• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 1995

Recently, we reported that GS 389 has vasodilating action without cardiac inotropic action (Chang et al., Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 72, 327-334, 1994). However the mechanism of action of GS 389 has not been thoroughly evaluated. In the present study, we performed functional study of GS 389 in rat trachealis, thoracic aorta, pig coronary artery by isometric tension and in human platelets by aggregation experiments. We also tested if GS 389 influences on $Ca^{2+}$movement and inositol phosphate metabolism. In rat trachealis, GS 389 concentration-dependently relaxed carbachol (0.1 $\mu$M)- and high $K^{+}$(65.4 mM)-induced contraction with p$IC_{50}$/ of 4.43$\pm$ 0.19 and 4.11$\pm$0.12, respectively. In $Ca^{2+}$-free media, GS 389 inhibited carbachol-induced phasic contraction. In rat thoracic aorta, GS 389 inhibited $^{45}$ Ca uptake due to norepinephrine and high $K^{+}$, indicating that GS 389 has direct inhibitory action of $Ca^{2+}$movement. Furthermore, GS 389 competitively inhibited U46619-induced contraction in rat thoracic aorta and pig coronary artery with K, values of 5.23$\pm$0.12 and 5.56$\pm$0.14, respectively, and inhibited U 46619-induced phosphatidylinositide (PI) turnover in rat aorta. GS 389 also concentration-dependently inhibited the human platelet aggregation against U 46619 with p$IC_{50}$/ 5.66$\pm$0.02. These results indicate that GS 389 has thromboxane $A_2$ antagonistic action in vascular and platelets as well as direct action on $Ca^{2+}$ movement, which may account, at least in part, for relaxing action of rat trachealis. trachealis.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.18 no.5 s.95
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• pp.639-648
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• 2006

A shear experiment of one-way monotonic loading was carried out with the shear span ratio as the main experimental variable for reinforced concrete beam. Using the finite element analysis as the experimental analysis tool and the analysis method to compute the shear resistance of small shear span ratio, a new macro-model composed of crooked main strut and sub strut is proposed in consideration of the effect of bond action between re-bar and concrete based on the experimental result. The experimental finding affirmed the validity of the proposed macro-model when the shear span ratio was at or below 0.75 and confirmed that the experimental result was the most consistent with the computed analysis result when the effective factor of concrete compressive strength was set at 0.75.

• Mycobiology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.242-249
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• 2019

Betaine derivatives are considered major ingredients of shampoos and are commonly used as antistatic and viscosity-increasing agents. Several studies have also suggested that betaine derivatives can be used as antimicrobial agents. However, the antifungal activity and mechanism of action of betaine derivatives have not yet been fully understood. In this study, we investigated the antifungal activity of six betaine derivatives against Malassezia restricta, which is the most frequently isolated fungus from the human skin and is implicated in the development of dandruff. We found that, among the six betaine derivatives, lauryl betaine showed the most potent antifungal activity. The mechanism of action of lauryl betaine was studied mainly using another phylogenetically close model fungal organism, Cryptococcus neoformans, because of a lack of available genetic manipulation and functional genomics tools for M. restricta. Our genome-wide reverse genetic screening method using the C. neoformans gene deletion mutant library showed that the mutants with mutations in genes for cell membrane synthesis and integrity, particularly ergosterol synthesis, are highly sensitive to lauryl betaine. Furthermore, transcriptome changes in both C. neoformans and M. restricta cells grown in the presence of lauryl betaine were analyzed and the results indicated that the compound mainly affected cell membrane synthesis, particularly ergosterol synthesis. Overall, our data demonstrated that lauryl betaine influences ergosterol synthesis in C. neoformans and that the compound exerts a similar mechanism of action on M. restricta.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.84-92
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• 1993

This study was performed to elucidate the mechanism of antidiuretic action of diltiazem by infusion into the vein and carotid artery, of diuretic action into a renal artery in dog. Renal denervation caused a reversal of the effect of diltiazem from the antidiuretic to the diuretic when infused into vein or carotid artery, and potentiated the diuretic effect when infused into a renal artery. The changes of renal function in diuretic circumstances as described above included the increase in renal plasma flow, osmolar clearance, the amounts of sodium and potassium excreted in urine and the decrease in reabosrption rate of sodium and potassium in renal tubules. Above results suggest that antidiuretic action of diltiazem may be mediated by central nervous system, not by endogenous substance, diuretic action by direct renal action.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.254-264
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• 2019

Atherosclerosis is a widespread and chronic progressive arterial disease that has been regarded as one of the major causes of death worldwide. It is caused by the deposition of cholesterol, fats, and other substances in the tunica intima which leads to narrowing of the blood vessels, loss of elasticity, and arterial wall thickening, thus causing difficulty in blood flow. Natural products have been used as one of the most important strategies for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases for a long time. In recent decades, as interests in natural products including medicinal herbs have increased, many studies regarding natural compounds that are effective against atherosclerosis have been conducted. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of the natural compounds that have been used for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, and their mechanisms of action based on recent research.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.759-764
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• 2015

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are one of the critical components in host innate immune responses to imbalanced and invading microbial pathogens. Although the antimicrobial activity and mechanism of action have been thoroughly investigated for decades, the exact biological properties of AMPs are still elusive. Most AMPs generally exert the antimicrobial effect by targeting the microbial membrane, such as barrel stave, toroidal, and carpet mechanisms. Thus, the mode of action in model membranes and the discrimination of AMPs to discrepant lipid compositions between mammalian cells and microbial pathogens (cell selectivity) have been studied intensively. However, the latest reports suggest that not only AMPs recently isolated but also well-known membrane-disruptive AMPs play a role in intracellular killing, such as apoptosis induction. In this mini-review, we will review some representative AMPs and their antimicrobial mechanisms and provide new insights into the dual mechanism of AMPs.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.375-378
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• 2005

In the mechanism of beam shear failure, beam action and arch action always exist simultaneously. According to a/d ratio, the proportion and contribution between these two actions to shear capacity are merely changed. Moreover, the current codes recommendations are founded on the experimental results with normal strength concrete, the applicable range of $f'_{c}$ must be extended. Based on this mechanism and new requirement, an analytical equation is proposed for shear capacity prediction of reinforced concrete beams without stirrups. To reflect contribution change of two actions, stress variation in longitudinal reinforcement along the span is considered with Jenq and Shah Model. Dowel action and shear friction are also taken into account. Size effect is included to derive more precise equation. It is shown that the proposed equation is more accurate than other empirical equations and codes. So, it can be possible that wide range of a/d ratio is considered by one equation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 1997

Lithium remains the most widely used therapeutic agent for bipolar affective disorder, particularly mania. Although many investigators have studied the effects of lithium on abnormalities in monoamine neuro-transmitter as a pathophysiological basis of affective disorder, the action mechanism of lithium ion remains still unknown. To explore the action mechanism of lithium in the brain, we examined the effects of lithium on the extrasynaptosomal concentrations of catecholamines and their metabolites. Synaptosomes were prepared from the rat forebrains and assays of catecholamines and metabolites were made using HPLC with an electrochemical detector. Lithium of 1mM decreased the extrasynaptosomal concentrations of NE from the control group of $3.07{\pm}1.19$ to the treated group of $0.00{\pm}0.00$ (ng/ml of synaptosomal suspension) but not that of DHPG. It can be suggested that lithium increases synaptosomal uptake of NE. Increased intraneuronal uptake of NE would decrease neurotransmission and extraneuronal metabolism of NE. Because increased brain NE metabolism and neurotransmission have been suggested as important components in the pathophysiology of bipolar affective disorder, especially mania, lithium-induced increase of intraneuronal NE uptake can be suspected as an action mechanism of therapeutic effect of lithium in manic patient, possibly in bipolar affective disorder.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the wound healing effect of acai berry water extracts (ABWE) and a possible underlying mechanism involved in its action using various in vitro and in vivo models. The wound healing effect of ABWE was evaluated by migration assay using HS68 fibroblast cells. In addition, its effect on mRNA expression of procollagen, fibronectin, and MMP-1 was determined. Moreover, the wound healing effect of ABWE was evaluated in in vivo wound models through macroscopic and microscopic observation. In addition, mRNA expression levels of wound related genes were determined. Results revealed that ABWE was not cytotoxic. It increased migration of HS68 fibroblast cells. ABWE increased mRNA expression levels of fibronectin but decreased the mRNA expression levels of MMP-1. ABWE also showed significantly potent wound healing effect in vivo based on macroscopic and histopathological observation and mRNA expression evaluation for wound related genes. Taken together, our results indicated that ABWE might have potential as a wound healing agent.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 1998

In order to compare the suppressive effect of galangin on the genotoxicity by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) or benzo[a]pyrene B(a)P, in vivo micronycleus test using mouse peripheral blood and in vitro sister chromatid exchange(SCE) test using mouse spleen lymphocytes were performed. MNU or B(a)P-induced micronucleated reticulocytes in vivo was decreased by the simultaneous treatment of galangin. MNU or B(a)P-induced SCEs in vitro was also decreased by the simultaneous treatment of galangin. On the other hand, the determinations of [$^3$H]MNU-induced total DNA binding and methylated DNA were performed to find out the mechanism of action. [$^3$H]MNU-induced total DNA binding was inhibited by the treatment of galangin in calf thymus DNA. HPLC analysis of DNA hydrolysates showed that galangin caused a decrease of 7-methyl guanine and $O^{6}$-methyl guanine in calf thymus DNA. To elucidate the action mechanism of galangin against B(a)P, alteration of B(a)P metabolism was studied. Galangin inhibited B(a)P metabolism in the presence of S-9 mix and decreased B(a)P-DNA binding in calf thymus DNA with S-9 mix.