• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2016

Many medicinal plants have been used for the treatment of edema, jaundice, and gonorrhea in traditional Oriental medicine. This screening study was designed to search the positive inotropic effects of herbal extracts in beating rabbit atria. Aquarius extracts of twenty six herbs were examined in atrial mechanical dynamics such as pulse pressure and stroke volume and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), one of the main hormones involved in the regulation of the body fluid and blood pressure homeostasis in perfused beating rabbit atria. Sophora flavescens Ait., Rheum officinale Baill., Acorus gramineus Sol., Chelidonium majus L., Pulsatilla koreana Nakai., Reynoutria japonica Houtt., Euphorbia lathyris L., Pyrrosia lingua (Thunb.) Farwell, Poncirus trifoliata Rafin., Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, Kochia scoparia Schrad. significantly increased stroke volume and pulse pressure. However, those herbal extracts were not induced ANP secretion. We clarified the eleven herbal extracts for the positive inotropic effect independent of ANP secretion in beating rabbit atria. Thus these results provide a beneficial data for the treatment of the impairment of body fluid and blood pressure in traditional Oriental medicine.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.930-935
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• 2005

We have investigated the effects of relatively high concentration of carbachol (CCh), an agonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), on cardiac automaticity in mouse heart. Action potentials from automatically beating right atria of mice were measured with conventional microelectrodes. When atria were treated with $100{\mu}M$ CCh, atrial beating was immediately arrested and diastolic membrane potential (DMP) was depolarized. After exposure of the atria to CCh for $\~4 min$, action potentials were regenerated. The regenerated action potentials had lower frequency and shorter duration when compared with the control. When atria were pre-exposed to pirenzepine $(1{\mu}M)$, an $M_1$ mAChR antagonist, there was complete inhibition of CCh-induced depolarization of DMP and regeneration of action potentials. Pre-exposure to AFDX-116 (11 ({2-[(diethylamino)-methyl]-1-piperidyl}acetyl)-5, 11-dihydro-6H-pyridol[2,3-b][1,4] benzodiazepine-6-one base, $1{\mu}M$), an $M_2$ mAChR antagonist, failed to block CCh-induced arrest of the beating. However, prolonged exposure to CCh elicited gradual depolarization of DMP and slight acceleration in beating rate. Our data indicate that high concentration of CCh depolarizes membrane potential and recovers right atrial automaticity via $M_1$ mAChR, providing functional evidence for the role of $M_1$ mAChR in the atrial myocytes.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 1988

Effects of the selective alpha-adrenoceptor agonists, clonidine, oxymetazoline and phenylephrine, on heart rate and contractile force were investigated in the isolated frog atria and it was attempted to examine the influence of adrenoceptor antagonist upon those. Clonidine produced dose-dependent negative chronotropic and positive inotropic effects. The negative chronotropic effect was significantly attenuated in the presence of prazosin and yohimbine but not propranolol. The positive inotropic effect was significantly attenuated by prazosin, yohimbine and propranolol. Oxymetazoline produced dose-dependent negative chronotropic and inotropic effects. The negative chronotropic effect was significantly attenuated in the presence of prazosin, which was partially augmented by yohimbine but was not affected by propranolol. The negative inotropic effect was not affected by propranolol but it was partially augmented by yohimbine and was partially attenuated by prazosin. Phenylephrine produced dose-dependent positive chronotropic and inotropic effects. The positive chronotropic and inotropic effect were significantly attenuated in the presence of propranolol but were not affected by prazosin and yohimbine. These results suggest that the negative chronotropic effect by clonidine and oxymetazoline is mediated by alpha-adrenoceptors, the positive chronotropic and inotropic effects by phenylephrine are mediated by beta-adrenoceptors, and alpha-adrenoceptors mediated the inhibitory chronotropic responses exists in the isolated frog atria.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 1993

Human atria play an important role in extracellular homeostasis through release of atrial natriuretic peptide. To evaluate the relationship between plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and many changes which can develop during extracorporeal circulation, we studied 16 patients undergoing, 12 cardiac operation and 4 thoracic operation. Plasma level of ANP in cardiac patients group was significantly higher and more changeable than thoracic patients group. After aortic cross clamp release, blood was filled at right atrium and right atrial pressure was rapidly increased. At the same time, plasma level of ANP was rised suddenly. Increase of ANP level was correlated (p<0.05) with the increase of total bypass time, but was not correlated statistical with aortic cross clamp time. ANP level did not fall rapidly after aortic cross clamp while both atria were completely empty. This result was explained by intraoperative hypothermia at that time, which can inactivate plasmal endopeptidase and catalytic receptors of ANP. The ANP level of atrial fibrillation group in cardiac patients were generally higher than normal sinus group, but there was no statistical correlation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.730-734
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• 2006

Aqueous extracts of medicinal plants traditionally used in the East Asia such as China, Korea, and Japan were screened for inotropic activity using isolated rabbit atria. Among the twenty-one aqueous-extracts from medicinal plants, the aqueous extracts of Convallaria keiskei(ACK) and rhizome of Coptis chinesis (ACC) were found to exhibit distinctive positive inotropic activity. The aqueous extracts of C. keiskei and rhizome of C. chinensis significantly increased atrial stroke volume and pulse pressure in beating rabbit atria. These findings suggest that the aqueous extracts of C. keiskei and rhizome of C. chinensis enhance the cardiac muscle contractility and then could be useful for the treatment of cardiac failure.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.57-62
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• 2010

Studies on daylighting of buildings have been continuously increased due to the recent escalating oil price and low-carbon strategies in developed countries. Daylighting of buildings not only saves electric energy, but provide the occupants with a comfort visual environment. Atrium spaces are adopted by many modern buildings to improve daylight performance of deep interior spaces. Among the various types of atria, the four-sided type atrium is frequently adopted by library buildings, governmental buildings and office buildings. This study aims to suggest daylighting design data for adjacent occupied spaces by conducting dynamic simulations using Daysim program. Daylight Factor(DF), Daylight Autonomy(DA) and Useful Daylight Illuminance(UDI) levels for 12 measurement points in adjacent occupied spaces were calculated for square-shape four-sided atria with different SAR(Section Aspect Ratio) and different canopy transmittance.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2 s.20
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• pp.13-19
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• 1976

A fluid extract of Zizyphi Semen was employed in this experiment. The cardiac effects of Zizyphi Semen were examined on isolated rabbits atria and heart in situ of anesthetized cats and rabbits. The adrenergic blocking activity and refractory period of cardiac muscle were measured after administration of this drug. In rabbits and cats the antiarrhythmic action of Zizyphi Semen on atrial and ventricular arrhythmias produced by epinephrine or ouabain was examined. The results were following: 1. Zizyphi Semen produced a decrease in rate and contractile amplitude of the isolated rabbit atria and had a week blocking effect on epinephrine acceleration of atrial movement. 2. Zizyphi Semen effectively abolished the spontaneous arrhythmia occurring in the isolated rabbit atria ana the atrial arrhythmia induced by ouabain. 3. Zizyphi Semen produced a marked prolongation of the refractory period in isolated atrial muscle of rabbit. 4. Zizyphi Semen prevented the induction of ventricular arrhythmia arising from excessive dose of epinephrine in anesthetized rabbits and cats. 5. With regard to the ventricular arrhythmia induced by a continuous infusion of ouabain, Zizyphi Semen exerted suppressive effect and produced a marked prolongation of cardiac arrest time in anesthetized rabbits and cats. From the above results, it may be concluded that Zizyphi Semen is effective against atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic effect of this drug may be the result of direct myocardial depressive and partially adrenergic beta receptor blocking activities including prolongation of the refractory period of cardiac muscle.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.1 s.21
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• pp.7-12
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• 1977

Recently several reports have claimed that the bath temperature changes, such as lower bath temperature, produce supersensitivity on the positive chronotropic effect of catecholamine in cat, mouse and guinea pig atria. However, others showed controversial results against temperature-dependent supersensitivity. Similarly, the inotropic effect of ouabain is diminished in febrile state, however some investigators indicated that cardiac glycoside showed less toxicities and less effects in hypothermic condition. In this study, the effects of norepinephrine and epinephrine on inotropy and chronotropy in isolated rat atria was investigated by changing the temperature of bath ($30^{\circ}C$, $^35{\circ}C$ and $38^{\circ}C$). In addition, the effects of ouabain on atria in hypothermic bath was also studied. The followings are the results. 1. At the lower bath temperature isolated rat atrial rate was decreased and contractility was increased. 2. The chronotropic responses to norepinephrine and epinephrine in $38^{\circ}C$ were decreased when the bath temperature lowered to $35^{\circ}C$ or $30^{\circ}C$, while the inotropic responses were not affected. 3. Hypothermic supersensitivity to norepinephrine or epinephrine was not observed in rat atrium. 4. The inotropic response to ouabain was potentiated but chronotropic response was diminished by a lowering in the bath temperature. In conclusion, the chronotropic response of rat atrium to catecholamine was decreased, however, hypothermic supersensitivity was no longer present in rat atrium and the inotropic response of ouabain was increased at lower bath temperature.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1317-1323
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• 2005

In an attempt to examine the ability of benzisothiazole-based drugs to interact with $\beta$-adrenoceptors, a series of 1,2-benzisothiazole derivatives, which were substituted with various propanolamine or oxypropanolamine side chains in the 2 or 3 position, were synthesised and tested. The pharmacological activity of these compounds at the ,$\beta$-adrenoceptors was examined using isolated rat atria and small intestinal segments, which preferentially express the $\beta_{1}$- and $\beta_{3}$-adrenoceptor-mediated responses, respectively. None of these products showed any $\beta$-adrenoceptor agonistic activity. In contrast, the 2- and 3-substituted isopropyl, tert-butyl, benzyl, and piperonyl derivatives 2a-d and 3a-d elicited surmountable inhibition of the isoprena­line-induced chronotropic effects in the atria, suggesting competitive antagonism at the $\beta_{1}$­recognition site. The $pA_{2}$ values revealed tert-butyl 3b and the isopropyl substituted piperonyl derivatives 3a to be the most effective. Remarkably, many of the 2-substituted propanolamines were less active than the corresponding 3-substituted oxypropanolamines. With the exception of compound 3b, none of these drugs antagonised the muscle relaxant activity of isoprenaline in the intestine, suggesting no effect on the $\beta_{3}$-adrenoceptors. These results confirm the ability of the benzisothiazole ring to interact with the $\beta$-adrenoceptors, and demonstrate that 2-substitution with propanolamine or 3-substitution with oxypropanolamine groups yields compounds with preferential antagonistic activity at the cardiac $\beta_{1}$adrenoceptors. The degree of antagonism depends strongly on both the nature of the substituent and its position on the benzisothiazole ring.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2021

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NOXs) are the major enzymatic source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NOX2 and NOX4 are expressed in the heart but its role in hypoxia-induced atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion is unclear. This study investigated the effect of NOX on ANP secretion induced by hypoxia in isolated beating rat atria. The results showed that hypoxia significantly upregulated NOX4 but not NOX2 expression, which was completely abolished by endothelin-1 (ET-1) type A and B receptor antagonists BQ123 (0.3 μM) and BQ788 (0.3 μM). ET-1-upregulated NOX4 expression was also blocked by antagonists of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2; varespladib, 5.0 μM) and cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2; CAY10650, 120.0 nM), and ET-1-induced cPLA2 expression was inhibited by varespladib under normoxia. Moreover, hypoxia-increased ANP secretion was evidently attenuated by the NOX4 antagonist GLX351322 (35.0 μM) and inhibitor of ROS N-Acetyl-D-cysteine (NAC, 15.0 mM), and hypoxia-increased production of ROS was blocked by GLX351322. In addition, hypoxia markedly upregulated Src expression, which was blocked by ET receptors, NOX4, and ROS antagonists. ET-1-increased Src expression was also inhibited by NAC under normoxia. Furthermore, hypoxia-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B (Akt) were completely abolished by Src inhibitor 1 (1.0 μM), and hypoxia-increased GATA4 was inhibited by the ERK1/2 and Akt antagonists PD98059 (10.0 μM) and LY294002 (10.0 μM), respectively. However, hypoxia-induced ANP secretion was substantially inhibited by Src inhibitor. These results indicate that NOX4/Src modulated by ET-1 regulates ANP secretion by activating ERK1/2 and Akt/GATA4 signaling in isolated beating rat hypoxic atria.