• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.25-32
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• 2010

Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were orally administered with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME) which inhibits or blocks the production of nitric oxide from L-arginine in vascular endothelial cells and vessel tissue to statistically examine the effects of nitric oxide on some physiological changes such as blood pressure and heart rate, and to confirm the apoptosis induced by the suppressed nitric oxide activity in some related organs under light microscope. Systolic blood pressure significantly increased 28.5% by the chronic treatment of L-NAME for 8 weeks (P<0.001), no significant difference, however, was observed in heart rate between the control group and the L-NAME-treated group regardless of their age. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed some histological alterations only in kidney among the examined organs; heart, liver, pancreas, and adrenal gland from the L-NAME-treated group. TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) test showed a strong positive reaction, representing that the chronic treatment of L-NAME facilitates apoptosis, in the cortex and medulla of kidney, but not any significance detectable in the other organs. These results conclude that chronic treatment of L-NAME significantly increases blood pressure, and that the followed inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis occurs a typical inducement of apoptosis in kidney.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제1권6호
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• pp.673-679
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• 1997

It has been generally accepted that glutamate mediates the ischemic brain damage, excitotoxicity, and induces release of neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine(NE), in ischemic milieu. In the present study, the role of nitric oxide(NO) in the ischemia-induced $[^3H]norepinephrine([^3H]NE)$ release from cortex slices of the rat was examined. Ischemia, deprivation of oxygen and glucose from $Mg^{2+}-free$ artificial cerebrospinal fluid, induced significant release of $[^3H]NE$ from cortex slices. This ischemia-induced $[^3H]NE$ release was significantly attenuated by glutamatergic neurotransmission modifiers. $N^G-nitro-L-arginine$ methyl ester(L-NAME), $N^G-monomethyl-L-arginine$ (L-NMMA) or 7-nitroindazole, nitric oxide synthase inhibitors attenuated the ischemia-evoked $[^3H]NE$ release. Hemoglobin, a NO chelator, and 5, 5- dimethyl-L-pyrroline-N-oxide(DMPO), an electron spin trap, inhibited $[^3H]NE$ release dose-dependently. Ischemia-evoked $[^3H]NE$ release was inhibited by methylene blue, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, and potentiated by 8-bromo-cGMP, a cell permeable cGMP analog, zaprinast, a cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a nitric oxide generator. These results suggest that the ischemia-evoked $[^3H]NE$ release is mediated by NMDA receptors, and activation of NO system is involved.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.361-371
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• 2003

The vasorelaxant actions and blood pressure lowering of the ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor agonists (${\alpha}_2$-AAs) clonidine and xylazine were investigated in rat isolated aortic rings and anesthesized rats. Both clonidine and xylazine produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the sustained contraction induced by norepinephrine (NE), but not by KCl. NE-induced contractions were attenuated partly by nifedipine or verapamil, voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers. These $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers-resistant contractions were abolished by clonidine or xylazine. Inhibitory effects of a ${\alpha}_2$-AAs on contractions could be reversed by ryanodine, an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, transport blocker, and tetrabutylammonium (TBA), a $Ca^{2+}$ activated $K^+$ channel blocker, but not by nifedipine, glibenclamide or removal of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and endothelium. Moreover, ${\alpha}_2$-AAs produced relaxation in NE-precontracted isolated intact aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner, but not in KCl-precontracted rings. The relaxant effects of ${\alpha}_2$-AAs were inhibited by ryanodine and TBA, but not by nifedipine, glibenclamide, N (G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine (AG), 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl N,N-diphenylcarhurnte (NCDC), lithium sulfate, staurosporine or removal of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and endothelium. In vivo, infusion of xylazine elicited significant decrease in anerial blood pressure. This xylazinelowered blood pressure was completely inhibited by the intravenous injection of TBA, but not by the intravenous injection of glibenclamide, L-NNA, L-NAME, AG, nifedipine, lithium sulfate or saponin.. These findings showed that the receptor-mediated and ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor A-stimulated endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effect may be explained by decreasing intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release and activation of $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels, which may contribute to the hypotensive effects of ${\alpha}_2$-AAs in rats.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제1권6호
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• pp.809-816
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• 1997

The present study was designed to investigate whether endogenous nitric oxide(EDNO) is involved in submandibular vasodilation and salivation induced by parasympathetic nerve stimulation. Effects of $N^w$-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) which blocks the synthesis of EDNO from L-arginine on the submandibular vasodilation and salivation induced by chords stimulation or administration of various vasodilators were examined in anesthetized cats. Effect of L-NAME on $K^+$ efflux induced by carbachol was also examined using the excised submandibular slice in vitro. In the submandibular slices, acetylcholine$(10^{-5}\;mol/L)$ or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide$(VIP,\;10^{-5}\;mol/L)$ increased $NO_2$ contents, which was Prevented by pretreatment with L-NAME. Salivary secretion in response to the chords stimulation$(3\;V,\;1\;msec,\;10{\sim}20\;Hz)$ was completely blocked by treatment with atropine(1 mg/kg). Increased blood flow response to the low frequency(1, 2, 5 Hz) stimulation was significantly reduced, whereas the blood flow induced by the higher frequency(10,20 Hz) stimulation was not affected. Lingual-arterial infusion of L-NAME(100 mg/kg) significantly diminished the vasodilatory and salivary responses to the chorda stimulation at all stimuli frequencies used. Intra-arterial infusion of L-NAME(100 mg/kg markedly diminished the vasodilatory responses to acetylcholine$(5\;{\mu}g/kg)$, VIP$(5\;{\mu}g/kg)$ or bradykinin$(5\;{\mu}g/kg)$. In the excised submandibular slice, $K^+$ efflux in response to carbachol$(10^{-5}\;mol/L)$ was significantly decrease by pretreatment with L-NAME$(10^{-5}\;mol/L)$. In the isolated submandibular artery precontracted with phenylephrine$(10^{-5}\;mol/L)$, the vasorelaxation induced by ACh$(10^{-7}\;mol/L)$ was reversed into a contraction by methylene blue$(10^{-4}\;mol/L)$. These results suggest that EDNO may play an important role in vasodilation and secretion of the submandibular gland.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.151-155
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• 2000

Nitric oxide (NO) is a reactive free radical which plays important roles in animal physiology. To investigate involvement of NO in acrosome reaction (AR), effects of drugs which modulate the intracellular NO level were examined in mouse spermatozoa. N (G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA), a potent inhibitor of NO synthesis, decreased AR in a reversible manner, On the other hand, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO generating agent, increased spontaneous AR. Preincubation of sperm in the presence of L-NA potentiated AR after sperm transfer into plain- or SNP-media. Methylene blue, a NO scavenging agent, decreased spontaneous AR. Taken together, it is concluded that NO positively controls AR.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.434-439
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• 1995

In pancreatic cells, NO formation is associated with increased levels of cGMP and endocrine/exocrine secretion. In the present study, the role of NO in the regulation of exocrine secretion was investigated in rat pancreatic tissues. Treatment of rat pancreatic tissue with sholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) resulted in an significant increase in arginine conversion to citruline, the amount of nitrite/nitrate, the release of amylase, and the level of cGMP. Furthermore, CCK-PZ stimulated increase of amylase release and conversion of arginine to citrulline transformation were counteracted by the inhibitor of NO synthase, $N^G-nitro-L-arginine$ methyl ester. The results on the time course of CCK-PZ-induced citrulline formation within the first seconds of simulation. The kinetics of citrulline accumulation correlate well with those of cGMP rise, which further confirms the conclusion that NO mediates the response to CCK-PZ by cGMP.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.33-41
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• 1996

The present study was aimed to investigate the role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) in the control of renin release and to examine if NO is implicated in the development of two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) hypertension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats $(150{\sim}200\; g)$ were constricted at the left renal artery. They were then supplemented with $N^{G}-nitro-L-arginine\;methyl\;ester\;(L-NAME,\; 5mg/100\;mL)$ or with L-arginine hydrochloride (400 mg/100 mL) in the drinking water. The control group was supplied with normal tap water. The sham-clipped rats were operated as in 2K1C rats except for that no clip was made. The kidneys were taken to examine in vitro release of renin at days 7 and 14 following clipping the renal artery. Northern blot analysis was also done to assess the expression of renin gene in the kidney. In sham-clipped rats, L-NAME caused a sustained increase of the blood pressure, whereas L-arginine was without effect. Neither L-NAME nor L-arginine-supplementation significantly affected the development of hypertension in 2K1C rats. Plasma renin concentration (PRC) measured on day 28 did not significantly differ among the L-NAME, L-arginine and control groups either in 2K1C or in sham-clipped rats. Renin contents (RRC) in the clipped kidney were increased, while those in the contralateral kidney were decreased. The release of renin in vitro from cortical slices was also enhanced in the clipped kidney, whereas it was attenuated in the contralateral. Comparing the RRC and in vitro release, the latter was more rapidly decreased than the former in the contralateral kidney. The renin mRNA levels in the contralateral kidney were almost at their nadir at days 7 and 14 in 2K1C rats. It is suggested that NO does not affect the development of 2K1C hypertension in which the renin-angiotensin system has been activated. The data also confirm that RRC and renin gene expression are increased in the clipped kidney and suppressed in the contralateral kidney in 2K1C rats.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.41-46
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• 2001

To investigate the mutual relationship between angiotensin II (Ang II) and nitric oxide (NO) in paraventricular nucleus (PVN), Ang II receptor type Ia $(AT_{1A}),$ type Ib $(AT_{1B}),$ endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS), and neuronal constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ncNOS) mRNA levels of rat PVN were measured after unilateral carotid artery ligation. $AT_{1A}$ and $AT_{1B}$ mRNA levels were markedly elevated 6 hrs after unilateral carotid artery ligation. Losartan injection $(10\;{\mu}g/0.3\;{\mu}l)$ into the PVN augmented of the increment of $AT_{1A}$ and $AT_{1B}$ mRNAs It also increased ecNOS gene expression. In addition, $AT_{1B}$ mRNA levels increased after N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) injection $(50\;{\mu}g/0.3\;{\mu}l)$ into the PVN. These results suggest that Ang II and NO in the rat PVN may interplay, at least in part, through regulation of gene expression of ecNOS and $AT_{1B},$ respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.93-98
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• 2001

The precise mechanism of set-point regulation in hypothalamus was not elucidated. Nitric oxide synthases(NOS) were detected in hypothalamus, however, the roles of NO in hypothalamus was not fully studied. So, we tested the effects of NO on body temperature because preoptic-anterior hypothalamus was known as the presumptive primary fever-producing site. NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 4 nmol, i.c.v.) elicited marked febrile response, and this febrile response was completely blocked by indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor). But, ODQ (selective guanylate cyclase inhibitor, $50\;{\mu}g,$ i.c.v.) did not inhibit fever induced by SNP. The cyclic GMP analogue dibutyryl-cGMP $(100\;{\mu}g,\;i.c.v.)$ induced significant pyreses, which is blocked by indomethacin. $N^G-nitro-L-arginine$ methyl ester (L-NAME, non selective NOS inhibitor) inhibited fever induced by $interleukin-1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\bata},\;10\;ng,\;i.c.v.),$ one of endogenous pyrogens. These results indicate that NO may have an important role, not related to stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase, in the signal pathway of thermoregulation in hypothalamus.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.140-146
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• 2000

Recently, we reported that immunostimulation of primary rat cortical astrocyte caused stimulation of glucose deprivation induced apoptotic cell death. To enhance the understanding of the mechanism of the potentiated cell death of clucose-deprived astrocyte by immunostimulation, we investigated the effect of immunostimulation on the glucose deprivation induced cell death of rat C6 glioma cells. Co-treatment of C6 glioma cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, $1\;{\mu}\textrm{g}/ml$) and interferon ${\gamma}(IFN{\gamma},\;100U/ml)$ is serum free condition caused marked elevationo f nitric oxide production ($>50\;{\mu}M$). In this condition, glucose deprivation caused significant release of lactate dehdrogenase (LDH) from C6 glioma cells while control cells did not show LDH release. To investigate whether elevated level of nitric oxide is responsible for the enhanced LDH release in glucose-deprived condition, C6 glioma cells were treated with 3-morphorinosydnonimine (SIN-1) and it was observed that SIN-1 caused increase in LDH release from glucose-deprived C6 glioma cells. Treatment of C6 glioma cells with $25\;{\mu}M$ of pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) which inhibit Nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) activation, caused complete inhibition of nitric oxide production. Treatment of C6 glioma cells with NO synthase inhibitors, $N^{G}$-nitro-L-arginine (NNA) or L-$N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), caused inhibition of nitric oxide production and also glucose deprivation induced cell death of cytokine-stimulated C6 glioma cells. In addition, diaminohydroxypyrimidine (DAHP, 5 mM) which inhibits the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterine (BH4), one of essential cofactors for iNOS activity, caused complete inhibition of NO production from immunostimulated C6 glioma cells. The results from the present study suggest that immunostimulation causes potentiation of glucose deprivation induced death of C6 glioma cells which is mediated at least in part by the increased production of nitric oxide. The vulnerability of immunostimulated C6 glioma cells to hypoglycemic insults may implicate that the elevated level of cytokines in various ischemic and neurodegenerative diseases may play a role in their pathogenesis.