• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2008

Background: Experimental evidence indicates that ginseng modulate the nociceptive transmission. Authors examined the role of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on the antinociceptive action of Korean red ginseng against the formalin-induced pain at the spinal level. Methods: Catheters were inserted into the intrathecal space of male Sprague-DawIey rats. Fifty ${\mu}l$ of 5% formalin solution was injected to the hindpaw for induction of pain and formalin-induced pain (flinching response) was observed. The role of spinal adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on the effect of Korean red ginseng was assessed by antagonists (Prazosin, yohimbine, atropine and mecamylamine). Results: Intrathecal Korean red ginseng produced a dose-dependent suppression of the flinching response in the rat formalin test. All of prazosin, yohimbine, atropine and mecamylamine antagonized the antinociception of Korean red ginseng. Conclusions: Spinal Korean red ginseng is effective against acute pain and facilitated pain state evoked by formalin injection. All of alpha 1, alpha 2, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors may play an important role in the antinociceptive action of Korean red ginseng at the spinal level.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.258-273
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• 1988

In this study attempts were made to observe the effects of guanabenz on renal function in dog, which manifests the antihypertensive action by inhibition of sympathetic tone through stimulating the presynaptic adrenoceptor (${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$). Guanabenz, when injected at a dose of $30.0{\mu}g/kg$, or infused at a dose of $3.0{\mu}g/kg/min$ intravenously, produced diuretic action with increased amounts of $Na^+\;and\;K^+$ in urine, and with decreased reabsorption rates of $Na^+\;and\;K^+$ in renal tubules. It was also observed that the rates of osmolar and free water clearances were increased, but the glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow were not changed. Guanabenz injected at a dose of $3.0{\mu}g/kg$ into a carotid artery or infused intravenously at a dose of $3.0{\mu}g/kg/min$ in a state of water diuresis elicited the diuretic action of the similar aspect as a case of guanabenz given intravenously. The diuretic action produced by guanabenz was completly blocked by pretreatment of i.v. prazosin, ${\alpha}_1-adrenoblocking$ agent, or of i.v. yohimbine, ${\alpha}_2-adrenergic$ blocking agent. Prazosin, when given into a renal artery, inhibited the diuretic action by i.v. guanabenz in only injected kidney, whereas in case of yohimbine the action was inhibited in both kidney. Guanabenz infused at a dose of $1.0{\mu}g/kg/min$ into a renal artery exhibited no significant changes of renal function in both kidney. In denervation experiments, guanabenz given intravenously produced typical diuretic action in innervated kidney, whereas in denervated kidney, it did not affect the action at initial period but exhibited the action with increase of only free water clearance at later period. These results suggest that guanabenz produced diuretic action in dog by inhibition of electrolyte reabsorption rates in renal tabules, mainly proximal tubule and of ADH release, which is mediated by stimulating of central sympathetic ${\alpha}_2-receptor$.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 1996

The present study was undertaken to investigate the physiological characteristics of the adrenergic responses in the tilapia dorsal aorta. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, clonidine and methoxamine in the presence of propranolol($3{\times}10^{-6}$M), induced only endothelium-independent and concentration-dependent vasocontractions in tilapia dorsal aorta. The rank order of potency of adrenergic agonists inducing vasocontraction was epinephrine>norepinephrine>phenylephrine>clonidine>ethoxamine, Yohimbine produced a parallel shift of the concentration-vascontraction curves of epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine and clonidine to the right, while prazosin depressed the maximum responses of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Calcium-free physiological solution and verapamil markedly reduced epinephrine or norepinephrine-induced vasocontractions. These results suggest that a-adrenergic agonists produce only on endothelium-inedpenent casoconstrictions in tilapia dorsal aorta and these effect of a-adrenergic agonists, which might be associated with both calcium release from intracellular stores and calcium influx through voltage-dependent calcium channel.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.577-584
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• 2018

Bladder dysfunction is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, there have been a few studies evaluating bladder smooth muscle contraction in DM in the presence of pharmacological inhibitors. In the present study, we compared the contractility of bladder smooth muscle from normal rats and DM rats. Furthermore, we utilized pharmacological inhibitors to delineate the mechanisms underlying bladder muscle differences between normal and DM rats. DM was established in 14 days after using a single injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Bladder smooth muscle contraction was induced electrically using electrical field stimulation consisting of pulse trains at an amplitude of 40 V and pulse duration of 1 ms at frequencies of 2-10 Hz. In this study, the pharmacological inhibitors atropine (muscarinic receptor antagonist), U73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor), DPCPX (adenosine $A_1$ receptor antagonist), udenafil (PDE5 inhibitor), prazosin (${\alpha}_1$-receptor antagonist), verapamil (calcium channel blocker), and chelerythrine (protein kinase C inhibitor) were used to pretreat bladder smooth muscles. It was found that the contractility of bladder smooth muscles from DM rats was lower than that of normal rats. In addition, there were significant differences in percent change of contractility between normal and DM rats following pretreatment with prazosin, udenafil, verapamil, and U73122. In conclusion, we suggest that the decreased bladder muscle contractility in DM rats was a result of perturbations in $PLC/IP_3$-mediated intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release and PDE5 activity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.179-184
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• 2011

Background: The analgesic mechanisms of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors have been explained mainly on the basis of the inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis. However, several lines of evidence suggest that their analgesic effects are mediated through serotonergic or adrenergic transmissions. We investigated the roles of these neurotransmitters in the antinociception of a selective COX-2 inhibitor at the spinal level. Methods: DUP-697, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, was delivered through an intrathecal catheter to male Sprague-Dawley rats to examine its effect on the flinching responses evoked by formalin injection into the hindpaw. Subsequently, the effects of intrathecal pretreatment with dihydroergocristine, prazosin, and yohimbine, which are serotonergic, ${\alpha}1$ adrenergic and ${\alpha}2$ adrenergic receptor antagonists, respectively, on the analgesia induced by DUP-697 were assessed. Results: Intrathecal DUP-697 reduced the flinching response evoked by formalin injection during phase 1 and 2. But, intrathecal dihydroergocristine, prazosin, and yohimbine had little effect on the antinociception of intrathecal DUP-697 during both phases of the formalin test. Conclusions: Intrathecal DUP-697, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, effectively relieved inflammatory pain in rats. Either the serotonergic or adrenergic transmissions might not be involved in the analgesic activity of COX-2 inhibitors at the spinal level.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.101-106
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• 2019

Most diabetic patients experience diabetic mellitus (DM) urinary bladder dysfunction. A number of studies evaluate bladder smooth muscle contraction in DM. In this study, we evaluated the change of bladder smooth muscle contraction between normal rats and DM rats. Furthermore, we used pharmacological inhibitors to determine the differences in the signaling pathways between normal and DM rats. Rats in the DM group received an intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin and measured blood glucose level after 14 days to confirm DM. Bladder smooth muscle contraction was induced using acetylcholine (ACh, $10^{-4}M$). The materials such as, atropine (a muscarinic receptor antagonist), U73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor), DPCPX (an adenosine $A_1$ receptor antagonist), udenafil (a PDE5 inhibitor), prazosin (an ${\alpha}_1$-receptor antagonist), papaverine (a smooth muscle relaxant), verapamil (a calcium channel blocker), and chelerythrine (a protein kinase C inhibitor) were pre-treated in bladder smooth muscle. We found that the DM rats had lower bladder smooth muscle contractility than normal rats. When prazosin, udenafil, verapamil, and U73122 were pre-treated, there were significant differences between normal and DM rats. Taken together, it was concluded that the change of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release mediated by PLC/IP3 and PDE5 activity were responsible for decreased bladder smooth muscle contractility in DM rats.

• International Neurourology Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2018

Purpose: Naftopidil ((${\pm}$)-1-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazinyl]-3-(1-naphthyloxy) propan-2-ol) is prescribed in several Asian countries for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Previous animal experiments showed that intrathecal injection of naftopidil abolished rhythmic bladder contraction in vivo. Naftopidil facilitated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons in spinal cord slices. These results suggest that naftopidil may suppress the micturition reflex at the spinal cord level. However, the effect of naftopidil on evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in SG neurons remains to be elucidated. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats at 6 to 8 weeks old were used. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made using SG neurons in spinal cord slices isolated from adult rats. Evoked EPSCs were analyzed in $A{\delta}$ or C fibers. Naftopidil or prazosin, an ${\alpha}1$-adrenoceptor blocker, was perfused at $100{\mu}M$ or $10{\mu}M$, respectively. Results: Bath-applied $100{\mu}M$ naftopidil significantly decreased the peak amplitudes of $A{\delta}$ and C fiber-evoked EPSCs to $72.0%{\pm}7.1%$ (n=15) and $70.0%{\pm}5.5%$ (n=20), respectively, in a reversible and reproducible manner. Bath application of $100{\mu}M$ prazosin did not inhibit $A{\delta}$ or C fiber-evoked EPSCs. Conclusions: The present study suggests that a high concentration of naftopidil reduces the amplitude of evoked EPSCs via a mechanism that apparently does not involve ${\alpha}1$-adrenoceptors. Inhibition of evoked EPSCs may also contribute to suppression of the micturition reflex, together with nociceptive stimulation.

• 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.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.219-222
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• 1986

Dose-dependent increasesin blood glucose were produced by epinephrine and clonidine in fasted male mice. Isoproterenol was ineffective in increasing blood glucose at lower doses ($10^{-8}M$/kg-$10^{-7}M$/kg); with higher dose ($10^{-6}M$/kg) the glucose level was increased. The hyperglycemia induced by epinephrine was inhibited by yobimbine, prazosin and propranolol, indicating that the hyperglycemic effect of epinephrine is mediated by alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta adrenoceptor. When clonidine (10$^{-6}$ M/kg) was administered simultaneously with sioproterenol ($10^{-6}M$/kg), an enhenced hyperglycemic effect was observed. The increment produced by clonidine plus isoproterenol was higher than that by clonidine alone. These increment produced by clonidine plus isoproterenol was higher than that by clonidine alone. These results suggest that stimulation of alpha-2 adrenoceptor may be reponsible for the exertion of the hyperglycemic effect by beta agonists in fasted mice.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.256-261
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• 1988

The present studies were investigated to find out the uterus contractive components and action mechanism of contractive components. We observed that the contractive components of Dianthi Herba were extracted with methanol and dissolved in butanol. The butanol extracts of Dianthi Herba increased uterus contractility, and fraction 2 obtained from butanol extract was more powerful than other fractions. This action was not blocked by atropine, papaverine, prazosin, propranolol, chlorpheniramine, methysergide and diltiazem in vitro.