• 셀메드
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• 제2권4호
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• pp.38.1-38.6
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• 2012

The present study aimed to determine the possible mechanisms of the peripheral antinociception of the aqueous extracts of Dicranopteris linearis (AEDL), Melastoma malabathricum (AEMM) and Bauhinia purpurea (AEBP) leaves in mice. Briefly, the antinociceptive profile of each extract (300, 500, and 1000 mg/kg; subcutaneous (s.c.)), was established using the abdominal constriction test. A single dose (500 mg/kg) of each extract (s.c.) was pre-challenged for 10 min with various pain receptors' antagonists or pain mediators' blockers and 30 min later subjected to the antinociceptive assay to determine the possible mechanism(s) involved. Based on the results obtained, all extracts exerted significant (p < 0.05) antinociceptive activity with dose-dependent activity observed only with the AEMM. Furthermore, the antinociception of AEDL was attenuated by naloxone, atropine, yohimbine and theophylline; AEMM was reversed by yohimbine, theophylline, thioperamide, pindolol, reserpine, and 4-chloro-DL-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride; and of AEBP was inhibited by naloxone, haloperidol, yohimbine and reserpine. In conclusion, the antinociceptive activity of those extracts possibly involved the activation of several pain receptors (i.e. opioids, muscarinic, ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic and adenosine receptors, adenosine, H3-histaminergic and $5HT_{1A}$, dopaminergic receptors).

• 한국동물번식학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국동물번식학회 2003년도 학술발표대회 발표논문초록집
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• pp.69-69
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• 2003

Although effect of TGF$\beta$$_1$ on preimplantation embryo development was reported at mice, little information relevant to this subject is known in bovine. The objectives of this study were to investigate TGF$\beta$$_1$, and TGF$\beta$$_1$ receptors type I and II expression, known as important factors in the embryo development, at unfertilized oocytes and fertilized embryos that will be used as basic data to be compared to NT embryos. We postulated that TGF$\beta$$_1$ may have a beneficial effect on the preimplantation embryo and show different expression patterns as embryo stages change. We have used immunocytochemistry to investigate the presence in unfertilized oocytes and preimplantation embryos of TGF$\beta$$_1$ and the essential components of the TGF$\beta$$_1$ signalling pathway, TGF$\beta$$_1$ receptors type I and II. We found that both receptors, as well as TGF$\beta$$_1$, were present in the unfertilized oocytes. This indicates that TGF$\beta$$_1$, is a maternally expressed protein. At the morulae and blastocyst stages the TGF$\beta$$_1$ receptor type II was not present, but the TGF$\beta$$_1$ receptor type I was present at both stages and we can confirm the TGF$\beta$$_1$ expression of high level at 8-cell stage. These findings support our hypothesis that the TGF$\beta$$_1$, and TGF$\beta$$_1$ receptors may interact with the oocyte and preimplantation embryo, and that TGF$\beta$$_1$ signalling may be important for the development of the oocyte and the preimplahtation embryo.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권8호
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• pp.3857-3862
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• 2012

A total of 96 cases of invasive breast ductal carcinoma were examined for immunohistochemical expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the epithelial tumor cells and endothelial cells of the blood vessels. We also investigated the association between both proteins in the epithelium in relation to tumor characteristics such as tumor size, grade, lymph node involvement, microvessel density (MVD), hormonal receptors expression and c-erbB-2 overexpression. Bax expression showed a significant association between tumor and endothelial cells (p<0.001) while Bcl-2 expression in tumor cells was inversely associated with that in the endothelial cells (p<0.001). Expression of Bcl-2 in tumor cells was strongly associated with expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors (p=0.003 and p=0.004, respectively). In addition, intratumoral MVD was significantly higher than peritumoral MVD (p<0.001) but not associated with Bax or Bcl-2 expression and other tumor characteristics. We concluded that the number of endothelial cells undergoing apoptosis was in direct linkage with the number of apoptotic tumor cells. Anti-apoptotic activity of the surviving tumor cells appears to propagate cancer progression and this was influenced by the hormonal status of the cells. Tumor angiogenesis was especially promoted in the intratumoral region and angiogenesis was independent of anti-apoptotic activity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2005

Background: Spinal metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and opioid receptors are involved in the modulation of nociception. Although opioid receptors agonists are active for pain, the effects of the compounds for the mGluRs have not been definitely investigated at the spinal level. We examined the effects of the intrathecal mGluR compounds and morphine in the nociceptive test, and then we further clarified the role of the spinal mGluRs. In addition, the nature of the pharmacological interaction after the coadministration of mGluRs compounds with morphine was determined. Methods: Catheters were inserted into the intrathecal space of male SD rats. For the induction of pain, $50{\mu}l$ of 5% formalin solution or a thermal stimulus was applied to the hindpaw. An isobolographic analysis was used for the evaluation of the drug interaction. Results: Neither group I mGluR compounds nor group III mGluR compounds produced any antinociceptive effect in the formalin test. The group II mGluR agonist (APDC) had little effect on the formalin-induced nociception. The group II mGluR antagonist (LY 341495) caused a dose-dependent suppression of the phase 2 flinching response on the formalin test, but it did not reduce the phase 1 response of the formalin test nor did it increase the withdrawal latency of the thermal stimulus. Isobolographic analysis revealed a synergistic interaction after the intrathecal delivery of a LY 341495-morphine mixture. Conclusions: These results suggest that group II mGluRs are involved in the facilitated processing at the spinal level, and the combination of LY 341495 with morphine may be useful to manage the facilitated pain state.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.44-50
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• 2006

We investigated the possible role of p38 MAPK and $ET_B$ receptors in ET-1 induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in cultured feline esophageal smooth muscle cells (ESMC). Confluent layers of ESMC were stimulated with 10 nM ET-1 and expression of COX-1 and COX-2, involvement of receptors, and activation of p38 MAPK, were examined by Western blot analysis. Levels of $PGE_2$ induced by ET-1 were measured by Elisa. Using $ET_A$and $ET_B$ antagonists (BQ-123 and BQ-788, respectively), the contribution of the ET receptors to COX-1 and COX-2 expression induced by ET-1 was determined. Western blot analysis revealed that treatment of ESMC with ET-1 resulted in transient expression of COX-2 and activation of p38 MAPK. Activation of p38 MAPK was maximal after 1 h. SB202190, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, reduced expression of COX-2, but not COX-1. ET-1-induced release of $PGE_2$ was also blocked by SB202190. COX-2 expression was upregulated only via the $ET_B$ receptor, and COX-1 expression was not affected by either antagonist. Taken together, our data suggest that ET-1 causes p38 MAPK-dependent expression of COX-2 by interacting with $ET_B$ receptors on ESMC.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.59-63
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• 2003

The medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons are controlled by excitatory synaptic transmission from the vestibular afferent and commissural projections, and by inhibitory transmission from interneurons. Spontaneous synaptic currents of MVN neurons were studied using whole cell patch clamp recording in slices prepared from 13- to 17-day-old rats. The spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) were significantly reduced by the $GABA_A$ antagonist bicuculline ($20{\mu}M$), but were not affected by the glycine antagonist strychnine ($1{\mu}M$). The frequency, amplitude, and decay time constant of sIPSCs were $4.3{\pm}0.9$ Hz, $18.1{\pm}2.0$ pA, and $8.9{\pm}0.4$ ms, respectively. Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) were mediated by non-NMDA and NMDA receptors. The specific AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI-52466 ($50{\mu}M$) completely blocked the non-NMDA mediated sEPSCs, indicating that they are mediated by an AMPA-preferring receptor. The AMPA mediated sEPSCs were characterized by low frequency ($1.5{\pm}0.4$ Hz), small amplitude ($13.9{\pm}1.9$ pA), and rapid decay kinetics ($2.8{\pm}0.2$ ms). The majority (15/21) displayed linear I-V relationships, suggesting the presence of GluR2-containing AMPA receptors. Only 35% of recorded MVN neurons showed NMDA mediated currents, which were characterized by small amplitude and low frequency. These results suggest that the MVN neurons receive excitatory inputs mediated by AMPA, but not kainate, and NMDA receptors, and inhibitory transmission mediated by $GABA_A$ receptors in neonatal rats.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.329-337
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• 1999

Thyroid hormone-induced cellular dysfunctions may be associated with changes in the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. The ryanodine receptor, a $Ca^{2+}$ release channel of the SR, is responsible for the rapid release of $Ca^{2+}$ that activates cardiac muscle contraction. In the excitation-contaction coupling cascade, activation of ryanodine receptors is initiated by the activity of sarcolemmal $Ca^{2+}$ channels, the dihydropyridine receptors. In hyperthyroidism left ventricular contractility and relaxation velocity were increased, whereas these parameters were decreased in hypothyroidism. The mechanisms for these changes have been suggested to include alterations in the expression and/or activity levels of various proteins. In the present study, quantitative changes of ryanodine receptors and the dihydropyridine receptors, and the functional consequences of these changes in various thyroid states were investigated. In hyperthyroid hearts, $[^3H]ryanodine$ binding and ryanodine receptor mRNA levels were increased, but protein levels of ryanodine were not changed significantly. However, the above parameters were markedly decreased in hypothyroid hearts. In case of dihydropyridine receptor, there were a significant increase in the mRNA and protein levels, and [3H]nitrendipine binding, whereas no changes were observed in these parameters of hypothyroid hearts. Our findings indicate that hyperthyroidism is associated with increases in ryanodine receptor and dihydropyridine receptor expression levels, which is well correlated with the ryanodine and dihydropyridine binding. Whereas opposite changes occur in ryanodine receptor of the hypothyroid hearts.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.874-880
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• 2010

A series of 13- and 14-membered cyclic enkephalin analogs based on the moderately $\mu$ selective prototype compound Tyr-C[D-$A_2bu$-Gly-Phe-Leu] 8a were synthesized to investigate the structure-activity relationship. The modifications of sequence were mainly focused on two positions 3 and 5, critical for the selective recognition for $\mu$ and $\delta$ opioid receptors. The substitution of hydrophobic $Leu^5$ with hydrophilic $Asp^5$ derivatives led to Tyr-C[D-$A_2bu$-Gly-Phe-Asp(N-Me)] 7 and Tyr-C[D-Glu-Phe-gPhe-rAsp(O-Me)] 5, the peptides with a large affinity losses at both $\mu$ and $\delta$ receptors. The substitution of $Phe^3$ with $Gly^3$ led to Tyr-C[D-Glu-Gly-gPhe-rLeu] 3 and Tyr-C[D-Glu-Gly-gPhe-D-rLeu] 4, the peptides with large affinity losses at $\mu$ receptors, indicating the critical role of phenyl ring of $Phe^3$ for $\mu$ receptor affinities. One atom reduction of the ring size from 14-membered analogs Tyr-C[D-Glu-Phe-gPhe-(L and D)-rLeu] 6a, 6b to 13-membered analogs Tyr-C[D-Asp-Phe-gPhe-(L and D)-rLeu] 1, 2 reduced the affinity at both $\mu$ and $\delta$ receptors, but increased the potency in the nociceptive assay, indicating the ring constrain is attributed to high nociceptive potency of the analogs. For the influence of D- or L-chirality of $Leu^5$ on the receptor selectivity, regardless of chirality and ring size, all cyclic diastereomers displayed marked $\mu$ selectivity with low potencies at the $\delta$ receptor. The retro-inverso analogs display similar or more active at $\mu$ receptor, but less active at $\delta$ receptor than the parent analogs.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.423-428
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• 1998

The ligand binding signals to a wide variety of seven transmembrane cell surface receptors are transduced into intracellular signals through heterotrimeric G-proteins. Recently, there have been reports which show diverse coupling patterns of ligand-activated receptors to the members of Gq family $\alpha$ subunits. In order to shed some light on these complex signal processing networks, interactions between G$\alpha$q family of G protein and neurokinin-2 receptor as well as muscarinic M$_{1}$ receptor, which are considered to be new thearpeutic targets in asthma, were studied. Using washed membranes from Cos-7 cells co-transfected with different G.alpha.q and receptor cDNAs, the receptors were stimulated with various concentrations of carbachol and neurokinin A and the agonist-dependent release of [$^3H$]inositol phosphates through phospholipase C beta-1 activation was measured. Differential coupling of Gaq family of G-protein to muscarinic M$_{1}$ receptor and neurokinin-2 receptor was observed. The neurokinin-2 receptor shows a ligand-mediated response in membranes co-transfected with G$\alpha$q, G$\alpha$11 and G$\alpha$14 but not G$\alpha$16 and the ability of the muscarinic $M_1$ receptor to activate phospholipase C through G$\alpha$/11 but not G$\alpha$14 and G$\alpha$16 was demonstrated. Clearly G$\alpha$/11 can couple $\M_1$ and neurokinin-2 receptor to activate phospholipase C. But, there are differences in the relative coupling of the G$\alpha$14 and G$\alpha$16 subunits to these receptors.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

Our previous study has shown berberine prevents damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier during early phase of sepsis in rat through mechanisms independent of the NOD-like receptors signaling pathway. In this study, we explored the regulatory effects of berberine on Toll-like receptors during the intestinal mucosal damaging process in rats. Male Sprague-Dawlay (SD) rats were treated with berberine for 5 d before undergoing cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce polymicrobial sepsis. The expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR 2), TLR 4, TLR 9, the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), the levels of selected cytokines and chemokines, percentage of cell death in intestinal epithelial cells, and mucosal permeability were investigated at 0, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after CLP. Results showed that the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) level were significantly lower in berberine-treated rats compared to the control animals. Conversely, the expression level of tight junction proteins, percentage of cell death in intestinal epithelial cells and the mucosal permeability were significantly higher in berberine-treated rats. The mRNA expression of TLR 2, TLR 4, and TLR 9 were significantly affected by berberine treatment. Our results indicate that pretreatment with berberine attenuates tissue injury and protects the intestinal mucosal barrier in early phase of sepsis and this may possibly have been mediated through the TLRs pathway.