the subcutaneous area of one vibrissa pad, which enabled the injection of IL-1$\beta$ or other chemicals. We subcutaneously injected 50 ${\mu}L$ of IL-1$\beta$ into a vibrissa pad through the implanted polyethylene tube with a 100 ${\mu}L$ Hamilton syringe. After the administration of 0.01, 0.1, 1, or 10 pg of IL-1$\beta$, withdrawal behavioral responses were examined. The subcutaneous injection of saline had no effects on the air-puff thresholds. Following the subcutaneous injection of 0.01, 0.1, 1, or 10 pg of IL-1$\beta$, the threshold of air puffs decreased significantly to 12 $\pm$ 3, 7 $\pm$ 2, 5 $\pm$ 1, or 5 $\pm$ 1 psi, respectively, in a dose dependent manner. Pretreatment with L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, blocked IL-1$\beta$-induced mechanical allodynia. However, neither D-NAME, an inactive isomer of L-NAME, nor vehicle affected the IL-1$\beta$-induced mechanical allodynia. Subcutaneous injection of IL-1$\beta$ increased the number of c-fos-like immunoreactive neurons, whereas pretreatment with L-NAME decreased this number, in the trigeminal caudal nucleus. These results suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO are important contributors to the pathogenesis of persistent and exaggerated IL-1$\beta$-induced pain states. Based on these observations, peripheral application of NOS inhibitors may be of therapeutic value in treating pain disorders in the clinic.

• 대한수의학회지
• /
• 제35권3호
• /
• pp.447-458
• /
• 1995

This study was carried out to characterize nonadrenergic, noncholinergic(NANC) relaxation of porcine retractor penis(PRP) muscle induced by electrical field stimulation(EFS) and to investigate the actions of niric oxide(NO) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide(VIP) as candidates for NANC neurotransmitters. Biphasic relaxations of PRP muscle were induced by EFS to NANC nerve. Rapid-phase relaxation was observed at low frequency(0.5-16Hz) and slow-phase relaxation followed during high frequency(8-60Hz). Both relaxations were frequency-dependent and TTX($1{\times}10^{-6}M$)-sensitive. L-NAME($2{\times}10^{-5}M$) inhibited the rapid-phase relaxation, but not the slow-phase relaxation. The inhibition of the rapid-phase relaxation with L-NAME was reversed by L-arginine ($1{\times}10^{-3}M$) but not by D-arginine($1{\times}10^{-3}M$). Methylene blue($4{\times}10^{-5}M$) reduced the rapid-phase relaxation. Exogenous No(ExoNO, $1{\times}10^{-5}-1{\times}10^{-4}M$) induced dose-dependent relaxations of PRP muscle. Oxyhemoglobin($5{\times}1^{-5}M$) blocked the relaxation induced by ExoNO and inhibited EFS-induced relaxation. Hydroquinone($1{\times}10^{-4}M$) also abolished the relaxation induced by ExoNO, but did not affect EFS-induced relaxation. L-NAME resistant slow-phase relaxation to EFS was inhibited by ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin(2.5 U/ml). Both methylene blue($4{\times}10^{-5}M$) and Nethylmaleimide($1{\times}10^{-4}M$) reduced the slow-phase relaxation by EFS. [4-Cl-D-$Phe^6$, $Leu^{17}$]-VIP($3{\times}10^{-6}M$) inhibited the slow-phase relaxation by EFS. External applications of VIP ($1{\times}10^{-7}M$) caused relaxations that were simillar to the L-NAME resistant slow-phase relaxations induced by EFS, and relaxant effects of exogenous VIP were blocked by ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin(2.5 U/ml).

• 한국의사학회지
• /
• 제14권1호
• /
• pp.31-47
• /
• 2001

According to the customary, naming is done after the subject is in existence. But the name "Haebaragi"(Hyangilgyu, Hyangilhwa) has been used as an alias of Hibiscus manihot L, long before Helianthus annuus L was brought in to Korea, and now the usage of the name has been conversed since then. Since the incorrect record of Gyugwak and Gyuhwa as Haebaragi in "Chosunesajun"(Dictionary of Chosun language) published under Chosunchongdokbu in 1920, the mistake has been carried on and this must be corrected from now on. Incorrect record of hollyhock(Chokgyuwha) as Haebaragi in "Mong-u" (1810) took a role in this incorrect trend.

• 식물분류학회지
• /
• 제34권4호
• /
• pp.287-295
• /
• 2004

한반도의 서남 도서지역인 대흑산도에 서식하는 당근속(Daucus)식물의 외부형태학적 형질을 중심으로 하여 분류학적 재검토를 수행하였다. 또한, 대흑산도의 해안 지역에 서식하고 있는 당근류를 갯당근(Daucus littoralis Sibth. et Sm. var. koreana Nakai)으로 여러 도감에 기재되어 있어, 이들에 대한 식물명 및 분류학적 실체에 대하여 조사하였다. 갯당근으로 동정되어 있는 석엽표본과 현지 조사 결과, 해안에 서식하는 당근류는 잎 및 열매의 형태에서 차이를 보여 D. littoralis가 아닌 D. carota L. subsp. carota로 밝혀졌으며 상기 아종의 국명을 당근(D. carota subsp. sativa)와 구별하기 위해 산당근으로 신청하였고, 줄기가 곧으며 갈라지지 않는 미기록 분류군인 D. carota subsp. maritimus의 국명을 선당근으로 신청하였다.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제36권4호
• /
• pp.373-378
• /
• 2003

Effects of L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the renal dysfunction that is induced by cisplatin (CDDP) were investigated. A single dose of CDDP (7.5 mg/kg i.p.) induced renotoxicity, which was manifested by increasing the sensitivity of isolated urinary bladder rings to acetylcholine (ACh), together with a significant elevation of serum urea and creatinine, and a severe decrease in serum albumin. Moreover, renal dysfunction was further confirmed by a significant decrease of enzyme activities, such as glutathione peroxidase, GSH-Px (E.C 1.11.1.9), catalase (E.C 1.11.1.6), as well as a significant increase in lipid peroxides that were measured as malondialdhyde (MDA) in kidney tissue homogenates. The administration of L-arginine (70 mg/kg/d p.o in drinking water 5 d before and 5 d after the CDDP injection) significantly ameliorated the renotoxic effects of CDDP, as judged by restoring the normal responses of isolated bladder rings to Ach, and also by an improvement in a range of renal function indices, which included serum urea and creatinine concentrations and kidney weight. In addition, L-arginine prevents the rise of MDA, as well as a reduction of GSH-Px and catalase activities in kidney tissues homogenates. On the other hand, the administration of L-NAME (4 mg/kg/d p.o) resulted in no protection against renal dysfunction that was induced by CDDP treatment. The findings of this study suggest that L-arginine can attenuate kidney injury that is produced by CDDP treatment. In addition, L-arginine may be a beneficial remedy for CDDP-induced renal toxicity, and could be used to improve the therapeutic index of CDDP.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제22권4호
• /
• pp.432-434
• /
• 1999