• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 1996

To investigate the properties of cromakalim-opened $K^{+}\;channels$ in aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the effect of cromakalim on tension was compared in endothelium-rubbed aortic rings from SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). 1. Cromakalim relaxed the aortic ring contracted by $10^{-7}$ M norepinephrine (NE) dose-dependently, and this relaxant response to cromakalim was blocked by $10^{-5}$ M glybenclamide. 2. Cromakalim also relaxed the contraction induced by high $K^{+}$-solution or 10 mM tetraethylammonium dose-dependently. However, the relaxant response to cromakalim was decreased by raising the $K^{+}$ concentration. 3. SHR aorta exhibited myogenic tone in resting state which was inhibited by cromakalim, verapamil or $Ca^{2+}-free\;PSS.$ Whereas, WKY aorta did not exhibit any myogenic tone in resting state. 4. When aortic rings from both strains were contracted by $20\;mM\;K^{+}\;or\;NE$, relaxant responses to low concentration of cromakalim $(below\;10^{-7}\;M)$ were not different between WKY and SHR, but maximum relaxant response to cromakalim $(above\;3{\times}10^{-7} \;M)$ was greater in SHR than in WKY. 5. When the relaxant response to cromakalim was expressed as percent of maximum relaxation induced by $Ca^{2+}-free\;PSS$, relaxant response to cromakalim in 20 mM $K^{+}-induced$ contraction was not different between WKY and SHR. From the above result, it is suggested that relaxant responses to cromakalim are greater in SHR than WKY, and this may be due to the myogenic tone of aortic rings from SHR.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2010

Water extracts from 20 medicinal plants, traditionally used for postmenopausal symptoms in Korea, were examined for their vasorelaxant activity in isolated rat thoracic aorta rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE). Among the 20 medicinal plants, Cornus officinalis (CoEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Schisandra chinensis (ScEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Erythrina variegate (EvEx, 0.3 mg/mL), and Epimedium koreanum (EkEx, 0.3 mg/mL) showed rapid relaxation of endothelium-intact aorta ($69\pm4%$, $40\pm3%$, $25\pm2%$, and $23\pm3%$ of active tone induced by NE, respectively). In contrast, the extracts of Erythrina variegata (EvEx), Angelica gigas (AgEx), Pueraria thunbergiana (PtEx), and EkEx lead to gradual (i.e., long-term) relaxation to baseline in endothelium-intact vessels. The time to complete relaxation was 20～40 min. These 6 plant extracts were selected for the investigation of possible underlying mechanisms. The CoEx-, ScEx-, or EkEx-induced rapid relaxations were virtually abolished by endothelium denudation, and were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10 ${\mu}M$), indicating that increased formation of NO might contribute to the endothelium-mediated relaxation. In long-term responses, the endothelium denudation did not affect PtEx-induced relaxation, whereas it delayed responses by EvEx and AgEx, and significantly inhibited the effect of EkEx. Among EvEx, AgEx, and PtEx, EvEx attenuated the $CaCl_2$-induced vasoconstriction in high-potassium depolarized medium, implying that EvEx is involved in inhibition of the extracellular calcium influx to smooth muscle through voltage dependent calcium channels. These results provide the scientific rationale for the interrelationships between the use of 20 medicinal plants and their effects on cardiovascular health in estrogen deficient conditions.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2009

The effects of aqueous extract of Schizandra Chinensis Fruit (AESC) on cadmium-induced changes of monoamine neurotransmitters in the different brain regions of adult rats were investigated. Male rats were received intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of CdCl2 (0.6 mg/kg/d) for 21 days and sacrificed 7 days after the last administration. Concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) in striatum and serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in cortex were measured by HPLC. There were significant decreases of NE, DA, 5-HT and 5-HIAA in Cd intoxicated rats (P < 0.05), while pretreatment with AESC (20 mg/kg/d or 60 mg/kg/d, p.o., 30 min before $CdCl_2$) greatly inhibited the decrease of monoamine transmitters, respectively (P < 0.05). Also, AESC significantly increased the reduction of glutathione contents and superoxide dismutase activities in cortex induced by $CdCl_2$. These results suggest that AESC ameliorates Cd-induced depletion of monoamine neurotransmitters in brain through its antioxidant activity.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-136
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• 2019

Objective : To investigate the effect of sihogayonggolmoryeotang (SY) on Single Prolonged Stress(SPS)-induced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). Method : To confirm the effects of SY on SPS-induced PTSD, Changes in body weight, sucrose intake open field test(OFT) and forced swimming test(FST)were observed. After behavioral tests, the plasma corticosterone(CORT) from the abdominal aorta, serotonin(5-HT) from prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and striatum, norepinephrine(NE) and dopamine(DA) from hippocampus was measured by ELISA. mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB) in hippocampus was measured by RT-PCR. Result : Weight change and sucrose intakes of rats in 14th day after the administration of SY were significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group compared to the SPS group (p<0.05). Numbers of crossing in the central zone in the OFT were significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group (p<0.05) compared with the SPS group. The immobility time of FST was significantly decreased in SPS + SY450 group compared with SPS group (p<0.05). The change of plasma CORT concentration was significantly decreased in SPS + SY450 group compared with that in SPS group (p<0.05). The change of 5-HT concentration was significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group at hippocampus and amygdala compared with the SPS group (p<0.05). The concentration of DA was significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group compared with the SPS group (p<0.05). The expression of BDNF and CREB were significantly increased in SPS + SY450 group compared with the SPS group (p<0.05). Conclusion : SY administration lowered the increase of CORT caused by PTSD and increases the 5-HT concentration and reversed the decreased expression of NE and DA and BDNF and CREB by PTSD. It is postulated that SY is effective in treating PTSD by restoring cognitive function, memory impairment, unstable emotional disturbances.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.1 s.38
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• pp.24-33
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• 1986

To ascertain the existence of various adrenoceptors involved in active transport of sodium in the frog skin and to delineate their physiological roles, the influence of various adrenergic agonists and antagonists on the potential difference (PD), short-circuit current (SCC) and total skin conductance (TSC) of the isolated frog skin of Rana nigromaculata were investigated. PD and SCC were determined with Ussing's technique. Drugs were administered to the serosal side of the skin. Experimental results were summarized as follows: 1. The responses to norepinephrine (NE, $6{\times}10^{-8}-6{\times}10^{-5})M$), phenylephrine (PE, $5{\times}10^{-6}-5{\times}10^{-4}M$) and epinephrine (Epi, $5.5{\times}10^{-7}-5.5{\times}10^{-5}M$) were characterized by marked elevation of PD & SCC in dose-related fashion, but the maximal effect attained by Epi was less than those of NE and PE. 2. These increments of PD & SCC were significantly inhibited by prazosin $(2{\times}10^{-6}M)$, a speciflc ${\alpha}_1$-adrenoceptor blocker. The stimulatory effect on PD & SCC were completely abolished by phenoxybenzamine (PBZ, $3.3{\times}10^{-5}M$), an irreversible ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor blocking agent. Furthermore, with a larger doses of Epi produced marked decline of PD & SCC after the PBZ pretreatment. 3. Isoproterenol (ISP), a ${\beta}$-adrenoceptor agonist, in concentrations ranging from $5{\times}10^{-7}$ to $5{\times}10^{-6}M$ produced dose-related decrease in PD & SCC, which could be abolished by pretreatment with propranolol $(4{\times}10^{-6}M)$, a specific ${\beta}$-adrenoceptor blocker. It was further noted that the effects of Epi on PD & SCC were markedly potentiated by Propranolol pretreatment. 4. Clonidine as well as guanabenz produced increases in PD & SCC and these effects were inhibited more specifically by prazosin pretreatment than by yohimbine. These results indicated that there exist in the frog skin two distinctive types of adrenoceptors, ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$, which roughly corresponds to those in mammals, and that the ${\alpha}$ type of adrenoceptors mediate the stimulation of PD & SCC, whereas ${\beta}$-adrenoceptors mediate the inhibition. However, based on evidence at hand, no conclusion could be drawn on the subtype of ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptors which is involved in the stimulation of sodium transport in the frog skin.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.23-30
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• 1981

1) Effects of McN-A-343, clonidine and cocaine on the contractile response of the rat and rabbit vas deferens to field stimulation were investigated. The action mechanisms of these drugs have shown to be associated with endogenous norepinephrine(NE). 2) The contractile response to the stimulation of 5-10 Hz was markedly inhibited by the cumulative doses of McN-A-343 (0.003, 0.03, $0.3{\mu}g/ml$), clonidine (0.003, $0.3{\mu}g/ml$) and cocaine $(0.03\;{\mu}g/ml)$. The inhibition was antagonized by yohimbine and pjperoxan. 3) The inhibitory effect of McN-A-343 $(0.03{\mu}g/ml)$ and cocaine $(0.03{\mu}g/ml)$ was markedly enhanced by the same dose of cocaine and McN-A-343, respectively. This enhanced inhibition was also antagonized by yohimbine. 4) The contractile response to the stimulation of 0.01 Hz and 5-10 Hz was markedly potentiated by comparatively large doses of McN-A-343 $(30\;{\mu}g/ml)$ and $(3\;{\mu}g/ml)$. This potentiation was not observed in the presence of thymoxamine. The potentiation by McN-A-343 also did not appear in the presence of atropine. 5) The contractile response to the above stimulation was potentiated by muscarine and the potentiation was markedly attenuated in the presence of thymoxamine and atropine.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.295-300
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• 2015

Stress and its related hormones epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) play a crucial role in tumor progression. Macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME) polarized to M2 is also a vital pathway for tumor deterioration. Here, we explore the underlying role of macrophages in the effect of stress and E promoting breast cancer growth. It was found that the weight and volume of tumor in tumor bearing mice were increased, and dramatically accompanied with the rising E level after chronic stress using social isolation. What is most noteworthy, the number of M2 macrophages inside tumor was up-regulated with it. The effects of E treatment appear to be directly related to the change of M2 phenotype is reproduced in vitro. Moreover, E receptor $ADR{\beta}2$ involved in E promoting M2 polarization was comprehended simultaneously. Our results imply psychological stress is influential on specific immune system, more essential for the comprehensive treatment against tumors. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(5): 295-300]

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2009

Because it is known that bivalve hearts contain various modulatory systems activated by neuroendocrine substances, it was examined whether different classes of endogenous and synthetic drugs of neuroendocrinological importance can influence cardiac functions of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Cholinergically active agents acetylcholine and carbachol increased heart rates while diminishing cardiac contractility. Adrenergically active substances norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (Epi) also induced heart rate increase and contractility decrease. An $\alpha_1$-adrenergic receptor-selective agonist phenyephrine (PE) failed to modulate either parameter. The Epi-induced heart rate increase and contractile depression were both blocked significantly by non-selective $\beta_1/\beta_2$-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. A $\beta_1$-selective antagonist atenolol prevented Epi-induced heart rate decrease but not the contractile depression, suggesting possible $\beta_2$ receptors for Epi-induced contractile depression. The three autacoids examined exerted discrete responses: histamine increased heart rate and depressed contraction; $\gamma$-amino-butyric acid increased both parameters; serotonin failed to change either parameter. The 5 piscine anesthetic agents examined, MS-222, benzocaine, quinaldine, urethane, pantocaine and pentobarbital, all failed to influence the cardiac function of oysters. Collectively, activities of neuroendocrinologically acting agents in mammals showed unexpected and distinct activities from those in mammalian cardiovascular systems. These results obtained from substances of different physiological functions can serve as a basis for understanding neuroendocrine control of the heart function in Pacific oyster.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.482-486
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• 2012

Cerebral monoamines play important roles as neurotransmitters that are associated with various stressful stimuli. Some components such as ginsenosides (triterpenoidal glycosides derived from the Ginseng Radix) may interact with monoamine systems. The aim of this study was to determine whether ginsenoside Rb1 can modulate levels of the monoamines such as dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EP), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 5-hydorxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in mice frontal cortex and cerebellum in response to immobilization stress. Mice were treated with ginsenoside Rb1 (10 mg/kg, oral) before a single 30 min immobilization stress. Acute immobilization stress resulted in elevation of monoamine levels in frontal cortex and cerebellum. Pretreatment with ginsenoside Rb1 attenuated the stress-induced changes in the levels of monoamines in each region. The present findings showed the anti-stress potential of ginsenoside Rb1 in relation to regulation effects on the cerebral monoaminergic systems. Therefore, the ginsenoside Rb1 may be a useful candidate for treating several brain symptoms related with stress.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.3
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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.