• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2004

Nitric oxide (NO) system has been implicated in a wide range of physiological functions in the nervous system. However, the role of NO in regulating the neural activity in the gustatory zone of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) has not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the role of NO in the gustatory NTS neurons. Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing about 50 g, were used. Whole cell patch recording and immunohistochemistry were done to determine the electrophysiological characteristics of the rostral gustatory nucleus of the tractus solitaries and distribution of NO synthases (NOS). Neuronal NOS (nNOS) immunoreactivity was strongly detected along the solitary tract extending from rostral to caudal medulla. Resting membrane potentials of NTS neurons were $-49.2{\pm}2\;mV$ and action potential amplitudes were $68.5{\pm}2\;mV$ with a mean duration measured at half amplitude of $1.7{\pm}0.3\;ms$. Input resistance, determined from the response to a 150 ms, -100 pA hyperpolarizing current pulse, was $385{\pm}15\;M{\Omega}$, Superfusion of SNAP or SNP, NO donors, produced either hyperpolarization (68%), depolarization (5%), or no effect (27%). The hyperpolarization was mostly accompanied by a decrease in input resistance. The hyperpolarization caused by SNAP or SNP increased the time to initiate the first action potential, and decreased the number of action potentials elicited by current injection. SNP or SNAP also markedly decreased the number of firing neural discharges of the spontaneous NTS neural activity under zero current. Superfusion of L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor, slightly depolarized the membrane potential and increased the firing rate of NTS neurons induced by current injection. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ameliorated the SNAP-induced changes in membrane potential, input resistance and firing rates. 8-Br-cGMP, a non-degradable cell-permeable cGMP, hyperpolarized the membrane potential and decreased the number of action potentials. It is suggested that NO in the gustatory NTS has an inhibitory role on the neural activity of NTS through activating soluble guanylate cyclase.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.314-321
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• 2015

Background: Ginseng belongs to the genus Panax. Its main active ingredients are the ginsenosides. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To understand the effects of ginsenoside Re (GRe) on GI motility, the authors investigated its effects on the pacemaker activity of ICCs of the murine small intestine. Methods: Interstitial cells of Cajal were dissociated from mouse small intestines by enzymatic digestion. The whole-cell patch clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in cultured ICCs. Changes in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content induced by GRe were investigated. Results: Ginsenoside Re ($20-40{\mu}M$) decreased the amplitude and frequency of ICC pacemaker activity in a concentration-dependent manner. This action was blocked by guanosine 50-[${\beta}-thio$]diphosphate [a guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein inhibitor] and by glibenclamide [an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive $K^{+}$ channel blocker]. To study the GRe-induced signaling pathway in ICCs, the effects of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and RP-8-CPT-cGMPS (a protein kinase G inhibitor) were examined. Both inhibitors blocked the inhibitory effect of GRe on ICC pacemaker activity. L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester ($100{\mu}M$), which is a nonselective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, blocked the effects of GRe on ICC pacemaker activity and GRe-stimulated cGMP production in ICCs. Conclusion: In cultured murine ICCs, GRe inhibits the pacemaker activity of ICCs via the ATP-sensitive potassium ($K^{+}$) channel and the cGMP/NO-dependent pathway. Ginsenoside Re may be a basis for developing novel spasmolytic agents to prevent or alleviate GI motility dysfunction.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.205-208
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• 2002

Nitric oxide (NO) is a newly described transmitter involved with cell to cell communication that is generated in biologic tissues by specific types of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which metabolize L-arginine and molecular oxygen to citrulline and nitric oxide. In the skin. NO has been reported to play an important role in such diseases as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis, as well as act as an important modulator in UVB-induced erythema. Ultraviolet B irradiation to the skin evokes an increase in NO production in the epidermis through two pathways; induction of inducible NOS, mediated by inflammatory cytokines, and elevation of constitutive neuronal NOS activity. In a cell culture system, it has been demonstrated that NO functions as a melanogen after being produced in keratinocytes in response to UVB-irradiation. NO-stimulated melanogenesis in melanocytes is mediated by the cGMP/PKG pathway. In this study, up-regulation of tyrosinase gene expression by NO-stimulation and the involvement of NO in UVB-induced pigmentation were examined. In NO-induced melanogenesis, protein synthesis and tyrosinase activity increased along with an up-regulation of tyrosinase gene expression. In an animal model, UVB-induced pigmentation in skin was suppressed by sequential daily treatments with a specific inhibitor of NOS. Thus, NO plays an important role in UVB-induced pigmentation, where its function as a melanogen is considered to be one of the mechanisms. Together with its role in the development of erythema, NO contributes to the total protective response of skin against UVB-irradiation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.185-185
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• 1996

Nitric oxide synthase(NO Synthase:E.C.1.14.13.39)는 생체내에서 L-arginine을 기질로 하여 citrulline과 nitric oxide(NO)를 생성하는 효소로서, 최근 연구에 의하면 2/3 부분 간 절제술 후 prereplicative phase동안에 발현되는 것으로 알려져 있다. 한편, 생체내에서 NO Synthase에 상경적 길항제인 methylarginine에 관해서도 수년간 많은 연구가 진행되어 왔다. 이들의 생성 기전은 protein methylation에 의해 생성된 methylated protein이 생체 내에서 분해되어 생성된다고 알려져 있으나, 정확한 기전에 대해서는 아직 논란의 여지가 많다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 In vivo 실험을 통해 부분 간 절제술 후 시간대별로 간 조직에서의 NO Synthase 활성도와 혈청에서 NO의 최종 대사물인 Nitrite/Nitrate를 측정하였으며, 또한 NO Synthase 조절에 관여하는 세포내 기질인 arginine과 억제 인자인 methylarginine함량을 간 조직 및 혈청에서 측정하고, 세포 신호 전달체계에 관여하는 cyclic GMP 함량을 측정함으로써, 부분 간 절제술 후 간 재생동안에 NO Synthase 활성도와 methylarginine 및 arginine과의 상관 관계를 규명하고, 간 재생동안, 생성된 nitric oxide의 역할을 연구하려한다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.184-184
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• 1996

Nitric Oxide Synthase(NO synthase: EC.1.14.13.39)는 생체내에서 L-arginine을 기질로 하여 nitric oxide(NO)와 L-citrulline의 생성을 매개하는 효소로서 뇌, 간장, 신장, 체장등 대부분의 주요장기와 근육세포, 신경세포 등 거의 모든 조직에 분포하고 있다. NO synthase에 의해 생성되는 NO는 혈관이완작용, 신경전달 물질로서의 작용, 면역 담당세포에서의 세포 독작용 등 많은 생리현상에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 특히 체장에서는 췌외분비 기능의 항진에 있어 세포내 cGMP level의 변동이 NO와 연관된다는 사실에 주목하고 있으며 본연구실에서도 이에 관한 연구가 진행중이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 소 췌조직의 100,000$\times$g cytosol을 효소원으로 하여 다음과 같이 NO synthase의 분리, 정제를 시행하였다. Ammonium sulfate로 30%(176g solid ammonium sulfate/$\ell$) 포화, 침전 후 2',5'-ADP agarose 및 calmodulin-agarose affinity chromatography를 연속적으로 시행하여 NO synthase를 분리하였으며 electrophoresis상에서 약 160kd의 분자량을 나타내었다.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.25-32
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation effect of Cynomorii Herba(CH) extract on contracted rabbit carotid artery.Methods : To clarify the vasorelaxation effect of CH extract, arterial strips with intact was used, to endothelium -dependent vasorelaxation effect of CH extract, arterial strips damaged endothelium was used for experiment using organ bath. Arterial strips was contracted with phenylephrine(PE) before treated with CH extract(0.01, 0.03 and 0.1 ㎎/㎖). To study mechanisms of CH-induced vasorelaxation effect, CH extract infused into arterial rings after treatment by indomethacin(IM), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), methylene blue(MB) for comparing with non-treated. And calcium chloride(Ca²⁺) 1 mM was treated into precontracted arterial ring induced by PE after treatment of CH extract in Ca²⁺-free krebs solution. Cytotoxic activity of CH extract on human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide(NO) concentration was measured by Griess reagent.Results : PE-induced arterial strips was significantly relaxed, but the damaged endothelium arterial ring wasn't relaxed by CH extract. Pretreatment of IM, TEA didn't inhibit the vasorelaxation of CH extract, but pretreatment of L-NNA, MB inhibited the vasorelaxation of CH extract. Pretreatment of CH extract reduced the increase of contraction by influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ in contracted arterial ring induced by PE, CH extract increased nitric oxide concentration on HUVEC significantly.Conclusions : This study shows that CH extract have the vasorelaxation effect by blocking the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ through the activating NO-cGMP system.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2006

Background: Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) plays an important role in the modulation of nociception. Although local sildenafil produces antinociception, by increasing cGMP through the inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5, the effect of spinal sildenafil has not been determined. The authors evaluated the effects of intrathecal sildenafil on the nociceptive behavior evoked by formalin injection and thermal stimulation. Methods: Lumbar intrathecal catheters were implanted into rats, with formalin and Hot-Box tests used as nociceptive models. The formalin-induced nociceptive behavior (flinching response) and withdrawal latency to radiant heat were measured, and the general behaviors also observed. Results: The intrathecal administration of sildenafil produced dose-dependent suppression of the flinches in both phases in the formalin test, and increased the withdrawal latency in the Hot-Box test. No abnormal behaviors were noted. Conclusions: Sildenafil, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 5, is active against the nociceptive state evoked in the spinal cord by formalin and thermal stimulations. Accordingly, spinal sildenafil may be useful in the management of pain.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.479-486
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism of the inhibitory action of carbon monoxide (CO) on contraction, by measuring cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ level $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ and ionic currents in guinea-pig ileum. CO (10%) inhibited 40 mM KCl-induced contraction and this effect was blocked by ODQ $(1\;{\mu}M),$ a soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor. CO inhibited the 40 mM KCl-induced contraction without changing $[Ca^{2+}]_i.$ Cumulative addition of KCl induced a graded increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and muscle tension. In the presence of CO, cumulative addition of KCl induced smaller contraction than in the absence of CO. On the other hand, the increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ induced by cumulative addition of KCl was only slightly decreased in the presence of CO, and the $[Ca^{2+}]_i-tension$ relationship shifted downwards. Using the patch clamp technique with a holding potential of -60 mV, we found that CO had little effect on the peak Ba currents $(I_{Ba})$ when voltage was stepped from -60 mV to 0 mV. In addition, CO showed no effect on the depolarization-activated outward $K^+$ currents in the all potential ranges. We conclude that CO inhibits smooth muscle contraction mainly by decreasing the $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity of contractile elements via a cGMP-dependent pathway, not by involving L-type $Ca^{2+}$ and outward-potassium currents in guinea-pig ileum.

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.116-126
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• 2002

Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthases, is a small, lipophilic, diffusible, highly reactive molecule with dichotomous regulatory roles in many biological events under physiological and pathological conditions. NO can promote apoptosis (pro-apoptosis) in some cells, whereas it inhibits apoptosis (anti-apoptosis) in other cells. This complexity is a consequence of the rate of NO production and the interaction with biological molecules such as metal ion, thiol, protein tyrosine, and reactive oxygen species. Long-lasting overproduction of NO acts as a pro-apoptotic modulator, activating caspase family proteases through the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into cytosol, up-regulation of the p53 expression, and alterations in the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins, including the Bcl-2 family. However, low or physiological concentrations of NO prevent cells from apoptosis that is induced by the trophic factor withdrawal, Fas, $TNF{\alpha}$/ActD, and LPS. The anti-apoptotic mechanism is understood on the basis of gene transcription of protective proteins. These include: heat shock protein, hemeoxygenase, or cyclooxygenase-2 and direct inhibition of the apoptotic executive effectors caspase family protease by S-nitrosylation of the cysteine thiol group in their catalytic site in a cell specific way. Our current understanding of the mechanisms by which NO exerts both pro- and anti-apototic action is discussed in this review article.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2008

This study examined the mechanisms underlying the effects of the vasorelaxation active substance(VAS), dimethyladenosine-5'-L-arabinose, and its partial purification fraction on nitric oxide synthase in improving erectile dysfunction with particular focus on the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathways. Two rat models, 9-month-old SD rats and 11-month-old SD rats, were given VAS(40 mg/kg per day) for 4 days, The aqueous fraction of silworm male pupae extract; semi-purified VAS(100 mg/kg per day) for 10 days, respectively. The NOS activities of the following three enzymes were examined: neuronal NO synthase(nNOS), inducible NOS(iNOS), endothelial NOS(eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor on endothelial cells(VEGF) and anti-inflammation effect of Tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$. The results showed increases in the nitric oxide synthase activities. Western blotting of the tissue homogenate showed an increase in the nNOS level in the brain and tongue, and an increase in the endothelial NO synthase(eNOS) level in penis. However, there was little association with VEGF production in HUVEC endothelial cells and no relationship with TNF-$\alpha$ which showed low levels.