• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 2017

Hyperglycemia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. It has been demonstrated that chronic exposure to high glucose impaired endothelial functions. However, specific effects of short-term exposure to high glucose on vascular reactivity are controversial. Moreover, the combined effects of other metabolic substrates such as free fatty acids (FFA) on vascular reactivity remain poorly understood. Here we investigate the effects of short-term exposure to high glucose with or without other metabolic substrates including FFAs termed "nutrition full" (NF) solution, on mesenteric (MA) and deep femoral arteries (DFA) of rats. Arterial ring segments were mounted in a double-wire myograph. Contraction in response to phenylephrine (PhE) was determined in control (5 mM) and high glucose (23 mM, HG) environments over a 30 min period. In both arteries, PhE-inducedvasocontraction was enhanced by pre-incubation of HG solution. A combined incubation with HG and palmitic acid ($100{\mu}M$) induced similar sensitization of PhE-contractions in both arteries. In contrast, high $K^+$-induced contractions were not affected by HG. Interestingly, pre-incubation with NF solution decreased PhE-induced contraction in MA but increased the contraction in DFA. In NF solution, the HG-induced facilitation of PhE-contraction was not observed in MA. Furthermore, the PhE-induced contraction of DFA was attenuated by HG in NF solution. Our results demonstrate that the sensitization of PhE-induced arterial contraction by HG is differentially affected by other metabolic substrates. The conversation of skeletal arterial contractility by HG in NF solution requires careful interpretation of the previous in vitro studies where only glucose is included in physiological salt solutions. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism underlying the inconsistent effect of NF solution on MA and DFA.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.201-210
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• 1987

수온변화에 따른 심맥관계 및 신장기능의 변화와 생체실험을 통한 온도에 의한 adrenoceptor의 변형을 알아보기 위해, 무마취 자라에서 $18^{\circ}C$에서 $25^{\circ}C$로 수온을 증가시 나타나는 혈압, 심박동수 및 신장기능의 변화를 관찰하고, epinephrine 1 ug/kg과 10 ug/kg을 상이한 온도에 노출된 자라의 정맥내 투여하여 나타나는 효과를 비교하였다. 1) $18^{\circ}C$에서 $25^{\circ}C$로 수온을 증가시킴에 따라 심박동수는 현저히 증가하여 일정하게 유지되었으나, 혈압 및 혈장 renin 활성도는 변화하지 않았다. 온도증가에 의해 뇨량, 사구체여과율 및 전해질 배설량의 현저한 증가를 보였으나 90분부터는 서서히 감소하기 시작하였다. 2) 수온 $18^{\circ}C$에 노출된 자라에서 epinephrine은 dose-dependent한 양상으로 혈압 및 심박동수를 증가시켰으며, 다량의 epinephrine 투여시 작용시간은 현저히 연장되어 있었다. $25^{\circ}C$에 노출된 자라에서는 epinephrine에 의한 혈압상승 효과 및 심박동수 증가는 나타났으나, dose dependency나 작용시간의 차이는 발견할 수 없었다. 3) 동량의 epinephrine에 의한 혈압 및 심박동수의 증가효과는 $18^{\circ}C$와 $25^{\circ}C$에 노출된 자라에서 유의한 차이를 발견할 수 없었으나, $18^{\circ}C$에 노출된 자라에서 epinephrine의 작용시간 및 반감기가 현저히 연장되어 있었다. 4) Epinephrine 투여에 의해 뇨량, 사구체여과율 및 전해질 배설량의 증가를 관찰하였으며, 이는 dose-dependent 양상이었다. 그러나, 신장효과의 유의한 차이는 상이한 온도에 노출된 두 군에서 발견할 수 없었다. 이상의 결과로, 온도증가에 의한 이뇨 및 sodium 배설효과는 혈관이완에 의한 사구체여과율의 증가에 기인한 것으로 사료되며, 상이한 온도에 노출된 자라에서 epinephrine 효과의 차이를 발견할 수 없었던 것은 본 실험에서 가한 좁은 범위의 온도의 변화 내에서는 adrenoceptor의 변형이 나타나지 않을 것이라고 추론하였다. 그러나 저온에서의 epinephrine의 작용시간의 연장은 아마도 epinephrine의 파괴 효소의 활성도의 감소인 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.157-167
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• 1987

Benzyl alcohol is known to have dual effect on the red blood cell shape change. At low concentration up to 50 mM benzyl alcohol transformed the shape from discocyte to stomatocyte by preferent binding to the inner hemileaflet, however, at higher concentratransformed the shape from discocyte to stomatocyte by preferential binding to the inner monolayer, however, at higher concentration above 50 mM benzyl alcohol transformed to echinocyte by affecting both monolayers. These results suggest that the effect of benzyl alcohol on the red blood cell shape and $Ca^{++}$ transport across cardiac cell membranes to assess the effects of the drug on the structures and functions of the biological cell membranes. The results are as follows: 1) Benzyl alcohol up to 40 mM caused progressive stomatocytic shap change of the red blood cell but above 50 mM benzyl alcohol caused echinocytic shape change. 2) Benzyl alcohol up to 40 mM inhibited both osmotic hemolysis and osmotic volume change of the red blood cell in hypotonic and hypertonic NaCl solutions, respectively. 3) Benzyl alcohol inhibited both Bowditch Staircase and Wood-worth Staircase phenomena at rat left auricle. 4) Benzyl alcohol at concentration of 5 mM increased $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity of red blood cell ghosts slightly but above S mM benzyl alcohol inhibited the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity. 5) Benzyl alcohol at concentrations of 5 mM and 10 mM increased $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity slightly at rat gastrocnemius muscle S.R. but above 10 mM benzyl alcohol inhibited the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity. Above results indicate that benzyl alcohol inhibit water permeability and $Ca^{++}$ transport across cell membranes in part via effects on the fluidity and transition temperatures of the bulk lipid by preferential intercalation into cytoplasmic monolayer and in part via other effect on the conformational change of active sites of the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ molecule extended in cytoplasmic face.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.291-296
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• 1987

There have been reports on the aberration of the control mechanisms of the blood pressure, hormone secretion, and renal functions in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). However, the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system in the maintenance of high blood pressure in SHR is still controversial. Recently, it has been reported that the negative feedback short loop control mechanism of the renin-angiotensin system may be changed in SHR. In the present experiment, it was attempted to explore the possible alterations in the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on the renal function in SHR. Experiments have been done in anesthetized SHR as well as in normotensive Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats as control groups. Pharmacologic doses of AVP (10-13 mU/rat/10 min) decreased urine volume, excreted amount of creatinine and para-amino-hippuric acid. No differences in these parameters was observed between normotensive and hypertensive rats. AVP increased sodium and potassium excretion, but the responses in SHR were suppressed as compared with normotensive rats. Intravenous infusion of AVP also increased blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive rats and a vasopressor effect of AVP was attenuated in SHR. There was a positive correlation between the changes in blood pressure and excreted amount of sodium during AVP infusion. These data suggest that the attenuated natriuretic effect of intravenous infusion of AVP may be due to a difference in renal tubular responsiveness to AVP but not due to a difference in vasopressor responsiveness.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2007

Zn is an essential nutrient that is required in humans and animals for many physiological functions, including immune and antioxidant function, growth, and reproduction. The present study evaluated whether Zn deficiency would negatively affect bone-related enzyme, ALP, and other bone-related minerals (Ca, P and Mg) in rats. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to one of the three different Zn dietary groups, such as Zn adequate (ZA, 35 mg/kg), pair fed (PF, 35 mg/kg), Zn deficient (ZD, 1 mg/kg) diet, and fed for 10 weeks. Food intake and body weight were measured daily and weekly, respectively. ALP was measured by spectrophotometry and mineral contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass, spectrophotometer (ICP-MS). Zn deficient rats showed decreased food intake and body weight compared with Zn adequate rats (p<0.05). Zn deficiency reduced ALP activity in blood (RBC, plasma) and the tissues (liver, kidney and small intestine) (p<0.05). Also, Zn deficiency reduced mineral concentrations in rat tissues (Ca for muscle and liver, and Mg for muscle and liver) (p<0.05). The study results imply the requirement of proper Zn nurture for maintaining bone growth and formation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.5
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• pp.523-528
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• 1997

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor(PBR) has been indentified in various peripheral tissues including kidney. The physiological and pharmacological functions of PBR are still uncertain, althought it has been suggested that these are associated with the regulation of stress/anxiety response. Diazepam progeny, which were exposed to diazepam perinatally, was reported to be an animal model of chronic anxiety. However, PBR in the diazepam progenies are not known yet. In the present study, therefore, we examined the changes of PBR in the stress/anxiety response. Dams of rats were given injection of diazepam or vehicle during puerperium. Diazepam progenies showed increased level of anxiety on the performance of elevated plus maze, and increased Bmax of PBR. Saturation experiments followed by scatchard analysis of the results showed that the increase in the density of PBR and the affinity of the PBR remained unchanged. Forced swim stress increased anxiety on the plus maze in both groups of rats. In contrast to control, diazepam progenies did not show further upregulation of renal PBR immediately after swimming stress, but still higher than control. From the above results, it may be concluded that upregulation of renal PBR is associated with chronic anxiety as well as stress-induced response.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.5
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• pp.467-475
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• 1997

Although one of the major physiological functions of taurine(2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is the inhibitory action on the central nervous system(CNS), the mechanism of taurine in controlling the neuronal excitation in the CNS has been in controversy. Electrically evoked pEPSP and spontaneous activity induced by the perfusion of low $Mg^{++}-ACSF$ were recorded in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampal slice. To test the inhibitory effect of taurine on spontaneous responses, taurine was treated for 2 min at various concentrations(1 mM-10 mM). Taurine reduced the spontaneous activity by 22.2% at 1 mM, and 100% at 2 mM in low $Mg^{++}-ACSF$. Evoked response was induced by electrical stimulation of Schaffer collateral-commissural fibers. Taurine reduced the evoked response by 11.68% at 3 mM, and 24.25% at 5 mM. Even 20 mM of taurine reduced the evoked response only by 24 % after 5 min treatment. That is, the inhibitory efficacy was much higher in spontaneous activity than in evoked response. The $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, 100 uM bicuculline, blocked the inhibitory action of taurine, while $GABA_B$ receptor antagonist, 700 uM phaclofen, did not. Taurine blocked the spontaneous activity in the presence of CNQX, and did not block the electrically evoked responce in the presence of APV. The results suggest that taurine causes hyperpolarization in the cell by binding to $GABA_A$ receptor and preferentially attenuates NMDA receptor-mediated hyperexcitation, leaving synaptic transmission unmodified.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 1987

Effects of synthetic atrial natriuretic peptide and furosemide on the cardiovascular and renal functions were examined in the freshwater turtle, Amyda japonica. Both atria and ventricle of turtle contained an immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide. Synthetic rat atrial natriuretic peptide (atriopeptin III) and turtle atrial extract caused a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure and the vasodepressor effect was dose-dependent. In hydrated turtles received either atriopeptin III or turtle atrial extract, no significant change in renal function was observed until 100 min except a slight natriuresis at 60 or 100 min after injection of 30 ug/kg atriopeptin III or atrial extract, respectively. However, furosemide, 2 mg/kg, caused marked diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis. In non-hydrated turtles, no significant change in renal function was observed until 6 hrs following injection of 30 ug/kg atriopeptin III. Plasma aldosterone decreased at 2 hr and increased at 24 hr after injection of atriopeptin III although plasma renin concentration did not change. But, furosemide caused persistent diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis. Additionally, plasma aldosterone and renin concentrations were significantly increased at 24 hrs after injection of furosemide. In conclusion, we suggest that the freshwater turtle may have an atrial natriuretic peptide in heart and vascular receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide, and that atrial natriuretic peptide is more important in the regulation of blood pressure rather than that of renal function in freshwater turtles. We also suggest that an increased plasma renin concentration caused by furosemide may not be due to the sodium concentration delivered to macula densa, but due to the dehydration caused by persistent diuresis and natriuresis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.163-177
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• 1988

The $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was solubilized and reconstituted into a mixture of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) of varying ratios in order to assess the effect of physical states of phospholipids on the incorporation and functions $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$. On the basis of the spectral data of Ca-arsenazo III, the $Ca^{2+}$ uptake of SR was increased linearly as the PC content increased in the reconstituted vesicles. The ATP hydrolysis activity also increased as PC content increased up to 25% and then decreased slightly as the PC content further increased. On the other hand the incorporation of $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ into the reconstituted vesicls occured maximally at 25% PC and 75% PE mixture which is known to have a non-bilayer structure in reconstitution system. From the above results it is clear that preexisting defects in the lipid bilayer promote protein incorporation into the bilayer during reconstitution and lamellar structure of the bilayer facilitates the $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ function.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.514-523
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• 2020

Plants are exposed to various types of stresses in their surroundings, and stress-resistant and regulatory proteins are produced as defense mechanisms. Abscisic acid is well known for its important role in stress signals as a phytohormone and is also involved in the physiological reactions of plants such as leaf senescence and seed dormancy. In particular, it has been found to perform a variety of functions in other biological systems, such as animals and microalgae, not plants. In this review, the biosynthesis and signaling process of abscisic acid and its function were investigated and the future prospects for the industrial application of abscisic acid in various biotechnologies, including agriculture, biomedical and industrial biotechnology, have been proposed based on study of emerging applications such as increased crop yields, disease treatment development and bioenergy production.