• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1 s.2
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• pp.21-29
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• 1966

Dichloroisoproterenol(DCI) i; one of the well known ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor blocking agents. According to Moran and Perkins, DCI has sympathomimetic like action in relatively low concentrations. Fleming and Hawkins confirmed that DCI acts upon the receptors concerned with positive chronotropic and inotropic actions in the heart. Vogins reported that DCI, in concentration of $5{\times}10^{-8}$ to $5{\times}10^{-6}g/ml$, had properties of sympathomimetic amine causing positive inotropic and chronotropic actions in normal rat atria. And James and Nadeau found that DCI had not only adrenergic blocking effect in moderate and higher concentrations, but it also blocked the effect on the sinus node by vagal stimulation and of directly administered acetylcholine in higher concentrations. As stated above by many authors, DCI has complicated actions according to its concentrations. Our aim at the present experiments was to study the effects of DCI to the action of ouabain and acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit atria, as well as to the action of barium chloride and acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit intestine. In addition, Pan ax Ginseng is widely used as tonics in oriental nations, its pharmacological action, however, has not been clearly established. So we atempted to investigate the effects of the water extract of Panax Ginseng to the action of ouabain and DCI upon both atria and intestine. The results obtained were as follows. 1) DCI has a negative inotropic effect on the excised rabbit atria at concentration of $10^{-5}$ and a positive inotropic effect at concentration of $10^{-6}$. 2) DCI (at concentration of $10^{-6}$) potentiates the positive inotropic effect of ouabain upon the excised rabbit atria. 3) DCI antagonizes the action of acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit atria. 4) The water extract of Panax Ginseng, at concentration of $10^{-3}$, decreases the contractile force of rabbit atria, and tends to slightly increase that of rabbit atria at $10^{-4}$. 5) The water extract of Panax Ginseng exhibits a synergistic action with ouabain on the contractile force of rabbit atria. 6) DCI, in concentrations of $10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-6}$, depresses the tone and amplitude of contraction of the excised rabbit intestine. The depression of the intestinal tone markedly appears in pretreatment with reserpine 2mg/kg 24 hours. 7) DCI antagonizes the contractile effect of barium chloride on the excised rabbit atria. 8) DCI has no significant influence on the action of acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit intestine. 9) The series of those evidences indicates that DCI has a sympathomimetic-like action and more over a relaxing action directly on the excised rabbit intestine. 10) The water extract of Panax Ginseng in concentrations of $10^{-4}{\sim}10^{-3}$, has transient depression of the intestinal tone, but later gradually recovers its normal motility: 11) The water extract of Panax Ginseng has a synergistic action with ouabain on the intestinal contractility.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.517-527
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• 2020

Layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons (L2/3 PyNs) of the cortex extend their basal dendrites near the soma and as apical dendritic tufts in layer 1, which mainly receive feedforward and feedback inputs, respectively. It is suggested that neuromodulators such as serotonin and acetylcholine may regulate the information flow between brain structures depending on the brain state. However, little is known about the dendritic compartment-specific induction of synaptic transmission in single PyNs. Here, we studied layer-specific serotonergic and cholinergic induction of long-term synaptic plasticity in L2/3 PyNs of the agranular insular cortex, a lateral component of the orbitofrontal cortex. Using FM1-43 dye unloading, we verified that local electrical stimulation to layers 1 (L1) and 3 (L3) activated axon terminals mostly located in L1 and perisomatic area (L2/3). Independent and AMPA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potential was evoked by local electrical stimulation of either L1 or L3. Application of serotonin (5-HT, 10 μM) induced activity-dependent longterm depression (LTD) in L2/3 but not in L1 inputs. LTD induced by 5-HT was blocked by the 5-HT₂ receptor antagonist ketanserin, an NMDA receptor antagonist and by intracellular Ca²⁺ chelation. The 5-HT₂ receptor agonist α-me-5-HT mimicked the LTD induced by 5-HT. However, the application of carbachol induced muscarinic receptor-dependent LTD in both inputs. The differential layer-specific induction of LTD by neuromodulators might play an important role in information processing mechanism of the prefrontal cortex.

• Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
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• v.71 no.6
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• pp.476-482
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• 2018

Background: Several types of receptors are found at neuromuscular presynaptic membranes. Presynaptic inhibitory $A_1$ and facilitatory $A_{2A}$ receptors mediate different modulatory functions on acetylcholine release. This study investigated whether adenosine $A_1$ receptor agonist contributes to the first twitch tension (T1) of train-of-four (TOF) stimulation depression and TOF fade during rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade, and sugammadex-induced recovery. Methods: Phrenic nerve-diaphragm tissues were obtained from 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Each tissue specimen was randomly allocated to either control group or 2-chloroadenosine (CADO, $10{\mu}M$) group. One hour of reaction time was allowed before initiating main experimental data collection. Loading and boost doses of rocuronium were sequentially administered until > 95% depression of the T1 was achieved. After confirming that there was no T1 twitch tension response, 15 min of resting time was allowed, after which sugammadex was administered. Recovery profiles (T1, TOF ratio [TOFR], and recovery index) were collected for 1 h and compared between groups. Results: There were statistically significant differences on amount of rocuronium (actually used during experiment), TOFR changes during concentration-response of rocuronium (P = 0.04), and recovery profiles (P < 0.01) of CADO group comparing with the control group. However, at the initial phase of this experiment, dose-response of rocuronium in each group demonstrated no statistically significant differences (P = 0.12). Conclusions: The adenosine $A_1$ receptor agonist (CADO) influenced the TOFR and the recovery profile. After activating adenosine receptor, sugammadex-induced recovery from rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block was delayed.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.273-289
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• 1994

Reversible brain ischemia was produced by occluding both common carotid arteries for 5 min, and the effects of aminoguanidine (AG), $DL-{\alpha}-difluoromethylornithine$ (DFMO), MK-801, and nimodipine (NM) on the ischemia induced changes of the polyamine, glutamate and acetylcholine levels in the hippocampus CA1 subfield and the specific $[^3H]\;MK-801$ binding to the hippocampus synaptosomal membranes were studied with a histological reference of the cresyl violet stained hippocampus. The basal putrescine level $(PT:\;74.4{\pm}8.8\;nM)$ showed a rapid increase (up to 1.7 fold) for 5 min of ischemia, remained significantly increased for 6 h, and then resumed the further increase to amount gradually up to about 3 fold 96 h after recirculation. However, the level of spermidine was little changed, and the spermine level showed a transient increase during ischemia followed by a sustained decrease to about 40% of the preischemic level after recirculation. The increase of PT level induced by brain ischemia was enhanced with AG or MK-801, but it was reduced by DFMO or NM. The basal glutamate level $(GT:\;0.90{\pm}0.l4\;{\mu}M)$ rapidly increased to a peak level of $8.19{\pm}1.14\;{\mu}M$ within 5 min after onset of the ischemia and then decreased to the preischemic level in about 25 min after recirculation. And NM reduced the ischemia induced increase of GT level by about 25%, but AG, DFMO and MK-801 did not affect the GT increase. The basal acetylcholine level $(ACh:\;118.0{\pm}10.5\;{\mu}M)$ did little change during/after brain ischemia and was little affected by AG or NM. But DFMO and MK-801, respectively, produced the moderate decrease of ACh level. The specific $[^3H]\;MK-801$ binding to the hippocampus synaptosomal membrane was little affected by brain ischemia for 5 min. The control value (78.9 fmole/mg protein) was moderately decreased by AG and MK-801, respectively but was little changed by DFMO or NM. The microscopic findings of the brains extirpated on day 7 after ischemia showed severe neuronal damage of the hippocampus, particularly CA1 subfield. NM and AG moderately attenuated the delayed neuronal damage, and DFMO, on the contrary, aggravated the ischemia induced damage. However, MK-801 did not protect the hippocampus from ischemic damage. These results suggest that unlike to the mode of anti-ischemic action of NM, AG might protect the hippocampus from ischemic injury as being negatively regulatory on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function in the hippocampus.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.410-417
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• 2016

Quercetin is a flavonoid usually found in fruits and vegetables. Aside from its antioxidative effects, quercetin, like other flavonoids, has a various neuropharmacological actions. Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (Rham1), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (Rutin), and quercetin-3-(2(G)-rhamnosylrutinoside (Rham2) are mono-, di-, and tri-glycosylated forms of quercetin, respectively. In a previous study, we showed that quercetin can enhance ${\alpha}7$ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (${\alpha}7$ nAChR)-mediated ion currents. However, the role of the carbohydrates attached to quercetin in the regulation of ${\alpha}7$ nAChR channel activity has not been determined. In the present study, we investigated the effects of quercetin glycosides on the acetylcholine induced peak inward current ($I_{ACh}$) in Xenopus oocytes expressing the ${\alpha}7$ nAChR. $I_{ACh}$ was measured with a two-electrode voltage clamp technique. In oocytes injected with ${\alpha}7$ nAChR copy RNA, quercetin enhanced $I_{ACh}$, whereas quercetin glycosides inhibited $I_{ACh}$. Quercetin glycosides mediated an inhibition of $I_{ACh}$, which increased when they were pre-applied and the inhibitory effects were concentration dependent. The order of $I_{ACh}$ inhibition by quercetin glycosides was Rutin${\geq}$Rham1>Rham2. Quercetin glycosides-mediated $I_{ACh}$ enhancement was not affected by ACh concentration and appeared voltage-independent. Furthermore, quercetin-mediated $I_{ACh}$ inhibition can be attenuated when quercetin is co-applied with Rham1 and Rutin, indicating that quercetin glycosides could interfere with quercetin-mediated ${\alpha}7$ nAChR regulation and that the number of carbohydrates in the quercetin glycoside plays a key role in the interruption of quercetin action. These results show that quercetin and quercetin glycosides regulate the ${\alpha}7$ nAChR in a differential manner.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.173-184
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• 1998

The present study was undertaken to examine the influence of glucocorticoids on the secretory responses of catecholamines (CA) evoked by acetylcholine (ACh), DMPP, McN-A-343, excess K^+$ and Bay-K-8644 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland and to clarify the mechanism of its action. The perfusion of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (10-100\;{\mu}M$) into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced a dose-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), excess K^+$ (a membrane-depolarizor 56 mM), DMPP (a selective nicotinic receptor agonist, 100\;{\mu}M$ for 2 min), McN-A-343 (a muscarinic receptor agonist, 100\;{\mu}M$ for 4 min), Bay-K-8644 (a calcium channel activator, 10\;{\mu}M$ for 4 min) and cyclopiazonic acid (a releaser of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, 10\;{\mu}M$ for 4 min). Similarly, the preperfusion of hydrocortisone (30\;{\mu}M$) for 20 min also attenuated significantly the secretory responses of CA evoked by nicotinic and muscarinic receptor stimulation as well as membrane-depolarization, $Ca^{2+}$ channel activation and the release of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Furthermore, even in the presence of betamethasone (30{\mu}M$), CA secretion evoked by ACh, excess K^+$, DMPP and McN-A-343 was also markedly inhibited. Taken together, the present results suggest that glucocorticoids cause the marked inhibition of CA secretion evoked by both cholinergic nicotinic and muscarinic receptor stimulation from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland, indicating strongly that this inhibitory effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium as well as the release of intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.337-342
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• 1994

It is well known that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors(ACEIs) increase endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortic strips of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) and this increase in relaxation may be due to altered endothelial nitric oxide breakdown. But there are few studies on the effect of the angiotensin II receptor blocker on the nitric oxide-mediated relaxation. So we attempted to investigate the effect of angiotensin II receptor blocker on the nitric oxide-dependent relaxation in isolated aorta of SHR. Two week-treatment of losartan (30 mg/kg/day) increased the acetylcholine$(10^{-9}\;to\;10^{-5}\;M)$-and histamine$(10^{-8}\;to\;10^{-4}\;M)$-induced relaxation in endothelium intact strips but 90 minutes-treatment of losartan $(10^{-4}\;M)$ showed no increase in relaxation. The phenylephrine $(10^{-7}\;M)$-induced contraction, repeated every 2 hours, was diminished gradually following lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treatment $(100\;{\mu}g/ml)$ but there was no significant difference in enalapril- and losartan-treated group compared with control group. These results suggest that activity of the endothelial constitutive NO synthase may be changed by chronic treatment of angiotensin II receptor blockers and ACEIs but angiotensin II antagonist and ACEI have no effect on the inducible NO synthase activity in the isolated aorta of SHR

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 1993

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) has been known to have peripheral actions as well as central actions. Recently physiological roles of 5-HT as a central neurotransmitter have been studied in detail and this is a subject of the present study. Plausible central actions mediated by 5-HT receptor seem to be a control of appetite, bring about psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or dementia, and migraine headache. In this study, thirty-five medicinal plants were tested for their antagonistic activities to 5-HT mediated actions. Through the preliminary screening, methanol extracts of three medicinal plants (Saussureae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix and Xanthii Fructus) were shown to possess relatively specific antagonistic activities to 5-HT mediated ileal contraction over acetylcholine. To luther investigate the central antagonistic activities of the selected plant in vivo, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) which is known to be a 5-H $T_{1c}$ receptor agonist was injected to mouse to induce an anxious and/or hypolocomotion states, and also social interaction test, which was based on the method described by File (S.E. File, 1980), was performed to see whether ethylacetate fraction of Sanguisorbae Radix methanol extract possessed a specific anxiolytic activity.y.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.219-225
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• 2004

The pelvic ganglia provide autonomic innervations to the various urogenital organs, such as the urinary bladder, prostate, and penis. It is well established that both sympathetic and parasympathetic synaptic transmissions in autonomic ganglia are mediated mainly by acetylcholine (ACh). Until now, however, the properties of ACh-induced currents and its receptors in pelvic ganglia have not clearly been elucidated. In the present study, biophysical characteristics and molecular nature of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) were studied in sympathetic and parasympathetic major pelvic ganglion (MPG) neurons. MPG neurons isolated from male rat were enzymatically dissociated, and ionic currents were recorded by using the whole cell variant patch clamp technique. Total RNA from MPG neuron was prepared, and RT-PCR analysis was performed with specific primers for subunits of nAChRs. ACh dose-dependently elicited fast inward currents in both sympathetic and parasympathetic MPG neurons $(EC_{50};\;41.4\;{\mu}M\;and\;64.0\;{\mu}M,\;respectively)$. ACh-induced currents showed a strong inward rectification with a reversal potential near 0 mV in current-voltage relationship. Pharmacologically, mecamylamine as a selective antagonist for ${\alpha}3{\beta}4$ nAChR potently inhibited the ACh-induced currents in sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons $(IC_{50};\;0.53\;{\mu}M\;and\;0.22\;{\mu}M,\;respectively)$. Conversely, ${\alpha}-bungarotoxin$, ${\alpha}-methyllycaconitine$, and $dihydro-{\beta}-erythroidine$, which are known as potent and sensitive blockers for ${\alpha}7$ or ${\alpha}4{\beta}2$ nAChRs, below micromolar concentrations showed negligible effect. RT-PCR analysis revealed that ${\alpha}3$ and ${\beta}4$ subunits were predominantly expressed in MPG neurons. We suggest that MPG neurons have nAChRs containing ${\alpha}3$ and ${\beta}4$ subunits, and that their activation induces fast inward currents, possibly mediating the excitatory synaptic transmission in pelvic autonomic ganglia.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.49-57
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• 1984

The exocrine pancreatic secretion is controlled mainly by gastrointestinal hormones as well as cholinergic nerves. The adrenergic influence on exocrine pancreas is thought not to he important and the evidences supporting this contention are still contradictory. In an effort to elucidate the adrenergic influence on the exocrine pancreas, we have determined the amylase release from pancreatic slices of rats treated with adrenergic drugs. The albino rats of either sex, weighing $60{\sim}80\;g$, were decapitated and the uncinate pancreata were isolated and incubated in screw top vials containing 2 ml krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer solution gassed with 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. These vials were shaken continuously in a waterbath maintained at $37^{circ}C$, and enzyme release was stimulated with acetylcholine$(10^{-5}M)$. For chronic treatment methoxamine$(an\;{\alpha}-adrenergic\;agonist,\;5\;mg/kg)$, isoproterenol (a\;{\beta}-adrenergic\;agonist,\;10\;mg/kg) and reserpine (0.5 mg/kg) along with cholecystokinin octapeptide$(CCK-op,\;2{\mu}g/kg)$ were given i.p. in rats daily for 3, 5, 7, 9 or 12 days. For acute experiment these drugs were added directly to the incubation medium in a concentration of $10^{-5}M$ except CCK-OP $(10^{-9}M)$. The results are summarized as follows. 1) The addition of methoxamine, isoproterenol or reserpine to the incubation medium containing pancreatic slices augmented the release of amylase induced by acetylcholine and among them the effect of isoproterenol was most prominent. 2) Chronic treatment of methoxamine or reserpine caused enhancement of acetylcholine response in amylase release from pancreatic slice throughout the experimental period, but the amylase release was less than that of control by 12 days isoproterenol treatment. 3) In the pancreatic slices obtained from 12 days treatment of CCK-OP, the amylae release responding to acetylcholine was enhanced. By these finding it is suggested that methoxamine, isoproterenol and reserpine had marked influence on the exocrine pancreatic functions in rats and that these effects are due to their inherent actions rather than sympathetic nerve or adrenergic receptor function.