• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.291-297
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• 1995

The objectives of this study is to compare the inhibitory mechanism of sodium nitroprusside and forskolin on the phorbol ester, activator of protein kinase C (PKC), -induced contractions in rat aorta. $0.1\;{\mu}M$ phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) induced sustained contractions and increased phosphorylations of myosin light chain (MLC) time-dependently. At 30 min, the contractions and phosphorylations of MLC by PDBu were augmented maximally and remained constant. Moreover, $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake was increased 30 min after PDBu stimulation from resting values. Sodium nitroprusside which activates guanylyl cyclase followed by increasing cGMP, inhibited the PDBu-induced contractions concentration-dependently. On the other hand, forskolin which activates adenylyl cyclase followed by increasing cAMP, also inhibited the PDBu-induced contractions concentration-dependently. However, sodium nitroprusside was more potent to inhibition of the PDBu-induced contractions than forskolin. Sodium nitroprusside inhibited $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake by PDBu stimulation. Forskolin also inhibited $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake by PDBu stimulation. Sodium nitroprusside and forskolin inhibited the phosphorylations of MLC by PDBu, respectively. However, sodium nitroprusside was more potent to inhibition of phosphorylations of MLC by PDBu than forskolin. From these results, Sodium nitroprusside via cGMP or forskilin via cAMP may reduce myoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ followed by suppression of phosphorylations of MLC of PKC-mediated contractions, which results in vasodilation. However, cGMP may play a role more importantly than cAMP on the regulation of protein kinase C-mediated contraction in vascular smooth muscle.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.05b
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• pp.88.2-98
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• 2002

A wide arry of naturally occurring substances particularly those present in dietary and medicinal plants, have been reported to possess substantial cancer chemopreventive properties. Certain phytochemicals retain strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties which appear to contribute to their chemopreventive or chemoprotective activities. Inducible cyclooxygenase(COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are important enzymes that mediate inflammatory processes. There is some evidence that expression of both COX-2 and iNOS is co-regulated by the eukaryotic transcription factor NF-$textsc{k}$B. Increased expression of COX-2 and/or iNOS has been associated with pathophysiology of certain types of human cancers as well as inflammatory diseases. Since inflammation is closely linked to tumor promotion, substances with potent anti-inflammatory activies are anticipated to exert chemopreventive effects on carcinogenesis, particularly in the promotion stage. An example is curcumin, a yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae), that strongly occurring diaryl heptanoids structurally related to curcumin have substantial anti-tumor promotional activities in two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis. Thus, yakuchinone A [1-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-7-phenyl-3heptanone] and yakuchinone B [1-(4'-hydroxy-3'methoxyphenyl)-7-phenylhept-1-en-3-one] present in Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel (Zingiberacease) attenuate phorbol ester-induced inflammation and papilloma formation in female ICR mice. These diarylheptanoids also suppressed phorbol ester-induced activation of epdermal ornithine decarboxylase and its mRNA expression when applied onto shaven backs of mice. Yakuchinone A and B as well as curcumin inhibited phorbol ester-induced expression of COX-2 and iNOS and their mRNA in mouse skin via inactivation of NF-$textsc{k}$B. Capsaicin, a major pungent ingredient of red pepper also attenuated phorbol ester-induced NF-$textsc{k}$B activation. Similar suppression of COX-2 and iNOS and down-regulation of NF-$textsc{k}$B activation for its DNA binding were observed with the ginsenosied Rg3 and the ethanol extract of Artemisia asiatica. We have also found that certain anti-inflammatory phytochemicals exert inhibitory effects on phorbol ester-induced COX-2 expression and NF-$textsc{k}$B activation in immortalized human breast epithelial (MCF-10A) cells in culture. One of the plausible mechanisms undelying inhibition by aforementioned phytochemicals of phorbol ester-induced NF-$textsc{k}$B activation involves interference with degragation of the inhibitory unit, I$textsc{k}$Ba, which blocks subsequent nuclear translocation of the functionally active p65 subunit of NF-$textsc{k}$B. the activation of epidermal NF-$textsc{k}$B by phorbol ester and subsequent induction of COX-2 hence appear to play an important role in intracellular signaling pathwasy leading to tumor promotion and targeted inhibition of NF-$textsc{k}$B may provide a new promising cancer chemopreventive strategy.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.32 no.3 s.92
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• pp.227-234
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• 2002

In order to investigate the action mechanism of protein kinase C on $K^+$ channel in osteoblastic cell, effects of phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate on human osteoblast-like cells (G292) were studied by patch clamp technique with cell-attacked configuration. 111 this experiment, 45pS ion channel was dominant in G292 cell line according to their approximate conductances in symmetrical 140mM KCl saline at holding potential of 60mV. In torrent-voltage relationship, reversal potential was 5.5mV at the condition of potassium enriched saline in the pipette and -27 mV at the condition of standard extracellular saline In the pipette. Phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate 10nM increased the open probability of 45pS channel and staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, suppressed this effect. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate moved the reversal potential of 45pS channel to more negative potential and increased the single channel current at the same membrame potential. In order to check the activation of protein kinase C in G292 cell by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, western blot of protein kinase C was performed. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate $0.1{\mu}M$ translocated protein kinase C from cellular compartment to membrane compartment of the cell. These findings suggest that phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, one of phorbol esters, activate 45pS channel In G292 cell and affect cell membrane potential, that regulate cellular function.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.565-573
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• 1992

We isolated Actinomycetes strain No. 1882-5, which produces the inhibitor on the bleb formation of K562 cell induced by phorbol ester, from soil sample. Through solvent extraction, Amberlite XAD-4, silica and Lobar low pressure LC, antifungal antibiotic MT 1882-1 and bleb forming inhibitor MT 1882-II were purified from strain No. 1882-5. MT 1882-1 was identified as piericidin $A_{1}$($C_{25}H_{37}0_4N$, M.W. 415) and MT 1882-11 as glucopiericidin A($C_{31}H_{47}0_9N$, M.W. 577) from the analysis of physico-chemical properties and UV, $^1H-NMR$, $^13C-NMR$, and mass spectra of these compounds.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.376-381
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• 2013

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of curcumin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. We hypothesized that curcumin, the primary ingredient of Curcuma longa, plays a role in vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae. Denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric tensions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Interestingly, curcumin inhibited fluoride-induced contraction but didn't inhibit phorbol ester-induced contraction suggesting that additional pathways different from endothelial nitric oxide synthesis might be involved in the vasorelaxation. Furthermore, curcumin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels. On the other hand, it didn't significantly inhibit phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism involving inhibition of fluoride-induced MYPT1 phosphorylation. This study provides evidence that curcumin induces vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.266-272
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• 1996

Experiments were carried out to ascertain whether gonadotropin or a phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, TPA) induces oocyte ovulation and stimulates prostaglandin synthesis by Rana ovarian follicles in vitro. Rana nigromaculata collected from underground in spring were utilized for the present experiment. Treatment of frog pituitary homogenate (FPH) or TPA to ovarian fragments in culture induced oocyte ovulation in a dose dependent manner and stimulated prostaglandin F2a (PGF$_2$$\alpha$ synthesis. Both treatruents were more effective in inducing the ovulation and PGF$_2$$\alpha$ secretion by the follicles obtained in May than those in April. A Protein kinase C inactivator, 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine (H-7), or cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (IM) suppressed the FPH- or TPA-induced PGF$_2$$\alpha$ production, but IM failed to suppress the FPH- or TPA-induced ovulation. Time course of oocyte ovulation and PGF$_2$$\alpha$ secretion by FPH and TPA treatments were very similar to each other. FPH stimulated progesterone secretion by the follicle but TPA failed to do so. Taken together, the data presented here suggest that protein kinase C (PKC) in follicle play a role in the ovulation process of Rana nigromaculata, probably via prostaglandin synthesis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.233-237
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• 2015

Shikonin, a natural flavonoid found in the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has been shown to possess many biological functions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of shikonin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Shikonin significantly relaxed fluoride-, thromboxane $A_2$- or phorbol ester-induced vascular contraction suggesting as a possible anti-hypertensive on the agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. Furthermore, shikonin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels and phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism involving the inhibition of Rho-kinase activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1 and the inhibition of MEK activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of ERK1/2. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of shikonin on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.100-105
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• 2014

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess many biological functions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of apigenin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Apigenin significantly relaxed fluoride-, thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic- or phorbol ester-induced vascular contraction, which suggests that apigenin could be an anti-hypertensive that reduces agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. Furthermore, apigenin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels and phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels, which suggests the mechanism involving the inhibition of Rho-kinase and MEK activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1 and ERK1/2. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of apigenin on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2016

Fisetin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess many biological functions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of fisetin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Fisetin significantly relaxed fluoride-, thromboxane $A_2$- or phorbol ester-induced vascular contraction suggesting as a possible anti-hypertensive on the agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. Furthermore, fisetin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels and phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism involving the inhibition of Rho-kinase activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1 and MEK activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of ERK1/2. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of fisetin on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.392-397
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• 2010

The aim of present study was to investigate the possible influence and related mechanism of additional alcohol on the flavonoid- induced arterial relaxation. Agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contractions involve the activation of thick or thin filament pathway. However, there are no reports addressing the question whether this pathway is involved in quercetin-induced relaxation cotreated with alcohol in rat aortae contracted with phorbol ester, fluoride or thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic U-46619. We hypothesized that cotreated alcohol plays a role in vascular relaxation evoked by quercetin in rat aortae. Endothelium-denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Quercetin inhibited phorbol ester, fluoride or thromboxane $A_2$-induced contraction regardless of endothelial function. However, alcohol didn't decrease any agonist-induced contraction. Interestingly, only in thromboxane $A_2$-induced contraction, synergistic results were observed in aortae denuded and cotreated with quercetin and alcohol suggesting that additional pathways different from antioxidation or endothelial nitric oxide synthesis might be involved in the vasorelaxation. In conclusion, in the agonists-contracted rat aortae, quercetin and alcohol together showed synergistic response regardless of endothelial function in an agonist-dependent manner.