• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2011

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) evoke pacemaker activities in many tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between interstitial cell and pacemaker activity in the human ureter through the recording of spontaneous contractions. Spontaneous contractions of eight circular and longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the human ureter to acetylcholine (ACh) and/or norepinephrine (NE) were observed. Human ureteral strips were divided into proximal and distal groups, and each group was subdivided into circular and longitudinal groups. The proximal group showed spontaneous activities of 3~4 times within 5 minutes in the longitudinal group. ACh ($10^{-4}\;M$) augmented the frequency of the spontaneous contractions. The cumulative application of NE also augmented the frequency in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of NE application were inhibited by concomitant application of $10^{-5}\;M$ glibenclamide. Receptor tyrosine kinase (c-kit) staining revealed abundant ICCs only in proximal tissues. Therefore, spontaneous contractions of the human ureter might be modulated by ICC in the proximal region, and the actions might be related with the activation of cholinergic and/or adrenergic system mediated by a glibenclamide-sensitive pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.125-133
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• 1986

The effect of ethanol on the contraction of intestinal smooth muscle in Na-free solution was studied using cat ileal longitudinal muscle strips. Ethanol $(0.5{\pm}4%)$ inhibited both the spontaneous mechanical activity and base-line tension in normal physiological salt solution. However, in Na-free solution it induced a reversible contraction. The excitatory effect by ethanol in Na-free solution was increased with increasing the concentrations of ethanol and the time incubated in Na-free solution. The excitatory response by ethanol was reduced by increasing the concentrations of Na in incubated medium . Ethanol-induced contractile response was not affected by $Ca^{2+}$ removal in bathing medium. In Na-free solution, the contraction by ethanol was inhibited by Las. but was not affected by verapamil. The contraction induced by Na removal in solution was inhibited by the pretreatment of ethanol. These results suggest that ethanol may induce the contraction by increasing the release of superficially membrane-bound $Ca^{2+}$ and/or intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in Na-free physiological salt solution.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.199-208
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• 1986

The effects of $Mg^{++}$ upon the spontaneous contraction activated by 1 IU/l oxytocin were studied in the isolated rat uterine muscle. Longitudinal muscle strips u·ere prepared from the rat uteri at the estrous stage. All experiments were performed in tris-buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with 100% $O_2$ and kept at $35^{\circ}C$. The results obtained were as follows: 1) In the uterine strips contracting spontaneously, as $Mg^{++}$ concentration increased in the Tyrode solution the amplitude of peak tension decreased in all the experimental solutions containing the various concentrations of $Ca^{++}\;(0.5{\sim}4 mM)$. And the amplitude of peak tension increased in inverse proportion to the $[Mg^{++}]/[Ca^{++}]\; ratio$. It is suggested that the tension-lowering effect of $Mg^{++}$ would be developed through decreasing intracellular ionized free calcium ion concentration by uncertain mechanism. 2) The frequency of the uterine contraction activated by oxytocin increased as the $[Mg^{++}]/[Ca^{++}]\;ratio$ ratio increased up to 1/2, but the frequency decreased above this ratio. It is speculated that $Mg^{++}$ would influence the excitability control action of $Ca^{++}$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.241-249
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• 2009

Although extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ entry through the voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels plays an important role in the spontaneous phasic contractions of the pregnant rat myometrium, the role of the T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels has yet to be fully identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel in the spontaneous phasic contractions of the rat myometrium. Spontaneous phasic contractions and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were measured simultaneously in the longitudinal strips of female Sprague-Dawley rats late in their pregnancy (on day 18 ${\sim}$ 20 of gestation: term=22 days). The expression of T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel mRNAs or protein levels was measured. Cumulative addition of low concentrations (< 1 ${\mu}M$) of nifedipine, a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, produced a decrease in the amplitude of the spontaneous $Ca^{2+}$ transients and contractions with no significant change in frequency. The mRNAs and proteins encoding two subunits (${\alpha}$ 1G, ${\alpha}$ 1H) of the T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels were expressed in longitudinal muscle layer of rat myometrium. Cumulative addition of mibefradil, NNC 55-0396 or nickel induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the amplitude and frequency of the spontaneous $Ca^{2+}$ transients and contractions. Mibefradil, NNC 55-0396 or nickel also attenuated the slope of rising phase of spontaneous $Ca^{2+}$ transients consistent with the reduction of the frequency. It is concluded that T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels are expressed in the pregnant rat myometrium and may play a key role for the regulation of the frequency of spontaneous phasic contractions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.71-74
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• 2001

Masses of the uterine cervix were detected from two dogs, being a 2-year-old female Yorkshire tarrier and a 12-year-old female Basset Hound. Grossly, the masses measuring 3.O$\times$3.O$\times$4.0 cm and 12.O$\times$l2.O$\times$10.07m were prominent, sharply circumscribed, fleshy tumors in the uterine cervix. Histologically, the masses consisted of smooth muscle cells interwoven in bundles, some of which were cut longitudinally (elongated nuclei) and others transversely. Tumor cell nuclei were ordinarily cigar shaped and had rounded blunt ends in the longitudinal plane. There were low mitotic figures without abnormal ones. From these results, these cases were diagnosed as leiomyoma of the uterine cervix. To our Knowledge, no similar tumors have been reported in the uterine cervix.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.13-22
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• 1989

To investigate the effect of diazepam on the contractility of the intestinal smooth muscle, longitudinal muscle strip isolated from rat ileum was prepared for myography in isolated organ bath. 1) Basal tone of ileal muscle was reduced by diazepam concentration-dependently. 2) Higher concentrations(30 and 100 microM) of diazepam inhibited(p<0.05, p<0.001) the carbachol-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner ; but lower concentration of diazepam(10 microM) enhanced(p<0.05). 3) Histamine-induced contraction was inhibited by pretreatment with diazepam in a concentration-dependent manner. 4) $Ca^{++}$-induced tension recovery in calcium-free solution was inhibited in the presence of diazepam concentration-dependently. These results suggest diazepam reduces the contractility of the longitudinal muscle isolated from rat ileum via interference with influx of calcium into the muscle cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 1988

Cyclobuxine D, extracted from Buxus microphylla var. koreana Nakai, is a steroidal alkaloid. Many pharmacological effects of cyclobuxine D were examined in our Lab. Cyclobuxine D showed a significant bradycardic effect in the rat heart and an inhibitory action on acetylcholine and $Ba^{++}-induced$ contraction of the longitudinal muscle isolated from the rabbit jejunum. In this study, we investigated the effect of cyclobuxine D on the contractile response-elicited by acetylcholine, oxytocin and $Ba^{++}$ in rat uterine. In order to analyse the inhibitory action of cyclobuxine D on the smooth muscle, we examined the inhibitory action of cyclobuxine D against the contractile response of the high potassium-depolarized rat ileum to calcium. Concentration-dependent decrease in the peak tension and duration of the acetylcholine, oxytocin and $Ba^{++}-induced$ contraction in the isolated rat uterus was observed when cyclobuxine D was added to the organ bath. The isolated longitudinal muscle from the rat ileum was immersed calcium-depleted potassium-depolarizing solution. Ten minutes after, 1.8 mM $CaCl_2$ was added to muscle bath and elicited a biphasic increase in muscle tension. Cyclobuxine D $(6.2{\times}10^{-5}\;M)$ produced an appreciable inhibition of both components of the mechanical response. In addition, $3.1{\times}10^{-4}\;M$ cyclobuxine D, introduced at a point when the tonic response had reached its maximum level, caused the muscle to exhibit a rapid lose of tension. Based on these experimental results, we propose the possibility that the inhibitory action of cyclobuxine D on the acetylcholine, oxytocin and $Ba^{++}-induced$ contraction in the isolated rat uterus may be due to blocking potassium-activated calcium channels, voltage-sensitive calcium channels.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.965-973
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• 2001

It is well established that arteries are subjected to residual stress. Due to the effect of residual stress, the arteries open to a horse-shoe shape when a longitudinal cut is made on an excised arterial segment. Previously, the residual stress has been quantified by the opening angle of the horse-shoe shape. We have employed a finite element analysis of the open arterial segment to restore the same to the original cylindrical shape and computed the circumferential strain as well as the stress distribution in the wall. In this study, the stress distribution in the femoral arteries of miniswine was computed with and without the residual stress for a range of transmural pressures. Our analysis showed that the residual stress has the effect of redistribution of the circumferential stresses between the intima and the adventitia under physiological loading. The redistribution of the stress with the inclusion of residual stress may be important in the studies on effect of wall stresses on the endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.194-196
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• 2006

A leiomyosarcoma that occurred in the right kidney with hepatic metastasis of a 15-year-old intact female Asian water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) in a zoo, Republic of Korea. The animal showed no clinical signs. Grossly, a firm and white mass (6.0 x- 5.0- x 4.0 cm) was observed in the renal capsule and multiple firm white nodules, measuring 1.0-2.5 cm, were present on the surface of the liver. Microscopically, tumor cells were spindle-shaped, the cell density was high, and complex fasciculated tumor cells showing longitudinal and transverse cross-sections were observed. Tumor cell nuclei was ordinarily cigar shaped and had rounded blunt ends. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells reacted intensely with anti-smooth muscle actin antibody. This is the first case report of a renal leiomyosarcoma with hepatic metastasis in a Asian water buffalo.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.193-198
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• 2006

Many gastrointestinal muscles show electrical oscillation, so-called 'slow wave', originated from interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). Thus, a technique to freshly isolate the cells is indispensable to explore the electrophysiological properties of the ICCs. To apply an enzyme solution on the serosal surface for cell isolation, the intestine was inverted and 0.02% trypsin solution and 0.04% collagenase solution were applied to serosal cavity. After the enzyme treatment, mucosal layer was removed and longitudinal muscle layer was gently separated from the rest of tissue. The thin layer was stretched in the recording chamber and mounted on an inverted microscope. Using ${\beta}-escine$, perforated whole cell patch clamp technique was used. Under a microscope, the tissue showed smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells around the myenteric plexus. Under voltage clamp condition, three types of membrane potential were recorded. One group of interstitial cells, which were positive to methylene blue and CD34, showed spontaneous outward current. These cells had bipolar shape and were considered as fibroblast-like cells because of their peculiar shape and arrangement. Another group, positive to c-kit and methylene blue, showed spontaneous inward current. These cells had more rounded shape and processes and were considered as ICCs. The third, positive to c-kit and had granules containing methylene blue, showed quiet membrane potentials under the voltage-clamp mode. These cells appeared to be resident macrophages. Therefore, in the freshly isolated thin tissue preparation, methylene blue could easily identify three types of cells rather than morphological properties. Using this method, we were able to study electrical properties of fibroblast and residential macrophage as well as myenteric ICCs.