• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.125-131
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• 2012

Impulsiveness is an important component of many psychiatric disorders including Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although the neurobiological basis of ADHD is unresolved, behavioral tests in animal models have become indispensable tools for improving our understanding of this disorder. In the punishment/extinction paradigm, impulsivity is shown by subjects that persevere with responding despite punishment or unrewarded responses. Exploiting this principle, we developed a new behavioral test that would evaluate impulsivity in the most validated animal model of ADHD of the Spontaneously Hypertensive rat (SHR) as compared with the normotensive "control" strain, the Wistar Kyoto rat (WKY). In this paradigm we call the Electro-Foot Shock aversive water Drinking test (EFSDT), water-deprived rats should pass over an electrified quadrant of the EFSDT apparatus to drink water. We reasoned that impulsive animals show increased frequency to drink water even with the presentation of an aversive consequence (electro-shock). Through this assay, we showed that the SHR was more impulsive than the WKY as it demonstrated more "drinking attempts" and drinking frequency. Methylphenidate, the most widely used ADHD medication, significantly reduced drinking frequency of both SHR and WKY in the EFSDT. Thus, the present assay may be considered as another behavioral tool to measure impulsivity in animal disease models, especially in the context of ADHD.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 1996

To investigate the mechanisms of increased endothelium-dependent contraction by acetylcholine in hypertensive rats, the relationship between endothelium-dependent contraction by acetylcholine and blood pressure was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), one-kidney, one clip Goldblatt hypertension (1K,1C-GBH) rats, and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). SHR were treated orally with enalapril or nicardipine in order to prevent development of hypertension or suppress the developed hypertension. 1K,1C-GBH rats were made by renal artery stenosis with contralateral nephrectomy in 8 week-WKY. 1. Endothelium-dependent contractions by acetylcholine $(10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-5}\;M)$ in SHR were significantly greater than those in WKY. 2. Chronic treatment with enalapril or nicardipine reduced the endothelium-dependent contraction in SHR 3. The degree of reduction of endothelium-dependent contraction was greater in SHR which was prevented from developing hypertension than in SHR of which high blood pressure was suppressed. 4. In aortic rings from 1K,1C-GBH rats, endothelium-dependent contractions by acetylcholine were augmented as compared with WKY. 5. There is good relationship between the value of blood pressure and magnitude of endothelium-dependent contraction. Thus, it is suggested that increased endothelium-dependent contraction in hypertensive rats may he due to the high blood pressure and endothelium-dependent contraction may not be a cause of the initiation of hypertension in SHR.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.297-303
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• 2010

In order to demonstrate the potential therapeutic effect of two flavonoids, Baicalein and Wogonin, on suppression of pathological myocardial fibrosis in hypertension, we investigated their in vitro effects on collagen expression in primary cultured cardiac fibroblasts isolated from neonatal normotensive (WKY) and hypertensive (SHR) rats. Our results showed that over-expression of collagen mRNA and protein induced in cardiac fibroblasts by angiotensin (AngII) could be attenuated significantly by both flavonoids at an optimal dosage ($30\;{\mu}M$; P < 0.01). Results of immunoblots showed that expression of 12-LO level, p-ERK/ ERK ratio and MMP-9 in AngII-stimulated SHR cardiac fibroblasts were significantly down-regulated by both flavonoids. Our results show that both Baicalein and Wogonin can suppress collagen deposition in AngII-stimulated SHR and WKY cardiac fibroblasts.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.719-726
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• 1997

Dorsal root ganglion(DRG) cells are primary sensory neurons which contain some biologically active neuropeptides which play a role as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators. This study was performed to observe normal distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) immunoreactive cells and colocalization of CGRP and SP in a single DRG cell of the lumbar DRGs($L_1{\sim}L_6$) in the Wistar Kyoto(WKY) rat by immunohistochemistry. About 55.8% of DRG cells contained CGRP-immunoreactivity, while about 12.7% of DRG cells showed SP-immunoreactivity. There was no significant difference in percentage of each neuropeptied-immunoreactive cells between each neuropeptide-immunoreactive cells between each levels of DRGs ($L_1{\sim}L_6$) (p>0.01). In size distribution, CGRP-immunoreactive cells were identified below $1,500{\mu}m^2$; SP-immunoreactive cells below $600{\mu}m^2$. In serial sections, about 86.7% of the SP immunoreactive cells contained CGRP immunoreactivity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1992.05a
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• pp.34-34
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• 1992

심혈관계의 중추 조절작용과 고혈압 치료제의 작용기전을 규명하기 위한 연구의 한 단계로서 생체내 미세투석법(in vivo microdialysis)을 이용하여 후 시상하부의 국소부위에서 catecholamine들과 serotonin 및 그 대사체들의 세포와 농도의 변화를 정상혈압 횐쥐 (WKY)에서 관찰하고, 자연발생성 고혈압 횐쥐(SHR)에서 이들의 기준치를 비교하였다. 뇌정위 고정장치에 의해서 미세투석관을 후 시상하부에 위치시킨 후 링거액으로 관류하였다. 모노아민들과 그 대사체들은 고속액체 크로마토그라피와 전기화학 검출기률 이용하여 정량하였다. WKY에서 imipramine(50$\mu$M)의 관류에 의하여 norepinephrine의 농도가 유의하게 증가되었고, 또한 Pargyline (75mg/kg, i.p.)에 의하여 norepinephrine의 농도는 유의하게 증가된 반면에 DOPAC, HVA 및 5-HIAA는 감소하였다. WKY와 SHR에서 비교하였을때 norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin의 농도는 차이가 없었으나 DOPAC, HVA, 5-HIAA의 농도는 SHR에서 유의하게 증가된 결과를 얻었다. 상의 결과들은 모노아민중에서 norepinephrine이 정상혈압 흰쥐의 후 시상하부에서 유리되는 주된 신경전달물질임을 시사한다. 또한 자연 발생성 고혈압 흰쥐의 후 시상하부에서 dopamine과 serotonin의 교체속도가 증가되었을 가능성이 큰 것으로 사료된다.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.537-544
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• 2005

We have examined distribution and expression of caveolin-3 (cav-3), one of three caveolin isoforms from 16-wks-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with age-matched control wistar-kyoto (WKY) rats. The expression of cav-3 was increased, whereas expression of PKB/Akt and calcineurin (Cn) was not changed in cardiac tissues of SHR compared to WKY rats. Interestingly, expression of cav-3, PKB/Akt and Cn were decreased in plasma membrane fraction in SHR compared to WKY rats. In H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells treated with phenylephrine ($50{\mu}M$, 48hr) or isoproterenol ($10{\mu}M$, 48hr), the expression of cav-3 was markedly enhanced compared to nontreated cells. Upon immunofluorescence analysis, cav-3 was localized in plasma membrane of control H9c2 cells. However phenylephrine or isoproterenol treatment caused translocation of cav-3 to perinuclear region. These results suggest that cav-3 plays as positive regulators in the development of hypertrophy in cardiac tissues of SHR rats.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 1994

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) activates guanylate cyclase which mediates the formation of cGMP from GTP in vascular smooth muscle. It is well known that endothelium-dependent relaxation is impaired in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). However, it is still unknown whether the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in SHR results from the reduced release of EDRF or from the decrease of vascular response to EDRF. We investigated the effects of cGMP on the contractility and Ca movement in the aorta of SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The amplitude of the endothelium-dependent relaxation to actylcholine (ACh) was significantly less in SHR than in WKY. L-arginine $(10^{-3}M)$ did not increase endothelium-dependent relaxation in both strains. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an activator of guanylate cyclase, relaxed the 40 mM $K^+-induced$ contraction in a dose-dependent manner $(10^{-10}{\sim}10^{-6}\;M)$ in the endothelium-rubbed aortic strips of both strains. However, there was no significant difference in these relaxations between WKY and SHR. 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP), a cell membrane-permeable derivative of cGMP relaxed the 40 mM $K^+-induced$ contraction in a dose-dependent manner $(10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-4}\;M)$ in the endothelium-rubbed aortic strips of both strains. Also norepinephrine $(10^{-6}\;M)-induced$ contractions in normal and Ca-free Tyrode's solution were suppressed by the pretreatment with 8-Br-cGMP $(10^{-4}\;M)$ in either strain. However, the amplitudes of suppression induced by 8-Br-cGMP were greater in SHR than that in WKY. Basal $^{45}Ca$ uptake and 40mM $K^+-stimulated\;^{45}Ca$ uptake were not suppressed by pretreatment with 8-Br-cGMP $(10^{-4}\;M)$ in single aortic smooth muscle cells of both SHR and WKY. From the above results, it is suggested that cGMP decreases Ca sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle cells and that the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in the aortic strips of SHR is not the result of a reduced vascular response to EDRF.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1992

Catecholamines, serotonin and their metabolites were measured in the posterior hypothalamus of urethane-anesthetized normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) using brain microdialysis which is a recently developed experimental method to measure the release of neurotransmitters and their metabolites at the localized brain area in vivo. Microdialysis probe was implanted stereotaxically to the rat posterior hypothalamus and perfused by Ringer's solution. Monoamines and their metabolites were quantified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. In vitro recovery test of microdialysis showed that there exist inverse relationship between the perfusion flow rate and the relative recovery of neurochemical compounds. The estimated extracellular concentration of dopamine was about 32 nM, of norepinephrine 50 nM, of epinephrine 50 nM, of serotonin 73 nM, of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) 281 nM, of homovanillic acid (HVA) 181 nM, and of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) 3767 nM in the hypothalamic perfusate of the normotensive rat. There was no difference in the basal level of monoamines between the SHR and the WKY. In contrast, the level of DOPAC, HVA and 5HIAA in SHR was higher than that in the WKY, This study demonstrated that the microdialysis technique should be an applicable tool for in vivo measurement of central neurochemical substances.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 1990

The contribution of endogenous transport systems to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) transport of basic and acidic drugs was studied by using a carotid injection technique in rats and an isolated bovine cerebrovascular disease state were compared between the normotensive rats (WKY) and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) which have been well established as an animal model with pathogenic similarities to humans. Basic drugs such as eperisone, thiamine and scopolamine inhibited, in a concentration dependent manner the in vivo uptake of $[{^3}H]choline$ through BBB, whereas amino acids and acidic drugs such as salicylic acid and valproic acid did not inhibit the uptake. The uptake of $[^3H]choline$ by B-CAP increased with time and showed a remarkable temperature dependency. The uptake of $[^3H]choline$ by B-CAP showed the very similar inhibitory effects as observed in the in vivo brain uptake, and was competitively inhibited by a basic drug, eperisone. The in vivo BBB uptakes of $[^3H]acetic$ acid and $[^{14}C]salicylic$ acid were dependent on pH of the injectate and the concentration of drugs. Several acidic drugs such such as salicylic acid, benzoic acid and valproic acid inhibited the in vivo uptake of $[^3H]acetic$ acid, whereas amino acid, choline and a basic drug such as eperisone did not inhibit the uptake. The uptake of acetic acid by B-CAP was competitively inhibited by salicylic acid. The permeability surface area product (PS) through BBB for $[^3H]choline$ in SHRSP was significantly lower than that in WKY. The concentration of choline in the brain dialysate in SHRSP was about half of that in WKY, while no significant difference was observed in the plasma concentration of choline between SHRSP and WKY. No significant difference was observed in the transport of monocarboxylic acids, glucose and neutral amino acid through BBB between SHRSP and WKY. From these results, it was concluded that BBB transport system of choline contributes to the transport of basic drugs through BBB, that acidic drugs can be transported via a moncarboxylic acid BBB transport system and that the specific dysfuntion of the BBB choline transport in SHRSP was ascribed to the reduction of the maximum velocity of choline concentration in the brain interstitial fluids.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2009

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the salts fortified with Hizikia component on blood pressure and mineral composition in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR/NCrj) and normotensive rats (WKY/NCrj). The two species rats were assigned to three groups and were fed with drinking water to which Hizikia salts were added for 6 weeks. The final blood pressures (BP) among groups of SHR were increased to 12, 4, and 21%, respectively. In terms of urine and fecal minerals, the $Na^+$ contents in two species were significantly higher in the control than in the salt groups, and vice versa with regard to the $ K^+$ contents. The amount of excretion mineral was higher in urine than in feces. The $Na^+$, $Ca^{++}$ and $Mg^{++}$ contents of the liver in SHR were higher in the control than in the salt groups (p<0.05). The $Na^+$ content of the kidney in SHR was higher in the control than in the salt groups, but the content was shown an opposite trend in WKY. The $K^+$ contents were higher in the low salt group (p<0.05). These results may indicate that the salts fortified with the Hizikia component may be useful in lowering systolic blood pressure owing to the maintenance of positive mineral metabolism.