• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.157-161
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• 1993

In order to get infonnations on the development of alcohol induced cardiovascular disorders, primary cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (PVSMC) were treated with acetaldehyde, one of the most reactive metabolites of ethanol. Acetaldehyde caused the striking release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from PVSMC and it stimulated the prostaglandin synthesis in the same system. But it didn't induce cyclooxygenase activity. lipoxygenase inhibitors-propyl gallate and nordihydroguaiaretic acid could reverse the effect of acetaldehyde, but dexamethasone, a phospholipase $A_2\;(PIA_2)$ inhibitor and cyclooxygenase inhibitors except indomethacin could not protect the cells from acetaldehyde toxicity. These results indicate that enhanced prostaglandin synthesis by acetaldehyde is not a direct cause of cell death, but secondary effect due to the activation of PIAl and also, the roles of the lipoxygenase metabolites and/or $PIA_2$ activity itself might be more important in the cytotoxicity of acetaldehyde.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.439-445
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• 1999

This study is to investigate the mechanism of inhibitory effect of imipramine on the calcium utilization in single cells isolated from canine detrusor. 2 mm thick smooth muscle chops were incubated in 0.12% collagenase solution at $36^{circ}C,$ and aerated with 95% $O_2/5%\;CO_2,$ and then cell suspension was examined. Acetylcholine (ACh) evoked a concentration-dependent contraction of the isolated detrusor cells in normal physiologic salt solution (PSS), and the ACh-induced contraction was significantly inhibited by imipramine. In $Ca^{2+}-free$ PSS, ACh-induced contraction was less than those in normal PSS and it was not affected by the pretreatment with imipramine. $Ca^{2+}-induced$ contraction in $Ca^{2+}-free$ PSS was supressed by imipramine, but addition of A 23187, a calcium ionophore, overcomed the inhibitory effect of imipramine. High potassium-depolarization (40 mM KCl) evoked cell contraction, which was inhibited by imipramine. Caffeine, a releasing agent of the stored $Ca^{2+}$ from sarcoplasmic reticulum, evoked a contraction of the cells that was not blocked by the pretreatment with imipramine. These results suggest that imipramine inhibits the influx of calcium in the detrusor cells through both the receptor-operated- and voltage-gated-calcium channels, but does not affect the release of calcium from intracellular storage site.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.101-104
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• 2002

Schwannoma of the stomach is a rare controversial neoplasm which requires extensive studies to clarify its nature as a stromal tumor or leiomyoma. We describe the pathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of schwannoma of the stomach in a 33-year-old woman. The tumor was a well-circumscribed submucosal mass located in the posterior wall of the midbody of the stomach. Microscopically, the cells were made up of fasciculating bundles of spindle cells featured with peripheral lymphoid cell cuffing. The tumor cells revealed a diffuse, strong immunoreactivity to S-100 protein and vimentin, but were negative to desmin and smooth muscle actin. They also had a focal positive reaction to glial fibrillary acidic protein. Ultrastructurally, many tumor cells showed a number of thin, elongated and interdigitating dendritic-cell-like processes, distinctly uniformed basal laminae, frequent cellular attachments, and microfilaments. These findings support the schwannian nature of the tumor.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.140-146
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• 2015

Purpose: To determine the effects of 630 nm light emitting diode (LED) on full-thickness wound healing. Methods: Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into LED (n=6) and control group (n=6). Two $19.63mm^2$ wounds were created on the mid dorsum. LED group received a 630 nm LED irradiation with $3.67mW/cm^2$ for 30 minutes ($6.60J/cm^2$) for 7 days, while control group received sham LED irradiation. Epithelial gap, collagen density, ${\alpha}$-SMA fibroblast and PCNA keratinocyte were measured on histochemical and immunohistochemical staining using image analysis system. An independent t-test was conducted to compare the difference between groups. Results: The wound closure rate, collagen density, ${\alpha}$-SMA fibroblast number, epithelial gap and PCNA keratinocyte number have shown no significant difference between LED and control group at day 3 after the treatment. At day 7 after the treatment, the wound closure rate in LED group was increased when compared with control group (p<0.05). The collagen density (p<0.05) and ${\alpha}$-SMA immunoreactive fibroblast number (p<0.001) were increased when compared with control group at day 7. The epithelial gap in LED group was significantly shorten than control group at day 7 (p<0.01). The PCNA positive cell number in LED group was higher than control group at day 7 (p<0.01). Conclusion: 630 nm LED with $3.67mW/cm^2$, $6.60J/cm^2$ accelerate collagen deposition by stimulating fibroblasts, and enhance wound contraction by differentiating myofibroblasts in the dermis, and accelerate keratinocyte proliferation by facilitating DNA synthesis in the epidermis. It may promote the healing process in proliferation stage of wound healing.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1375-1383
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• 2015

Background: Objective Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF)-A is a Rho signaling-responsive co-activator of serum response factor (SRF). The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of MRTF-A and AQP1 (aquaporin 1) in pathological vascular remodeling. Materials and Methods: MRTF-A, AQP1 and neointima expression was detected both in the wire injured femoral arteries of wild-type mice and the atherosclerotic aortic tissues of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice. Expression of ICAM-1, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and integrin ${\beta}1$ were also assayed. The intercourse relationship between the molecules were investigated by interfering RNA and inhibitor assay. Results: MRTF-A and AQP1 expression were significantly higher in the wire injured femoral arteries of wild-type mice and in the atherosclerotic aortic tissues of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice than in healthy control tissues. Both in wire-injured femoral arteries in MRTF-A knockout ($Mkl1^{-/-}$) mice and atherosclerotic lesions in $Mkl1^{-/-}$; $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice, neointima formation were significantly attenuated and the expression of AQP1 were significantly decreased. Expression of ICAM-1, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and integrin ${\beta}1$, three SRF targets and key regulators of cell migration, and AQP1 in injured arteries was significantly weaker in $Mkl1^{-/-}$ mice than in wild-type mice. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), knocking down MRTF-A reduced expression of these genes and significantly impaired cell migration. Underlying the increased MRTF-A expression in dedifferentiated VSMCs were the down-regulation of microRNA-300. Moreover, the MRTF-A inhibitor CCG1423 significantly reduced neointima formation following wire injury in mice. Conclusions: MRTF-A could be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of vascular diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2001

An impaired smooth muscle cell (SMC) relaxation of coronary artery by alteration of $K^+$ channels would be the most potential explanation for reduced coronary reserve in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), however, this possibility has not been investigated. We performed morphometrical analysis of the coronary artery under electron microscopy and measured $Ca^{2+}-activated\;K\;(K_{Ca})$ currents and delayed rectifier K $(K_{dr})$ currents by whole-cell and inside-out patch-clamp technique in single coronary arterial SMCs from rabbits subjected to isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Coronary arterial SMCs underwent significant changes in ultrastructure. The unitary current amplitude and the open-state probability of $K_{Ca}$ channel were significantly reduced in hypertrophy without open-time and closed-time kinetic. The concentration-response curve of $K_{Ca}$ channel to $Ca^{2+}$ is shifted to the right in hypertrophy. The reduction in the mean single channel current and increase in the open channel noise of $K_{Ca}$ channel by TEA were more sensitive in hypertrophy. $K_{dr}$ current density is significantly reduced in hypertrophy without activation and inactivation kinetics. The sensitivity of $K_{dr}$ current on 4-AP is significantly increased in hypertrophy. This is the first study to report evidence for alterations of $K_{Ca}$ channels and $K_{dr}$ channels in coronary SMCs with LVH. The findings may provide some insight into mechanism of the reduced coronary reserve in LVH.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.231-242
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• 2008

Objectives : We can find out the experimental reports of Yanggyuksanhwa-tang, which has the function of regulating blood pressure related with cerebral disease, and increasing local cerebral blood stream volume, also has the recoveries for the damage of vessel endothelium, and endothelium hypertrophy caused by angiospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage, and reduces the contraction of smooth muscle, so simultaneously improves necrosis. The aim of this study is to investigate effect of Yanggyuksanhwa-tang protecting neuronal cells from being damaged by brain ischemia through using organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Methods : We caused ischemic damage to organotypic hippocampal slice cultures by oxygen and glucose deprivation, and Yanggyuksanhwa-tang extract was added to cultures. Thereafter we measured area percentage of propidium iodide (PI)-stained neuronal cell, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in culture media and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells. Results : Area percentage of PI-stained neuronal cells and count of TUNEL-positive cells in CA1 and DG area of organotypic hippocampal slice culture were significantly decreased in pertinent density level of Yanggyuksanhwa-tang extract. LDH levels in culture media of organotypic hippocampal slice culture were significantly decreased in pertinent density level of Yanggyuksanhwa-tang extract. Conclusions : Within pertinent density level, Yanggyuksanhwa-tang has cell protection effect that prevents brain ischemia damaging neuronal cells and apoptosis increasing.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2002

Abnormal distribution of the enteric nerves such as adrenergic, cholinergic and peptidergic nerves may cause the functional obstruction in Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Although the sustained contraction of the aganglionic segment is the main pathophysiology of HD, the etiology and pathogenesis is not thoroughly understood, With the recent progress of molecular biology and genetics,a more detailed approach to the pathogenesis of the HD can be undertaken. In this review, the roles of the nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase and interstitial cells of Cajal on smooth muscle relaxation, the effects of extracellular matrix, cell adhesion molecules, neurotrophic factors on the migration and maturation of the neural crest cells are described. In the section of genetic factors, familial occurrences, association of chromosomal abnormalities, RET gene, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor gene, endothelin-3 gene and endothelin-B receptor gene and their r elationships to HD is briefly reviewed.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.1 s.52
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• pp.71-79
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• 2006

Epidemiologic studies have showed a close correlation between arsenic exposure and heart disease such as, cardiovascular problem, ischemic heart disease, infarction, atherosclerosis and hypertension in human. It may increase the mortality of high risk group with heart disease. Regarding the mechanism studies of heart failure, blood vessel, vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells have long been focused as the primary targets in arsenic exposure but there are only a few studies on the cardiomyocytes. In this study, the generation of oxidative stress by low dose of arsenic trioxide was investigated in rat cardiomyocytes. By direct measurement of reactive oxygen species and fluorescent microscopic observation using fluorescent dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, reactive oxygen species were found to be generated without cell death, where cells are treated with 0.1 ppm arsenic for 24 hours. With the induction of reactive oxygen species, GSH level was decreased by the same treatment. However, DNA damage did not seem to be serious by DAPI staining, while high dose of arsenic (2 ppm for 24 hrs) caused fragmentation of DNA. To identify the molecular biomarkers of low-dose arsenic exposure, gene expression was also investigated with whole genome microarray. As results, 9,022 genes were up-regulated including heme oxygenase-l and glutathione S-transrerase, which are well-known biomarkers of oxidative stress. 9,404 genes were down-regulated including endothelial type gp 91-phox gene by the treatment of 0.1 ppm arsenic for 24 hours. This means that biological responses of cardiomyocytes may be altered by ROS induced by low level arsenic without cell death, and this alteration may be detected clearly by molecular biomarkers such as heme oxygenase-1.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2021

Sophora flavescens Ait. (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant widely founded in Northeast Asia, and its dried root (Kushen) has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The therapeutic effects of Kushen in micturition disorder was not investigated comprehensively yet. In the present study, we examined and compared the efficacy of three batches of Kushen extract using different ethanol content through an in vitro cell-based assay. Among them, we chose the batch with the highest efficacy and augmented the volume of extract for industrial purpose. The bulk extract was examined in its efficacy in the in vitro cell-based assay, and the therapeutic effects through an in vivo behavioral assay of OAB rats. The main components of the extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography. Cytotoxicity of the extracts was investigated by MTT assay. The overall efficacy of the extract was as much as, or more than, kurarinone, a potent BK_Ca channel activator. Thus, the extract was a potent relaxant of urinary smooth muscle by upregulating the activity of BK_Ca channel. The Kushen extract could be explored as an alternative medicine against overactive bladder patients indicating severe dysfunction of BK_Ca channel.