• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.131-137
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• 2022

In the study, we endeavored to assess the convergence effect of Silybum marianum-derived silymarin and epidemiologically-correlated alcohol intake on vascular contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. There were few reports addressing the question whether thin or thick filament modulation is included in ethanol and silymarin-induced regulation. We hypothesized that ethanol at a low concentration and silymarin play a role in agonist-dependent regulation of vascular contractility. Denuded arterial muscles of Sprague-Dawley male rats were suspended in organ baths and isometric tensions were transduced and recorded using isometric transducers and an automatic data acquisition system. Interestingly, both silymarin and ethanol didn't encourage silymarin alone-induced inhibition in agonists-induced contraction suggesting that endothelial nitric oxide synthesis might be involved in ethanol or silymarin-induced modulation of vascular contractility and additional pathways besides endothelial nitric oxide synthesis such as ROCK inactivation might be involved in the silymarin-induced modulation of vascular contractility.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.313-318
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• 2003

Environmental stresses, such as heat shock, alcohol and physiological salt have been shown to induce a group of protein called heat shock protein (HSPs) in various tissues. In this investigation, we studied that arsenic stress would alter contraction of isolated rat aorta and expression of heat shock protein 70 and investigated the relation between expression of HSP 70 and vascular contractility of isolated rat aorta. Rat aorta strips, mounted in organ baths were exposed to 0, 0.5, 1,2 and 4 mM arsonic for 60 min. and 1,3 and 8 hours later tested for contractile response and expression of heat shock protein 70. Contractility of rat aorta were determined by isometric transducer connected to computerized physiograph and expression of HSP 70 was characterized by western blotting, respectively. Potassium chloride (55 mM) significantly augmented vascular contractility of yat aorta by 39％ compared with the control at 8 hours but not one or three hours after treatment of 4 mM arsenic. Arsonic stress (4 mM) also increased the expression of HSP 70 in rat aorta at 8 hours but one or three hours compared with the control and HSP expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells and some expressed in endothelium cells. These results suggest that arsenic stress not only did alter the magnitude of the contractile response to high potassium chloride but also increased the expression of HSP 70 in the rat aorta.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 1994

Synthetic potassium channel openers (KCOs) are agents capable of opening K-channels in excitable cells. These agents are known to have their maximal potency in the smooth muscle tissue, especially in the vascular smooth muscle. Much attention has been focused on the type of K-channel that is responsible for mediating the effects of KCOs. As the KCO-induced changes are antagonized by glibenclamide, an $K_{ATP}$ (ATP-sensitive K-channel) blocker in the pancreatic ${\beta}-cell,\;K_{ATP}$ was suggested to be the channel responsible. However, there also are many results in favor of other types of K-channel $$(maxi-K,\;small\;conductance\;K_{Ca,}\; SK_{ATP}) mediating the effects of KCOs. Effects of lemakalim, (-)enantiomer of cromakalim (BRL 34915), on the spontaneous contractions and slow waves, were investigated in the antral circular muscle of the guinea-pig stomach. Membrane currents and the effects on membrane currents and single channel activities were also measured in single smooth muscle cells and excised membrane patches by using the patch clamp method. Lemakalim induced hyperpolarization and inhibited spontaneous contractions in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were blocked by glibenclamide and low concentrations of tetraethyl ammonium (< mM). Glibenclamide blocked the effect of lemakalim on the membrane potential and slow waves. The mechanoinhibitory effect of lemakalim was blocked by pretreatment with glibenclamide. In a whole ceIl patch clamp condition, lemakalim largely increased outward K currents. These outward K currents were blocked by TEA, glibenclamide and a high concentration of intracelIular EGTA (10 mM). Volatage-gated Ca currents were not affected by lemakalim. In inside-out patch clamp experiments, lemakalim increased the opening frequency of the large conductance $Ca^{2+}-activated$ K channels $(BK_{Ca},\;Maxi-K).$ From these results, it is suggested that lemakalim induces hyperpolarization by opening K-channels which are sensitive to internal Ca and such a hyperpolarization leads to the inhibition of the spontaneous contraction.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 1995

Recently, we reported that GS 389 has vasodilating action without cardiac inotropic action (Chang et al., Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 72, 327-334, 1994). However the mechanism of action of GS 389 has not been thoroughly evaluated. In the present study, we performed functional study of GS 389 in rat trachealis, thoracic aorta, pig coronary artery by isometric tension and in human platelets by aggregation experiments. We also tested if GS 389 influences on $Ca^{2+}$movement and inositol phosphate metabolism. In rat trachealis, GS 389 concentration-dependently relaxed carbachol (0.1 $\mu$M)- and high $K^{+}$(65.4 mM)-induced contraction with p$IC_{50}$/ of 4.43$\pm$ 0.19 and 4.11$\pm$0.12, respectively. In $Ca^{2+}$-free media, GS 389 inhibited carbachol-induced phasic contraction. In rat thoracic aorta, GS 389 inhibited $^{45}$ Ca uptake due to norepinephrine and high $K^{+}$, indicating that GS 389 has direct inhibitory action of $Ca^{2+}$movement. Furthermore, GS 389 competitively inhibited U46619-induced contraction in rat thoracic aorta and pig coronary artery with K, values of 5.23$\pm$0.12 and 5.56$\pm$0.14, respectively, and inhibited U 46619-induced phosphatidylinositide (PI) turnover in rat aorta. GS 389 also concentration-dependently inhibited the human platelet aggregation against U 46619 with p$IC_{50}$/ 5.66$\pm$0.02. These results indicate that GS 389 has thromboxane $A_2$ antagonistic action in vascular and platelets as well as direct action on $Ca^{2+}$ movement, which may account, at least in part, for relaxing action of rat trachealis. trachealis.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 1995

This study was undertaken to define the varying responses of vascular smooth muscle to different wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation and to relate them to the changes in cyclic GMP contents. The ring preparations of rat thoracic aorta with intact or removed endothelium were irradiated with the ultraviolet or visible light (UVR) of wavelengths in step of 10 nm between 250 and 500 nm from xenon lamp of a spectrofluorometer, and the changes in vascular tension were recorded. For cyclic GMP assay, the preparations, pretreated with phenylephrine as in the tension experinents, were frozen after irradiation and homogenated in trichloroacetic acid. The supernatant was extracted with ether and the cyclic GMP contents were measured with radioimmunoassay. In the endothelium-intact preparations, biphasic responses, vasoconstriction (UVR-contraction) followed by vasodilatation (UVR-dilatation), were observed. The maximal UVR-contraction was observed at 320 nm, while the maximal vasodilatation was elicited at 420 nm. In the endothelium-removed rings, however, only vasodilatation was observed, with the maximal vasodilatation taking place at 370 nm. The cyclic GMP contents were not affected by the Irradiation with 320 nm for 30 sec or 1 min in the endothelium-intact preparations, while it was significantly increased by 380 and 420 nm. In the endothelium-removed preparations, UVR of 370 nm markedly increased the cyclic GMP contents. The present study indicates that the increase in cyclic GMP is closely related to vasodilatation induced by UVR of 420 nm in the endothelium-intact or 370 nm in the denuded preparations, whereas it is not involved in the vasoconstriction induced by UVR of 320 nm in the intact rings, and the mechanism leading to UVR-contraction remains to be clarified. These observations suggest that nitric oxide-cyclic GMP system is closely related to the UVR-dilatation in rat aortic preparation, while it is not involved in the UVR contraction.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.293-303
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• 1990

The contractile action of barium $(Ba^{2+})$ was investigated in the arterial strip of rabbit renal artery. The helical strip of isolated renal artery was immersed in the Tris-buffered Tyrode's solution equilibrated with 100% $O_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$ and its isometric tension was measured. $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction of arterial strip was dose-dependent and its maximal tension corresponded to $92.1{\pm}4.5%$ of tension by $K^+(100\;mM)$. $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction did not show the tachyphylactic phenomenon in the normal Tyrode's solution. $Ba^{2+}$ induced the tonic contraction in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ tyrode's solution and that was increased by the extracellula addition of $Ca^{2+}$. During the repeated exposure of the same dose of $Ba^{2+}\;(10\;mM)$ in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ Tyrode's solution, $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction was progressively decreased. Even though the intracellular NE-and caffeine-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ was depleted, $Ba^{2+}$ induced the tonic contraction. After the pretreatment of lanthnum or verapamil, $Ba^{2+}$ did not induce contraction. $Ba^{2+}-induced$contraction was suppressed by extracellular $K^+$ in the normal Tyrode's solution and that was dependent on $K^+$ concentration. Suppressive effect of $K^+\;(14\;mM)$ on the $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction was also dependent on the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. From the above resuts, it is suggested that $Ba^{2+}$ activate indirectly the contractile process by promoting the mobilization of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and the influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. It is also suggested that action of $Ba^{2+}$ on the $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ channel can result in the depolarization of cell membrane in the rabbit renal artery.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 1990

These studies were conducted to investigate the effects of Tongkwan-San water extract on analgesic, sedatative, anti-inflammatory, blood pressure and vasodilating actions, the relaxing action of isolated ileums and actions on the contact dermatitis induced by picryl chloride and on the leakage of the dye into the peritoneal cavity. The results of these studies were summarized as follows: The analgesic effect of Tongkwan-San was noted. The prolongation of anesthetic time of Tongkwan-San was recognized. Spontaneous motilities of isolated ileum of mice were strongly suppressed by Tongkwan-San. It inhibited the contractions of isolated ileum of mice induced by acetylcholine and barium chloride and the contraction of isolated ileum of guinea-pig induced by histamine. Inhibition of the contact dermatitis induced by picryl chloride was recognized. Anti-inflammatory effects in the paw edema induced by histamine and dextran were significantly shown. The leakage of dye into the peritoneal cavity in mice was significantly inhibited. Hypotensive and vasodilating action due to vascular smooth muscle relaxation were noted in rats and rabbits.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.297-302
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• 1997

Higenamine was widely used as traditional remedy for the treatment of rhumatoid arthritis. Nitric oxide(NO) may be a critical mediator in this inflammatory disease. Synovial tissue from humans with inflammatory arthritis expresses NOS2(iNOS) mRNA and protein, and generates NO in vitro. We therefore, investigated the effect of higenamine on the induction of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) promoted by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Prophylactic application of higenamine selectively prevented LPS-primed initiation of L-arginine-induced relaxation and restored rhenylephrine(PE)-induced contraction in rat aorta. LPS-stimulated nitrite production in the incubation medium was reduced by higenamine. Furthermore, RT-PCR and Northern analysis indicated that higenamine reduced iNOS expression primed by LPS in rat aorta. These results suggest that higenamine prevents LPS-promoted induction of NOS in vascular smooth muscle.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2001

Heme oxygenase is a rate-limiting enzyme in heme catabolism that cleaves heme to form biliverdin, iron, and carbon monoxide. Heme oxygenase-1 is expressed in many types of cells and tissues and is highly induced in response to oxidative stress. Carbon monoxide, one of the products of heme oxygenase, can stimulate soluble guanylate cyclase and dilate the vascular smooth muscle. So, the induction of heme oxygenase by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxydative stress and the effect of the resultant carbon monoxide on aortic contractility were examined in this study. Zinc protoporphyrine IX (ZnPP), a inhibitor of heme oxygenase, elicited weak contraction of thoracic aortic ring, and this effect was more potent in aorta of LPS-treated rats than control and was blocked by methylene blue. The hyperreactivity to ZnPP in LPS-treated group was blocked by co-treatment with aminoguanidine. In the aortic ring of LPS-treated rats, ZnPP didn't change the vasoreactivity to phenylephrine or acetylcholine. ZnPP elicited hyper-tensive effect in concious rats, and pretreatment with LPS did not affect this effect. Prazosin significantly diminished the hypertensive effect of ZnPP. These results indicate that LPS induced heme oxygenase in aotra, and the resultant carbon monoxide diminished the aortic reactivity to vasoconstrictor.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.182-189
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• 1998

Administration of ginsenosides, a mixture of saponin extracted from Panax ginseng, decreased blood pressure in rat. Previous studies have shown that ginsenosides caused endothelium-dependent relaxation, which was associated with the formation of cyclic GMP, suggested that ginsenosides caused release of nitric oxide (NO) from the vascular endothelium. The aim of the present study was to characterize the endothelium-independent relaxation to ginsenosides in the isolated rat aorta. Ginsenosides caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of rat aortic rings without endothelium constricted with 25 mM KCI but affected only minimally those constricted with 60 mM KCI. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) was a more potent vasorelaxing agonist than total ginsenoside mixture and also the ginsenoside PPT and PPD groups. Relaxation to ginsenosides were markedly reduced by TEA, but not by glibenclamide. Rg3 significantly inhibited Cal'-induced concentration-contraction curves and the "50a2'influx in aortic rings incubated in 25 mM KCI whereas those responses were not affected in 60 mM KCI. Rg3 caused efflux of $"Rb in aortic rings that was inhibited by tetraethy- lammonium (TEA), an inhibitor of Ca"-dependent K'channels, but not by glibenclamide, an inhibitor of AfP-dependent K'channels. These findings indicate that ginsenosides may induce vasorelaxation via activation of Ca2'-dependent K'channels resulting in hyperpolarization of the vas- cular smooth muscle with subsequent inhibition of the opening of voltage-dependent Caf'channels. These effects could contribute to explain the red ginseng-associated vasodilation and the beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.