• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.259-266
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• 2000

Objectives : The effects of aqueous extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (a traditional medicine for cancer treatment in oriental medicine) on the induction of apoptotic cell death were investigated in human liver origm hepatoma cell lines, HepG2. Methods : The death of HepG2 cells was markedly induced by the addition of extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptotic characteristic ladder pattern of DNA strand break was not observed in cell death of HepG2. In addition, it was not shown nucleus chromatin condensation and fragmentation under hoechst staining. However, by the using annexin V staining assay, externalizations of phosphatidylserine in HepG2 cell which were treated with Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts were detected in the early time (at 9 hr after extract treatment). Furthermore, LDH release was not detected in this early stage. Therefore, Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts-induced cell death of HepG2 cells is mediated by apoptotic death signal processes. Result : The activity of caspase 3-like proteases remained in a basal level in HepG2 cells which treated with the extract of Cordyceps sinensis. However, it was markedly increased in HepG2 cells which treated with two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K) which were differently extracted (respectively, 2.3 and 3.3 fold). On a while, the phosphotransferase activities of JNK1 was markedly induced in HepG2 cells which were treated with two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae. On the contrary, the activation of transcriptional activator, activating protein1(AP-1) and NF-kB were severely decreased by these two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K). In addition, antioxidants (GSH and NAC) and intracellular $Ca2^+$ level regulator (Bapta/AM and Thapsigargin) did not affect Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts-induced apoptotic death of HepG2 cells. Conclusions : In conclusion, our results suggest that two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K) induces the apoptotic death of human liver origin hepatoma HepG2 cells via activation of caspase 3-like proteases as well as JNK1, and inhibition of transcriptional activators, AP-1 and $NK-{\kappa}B$.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.602-610
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• 2013

This study was aimed to evaluate the cavernosal relaxation effect of Crataegii fructus(CF) in the contracted rabbit penile corpus cavernosum by agonists.In order to study the effect of CF on the vasoconstriction of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum, isolated rabbit penile corpus cavernosum tissues were used for the experiment using organ baths containing Krebs solution.To investigate the cavernosal relaxation of CF, CF extract at $0.01{\sim}3.0mg/m{\ell}$ was added after penile corpus cavernosum were contracted by norepinephrine(NE) $1{\mu}M$. To analyze the mechanism of CF's vasorelaxation, CF extract infused into contracted penile tissues by NE after each treatment of indomethacin(IM), $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA).To study the effect of CF on influx of extracellular calcium chloride($Ca^{2+}$) in penile tissues, in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, $Ca^{2+}$ 1 mM infused into contracted penile tissues by NE after pretreatment of CF. Cytotoxic activity of CF on human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide(NO) prodution was measured by Griess reagent. CF relaxed cavernosal strip with endothelium contracted by NE, but in the strips without endothelium, CF-induced relaxation was significantly inhibited. The pretreatment of L-NNA, MB, TEA decreased significantly on the cavernosal relaxation than not-treatment of them. But the pretreatment of IM had no significant effect on the cavernosal relaxation. In $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, when $Ca^{2+}$ infused into contracted penile tissues by NE, pretreatment of CF inhibit contraction induced by adding $Ca^{2+}$.NO production wasn't increased by treatment of CF on HUVEC. This findings showed that CF is effective for the relaxation of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum, and we suggest that CF relax rabbit corpus cavernosal smooth muscle through multiple action mechanisms that include increasing the release of nitric oxide from corporal sinusoidal endothelium, inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization into cytosol from the extracellular fluid, and maybe a hyperpolarizing action.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.656-663
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• 2011

Licochalcone은 감초의 주요 생리활성 물질로 항균작용, 항암작용 등의 다양한 효과가 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 최근 감초로부터 licochalcone E가 분리, 동정 되었을 뿐만 아니라, 효과적인 licochalcone E의 합성을 위해 다양한 합성법이 개발되고 있다. 반면, licochalcone E의 생리활성 연구는 매우 미비한 상태이다. 본 연구는 licochclcone E의 항염증 활성과 그 기전의 일단을 밝히는 것을 목적으로 진행 되었다. 생쥐의 대식세포주인 RAW264.7 세포에 lipopolysaccharide (LPS)를 처리 염증반응을 유도하고, licochalcone E를 처리한 한 결과, licochalconeE는 LPS 처리에 의한 nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) 및 염증성 사이토카인의 분비를 현저히 억제시키는 것을 관찰 할 수 있었으며, NO와 $PGE_2$ 생합성효소인 iNOS와 COX-2 단백질의 발현 또한 억제시킴을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 licochalcone E의 항염증 활성의 기전을 밝히기 위해 염증반응에 핵심적인 역할을 하는 전사인자인 nuclear factor-${\kappa}$B (NF-${\kappa}$B)의 활성을 관찰한 결과, licochalcone E의 처리가 NF-${\kappa}$B의 DNA결합을 억제하는 것을 확인 하였다. 이러한 연구결과로 볼 때 licochalcone E가 NF-${\kappa}$B의 활성을 억제하여, 염증반응의 매개물질인 NO, $PGE_2$, 염증성 사이토카인 등의 생성을 억제함으로 항염증활성을 나타내는 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제29권8호
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• pp.807-815
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• 1996

허혈전처치(ischemic preconditioniiIE)의 허혈심장 보호효과와 그 기전을 규명하기 위한 일환으로 citric oxide(HO)가 허혈전처치의 심보호 효과에 미치는 영향을 검토하였다. 흰쥐 적출심장의 Langendorrr관류표본에서 실험적인 허할(30분)-재관류(30분) 손상을 유도하였고, 허혈전처치는 재관류손상 유도 전에 5분 허혈 - 5분 재관류를 3회 반복하여 시행하였다. 허혈심근 손상의 지표로 심수축기능 세질효소 유출 및 미세형태학적 변화를, 그리고 HO 합성 억제제인 L-HAME 를 투여하여 허혈전처치와 비전처치 허혈-재관류 심장들에서 손상의 정도를 비교하였다. 그 결과 허혈- 재관류 심장에서 심기능의 저하및 세포질 유출이 현저하게 증가하였고 전자현미경상의 미세구조에서도 세포내 소기관 및 myofibril의 파괴가 관찰되 어 심근손상이 심함을 알 수 있었다. 허 혈-재관류에 의한 심 장손상은 허혈전처치를 시행한 허혈-재관류 심장에서는 현격하게 감소돼 심회복률이 77%로 증가하였 고 세포질유출도 현저하게 감소되었으며 미세소견에서도 세포구조가 비교적 잘 보존되었다. 허혈전처 치에 의한 심보호 효과에 NO가 관여하는지를 관찰하기 위하여 NO합성 억제제인 L-NAME를 투여하 여 허혈전처치를 시행하였다. 결과 L-UAME투여로 허혈전처치에 의하여 회복된 심기능 및 LDH유출 감소에 아무런 영향을 주지 않았고 허혈전처치에 의하여 비교적 잘 보존된 미세구조 역시 영향을 받지 않았다. 이상의 결과들로부터 허혈전처치는 세포수준에서 허혈심근의 재관류손상을 방지하며, NO합성의 증가가 횐쥐 적출 심장에서 허혈전처치에 의한 허혈심장 보호효과에 크게 기여하지 않을 것으로 사료되었다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제17권
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• pp.47-57
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• 2001

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, and its pathology is characterized by the presence of numerous numbers of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Several genetic and transgenic studies have indicated that excess amount of $\beta$-amyloid protein (A$\beta$) is produced by mutations of $\beta$TEX>$\beta$-amyloid precursor protein and causes learning impairment. Moreover, $A\beta$ has a toxic effect on cultured nerve cells. To prepare AD model animals, we have examined continuous (2 weeks) infusion of $A\beta$ into the cerebral ventricle of rats. Continuous infusion of $A\beta$ induces learning impairment in water maze and passive avoidance tasks, and decreases choline acetyltransferase activity in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed diffuse depositions of $A\beta$ in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus around the ventricle. Furthermore, the nicotine-evoked release of acetylcholine and dopamine in the frontal cortex/hippocampus and striatum, respectively, is decreased in the $A\beta$-infused group. Perfusion of nicotine (50 $\mu\textrm{M}$) reduced the amplitude of electrically evoked population spikes in the CA1 pyramidal cells of the control group, but not in those of the $A\beta$-infused group, suggesting the impairment of nicotinic signaling in the $A\beta$-infused group. In fact, Kd, but not Bmax, values for ［$^3H$］ cytisine binding in the hippocampus significantly increased in the $A\beta$-infused rats. suggesting the decrease in affinity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by tetanic stimulations in CA1 pyramidal cells, which is thought to be an essential mechanism underlying learning and memory, was readily observed in the control group, whereas it was impaired in the $A\beta$-infused group. Taken together, these results suggest that $A\beta$ infusion impairs the signal transduction mechanisms via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This dysfunction may be responsible, at least in part, for the impairment of LTP induction and may lead to learning and memory impairment. We also found the reduction of glutathione- and Mn-superoxide dismutase-like immunoreactivity in the brains of $A\beta$-infused rats. Administration of antioxidants or nootropics alleviated learning and memory impairment induced by $A\beta$ infusion. We believe that investigation of currently available transgenic and non-transgenic animal models for AD will help to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms and allow assessment of new therapeutic strategies.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.223-229
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• 2002

Metformin is an oral antihyperglycemic agent used in the therapy of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and does not cause hypoglycemia at the therapeutic dose. Its mechanism of action may involve an increased binding of insulin to its receptors and glucose uptake at the post-receptor level. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two metformin tablets, Glucophage (Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and Glycomin (Ilsung Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The metformin release from the two metformin tablets in vitro was tested using KP VII Apparatus II method with various dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solution and water). Twenty four normal male volunteers, $23.75{\pm}1.96$ years in age and $68.77{\pm}10.41\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups with a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study. After one tablet containing 500 mg as metformin was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of metformin in serum were determined using HPLC with UV detector. Besides, the dissolution profiles of two metformin tablets were very similar at 떠1 dissolution media. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AVC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated. The ANOVA test was performed for the statistical analysis of the logarithmically transformed $AVC_t\;and\;C_{max}$, untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences in $AVC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two tablets based on the Glucophage were 0.09%, 6.09% and -8.22%, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two tablets in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log(0.8) to log(1.25) $(e.g.,\;log(0.94){\sim}log(1.09)\;and \;log(1.01){\sim}log(1.15)$\;for\;AVC_t\;and\;C_{max},\;respectively)$, indicating that Glycomin tablet is bioequivalent to Glucophage tablet.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.167-181
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• 1991

Adenylate cyclase 효소를 활성화시키는 약물인 Forskolin의 흰쥐 적출관류 부신으로부터 Ach, excess $K^+$, McN-A-343 및 caffein에 의한 catecholamines (CA) 분비작용에 대한 영향을 검색하고, 그 기전을 규명코자 연구를 시행하여 다음과 같은 연구결과를 얻었다. Forskolin (1.0 uM)은 흰쥐 부신적출정맥내로 1분동안 관류시킨 후 Ach(50 ug), excess $K^+$(56 mM), DMPP (100 uM) 및 caffeine (0.3 mM)에 의한 CA 분비작용을 현저히 증강시켰으나 McN-A-343에 의한 CA분비작용에는 영향을 미치지 않았다. Forskolin 자체는 CA분비작용을 일으키지 못하였다. 또한 세포의 calcium을 제거한 상태에서도 위 약물에 의한 CA분비작용에 대하여 유의한 증강작용을 나타내었다. 그러나 McN-A-343의 CA작용에는 영향이 없었으나 위의 약물의 CA분비작용을 유의하게 강화시켰다. Cyclic AMP를 증가시키는 약물로 알려져 있는 dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP)는 300 uM농도를 1분간 관류시 Ach, excess $K^+$ 및 DMPP의 CA 분비작용을 뚜렷하게 증강시켰으나 McN-A-343 및 caffeine의 CA분비에는 별다른 영향이 없었다. DBcAMP 자체도 CA분비작용에는 영향을 미치지 못하였으나 또한 DBcAMP는 세포의 칼슘제거시에도 위의 약물에 의한 CA분비작용을 의의있게 증강시켰다. 그렇지만, McN-A-343의 CA분비작용은 증강시키지 못하였다. 이상의 연구결과로 보아 Forskolin는 adenylate cyclase를 활성화 시킴으로써 cyclic AMP 농도를 증가시켜 세포내로 칼슘유입을 증강시키며, 또한 세포내의 칼슘이동에도 관여함으로써 cholinergic nicotinic stimulation 및 depolarization에 의한 CA분비작용을 상승시키는 것으로 사료되어진다.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.197-205
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• 1991

Adriamycin (Doxorubicin HCl)의 혈관밖 유출에 따른 조직의 손상, 특히 피부괴양 및 괴사 기전을 규명하기 위한 연구의 일환으로 흰쥐 피부세포를 이용한 in vitro 실험에서 adriamycin에 의한 산소라디칼 생성 및 그와 관련된 세포독성 기전으로 지질과산화를 검토하였다. Adriamycin은 흰쥐 태자 피부의 배양세포에서 lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) 유리를 용량 및 시간 의존적으로 증가 시켰으며, NADPH 및 NADH 첨가 조건에서 $superoxide\;anion(O^-\;_2{\cdot})$ 생성을 현저히 증가시켰다. Adriamycin은 지질과산화 반응의 척도인 malondialdehyde(MDA) 생성을 역시 NADPH, NADH 존재하에서 용량의존적으로 증가시켰고, 산소라디칼 제거물질들인 superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase 및 thiourea와 항산화물질인 butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT), ${\alpha}-tocopherol$은 MDA 생성증가를 현저히 억제하였다. 1, 3,-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea(BCNU)를 처리하여 산화성 공격에 대한 방어기전의 하나인 glutahione 체계를 억제할 경우 adriamycin에 의한 MDA 생성은 더욱 현저히 증가하였고, 이는 역시 항산화 물질들에 의하여 억제되었다. 이상의 연구성적에서 adriamycin은 산소라디칼 생성의 증가와 그에 따른 지질과산화를 촉진하므로서 피부세포에 손상을 줄 것으로 사료되었다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.217-239
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• 2011

We carried out a series of experiment demonstrating the role of mitochondria in the cytosolic and mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ transients and compared the results with those from computer simulation. In rat ventricular myocytes, increasing the rate of stimulation (1~3 Hz) made both the diastolic and systolic [$Ca^{2+}]$ bigger in mitochondria as well as in cytosol. As L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel has key influence on the amplitude of $Ca^{2+}$ -induced $Ca^{2+}$ release, the relation between stimulus frequency and the amplitude of $Ca^{2+}$ transients was examined under the low density (1/10 of control) of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel in model simulation, where the relation was reversed. In experiment, block of $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter on mitochondrial inner membrane significantly reduced the amplitude of mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ transients, while it failed to affect the cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients. In computer simulation, the amplitude of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients was not affected by removal of $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter. The application of carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP) known as a protonophore on mitochondrial membrane to rat ventricular myocytes gradually increased the diastolic [$Ca^{2+}$] in cytosol and eventually abolished the $Ca^{2+}$ transients, which was similarly reproduced in computer simulation. The model study suggests that the relative contribution of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel to total transsarcolemmal $Ca^{2+}$ flux could determine whether the cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients become bigger or smaller with higher stimulus frequency. The present study also suggests that cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ affects mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ in a beat-to-beat manner, however, removal of $Ca^{2+}$ influx mechanism into mitochondria does not affect the amplitude of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.57-64
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• 2007

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is known to protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced injuries, and regional differences in the mitochondrial antioxidant state during IR or IPC may promote the death or survival of viable and infarcted cardiac tissues under oxidative stress. To date, however, the interplay between the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme system and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body has not yet been resolved. In the present study, we examined the effects of IR- and IPC-induced oxidative stresses on mitochondrial function in viable and infarcted cardiac tissues. Our results showed that the mitochondria from viable areas in the IR-induced group were swollen and fused, whereas those in the infarcted area were heavily damaged. IPC protected the mitochondria, thus reducing cardiac injury. We also found that the activity of the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme system, which includes manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), was enhanced in the viable areas compared to the infarcted areas in proportion with decreasing levels of ROS and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. These changes were also present between the IPC and IR groups. Regional differences in Mn-SOD expression were shown to be related to a reduction in mtDNA damage as well as to the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c (Cyt c). To the best of our knowledge, this might be the first study to explore the regional mitochondrial changes during IPC. The present findings are expected to help elucidate the molecular mechanism involved in IPC and helpful in the development of new clinical strategies against ischemic heart disease.