• 제목/요약/키워드: Membrane Depolarization

검색결과 179건 처리시간 0.028초

Inhibitory Effects of Total Ginseng Saponin on Catecholamine Secretion from the Perfused Adrenal Medulla of SHRs

  • Jang, Seok-Jeong;Lim, Hyo-Jeong;Lim, Dong-Yoon
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • 제35권2호
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    • pp.176-190
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    • 2011
  • There seems to be some controversy about the effect of total ginseng saponin (TGS) on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the adrenal gland. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether TGS can affect the CA release in the perfused model of the adrenal medulla isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). TGS (15-150 ${\mu}g/mL$), perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min, inhibited the CA secretory responses evoked by acetylcholine (ACh, 5.32 mM) and high $K^+$ (56 mM, a direct membrane depolarizer) in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. TGS (50 ${\mu}g/mL$) also time-dependently inhibited the CA secretion evoked by 1.1-dimethyl-4 -phenyl piperazinium iodide (DMPP; 100 ${\mu}M$, a selective neuronal nicotinic receptor agonist) and McN-A-343 (100 ${\mu}M$, a selective muscarinic M1 receptor agonist). TGS itself did not affect basal CA secretion (data not shown). Also, in the presence of TGS (50 ${\mu}g/mL$), the secretory responses of CA evoked by veratridine (a selective $Na^+$ channel activator (50 ${\mu}M$), Bay-K-8644 (an L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, 10 ${\mu}M$), and cyclopiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor, 10 ${\mu}M$) were significantly reduced, respectively. Interestingly, in the simultaneous presence of TGS (50 ${\mu}g/mL$) and N${\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride [an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, 30 ${\mu}M$], the inhibitory responses of TGS on the CA secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644, cyclopiazonic acid, and veratridine were considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with the inhibitory effect of TGS-treatment alone. Practically, the level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of TGS (150 ${\mu}g/mL$) was greatly elevated compared to the corresponding basal released level. Taken together, these results demonstrate that TGS inhibits the CA secretory responses evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both muscarinic and nicotinic) receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization from the isolated perfused adrenal medulla of the SHRs. It seems that this inhibitory effect of TGS is mediated by inhibiting both the influx of $Ca^{2+}$ and Na+ into the adrenomedullary chromaffin cells and also by suppressing the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from the cytoplasmic calcium store, at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of nitric oxide synthase, which is relevant to neuronal nicotinic receptor blockade, without the enhancement effect on the CA release. Based on these effects, it is also thought that there are some species differences in the adrenomedullary CA secretion between the rabbit and SHR.

햄스터 난자에서 존재하는 Chloride 통로 (Identification of Chloride Channels in Hamster Eggs)

  • 김양미;김종수;홍성근
    • 한국수정란이식학회지
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    • 제19권2호
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    • pp.101-112
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    • 2004
  • 본 연구는 포유류인 $Cl^-$통로의 존재 여부를 확인하기 위하여 수행되었다. $Cl^-$통로는 비흥분성 세포에서 용적변화와 pH 조절, 이온운반계 등에 중요한 역할을 수행하므로 활발한 세포분화가 이루어지는 난자의 생존과 기능에 필수적 $Cl^-$통로 존재 여부를 확인하고자 하였다. 단일통로 전류를 기록하는 patch clamp 기법을 이용하였다. 세포외(pipette) 용액을 140 mM NaCl로 하고 세포내(bath) 용액을 70 mM, 140 mM, 280 mM NaCl로 바꾸어 주었을 때, 역전압($E_{rev}$) 은 $Cl^-$평형전압을 반영하는 -9.8${\pm}$0.5mV, 0mV, 11.5${\pm}$0.2mV로 변화하였다(n=4). 이런 결과는 이론치와 약간의 편차를 보이고 있으므로 이를 보정하기 위항 Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz(GHK) 식을 이용한 결과 $Cl^-$에 대한 $Na^+$의 투과성 ($P_{Na}$/$P_{Cl}$/)은 0.25로 추측할 수 있었다. Inside out patch mode에서 Pipette 용액과 bath 용액에 imperment인 NMDG-Cl로 구성하였을 경우 단일 통로가 기록되었다.(n=22). 막전압이 증가함에 따라 전도도(conductance)가 같이 증가하였으며 전류-전압 관계는 outward rectification을 보였다. 이런 특성을 나타내는 단일통로로 전류는 선택적 $Cl^-$통로 차단제인 IAA-94(indanyloxyacetic acid 94)에 의해 농도 의존적으로 차단되었으며 가역적으로 회복되었다. IAA의 $IC_{50}$은 32.6$\mu\textrm{M}$이었다. DIDS(4,4'-diisothiocyan ostillben-2-2'disulfonic acid)에 의해서는 전류크기가 감소 되는 빠른 억제기전을 나타내는 차단효과를 보였으며 시간경과에 따라 seblevel로 감소되는 subconductance block 이 나타났다. 이상의 결과는 햄스터 난자에서 chloride 통로가 존재하여, 물질이동과 pH 조절기능을 나타내는 외향성 전류-전압관계를 보이는 $Cl^-$ 통로의 성상으로 미루어 볼 때 난자의 pH 조절과 용적조절과 같은 생리적 환경 조성에 관여할 것으로 추정된다.

기니피그 위 평활근의 자발적 수축과 전기적 활동에 대한 $Ca^{2+}$$Ca^{2+}$-길항제 영향 (Effect of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}-antagonists$ on the Spontaneous Contractions and Electrical Activities of Guinea-pig Stomach)

  • 이상호;김기환
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology
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    • 제21권2호
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    • pp.241-257
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    • 1987
  • The effects of external $Ca^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}-antagonists$ on the spontaneous contractions and electrical activities were investigated in guinea-pig stomach in order to clarify the mechanism for the generation of slow waves. Electrical responses of circular smooth muscle cells were recorded using glass capillary microelectrodes filled with 3 M KCl. 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) The amplitude of spontaneous contractions was maximal at around 2-4 mM $Ca^{2+}$, whereas their frequency was inversely related with external $Ca^{2+}$ within the range of 0.5 to 16 mM $Ca^{2+}$. 2) Verapamil suppressed the amplitude of spontaneous contraction in a dose-dependent manner, while the frequency of spontaneous contractions was almost not changed over the whole concentration of verapamil $(0.01{\sim}5\;mg/l)$. 3) Manganese increased both the amplitude and the frequency of spontaneous contractions dose-dependently in low $Mn^{2+}$ (below 0.05 mM $Mn^{2+}$), while their amplitude and frequency were decreased in high $Mn^{2+}$ (above 0.1 mM $Mn^{2+}$). 4) The ampltude and maximum rate of rise of slow waves were incrased in high $Ca^{2+}$ solution. In $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution, the spontaneous contractions recorded simultaneously with slow waves ceased and tonic contraction ($Ca^{2+}-free$ contracture) was developed in parallel with membrane depolarization and the disappearance of slow waves. 5) Verapamil (1 mg/1) decreased the amplitude and maximum rate of rise of slow waves and it depolarized the membrane by about 6 mV, whereas the frequency of slow waves was not affected by verapamil. 6) Manganese showed different characteristic effects between low and high $Mn^{2+}$ on the slow waves: In low $Mn^{2+}$ (0.05 mM $Mn^{2+}$), the initial rapid increases and the subsequent gradual decreases in three parameters of slow waves (amplitude, rate of rise, and frequency of slow waves) till a new steady state were observed. However, in high $Mn^{2+}$ (0.5 mM $Mn^{2+}$) slow waves disappeared and membrane was depolarized. From the above results, the following conclusions could be made: 1) $Ca^{2+}$ is necessary for a generation of the slow waves, even though it is small amount. 2) Verapamil suppresses the spontaneous contractions of gastric antral strip by the decreases in amplitude and maximum rate of rise of slow waves, while this drug does not block the $Ca^{2+}-channel$ involved in the generation of slow waves. 3) Manganese has dual actions on the $Ca^{2+}-channels$; the $Ca^{2+}-channel$ involved in the generation of slow waves (or Na-Ca exchange system) or the channel for the generation of spike potentials are stimulated by a low concentration of $Mn^{2+}$, while both the $Ca^{2+}$. Channels are blocked by high concentration of $Mn^{2+}$.

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Influence of Cilnidipine on Catecholamine Release in the Perfused Rat Adrenal Medulla

  • Woo, Seong-Chang;Baek, Young-Joo;Lim, Dong-Yoon
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • 제8권5호
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    • pp.265-272
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    • 2004
  • The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of cilnidipine (FRC-8635), which is a newly synthesised novel dihydropyridine (DHP) type of organic $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, on secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by acetylcholine (ACh), high $K^+$, DMPP and McN-A-343 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. Cilnidipine $(1{\sim}10{\mu}M)$ perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced relatively dose- and time-dependent inhibition in CA secretory responses evoked by ACh $(5.32{\times}10^{-3}M),\;DMPP\;(10^{-4}M\;for\;2\;min)$ and McN-A-343 $(10^{-4}M\;for\;2\;min)$. However, lower dose of cilnidipine did not affect CA secretion by high $K^+\;(5.6{\times}10^{-2}\;M)$, higher dose of it reduced greatly CA secretion of high $K^{+}$. Cilnidipine itself did fail to affect basal catecholamine output. In the presence of cilnidipine $(10{\mu}M)$, the CA secretory responses evoked by Bay-K-8644 $(10{\mu}M)$, an activator of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels and cyclopiazonic acid $(10{\mu}M)$, an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase were also inhibited. Moreover, ${\omega}-conotoxin\;GVIA\;(1{\mu}M)$, a selective blocker of the N-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels, given into the adrenal gland for 60 min, also inhibited time-dependently CA secretory responses evoked by Ach, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid. Taken together, these results demostrate that cilnidipine inhibits CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland without affecting the basal release. However, at lower dose, cilnidipine did not affect CA release by membrane depolarization while at larger dose inhibited that. It seems likely that this inhibitory effect of cilnidipine is exerted by blocking both L- and N-type voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels (VDCCs) on the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells, which is relevant to inhibition of both the $Ca^{2+}$ influx into the adrenal chromaffin cells and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic store. It is thought that N-type VDCCs may play an important role in regulation of CA release from the rat adrenal medulla.

Changes of Cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ under Metabolic Inhibition in Isolated Rat Ventricular Myocytes

  • Kang, Sung-Hyun;Kim, Na-Ri;Joo, Hyun;Youm, Jae-Boum;Park, Won-Sun;Warda, Mohamed;Kim, Hyung-Kyu;Von Cuong, Dang;Kim, Tae-Ho;Kim, Eui-Yong;Han, Jin
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • 제9권5호
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    • pp.291-298
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    • 2005
  • To characterize cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ fluctuations under metabolic inhibition, rat ventricular myocytes were exposed to $200{\mu}M$ 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), and mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$, mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$), and cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ were measured, using Rhod-2 AM, TMRE, and Fluo-4 AM fluorescent dyes, respectively, by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM). Furthermore, the role of sarcolemmal $Na^+$/$Ca^{2+}$ exchange (NCX) in cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ efflux was studied in KB-R7943 and $Na^+$-free normal Tyrode's solution (143 mM LiCl ). When DNP was applied to cells loaded with Fluo-4 AM, Fluo-4 AM fluorescence intensity initially increased by $70{\pm}10$% within $70{\pm}10$ s, and later by $400{\pm}200$% at $850{\pm}45$ s. Fluorescence intensity of both Rhod-2 AM and TMRE were initially decreased by DNP, coincident with the initial increase of Fluo-4 AM fluorescence intensity. When sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) $Ca^{2+}$ was depleted by $1{\mu}M thapsigargin plus $10{\mu}M ryanodine, the initial increase of Fluo-4 AM fluorescence intensity was unaffected, however, the subsequent progressive increase was abolished. KB-R7943 delayed both the first and the second phases of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ overload, while $Na^+$-free solution accelerated the second. The above results suggest that: 1) the initial rise in cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ under DNP results from mitochondrial depolarization; 2) the secondary increase is caused by progressive $Ca^{2+}$ release from SR; 3) NCX plays an important role in transient cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ shifts under metabolic inhibition with DNP.

Polyphenols of Rubus coreanum Inhibit Catecholamine Secretion from the Perfused Adrenal Medulla of SHRs

  • Yu, Byung-Sik;Na, Duck-Mi;Kang, Mi-Young;Lim, Dong-Yoon
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • 제13권6호
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    • pp.517-526
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    • 2009
  • The present study was attempted to investigate whether polyphenolic compounds isolated from wine, which is brewed from Rubus coreanum Miquel (PCRC), may affect the release of catecholamines (CA) from the isolated perfused adrenal medulla of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and to establish its mechanism of action. PCRC $(20\sim180\;{\mu}g/ml)$ perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min relatively dose-dependently inhibited the CA secretory responses to ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (56 mM), DMPP $(100\;{\mu}M)$ and McN-A-343 $(100\;{\mu}M)$. PCRC itself did not affect basal CA secretion (data not shown). Also, in the presence of PCRC $(60\;{\mu}g/ml)$, the CA secretory responses to veratridine (a selective $Na^+$ channel activator $(10\;{\mu}M)$, Bay-K-8644 (a L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, $10\;{\mu}M$), and cyclopiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor, $10\;{\mu}M$) were significantly reduced, respectively. In the simultaneous presence of PCRC $(60\;{\mu}g/ml)$ and L-NAME (an inhibitor of NO synthase, $30\;{\mu}M$), the inhibitory responses of PCRC on the CA secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, and Bay-K-8644 were considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with that of PCRC-treatment alone. The level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of PCRC $(60\;{\mu}g/ml)$ was greatly elevated compared with the corresponding basal level. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PCRC inhibits the CA secretion from the isolated perfused adrenal medulla of the SHRs evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization. It seems that this inhibitory effect of PCRC is mediated by blocking the influx of calcium and sodium into the adrenal medullary chromaffin cells of the SHRs as well as by inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of NO synthase.

Influence of Cilnidipine on Catecholamine Release Evoked by Cholinergic Stimulation and Membrane Depolarization in the Perfused Rat Adrenal Gland

  • Lim, Dong-Yoon;Woo, Seong-Chang;Ko, Suk-Tai
    • 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 한국응용약물학회 2001년도 추계학술대회 및 정기총회
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    • pp.95-95
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    • 2001
  • Ciinidipine (FRC-8635) is a newly synthesized novel DHP type of organic Ca$\_$2+/channel blockers that have been developed so far in Japan (Yoshimoto et al., 1991 : Hosono et at., 1992). It also has a blocking action on L-type voltage-dependent Ca$\^$2+/channel (VDCCs) in the rabbit basilar artery (Oike et al., 1990) and a slow-onset and long-lasting hypotensive action in clinical and experimental studies (Ikeda et al., 1992 ; Tominaga et al., 1997). Recent electrophysiological data indicate that cilnidipine might be a dual-channel antagonist for peripheral neuronal N-type and vascular L-type Ca$\^$2+/channels (Oike et al., 1990 ; Fujii et al., 1997; Uneyama et at., 1997). However, little is known about the involvement of N-type VDCCs in contributing to the muscarinic receptor-mediated CA secretion. Therefore, the present study was attempted to investigate the effect of cilinidipine on secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by ACh, high K$\^$+/, DMPP and McN-A-343 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. Cilnidipine (1-10 ${\mu}$M) perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition in CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32${\times}$10$\^$-3/M), DMPP (10$\^$-4/ M for 2 min) and McN-A-343 (10$\^$-4/ M for 2 min). However, lower dose of lobeline did not affect CA secretion by high K$\^$+/(5.6${\times}$10$\^$-2/ M), higher dose of it reduced greatly CA secretion of high K$\^$+/. Cilnidipine itself did also fail to affect basal catecholamine output. Furthermore, in adrenal glands loaded with cilnidipine (10 ${\mu}$M), CA secretory response evoked by Bay-K-8644 (10 ${\mu}$M), an activator of L-type Ca$\^$2+/channels was markedly inhibited while CA secretion by cyclopiazonic acid (10 ${\mu}$M), an inhibitor of cytoplasmic Ca$\^$2+/-ATPase was no affected. Moreover, $\omega$-conotoxin GVIA (1 ${\mu}$M), given into the adrenal gland for 60 min, also inhibited time-dependently CA secretory responses evoked by ACh and high K$\^$+/.

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가족성 저칼륨성 주기성 마비에서 세포외 칼륨농도가 지연성 정류형 채널을 형성하는 KCNQ3와 KCNQ5 단백질에 미치는 효과 (Effect of Extracellular Potassium on Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channel Proteins of KCNQ3 and KCNQ5 in Familial Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis)

  • 김성조;김동현;김준범
    • 생명과학회지
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    • 제19권10호
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    • pp.1484-1488
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    • 2009
  • 가족성 저칼륨성 주기성 마비란 상염색체 우성 유전 질환으로 저칼륨혈증을 동반한 간헐적인 가역적 이완성 근육 마비를 특징으로 한다. 세포내 저류된 칼륨으로 인해 저칼륨혈증이 지속되고 근세포 활성이상으로 인해 마비가 발생하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이러한 증상발현의 분자생물학적 기전을 확인하기 위해 세포 내 칼륨이온을 세포 밖으로 이동시키는 지연성 정류형 채널 단백질의 일종인 KCNQ3와 KCNQ5를 대상으로, 정상인과 환자에서 채취한 골격근 세포를 생리적 세포외 정상 칼륨농도인 4 mM과 탈분극 유도를 위한 고칼륨농도인 50mM에 노출시켜 단백질의 양적 변화 유무를 확인하였다. 유전자 발현양상을 확인하기 위해 mRNA의 양적 변화를 확인한 결과 모든 조건에서 유의한 변화가 관찰되지 않아 정상 칼륨조건과 고칼륨조건이 두 유전자발현의 변화를 야기하지 않음을 확인하였다. 그러나 단백질 양을 관찰한 결과 환자의 골격근 세포가 50 mM의 칼륨농도에 노출되는 경우 KCNQ3 단백질은 세포질 내에서 증가하고 세포막 내에서 감소하였다. 이는 환자의 골격근 세포가 고농도의 세포외 칼륨에 의해 탈분극 되는 경우 재분극에 중요한 기능을 담당하는 KCNQ3 채널 단백질이 세포질 내로 이동하여 재분극 형성의 장애를 초래하고 이로 인해 근세포 활성이 일어나지 않게 되어 마비를 유발할 수 있음을 시사하는 결과로 본 질환의 새로운 발병 기전을 설명할 수 있는 근거로 생각된다.

흰쥐 해마에서 Norepinephrine 유리에 미치는 $N^6-cyclopentyladenosine$ 및 Forskolin의 영향 (Interaction of Forskolin with the Effect of $N^6-cyclopentyladenosine$ on Norepinephrine Release in Rat Hippocampus)

  • 최봉규;김도경;손용;양의종
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • 제1권3호
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    • pp.225-231
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    • 1997
  • As it has been reported that the depolarization-induced norepinephrine (NE) release is modulated by activation of presynaptic $A_1-adenosine$ heteroreceptor and various lines of evidence indicate the involvement of adenylate cyclase system in $A_1-adenosine$ post-receptor mechanism in hippocampus, it was attempted to delineate the role of adenylate cyclase system in the $A_1-receptor-mediated$ control of NE release in this study. Slices from rat hippocampus were equilibrated with $[^3H]-NE$ and the release of the labelled products was evoked by electrical stimulation.(3 Hz, $5Vcm^{-1}$, 2 ms, rectangular pulses). The influence of various agents on the evoked tritium-outflow was investigated. $N^6-Cyclopentyladenosine$ (CPA), a specific $A_1-adenosine$ receptor agonist, in concentrations Tanging from 0.1 to $10{\mu}M$ decreased the $[^3H]-NE$ release in a dose-dependent mauler without any change of basal rate of release. 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, $2{\mu}M$), a selective $A_1-receptor$ antagonist, inhibited the CPA effect. The responses to N-ethylmaleimide $(3&10{\mu}M)$, a SH-alkylating agent of G-protein, were characterized by increments of the evoked NE-release and the CPA effects were completely abolished by NEM pretreatment. Forskolin, a specific adenylate cyclase activator, in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to $30{\mu}M$ increased the evoked and basal rate of NE release in a dose-dependent manner and the CPA effects were inhibited by forskolin pretreatment. Rolipram $(1&10{\mu}M)$, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, did not affect the evoked NE release but reduced the CPA effect. And 8-bromo-cAMP $(100&300{\mu}M)$, a membrane permeable cAMP analogue inhibited the CPA effect significantly. These results suggest that the $A_1-adenosine$ heteroreceptor plays an important role in NE-release via nucleotide-binding protein $G_i$ in the rat hippocampus and that the adenylate cyclase system might be participated in this process.

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Inhibitory Effects of Self-Fermented Pine Needle Extract on Catecholamine Release in the Rat Adrenal Medulla

  • Choi, Mee-Sung;Seo, Young-Hwan;Cheong, Hyeon-Sook;Lim, Dong-Yoon
    • Natural Product Sciences
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    • 제19권1호
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    • pp.36-48
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    • 2013
  • The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of several fractions obtained from methylene chloride ($CH_2Cl_2$) extract of self-fermented pine needle (SFPNE) on the acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked CA release from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla and to establish the mechanism of the most active fraction (Fr.)-induced inhibitory action on the CA release. We obtained 6 fractions from $CH_2Cl_2$ extract of self-fermented pine needle. For the ACh (5.32 mM)-evoked CA release, the following rank order of inhibitory potency was obtained: Fr.4-5 > Fr.8-11 ${\gg}$ Fr.3 > Fr.6 = Fr.7 > Fr.1-2. Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$) perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min produced relatively time-dependent inhibition of the CA secretory responses to ACh (5.32 mM), DMPP (100 ${\mu}M$), McN-A-343 (100 ${\mu}M$) and high $K^+$ (56 mM). Fr. 4 - 5 itself did not affect basal CA secretion. Also, in the presence of Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$), the CA secretory responses to angiotensin II (AngII, 0.1 ${\mu}M$), veratridine (50 ${\mu}M$), Bay-K-8644 (10 ${\mu}M$), and cyclopiazonic acid (10 ${\mu}M$) were significantly reduced, respectively. In the simultaneous presence of Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$) and L-NAME (30 ${\mu}M$), the inhibitory responses of Fr. 4 - 5 on the CA secretion evoked by ACh, DMPP, high $K^+$, AngII, Bay-K-8644 and veratridine were considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with that of Fr. 4 - 5-treatment alone. The level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$) was greatly elevated compared with the basal level. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Fr. 4 - 5 inhibits the CA secretion from the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization. It seems that this inhibitory effect of Fr. 4 - 5 is mediated by blocking the influx of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ into the adrenomedullary chromaffin cells as well as by inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store, which is evoked at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of NO synthase. Based on these results, it is also thought that Fr. 4 - 5 isolated from $CH_2Cl_2$ extract of pine needle may contain beneficial antihypertensive components to prevent or treat hypertension.