• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.499-506
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• 2015

Angiotensin II (Ang II), a key mediator of hypertensive, causes structural changes in the arteries (vascular remodeling), which involve alterations in cell growth, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hypertrophy. Ang II promotes fibrotic factor like IGFBP5, which mediates the profibrotic effects of Ang II in the heart and kidneys, lung and so on. The purpose of this study was to identify the signaling pathway of IGFBP5 on cell proliferation and migration of Ang II-stimulated VSMC. We have been interested in Ang II-induced IGFBP5 and were curious to determine whether a Pitavastatin would ameliorate the effects. Herein, we investigated the question of whether Ang II induced the levels of IGFBP5 protein followed by proliferation and migration in VSMC. Pretreatment with the specific Angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1) inhibitor (Losartan), Angiotensin receptor type 2 (AT2) inhibitor (PD123319), MAPK inhibitor (U0126), ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059), P38 inhibitor (SB600125) and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) resulted in significantly inhibited IGFBP5 production, proliferation, and migration in Ang II-stimulated VSMC. In addition, IGFBP5 knockdown resulted in modulation of Ang II induced proliferation and migration via IGFBP5 induction. In addition, Pitavastatin modulated Ang II induced proliferation and migration in VSMC. Taken together, our results indicated that Ang II induces IGFBP5 through AT1, ERK1/2, P38, and PI3K signaling pathways, which were inhibited by Pitavastatin. These findings may suggest that Pitavastatin has an effect on vascular disease including hypertension.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.101-106
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• 2004

Purpose : This study evaluated the effect of VEGF in the arterial anastomosis by using light and electron microscopy. Marerials and method : Rats underwent femoral arterial end-to-end anastomosis after transection and topical VEGF treatment. The proximal and distal segments of the femoral arteries was drenched with 1 drop of VEGF $(100ng/100{\mu}l/bottle)$. and when half of the repair was finished, the other 1 drop was drenched and then the repair was continued to complete the anastomosis. Gross and histologic characteristics of arterial wall were assessed after 3 days, 1, 3 and 5 weeks. In the control group, normal saline solution instead of VEGF was dropped with the same method in the anastomosis. Results : The histologic findings of the arterial wall were the vascular remodeling with the infiltration of inflammatory cells at early stages and the tissue fibrosis at lately stages in the anastomotic sites of the control and the VEGF-treated groups. The scanning electron microscopic results were; (1) the anastomotic sites were covered by many irregular cells with long cytoplasmic processes at the early stages. (2) After 1 week, endothelial cells started to cover the anastomotic sites. (3) After 3 weeks, the anastomotic sites were partially covered by endothelial cells in the control group. (4) After 5 weeks, the anastomotic sites were completely covered by endothelial cells in the control and VEGF-treated groups. (5) In the VEGF-treated group, the anastomotic site was completely covered by endothelial cells which directed parallel to longitudinal axis of arteries after 3 weeks. Conclusion : Topical VEGF maintained luminal integrity by decreasing fibrosis and increasing re-endothelialization. These findings suggest that topical VEGF may be a promising new strategy to enhance healing and improve the outcome of vascular anastomosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2013

Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains imperative if we are to successfully improve the quality of life and life span of patients with the disease. A whole plethora of mechanisms are associated with the development and progression of PH. Such complexity makes it difficult to isolate one particular pathway to target clinically. Changes in intracellular free calcium concentration, the most common intracellular second messenger, can have significant impact in defining the pathogenic mechanisms leading to its development and persistence. Signaling pathways leading to the elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_{cyt}$ contribute to pulmonary vasoconstriction, excessive proliferation of smooth muscle cells and ultimately pulmonary vascular remodeling. This current review serves to summarize the some of the most recent advances in the regulation of calcium during pulmonary hypertension.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.891-896
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• 2008

The function of mast cells as effector cells in allergy has been extensively studied. Mast cells activated through high affinity IgE-receptor ($Fc{\varepsilon}RI$) release diverse mediators, and lead to smooth muscle constriction, vasodilation, increase of vascular permeability, leukocyte recruitment and activation, mucus secretion, and tissue proliferation and remodeling. However, various other immunological and non-immunological signals can lead to the activation of mast cells. In resent years, mast cells have been identified to be involved in a complex range of immune functions. Mast cells can be important as key players in the regulation of innate as well as adapted immune responses, and may influence the development of allergy, autoimmune disorder and peripheral tolerance. This review summarizes the recent advances in the understanding of effector functions of mast cells in immune responses.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권6호
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• pp.262-270
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• 2016

Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to right ventricular failure (RVF) as well as an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Our purpose was to study the effect of sildenafil on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced RVF. Methods: The rats were distributed randomly into 3 groups. The control (C) group, the monocrotaline (M) group (MCT 60 mg/kg) and the sildenafil (S) group (MCT 60 mg/kg+ sildenafil 30 mg/kg/day for 28 days). Masson Trichrome staining was used for heart tissues. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results: The mean right ventricular pressure (RVP) was significantly lower in the S group at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The number of intra-acinar arteries and the medial wall thickness of the pulmonary arterioles significantly lessened in the S group at week 4. The collagen content also decreased in heart tissues in the S group at week 4. Protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X, caspase-3, Bcl-2, interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin (ET)-1 and ET receptor A (ERA) in lung tissues greatly decreased in the S group at week 4 according to immunohistochemical staining. According to Western blotting, protein expression levels of troponin I, brain natriuretic peptide, caspase-3, Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, IL-6, MMP-2, eNOS, ET-1, and ERA in heart tissues greatly diminished in the S group at week 4. Conclusion: Sildenafil alleviated right ventricular hypertrophy and mean RVP. These data suggest that sildenafil improves right ventricular function.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.41-47
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• 2010

목 적 : 아디포넥틴은 혈관벽의 염증 반응을 억제시켜 혈관의 remodeling을 조절하는 내인적 조절 인자이다. 그러나 가와사키병에서 아디포넥틴의 역할은 알려져 있지 않다. 이 연구의 목적은 혈중 아디포넥틴 농도와 IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, lipid profile, C 반응 단백 등 몇몇 parameter들의 상관 관계를 알아보고, 아디포넥틴과 심기능의 연관성을 밝히는 것이다. 방 법 : 실험군은 가와사키병으로 진단받은 총 22명의 환아(급성기 22명, 아급성기 환아 20명)를 대상으로 하였고, 대조군은 총 31명(열성 질환이 있는 환아 13명, 건강아 18명)을 대상으로 하였다. 두 군 모두에서 혈액 검사와 TDI를 실시하였다. 결 과 : C 반응 단백은 대조군에 비해 가와사키 군에서 유의하게 증가되었다. 아디포넥틴, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ 치는 두 군 간에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 하지만 아디포넥틴과 C 반응 단백, 혈소판 수치 사이에 유의한 음의 상관 관계가 있었다. TDI로 측정한 수축기 심근 속도와 A 심근 속도가 급성기에서 아급성기, 대조군에 비해 유의하게 심근 속도가 감소됨이 확인되었고, 아디포넥틴과는 양의 상관 관계를 보였다. 결 론 : 급성 가와사키 환아에서 혈중 아디포넥틴 농도가 낮을수록 염증 반응이 심하며 좌심실의 기능이 떨어짐을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.199-208
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was performed to introduce an in vivo hybrid multimodality technique involving the coregistration of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) to concomitantly visualize and quantify mineralization and vascularization at follow-up in a rat model. Materials and Methods: Three adult female rats were randomly assigned as test subjects, with 1 rat serving as a control subject. For 20 weeks, the test rats received a weekly intravenous injection of 30 ㎍/kg zoledronic acid, and the control rat was administered a similar dose of normal saline. Bilateral extraction of the lower first and second molars was performed after 10 weeks. All rats were scanned once every 4 weeks with both micro-CT and HR-MRI. Micro-CT and HR-MRI images were registered and fused in the same 3-dimensional region to quantify blood flow velocity and trabecular bone thickness at T0 (baseline), T4 (4 weeks), T8 (8 weeks), T12 (12 weeks), T16 (16 weeks), and T20 (20 weeks). Histological assessment was the gold standard with which the findings were compared. Results: The histomorphometric images at T20 aligned with the HR-MRI findings, with both test and control rats demonstrating reduced trabecular bone vasculature and blood vessel density. The micro-CT findings were also consistent with the histomorphometric changes, which revealed that the test rats had thicker trabecular bone and smaller marrow spaces than the control rat. Conclusion: The combination of micro-CT and HR-MRI may be considered a powerful non-invasive novel technique for the longitudinal quantification of localized mineralization and vascularization.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제64권2호
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• pp.125-132
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• 2008

연구배경: COPD 환자에서 혈청 C-반응단백은 증가하는 것으로 알려져 있으며 이러한 변화는 급성 악화 시 보다 두드러진다. 폐동맥 고혈압은 COPD의 흔한 합병증 중 하나이며, C-반응단백은 전신적 심혈관계 질환 발생 위험과 밀접한 관련이 있다고 알려져 왔다. 하지만, COPD에서 이차적으로 발생하는 폐동맥 고혈압에 대한 C-반응단백의 영향에 대해서는 연구가 미비한 상태이다. 방법: 본 연구는 AECOPD에 대해 입원 치료를 시작한 72명의 환자를 대상으로 전향적으로 연구하였다. 환자들은 AECOPD에 대한 즉각적인 치료를 받았고 입원 2일 또는 3일째 실내 환기 하에서 혈청 C-반응단백, 동맥혈 산소 분압, 폐동맥 고혈압에 대한 이환 여부 등에 대한 검사를 시행 받았다. 결과: 폐동맥 고혈압에 이환된 환자는 47명으로 전체 환자 중 65.3%에 달하였다. COPD의 중증도가 심할수록 폐동맥 고혈압의 이환율과 C-반응단백 평균치가 증가하였고, C-반응단백 평균치가 증가할수록 평균 우심실 수축압 역시 증가하는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다. 폐동맥 고혈압 환자군과 비환자군에서 C-반응단백은 각각 $37.6{\pm}7.4mg/L$ 와 $19.9{\pm}6.6mg/L$ 통계적으로 의미 있게 폐동맥고혈압 환자군에서 높았지만, 동맥혈 산소분압은 양 군간 의미 있는 차이를 보이지 않았다($77.8{\pm}3.6mmHg$ vs. $87.2{\pm}6.0mmHg$). 결론: 본 연구는 COPD의 급성 악화 시 증가된 C-반응 단백은 폐동맥 고혈압의 이환 여부와 밀접한 관련이 있는 것을 보여 주고 있으며, 이는 COPD의 예후에 심혈관계 질환의 이환 여부가 중요하다는 점을 감안할 때 C-반응단백의 COPD에 대한 독립적 예후인자로서의 가능성을 시사해 준다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.43-54
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• 2017

Background: Extracellular sulfatases (Sulfs), sulfatase 1 (Sulf1) and sulfatase 2 (Sulf2), play a pivotal role in cell signaling by remodeling the 6-O-sulfation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans on the cell surface. The present study examined the effects of Sulfs on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertensive mediator expression and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: Ang II receptors, 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions in SHR VSMCs were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. VSMCs proliferation was determined by [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation. Results: Basal Sulfs mRNAs expression and enzyme activity were elevated in SHR VSMCs. However, Sulfs had no effect on the basal or Ang II-induced 12-LO and ET-1 mRNA expression in SHR VSMCs. The inhibition of Ang II-induced 12-LO and ET-1 expression by blockade of the Ang II type 2 receptor ($AT_2\;R$) pathway was not observed in Sulf1 siRNA-transfected SHR VSMCs. However, Sulf2 did not affect the action of $AT_2\;R$ inhibitor on Ang II-induced 12-LO and ET-1 expression in SHR VSMCs. The down-regulation of Sulf1 induced a reduction of $AT_2\;R$ mRNA expression in SHR VSMCs. In addition, the inhibition of Ang II-induced VSMCs proliferation by blockade of the $AT_2\;R$ pathway was mediated by Sulf1 in SHR VSMCs. Conclusion: These findings suggest that extracellular sulfatase Sulf1 plays a modulatory role in the $AT_2\;R$ pathway that leads to an Ang II-induced hypertensive effects in SHR VSMCs.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권1호
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• pp.8-15
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• 2016

Purpose: Nephrogenesis is normally accompanied by a tightly regulated and efficient vascularization. We investigated the effect of angiotensin II inhibition on angiogenesis in the developing rat kidney. Methods: Newborn rat pups were treated with enalapril (30 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (control) for 7 days after birth. Renal histological changes were checked using Hematoxylin & Eosin staining. We also investigated the intrarenal expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1), VEGFR2, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B, and PDGF receptor-${\beta}$ with Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining at postnatal day 8. Expression of the endothelial cell marker CD31 was examined to determine glomerular and peritubular capillary density. Results: Enalapril-treated rat kidneys showed disrupted tubules and vessels when compared with the control rat kidneys. In the enalapril-treated group, intrarenal VEGF-A protein expression was significantly higher, whereas VEGFR1 protein expression was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The expression of VEGFR2, PDGF-B, and PDGF receptor-${\beta}$ was not different between the 2 groups. The increased capillary CD31 expression on the western blots of enalapril-treated rat kidneys indicated that the total endothelial cell protein level was increased, while the cortical capillary density, assessed using CD31 immunohistochemical staining, was decreased. Conclusion: Impaired VEGF-VEGFR signaling and altered capillary repair may play a role in the deterioration of the kidney vasculature after blocking of angiotensin II during renal development.