• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.145-149
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• 1994

Intravenous administration of hydro-methanolic extract of Cyperus scariosus (3-10 mg/kg) produced hypotensive and bradcardiac effects. These effects remianed unaltered in atropinized animals indicating that cardiovascular effects of the plant extract are not medliated through activation of muscarinic receptors. In the in vitro studies, it suppressed the spontaneous contractions of guinea-pig paired atria, rat ulterus and rabbit jejunum in a concentration-dependent (0.1-1 mg/ml) manner. It also inhibited histanmine or acetylcholine-induced contractions of guinea-pig ieum indicating non-sepcific spasmolytic action. In rabbit aorta, it inhibited norepinephrine $(10\;mu{M)}$ as well as $K^+$ (80mM)-induced contractions at similar concentrations (0.1-1 mg/ml). These data indicate that cyperus scariosus contains $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker-like constituent(s) which may explain hypotensive effect observed in vivo and the general spasmolytic activity of plant explain its folkloric use in diarrhoea.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-29
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• 1988

In order to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of intracellular calcium ion concentrations, contractions or contractures induced by $Na^{+}-removal$, calcium-application or ouabain-treatment as an index of $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange activity were studied in atrial muscle or vascular smooth muscle (aorta and renal artery) of the rabbit. The magnitude of low sodium contractures in atrial trabeculae increased with sigmoid shape when external sodium concentrations were reduced to sodium-free condition, whereas that of calcium contracture intensified in a parabolic pattern when external calcium concentrations were elevated to 8 mM. $Na^{+}-removal$ contractures were induced in a duration-dependent manner to $K^{+}-free$ exposure and same findings were observed with ouabain treatment. $Na^{+}-free$ contractures were not affected by verapamil treatment, but stimulated by $100{\mu}M\;Mn^{2+}$ and inhibited by high concentrations of $Mn^{2+}\;(2{\sim}8mM)$ in a dose-dependent manner. Ryanodine which is known to suppress the release of calcium from internal store abolished spontaneous twitch contractions induced by $K^{+}-free$ solution, but had no effect on the development $Na^{+}-free$ contractures. Na-free contractures were not always induced in vascular smooth muscle preparations. Contractures by $O\;mM\;Na^+$ were usually seen in aorta, but not often in renal artery.$50\;mM\;K^+$, noradrenaline (NA) and angiotensin II (AII) always evoked very large contraction in all preparations of vascular smooth muscle. Contractures developed by $O\;mM\;Na^+$ were not sensitive to verapamil treatment as in atrial trabeculae, but were abolished by $100{\mu}M\;Mn^{2+}$. In contrast to $Na^{+}-free$ contractures, $Mn^{2+}(100{\mu}M)$ had no effect on the contractures induced by NA or 50 mM$K^+$. Caffeine in the concentration of 10 mM evoked transient contracture in the distal renal artery. The rate of spontaneous relaxation in caffeine contracture was dependent upon the concentrations of external sodium, and had double component of relaxation when the rate of relaxation was plotted in the semilogarithmic scale of relative tension versus time. Especially late components of relaxation had more direct relation to $Na^+$ concentrations. It could be concluded that $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange mechanism in the heart has a large capacity, inhibited by $Mn^{2+}$ but not by verapamil and ryanodine, while $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange system in vascular smooth muscle has a very low capacity especially in small artery, inhibited by low concentration of $Mn^{2+}\;(100{\mu}M)$ but not affected by verapamil and ryanodine.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.742-746
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• 1995

The present study was aimed at investigating possible transmitter mechanisms in the endothelial cell layer in regulating the tone of the vascular smooth muscle. The thoracic aorta was isolated from the anesthetized male white rabbits and its helical strips were prepared. Electrical field stimulation was delivered to platinum wire electrodes positioned parallel to the vessel segment preconstricted with phenylephrine [3.5x10-6 mol/L at a distance of 1.5-2.0 mm. The electrical stimulation [70 V, 5 msec, 0.5-200 Hz caused either relaxation only [34% or a biphasic response [prolonged relaxation following a weak and transient contraction, 66% . The relaxation response was frequency- dependent, and at 200 Hz a complete relaxation was noted. Mechanical rubbing of the endothelial layer abolished or greatly attenuated the relaxation. The relaxation was also markedly attenuated in the presence of NG-nitro- L-arginine methyl ester [10-3mol/L or procaine hydrochloride [3.5x10-4mol/L . Tetrodotoxin,guanethidine, atropine or indomethacin failed to block or enhance the relaxation response to electrical field stimulation. It is concluded that the vascular endothelium in the aorta contains diffusible substances that regulates the function of the smooth muscle layer, in which relaxation is more prominent than contraction. Their release by the electrical stimualtion in vitro may not involve classic neuronal transmitter release mechanisms or metabolism of arachidonic acids by cyclooxygenase. The release of the relaxing agents may require an increase in cytosolic calcium level. The chemical nature of the relaxant may be, to a large extent, nitric oxide.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.167-181
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• 1999

Rhizoma Arisaematis, Lignum Akebiae, Rhizoma Zedoariae, Cortex Eucommiae, Folium Perillae, Radix Sophorae Subprostratae, Radixi, Radix Ledeboutriellae, Rhizoma Atractylodis, Herba Ephedrae, Radix Puerariae and Radi Aconitx Bupleuri have been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for various disease. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of several herbs on norepinephrine(NE) induced blood vessel contraction in rabbits and pigs. Rabbit(2 kg, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of each rabbit was cut into equal segments and mounted in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 2-3 g loading tension. The dose of norepinephrine(NE) which evoked 50% of maximal response $(ED_{50})$ was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for NE $(10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-3}M)$. Contractions evoked by NE $(ED_{50})$ were inhibited significantly by Rhizoma Arisaematis, Lignum Akebiae, Rhizoma Zedoariae, Cortex Eucommiae, Folium Perillae, Radix Sophorae Subprostratae and Herba Ephedrae in abdominal aorta. Contractions evoked by NE $(ED_{50})$ were inhibited significantly be Lignum Akebiae, Rhizoma Zedoariae, Cortex Eucommiae, Herba Ephedrae, Radix Puerariae and Radix Bupleuri in femoral artery. Contractions evoked by NE $(ED_{50})$ were inhibited significantly by Radix Sophorae Subprostratae, Radix Aconiti and Herba Ephedrae in renal artery. These results indicate that each herb can relax NE induced contraction of rabbit and pig blood vessel selectively, and that this relaxation relates to Gui-Gyung(歸經).

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2006

The antispasmodic and vasodilator activities of a newly synthesized piperidine derivative (1-(4'fluorophenacyl)-4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidinium chloride) were studied in vitro. The test compound exhibited a dose-dependent relaxant effect on the spontaneous and $K^+$ (75 mM)-induced contractions of isolated rabbit jejunum with respective $EC_{50}$ values of 0.01 mM(0.01-0.02, 95% CI) and 0.30 mM (0.17-0.56). The $Ca^{++}$ channel blocking (CCB) activity was confirmed when the test compound (0.1-0.2 mM) shifted the $Ca^{++}$ dose-response curves to the right, similar to that produced by verapamil ($0.1-1.0{\mu}M$), a standard CCB. In the isolated rabbit aorta, the test compound showed a dose-dependent vasodilator effect on $K^+$ (75 mM)-induced contractions with an $EC_{50}$ value of 0.08 mM (0.02-0.26) while also suppressed the norepinephrine ($1{\mu}M$) control peak responses with $EC_{50}$ value of 0.08 mM (0.05-0.13, n=5). When tested in Langendorff perfused rabbit heart preparation, the test compound exhibited a negligible inhibitory effect on the rate or force of atrial and ventricular contractions when tested up to 5 mM. The results show smooth muscle-selective relaxant effect of the test compound on intestinal and vascular preparations mediated possibly via blockade of voltage and receptor-operated $Ca^{++}$ channels.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.150-153
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• 1994

Ethanolic extract of Daucus carota (DC) at the dose of 10-100 mg/kg caused a dose-dependent fall in systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure in nomotensive anesthetized rats. These effects were not blocked by atropine (1 mg/kg) and pretratment with DC did not alter the pressor response to norepinephrine indicating that cardiovascular effects of DC are independent of cholinergic or adrenergic recptors involvement. In spontaneously beating guinea-pig paired atria, DC induced a concentration-dependent (03-5 mg/ml) decrease in force and rate of atrial contractions. In rabbit thoracic aorta, DC caused inhibition of $K^+$-induced contractions at similar concentrations. These results suggest that the extract may exhibit $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocking-like direct relaxant action on cardiac and smooth muscle preperations and this action may be responsible for its hypotensive effect observed in the in vivo studies.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.129-132
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• 1995

Intravenous administration of O-acetyliervine (an alkaloid from Vertrum album) produced a dose-dependent (10-100 .mu.g/kg) fall in blood pressure and tachycardia in anaesthetized normotensive rats. Pretreatment of animals with propranolol (1mg/kg) abolished these cardiovascular responses of O-acetyljervine similar to that of isoprenaline $(1\mu/ml)$. In isolated tissue experiments, O-acetyljervine $(10-100\mu/ml)$ produced a dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-induced contraction of the rabbit aorta. In guinea-pig spontaneously beating atria, it caused positive inotropic and chronotorpic responses in a dose-dependent fashion $(10-100\mu/ml)$. These responses were abolished in the presence of propranolol $(1\mu/ml)$ similar to that of isoprenaline. These results indicate that O-accetyljervine is adrenoceptor stimulant $(\beta_1\; and\;beta_2)$ like isoprenaline.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.2997-3003
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• 2009

The pharmacological profile of KR-31081, a nonpeptide $AT_1$ selective angiotensin receptor antagonist, was investigated by receptor binding studies, functional in vitro assays with rabbit aorta. KR-31081 inhibited the specific binding of $[^{125}I]\;[Sar^1,\;Ile^8]$-angiotensin II to human recombinant $AT_1$ receptor with an 8.6-fold greater potency than losartan ($IC_{50}$: 1.43 and 12.3 nM, respectively), but it did not inhibit the binding of [$^{125}I$] CGP 42112A to human recombinant $AT_2$ receptor ($IC_{50}$: higher than $10{\mu}M$ for both). The Hill coefficient for the competition curve of KR-31081 against $AT_1$ receptor was not significantly different from unity (0.99). Scatchard analysis showed that KR-31081 interacted with human recombinant $AT_1$ receptor in a competitive manner, as with losartan. In functional studies with rabbit aorta, KR-31081 competitively inhibited the contractile response to angiotensin II ($pK_B$ values: 8.66) with 20-70% decrease in the maximum contractile responses, unlike losartan that showed competitive antagonism without any change in the maximum contractile responses to angiotensin II ($pA_2$ values: 7.59). These results suggest that KR-31081 is a highly potent $AT_1$ selective angiotensin II receptor antagonist with a mode of insurmountable antagonism to be developed as the exploratory potential of this compound.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 1990

The effects of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and various $Ca^{2+}$ antagonists on endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine were studied in the isolated rabbit thoracic aorta in order to elucidate the control mechanism of endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) release. Endothelium was removed from aortic strips by gentle rubbing with cotton ball. The effect of hemoglobin on basal tension was also observed with hemolysate. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) to acetylcholine (ACh) showed biphasic pattern; the initial rapid relaxation phase and the late slow relaxation phase. 2) With the depletion of the extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, EDR was gradually suppressed, especially the late slow relaxation. 3) Verapamil, nifedipine, $Mn^{2+}$ and $Cd^{2+}$ had not any effect on EDR, while $La^{3+}$ and $Co^{2+}$ suppressed EDR completely. 4) The resting tension of the strips with rubbed endothelium was not altered by the addition of hemoglobin. That of the strips with intact endothelium, however, was enhanced and EDR to ACh was completely blocked From these results, we suggest that extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ is necessary for ACh-induced slow relaxation while $Ca^{2+}$ antagonists have not any effect on EDR.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2004

The studies on cryopreserved arterial allograft have been focused on cooling methods, pre-treatment, cryoprotectant agents, and preservation temperature. But recently, several studies have reported that thawing methods also play an important role in the occurrence of macroscopic and microscopic cracks. This study was designed to investigate the cell injury after thawing, using a rabbit model to clarify the effect of thawing methods on cryopreserved arteries. Material and Method: Segments of the rabbit aorta were obtained and divided into 3 groups (n=60) according to whether the specimens were fresh (control, n=20), cryopreserved and rapidly thawed (RT) at 37$^{\circ}C$ (n=20), or cryopreserved and subjected to controlled, automated slow thawing (ST)(n=20). Cell damage was established using the TUNEL method and the morphological changes were also evaluated. Result: In the group that was rapidly thawed, the expression of TUNEL (＋) cells increased significantly more than in the slowly thawed group. In addition, the endothelial denudation, microvesicles and edema were significant in the rapidly thawed group compared with those changes in the slowly thawed group. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the rapid thawing method may be one of the major causes of cellular damage and delayed rupture in cryopresewed arterial allografts. The expression of TUNEL (＋) cells and structural changes were significantly low in the slowly thawed group, which might have contributed to the improvement of graft failure after transplantation.