• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.1003-1012
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• 1996

The induction of a phenotype with preoperties may have clinical significance in the acceleration of the wound-healing process. Wound contraction involves a specialized cell known as the myofibroblast. The myofibroblasts can be identified by their intense staining of actin bundles with anti-actin antibody. Tissue-specific actin distribution is correlated with the contractile activity of the myofibroblasts and smooth muscle etc. This study was performed to determine the expression of actin filaments in the cytoplasm of cultured human gingival fibroblsts after GaAs laser(BIOSAER, Korea) irradiation. Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured from explants of normal interdental gingival tissue. The third-generation fibroblasts were used for immunohistochemical study. The cultured fibroblasts were exposed $0.53joule/cm^2$(lmW, 7 mimutes) of energy density, and then observed by immunohistochemical method using, rabbit anti0gelsolin, hen smooth muscle polyclonal antibody(Chemicon international inc.), and biotinylated goat anti-rabbit IgG(Vectastain) 24-, 36-, 48-hour after laser irradiation Following results were obtained ; 1. In nonirradiated cultures, round shaped active fibroblasts with abundant cytoplasm and prominet nucleoli were observed. 2. In 24- and 36-hour cultures after laser irradiation, spindle shaped cells with long process were observed. The intensity of stain was seen in cytoplasm of these modified fibroblasts. 3. In 48-hoour cultures after laser irradiation, stained spindle shape cell were not observed. The results suggest that the effect of the galium-arsenide laser treatment on cultured gingival fibroblasts is the rapid development of cytoplasmic actin filaments.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.437-445
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• 2018

${\alpha}$-Iso-cubebene (ICB) is a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignin contained in Schisandra chinensis (SC), a well-known medicinal herb that ameliorates cardiovascular symptoms, but the mechanism responsible for this activity has not been determined. To determine the role played by ICB on the regulation of vascular tone, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ICB on vascular contractile responses by adrenergic ${\alpha}$-receptor agonists. In addition, we investigated the role on myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and cytosolic calcium concentration in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In aortic rings isolated from C57BL/6J mice, ICB significantly attenuated the contraction induced by phenylephrine (PE) and norepinephrine (NE), whereas ICB had no effects on KCl (60 mM)-induced contraction. In vasculatures precontracted with PE, ICB caused marked relaxation of aortic rings with or without endothelium, suggesting a direct effect on VSMC. In cultured rat VSMC, PE or NE increased MLC phosphorylation and increased cytosolic calcium levels. Both of these effects were significantly suppressed by ICB. In conclusion, our results showed that ICB regulated vascular tone by inhibiting MLC phosphorylation and calcium flux into VSMC, and suggest that ICB has anti-hypertensive properties and therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disorders related to vascular hypertension.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.224-228
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• 2006

The object of this study is to investigate the potential of dual-electrospun polymer based structure for vascular tissue engineering, especially for the medium or small sue blood vessels. Polyurethane(PU), which is known to be biocompatible in this area, was electrospun with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Concentration of PU was fixed at 20wt%, while that of PEO was set from 15 to 35wt%. Morphological features were observed by SEM image and measurement of porosity and cellular responses were tested before and after extracting PEO from the hybrid scaffolds by immersing the scaffolds into distilled water. The diameter of PEO fibers were ranged from 200nm to 500nm. The lower concentration of PEO tended to show beads. The porosity of the scaffolds after extracting PEO was highly increased with higher concentration of PEO as expected. Also, higher proliferation rate of smooth muscle cells was observed at higher concentration of PEO than at the lower concentration and without PEO. As conclusions, this dual electrospinning technique combined with PU and PEO is expected to overcome the current barrier of cell penetration by providing more space for cells to proliferation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2024

Wogonin, extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been shown to suppress collagen deposition in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). This study was performed to investigate the role and mechanism of wogonin underlying vascular remodeling in SHRs. After injection of SHRs with 40 mg/kg of wogonin, blood pressure in rats was measured once a week. Masson's trichrome staining was conducted to observe the changes in aortas and mesenteric arteries. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from rat thoracic aortas were treated with Angiotensin II (Ang II; 100 nM) in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of wogonin. The viability and proliferation of VSMCs were examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay, respectively. The migration of VSMCs was examined using wound healing assay and transwell assay. We found that wogonin administration alleviated hypertension, increased lumen diameter, and reduced the thickness of the arterial media in SHRs. Ang II treatment enhanced the viability of VSMCs, which was inhibited by wogonin in a concentration-dependent manner. Wogonin reversed Ang II-induced increases in the viability, proliferation, and migration of VSMCs. Moreover, wogonin inhibited Ang II-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in VSMCs. Overall, wogonin repressed the proliferative and migratory capacity of VSMCs by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, thereby attenuating vascular remodeling in hypertensive rats, indicating that wogonin might be a therapeutic agent for the treatment of vascular diseases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.113-124
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• 2012

The oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein(LDL) has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL(oxLDL) is captured into macrophage and stimulates to form macrophage foam cell. And it can induce an inflammation and smooth muscle proliferation in atherosclerotic plaque. Objective : In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Bupleuri radix(SH) on the foam cell formation, a critical initiation stage of atherosclerosis. Methods : To achieve the goal, we examined the effect of SH on LDL oxidation, nitric oxide production in RAW264.7, and the effect of SH on cupuric sulfate-induced cytotoxicity, LDH release, and macrophage activity. Results : SH inhibited the formation of oxidized LDL from native LDL in RAW264.7 cell culture, and decreased the release of LDH from cupric sulfate-stimulated RAW264.7 cell. In other experiments, SH activated RAW264.7 cell, and prolonged the survival time, and inhibited foam cell formation induced by oxLDL in Raw 264.7 cells. Conclusion : These results showed that SH might prevent atherosclerosis by controlling the early stages of foam cell formation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.25-33
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• 2007

Objectives : Oriental pear was used as treatment of asthma, control of blood pressure, diabetes in oriental medicine. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of Phenolic compound extracted from pear and herbal drugs to treat asthma. Methods : In order to study the effect of oral administration of phenolic compound extracted from pear and herbal drugs(Platycodon grandiflorum, Prunus armeniaca) on allergic asthma, mice were pre-treated by oral administration of the solution before antigen sensitization four times for 8 days. 2 days later, mice were actively sensitized with a subcutaneous injection of ovalbumin and 13 days later, they were provoked with ovalbumin aerosols. The animals were divided into four groups; Saline, orally administered saline. PC-A, orally administered Phenolic compound extracted from pear peel 10mg/kg/ml. PC-B, orally administered Phenolic compound extracted from pear peel and flesh 10mg/kg/ml. PC-C, orally administered pear 10m/kg/ml, Platycodon grandiflorum 24.4 mg/kg/ml and Prunus armeniaca 33.3 mg/kg/ml. Serum level of IgE, IL-4, cell numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), and in vitro isometric contractile responses of the isolated tracheal smooth muscle(TSM) to acetylcholine(ACh, $0.1-1000{\mu}M$), KCl were measured. Results : Contractile responses of TSM to ACh were decreased in PC-A group at Ach 0.1, 0.3, 1 ${\mu}M$, decreased in PC-B at 0.1 ${\mu}M$ and decreased in PC-C at 0.1, 0.3, 1, 10, 30 ${\mu}M$. The maximal contractile response of TSM to KCl was decreased in PC-C group, The cell numbers of eosinophil in BALF were decreased in PC-C group, and those of macrophages in BALF were decreased in PC-A and PC-C group. Interleukin-4 in BALF was decreased in PC-A, PC-B, PC-C group. Conclusion : Based on the above results it is assumed that oral administration of phenolic compound extracted from pear and herbal drugs can help the treatment of deficiency allergic Asthma.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2011

The functional cardiovascular system is comprised of distinct mesoderm-derived lineages including endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and other mesenchymal cells. Recent studies in the human embryonic stem cell differentiation model have provided evidence indicating that these cell lineages are developed from the common progenitors such as hemangioblasts and cardiovascular progenitor cells. Also, the studies have suggested that these progenitors have a common primordial progenitor, which expresses KDR (human Flk-1, also known as VEGFR2, CD309). We demonstrate here that sustained activation of BMP4 (bone morphogenetic protein 4) in hESC line, CHA15 hESC results in $KDR^+$ mesoderm specific differentiation. To determine whether the $KDR^+$ population derived from hESCs enhances potential to differentiate along multipotential mesodermal lineages than undifferentiated hESCs, we analyzed the development of the mesodermal cell types in human embryonic stem cell differentiation cultures. In embryoid body (EB) differentiation culture conditions, we identified an increased expression of $KDR^+$ population from BMP4-stimulated hESC-derived EBs. After induction with additional growth factors, the $KDR^+$ population sorted from hESCs-derived EBs displays mesenchymal, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle potential in matrix-coated monolayer culture systems. The populations plated in monolayer cultures expressed increased levels of related markers and exhibit a stable/homologous phenotype in culture terms. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the $KDR^+$ population is stably isolated from CHA15 hESC-derived EBs using BMP4 and growth factors, and sorted $KDR^+$ population can be utilized to generate multipotential mesodermal progenitors in vitro, which can be further differentiated into cardiovascular specific cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.23-23
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• 2003

It has been suggested that the impairment of smooth muscle cell (SMC) function by alterations in the $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^{+}$ ( $K_{Ca}$ ) channels accounts for the reduction in coronary reserve during left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, this hypothesis has not been fully investigated. The main goal of this study was to assess whether the properties of $K_{Ca}$ channels in coronary SMCs were altered during LVH. New Zealand white rabbits (0.8-1.0 kg) and Sprague-Dawley rats (300-400 g) were randomly selected to receive either an injection of isoproterenol (300 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg body weight) or an equal volume of 0.9％ saline (1 mL/kg body weight). The animals developed LVH 10 days after injection. In patch-clamp experiments, the unitary current amplitude and open probability for the $K_{Ca}$ channels were significantly reduced in LVH patches compared with control patches. The concentration-response curve of the $K_{Ca}$ channel to [C $a^{2+}$]$_{i}$ was shifted to the right. Inhibition of the $K_{Ca}$ channels with TEA was more pronounced in LVH cells than in the control cells. The whole-cell currents of $K_{Ca}$ channels were reduced during LVH. Western blot analysis indicated no differences in $K_{Ca}$ channel expression between the control and LVH coronary SM membranes. In contraction experiments, the effect of a high $K^{+}$concentration on the resting tension of the LVH coronary artery was greater than on that of the control. The effect of TEA on the resting tension of the LVH coronary artery was reduced as compared with the effect on the control. Our findings imply a novel mechanism for reduced coronary reserve during LVH.ing LVH.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2015

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the effects of Shingi-whan(SG) on the male reproductive and sexual function, so we measured the spermatogenesis and the testicular toxicity in mice and the vasorelaxation in isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. Methods : To evaluate effect on the spermatogenesis in mice, we prepared two groups, control group and SG group that was orally administered SG(1,000mg/kg) for 20 days, and compared. To analyze testicular toxicity in mice, we also prepared two groups, doxo group that was injected with doxorubicin (3mg/kg) on three times and doxo + SG group that was injected with doxorubicin and SG for 20 days, and compared. To investigate sexual function of SG in mice, we prepared three groups, normal group and aging elicited group consisting of 18-month-old mice, SG treated aging group that was orally administered SG for 60 days, and compared using histochemical staining on mice corpus cavernous tissues. In order to define the relaxation effects of SG, rabbit corpus cavernous tissues were prepared in $2{\times}2{\times}6mm$ sized strip. Then the dose-dependent relaxation responses of SG at 0.01-3.0 mg/ml in contracted strips induced by phenylephrine were measured. Results : The sperm density in dutus epididymis and the diameter of seminiferous tubules of SG group was significantly increased when compared to control group. The testicular weight and the diameter and height of epithelial layer of seminiferous tubules of doxo + SG group was significantly increased when compared to doxo group. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by SG extract In SG treated aging group, ratio of smooth muscles to collagen fibers and red blood cell count in venous sinus was increased as compared to aging elicited group. Conclusions : Our findings have shown that SG extract have effect on spermatogenesis and mitigating effect on doxo-induced testicular toxicity. Further, it also have the vasorelaxant effect on rabbit corpus cavernosum.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2011

Migration and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells are crucial for tissue regeneration in response to injury. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid that regulates a variety of biological processes, including proliferation, survival, differentiation and motility. In the present study, we determined the role of S1P in migration and differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). S1P stimulated migration of BMSCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and pre-incubation of the cells with pertussis toxin completely abrogated S1P-induced migration, suggesting involvement of Gi-coupled receptors in S1P-induced cell migration. S1P elicited elevation of intracellular concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) and pretreatment with VPC23019, an antagonist of $S1P_1/S1P_3$, blocked S1P-induced migration and increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous $S1P_1$ attenuated S1P-induced migration of BMSCs. Furthermore, S1P treatment induced expression of $\alpha$-smooth muscle actin ($\alpha$-SMA), a smooth muscle marker, and pretreatment with VPC23019 abrogated S1P-induced $\alpha$-SMA expression. S1P induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and pretreatment of cells with SB202190, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, or adenoviral overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of the p38 MAPK blocked S1P-induced cell migration and $\alpha$-SMA expression. Taken together, these results suggest that S1P stimulates migration and smooth muscle differentiation of BMSCs through an $S1P_1$-p38 MAPK-dependent mechanism.