• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• 제50권12호
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• pp.11.1-11.9
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• 2018

Estrogen has diverse effects on cardiovascular function, including regulation of the contractile response to vasoactive substances such as serotonin. The serotonin system recently emerged as an important player in the regulation of vascular tone in humans. However, hyperreactivity to serotonin appears to be a critical factor for the pathophysiology of hypertension. In this study, we examined the modulatory mechanisms of estrogen in serotonin-induced vasoconstriction by using a combinatory approach of isometric tension measurements, molecular biology, and patch-clamp techniques. $17{\beta}$-Estradiol (E2) elicited a significant and concentration-dependent relaxation of serotonin-induced contraction in deendothelialized aortic strips isolated from male rats. E2 triggered a relaxation of serotonin-induced contraction even in the presence of tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor antagonist, suggesting that E2-induced changes are not mediated by estrogen receptor. Patch-clamp studies in rat arterial myocytes showed that E2 prevented Kv channel inhibition induced by serotonin. Serotonin increased Src activation in arterial smooth muscle required for contraction, which was significantly inhibited by E2. The estrogen receptor-independent inhibition of Src by E2 was confirmed in HEK293T cells that do not express estrogen receptor. Taken together, these results suggest that estrogen exerts vasodilatory effects on serotonin-precontracted arteries via Src, implying a critical role for estrogen in the prevention of vascular hyperreactivity to serotonin.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.281-291
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• 1990

The $Ca^{2+}-substitutional$ roles of strontium for the contractile processes were investigated in the rabbit renal artery. The contractions induced by either norepinephrine or high $K^+$ in the condition which intra- and extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ were replaced by $Sr^{2+}$, i.e. $Sr^{2+}-mediated$ contractions, were dose-dependent. And then the maximal amplitude of contraction, as compared with $Ca^{2+}-mediated$ contraction, was about 50% in norepinephrine and about 70% in high $K^+$. The $Sr^{2+}-mediated$ contractions were independent in the contraction by norepinephrine $(10^{-5}M)$ but dependent in those by high $K^+(100\;mM)$ on the extracellular $Sr^{2+}$ concentration. Also $Sr^{2+}-mediated$ contractions induced by norepinephrine were observed in the $Sr^{2+}-free$ Tyrode's solution. The $Sr^{2+}-mediated$ contractions induced by either norepinephrine or high $K^+$ were suppressed by verapamil, a $Ca^{2+}-channel$ blocker. By extracellular addition of $Sr^{2+}$, the $Ca^{2+}-mediated$ contractions induced by norepinephrine $(10^{-5}M)$ or 40 mM $K^+$ were inhibited but those by high $K^+(100\;mM)$ were increased. And the $Sr^{2+}-mediated$ contractions were increased by extracellular addition of $Ca^{2+}$ but did not reach the level of $Ca^{2+}-mediated$ contraction. Therfore it is suggested that in the vascular smooth muscle of rabbit renal artery $Sr^{2+}$ could enter the smooth muscle cells easily through the potential-operated calcium channel (POC) but not easily through the receptor-operated calcium channel (ROG), and $Sr^{2+}$ might be stored in the intracellular $Ca^{2+}-binding$ site and released by NE and induced the contraction by a way of activating directly the contractile apparatus.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.101-107
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• 2000

펄스옥시메트리는 서로 다른 두 파장의 빛을 이용하여 동맥혈의 산소포화도를 측정하는 비침습성의 광에 의한 측정 방법이다. 동맥혈의 맥동성분은 정맥혈, 피부 그리고 기타의 비맥동성분들에 의해 감쇠되는 직류 성분에 중첩되어 있다. 본 논문에서는 맥동 성분의 적분비를 이용하여 산소포화도를 계산하는 알고리즘을 사용하였다. 알고리즘에서는, 심장의 수축과 관련되는 맥동신호의 1/2 싸이클만을 이용한다. 이용하는 시간은 1 cycle의 약 1/4이다. 1/4 주기를 이용하는 본 알고리즘은 기존의 방식과 유사한 결과가 나타났다. 신호의 진폭이 낮고, 시간의 점유가 많은 부분을 계산에서 배제했기 때문에, 동잡음의 영향이 감소되었다.

• 약학회지
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.376-381
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• 2013

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of curcumin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. We hypothesized that curcumin, the primary ingredient of Curcuma longa, plays a role in vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae. Denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric tensions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Interestingly, curcumin inhibited fluoride-induced contraction but didn't inhibit phorbol ester-induced contraction suggesting that additional pathways different from endothelial nitric oxide synthesis might be involved in the vasorelaxation. Furthermore, curcumin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels. On the other hand, it didn't significantly inhibit phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism involving inhibition of fluoride-induced MYPT1 phosphorylation. This study provides evidence that curcumin induces vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae.

• 약학회지
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• 제58권5호
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• pp.337-342
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• 2014

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of diosgenin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. We hypothesized that diosgenin, the primary ingredient of Dioscorea villosa, plays a role in vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae. Denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric tensions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Interestingly, diosgenin inhibited fluoride-induced contraction but didn't inhibit phorbol ester-induced contraction suggesting that additional pathways different from endothelial nitric oxide synthesis such as inhibition of Rho-kinase might be involved in the vasorelaxation. Furthermore, diosgenin didn't inhibit thromboxane $A_2$-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism excluding inhibition of thromboxane $A_2$-induced increases in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. This study provides evidence that diosgenin induces vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.203-216
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• 1988

돼지, 가표 및 가토의 뇌동맥에서 기저동맥 (basilar artery, BA)과 circle of willis동맥 (WC)의 동맥환을 만들어 혈관수축제와 calcium 길항제의 효과 그리고 내피세포의 역할은 검토하였다. 돼지 BA와 WC에 서 norepinephrine (NE), phenylephrine (PE)및 epinephrine (EP)은 propranolol $10^{-6}M$ 전처리하에서 그리고 KCI, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 및 angiotensin은 모두 용량의존성 수축반응을 일으켰다. 그 최대수축력은 angiotensin에서 가장 적었고, 5-HT에서 가장 강력하였다. KCI 35 mM수축반응은 calcium 길항제로 용량의존성으로 억제되었고, 그 효력은 nifedipine > > diltiazem > flunarizine > oxybutynin > isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) > glycerl trinitrate의 순서였다. 5-HT $10^{-5}M$의 수축반응은 nifedipine으로는 용량의존성으로 억제 되었으나 diltiazem과 ISDN으로는 경미한 억제만을 일으켰다. 내피세포동맥환에서 KCI 35 mM의 수축반응은 acetylcholine (ACh)으로 거의 영향받지 않았으나 $PGF_{2{\alpha}}\;10^{-5}M$의 수축반응은 ACh과 adenosine으로 용량의존성으로 억제되었고, 이 내피세포 의존성억제는 nifedipine $10^{-6}M$로는 영향받지 않으나 methylene blue $50\;{\mu}M$로는 현저히 억제되었다. 네피제거동맥환에의 $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$의 수축반응은 ACh의 영향이 없거나 더욱 수축되었다. 내피세포를 제거하지 않은 가토흉부대동맥편을 bath에 함께 넣어주면 ACh의 용량의존성 이완반응이 나타났고 이 이완반응도methylene blue로 억제되었다. 가묘 BA와 WC에서 5-HT와 NE는 용량의존성 수축반응을 일으켰고 ACh도 내피세포 존재유무와 관계없이 강력한 용량의존성 수축반응을 일으켰으며 그 최대수축력은 ACh에서 가장 강력하였다. 내피세포동맥환에서 5-HT $10^{-5}M$의 수축반응은 ACh에 의하여 이완반응없이 더욱 수측되었다. 가토 BA에서 5-HT와 NE는 응량의존성 수축반응을 일으졌고5-HT의 수축반응이 더욱 현저하였다. 내피세포동맥환에서 5-HT $10^{-5}M$의 수축반응은 ACh $10^{-5}M$로 현저하게 이완되있고 이 내피세포의존성 이완반응은 atropine $10^{-7}M$로는 억제되었으나 diltiazem $10^{-6}M$로는 거의 억제되지 않았다. 이상의 실험성적은 돼지와 가토의 뇌동맥에서 ACh은 내피세포-의존성 이완반응을 일으키며그 이완반응은 muscarinic receptor를 통해 나타났고, 가묘뇌동맥에서 ACh은 혈관수축제의 역할을 갖고 있음을 시사하고 있다.

• 약학회지
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.138-144
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• 2011

The aim of present study was to investigate the possible influence and related mechanism of resveratrol on U-46619 (high concentration)-induced vasoconstriction. Agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contractions involve the activation of thick or thin filament pathway. However, there are no reports addressing the question whether this pathway is involved in resveratrol-induced relaxation in rat aortae contracted with high U-46619. We hypothesized that MEK or Rho-kinase inhibition plays a role in vascular relaxation evoked by resveratrol in rat aortae. Endothelium-denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Resveratrol fully inhibited U-46619 in low concentration-induced contraction regardless of endothelial function. However, resveratrol partially decreased U-46619 in high concentration-induced contraction regardless of endothelial function. Interestingly, only in U-46619 (high concentration)-induced contraction, no significant decrease was observed in phospho-ERK1/2 levels and slight decrease in phospho-MYPT1 levels suggesting that additional pathways different from them or endothelial nitric oxide synthesis might be involved in the vasorelaxation. In conclusion, in high U-46619-contracted rat aortae, resveratrol showed relaxation response regardless of endothelial function significantly but slightly decreasing MYPT1 phosphorylation rather than ERK1/2 phosphorylation.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.127-133
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• 2011

Arteria radialis is a branch of the brachial artery extending down the forearm around the wrist where it closes to skin surface. In the oriental medicine, the skin above arteria radialis has an important role because oriental medicine practitioners put their finger tips on the area, and diagnose patient's health conditions by feeling the pulsation of the arterial contraction. The finger tip diagnostic method relies on subjective decision of the practitioner; and there is a need to develop an objective diagnostic modality. The pulsation of the arterial contraction appears not only a movement on the site but also as temperature fluctuation due to pulsatile feeding of warmer blood. The goal of this study is to demonstrate a feasibility of using an infrared camera quantitatively to detect the temperature fluctuation on the skin. Clinical important three different areas, called chon, gwan, chuk, near a wrist where the arteria radialis reaches close to skin surface are marked with small pieces of surgical tape. A high-speed and high-resolution infrared camera with a 3 cm of field of view measures these areas for 10 second at 200 frames per second with a 320*240 pixel size. The pulsatile temperature fluctuation is calculated after passing a band pass filter to remove any stationary temperature over 10 second. The temperature fluctuation of a healthy male volunteer is measured at a room temperature as a control, and is compared with another measurement performed after 20 minutes staying in a room at a 40 degree Celsius. This comparison is repeated for three times, and indicates that the fluctuation increases after staying 20 minutes in the warm room. This increase becomes smaller when the person stays in the warm room with an acupuncture treatment that decreases body temperature. So that an objective diagnostics on the site may become feasible.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.161-170
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• 1990

The effects of $H^{+}$ on the arterial contraction and their mechanisms were investigated in the renal artery of a rabbit. The helical strips of isolated renal artery were immersed in the HEPES-buffered or $CO_{2}/HCO_{3}^{-}$-buffered Tyrode's solution. The contractions induced by agonists (norepinephrine, histamine, serotonin and angiotensin II) or high $K^{+}$ were observed with change of extracellular or intracellular $H^{+}$ concentration. The contractions induced by norepinephrine, histamine, serotonin, angiotensin II or high $K^{+}$ in HEPES-buffered Tyrode's solution were inhibited by increase in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration and potentiated by decrease in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration. The degrees of these effects were most evident in the contraction induced by serotonin and angiotensin II, moderate in those by histamine and high $K^{+}$, and least in those by norepinephrine. Maximal contraction by norepinephrine, histamine and high $K^{+}$ were not influenced by change in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration, but influenced in those contration by serotonin and angiotensin II. The attenuated contractions by an acidic pH were not returned to the level of contraction at normal pH (7.4) by elevation of extracellular $Ca{2+}$ concentration. The agonists (norepinephrine, histamine and serotonin)-induced contractions in $Ca{2+}$-free Tyrode's solution were also attenuated by increase in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration and potentiated by decrease in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration. Elevation of $Pco_{2}$ in the $CO_{2}/HCO_{3}^{-}$-buffered Tyrode's solution, which increase the intracellular $H^{+}$ concentration, at constant extracellular pH (7.4), increased the contraction by 30 mM $K^{+}$. From the above results, it is suggested that the decrease in contractions by increase in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration may be resulted from that $H^{+}$ make the receptors less sensitive to agonists and cell membrane hyperpolarize and then inhibit the $Ca{2+}$ influx as well as $Ca{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca{2+}$ storage site.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.15-32
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• 1997

This study was undertaken to define the mechanism of Siegesbeckiae Herba-induced relaxation in rabbit common carotid artery contracted by agonists. In order to investigate the effect of Siegesbeckiae Herba on contracted rabbit carotid arterial strips, transverse strips with intact or damaged endothelium were used for the experiment using organ bath. To analyze the mechanism of Siegesbeckiae Herba-induced relaxation, Siegesbeckiae Herba extract infused into contracted arterial strips induced by agonists after treatment of lanthanum chloride, indomethacin, atropine, $N\omega-nitro-{_L}-arginine$, cobalt chloride or methylene blue. The relaxation effect of Siegesbeckiae Herba was dependent on the presence of endothelium, showing that Siegesbeckiae Herba-induced relaxation was not observed in the strips without endothelium. The endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by Siegesbeckiae Herba was suppressed by the pretreatment of lanthanum chloride, $N\omega-nitro-{_L}-arginine$, cobalt chloride or methylene blue, but it was not observed in the strips pretreated with indomethacin or atropine. These results demonstrated that Siegesbeckiae Herba may inhibit agonist-induced contraction through an increase in the cyclic GMP by the production of nitric oxide in the vascular endothelial cells.