• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.291-297
• /
• 2011

The effect of cyclosporin A (CsA), an immunosuppressant, on human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) channel as it is expressed in human embryonic kidney cells was studied using a whole-cell, patch-clamp technique. CsA inhibited the HERG channel in a concentration-dependent manner, with an $IC_{50}$ value and a Hill coefficient of $3.17{\mu}m$ and 0.89, respectively. Pretreatment with cypermethrine, a calcineurin inhibitor, had no effect on the CsA-induced inhibition of the HERG channel. The CsA-induced inhibition of HERG channels was voltage-dependent, with a steep increase over the voltage range of the channel opening. However, the inhibition exhibited voltage independence over the voltage range of fully activated channels. CsA blocked the HERG channels predominantly in the open and inactivated states rather than in the closed state. Results of the present study suggest that CsA acts directly on the HERG channel as an open-channel blocker, and it acts independently of its effect on calcineurin activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.314-321
• /
• 2015

Background: Ginseng belongs to the genus Panax. Its main active ingredients are the ginsenosides. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To understand the effects of ginsenoside Re (GRe) on GI motility, the authors investigated its effects on the pacemaker activity of ICCs of the murine small intestine. Methods: Interstitial cells of Cajal were dissociated from mouse small intestines by enzymatic digestion. The whole-cell patch clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in cultured ICCs. Changes in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content induced by GRe were investigated. Results: Ginsenoside Re ($20-40{\mu}M$) decreased the amplitude and frequency of ICC pacemaker activity in a concentration-dependent manner. This action was blocked by guanosine 50-[${\beta}-thio$]diphosphate [a guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein inhibitor] and by glibenclamide [an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive $K^{+}$ channel blocker]. To study the GRe-induced signaling pathway in ICCs, the effects of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and RP-8-CPT-cGMPS (a protein kinase G inhibitor) were examined. Both inhibitors blocked the inhibitory effect of GRe on ICC pacemaker activity. L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester ($100{\mu}M$), which is a nonselective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, blocked the effects of GRe on ICC pacemaker activity and GRe-stimulated cGMP production in ICCs. Conclusion: In cultured murine ICCs, GRe inhibits the pacemaker activity of ICCs via the ATP-sensitive potassium ($K^{+}$) channel and the cGMP/NO-dependent pathway. Ginsenoside Re may be a basis for developing novel spasmolytic agents to prevent or alleviate GI motility dysfunction.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.328-336
• /
• 2020

Diabetes mellitus affects the colonic motility developing gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation. The aim of the study was to examine the role of intracellular signaling pathways contributing to colonic dysmotility in diabetes mellitus. To generate diabetes mellitus, the rats were injected by a single high dose of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The proximal colons from both normal and diabetic rats were contracted by applying an electrical field stimulation with pulse voltage of 40 V in amplitude and pulse duration of 1 ms at frequencies of 1, 2, 4, and 6 Hz. The muscle strips from both normal rats and rats with diabetes mellitus were pretreated with different antagonists and inhibitors. Rats with diabetes mellitus had lower motility than the control group. There were significant differences in the percentage of inhibition of contraction between normal rats and rats with diabetes mellitus after the incubation of tetrodotoxin (neuronal blocker), atropine (muscarinic receptor antagonist), prazosin (α₁ adrenergic receptor antagonist), DPCPX (adenosine A1 receptor antagonist), verapamil (L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker), U73122 (PLC inhibitor), ML-9 (MLCK inhibitor), udenafil (PDE₅ inhibitor), and methylene blue (guanylate cyclase inhibitor). The protein expression of p-MLC and PDE₅ were decreased in the diabetic group compared to the normal group. These results showed that the reduced colonic contractility resulted from the impaired neuronal conduction and decreased muscarinic receptor sensitivity, which resulted in decreased phosphorylation of MLC via MLCK, and cGMP activity through PDE₅.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.75-85
• /
• 2005

This study was aimed to know the effect of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) on glucose transport in L6 myotube and its action mechanism. CdCl₂ increased the 2-deoxy- (l-3H)-D-glucose (2-DOG) uptake 1.9 and 2.4 fold at 10 and 25 μM respectively. To investigate the stimulating-mechanism of glucose transport induced by CdCl₂, the wortmannin and PD98059 were used as PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) inhibitor and MAPK inhibitor respectively, which did not affect 2-DOG uptake. This fact suggests that CdCl₂ induced 2-DOG uptake may not be concerned to the insulin signalling pathway. Whereas nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, and trifluoperazine, a calmodulin inhibitor, were found to inhibit the 2-DOG uptake stimulted by CdCl₂. In addition, we also measured the ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and GSH level in L6 myotube to investigate the correlation between the glucose uptake and ROS. CdCl₂(25 μM) increased ROS generation approximately 1.5 fold and changed the cellular GSH level, but GSSG/GSH ratio remained unchanged. CdCl₂ stimulated 2-DOG uptake and ROS generation were inhibited by N-acetylcystein. And BSO pretreatment, a potent inhibitor of γ-GCS, resulted in the dramatic decrease of 2-DOG uptake and also the increase of the sensitivity to cadmium cytotoxicity. The obtained results suggest that CdCl₂-stimulated glucose uptake might be based on the activation of HMP shunt as an antioxidant defense mechanism of the cells.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.363-369
• /
• 2007

Mitochondria play a central role in energy-generating processes and may be involved in the regulation of channels and receptors. Here we investigated TRPM7, an ion channel and functional kinase, and its regulation by mitochondria. Proton ionophores such as CCCP elicited a rapid decrease in outward TRPM7 whole-cell currents but a slight increase in inward currents with pipette solutions containing no MgATP. With pipette solutions containing 3 mM MgATP, however, CCCP increased both outward and inward TRPM7 currents. This effect was reproducible and fully reversible, and repeated application of CCCP yielded similar decreases in current amplitude. Oligomycin, an inhibitor of $F_1/F_O$-ATP synthase, inhibited outward whole-cell currents but did not affect inward currents. The respiratory chain complex I inhibitor, rotenone, and complex III inhibitor, antimycin A, were without effect as were kaempferol, an activator of the mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter, and ruthenium red, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter. These results suggest that the inner membrane potential (as regulated by proton ionophores) and the $F_1/F_O$-ATP synthase of mitochondria are important in regulating TRPM7 channels.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.105-112
• /
• 1995

In ordedr to gain insight into the mechanisms byl which erythropoietin promotes erythropoiesis, effects of various inhibitors on the erythropoietin-propmoted differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells and on the erythroid progenitor cells and on the erythropoietin-promoted $Ca^{++}$ uptake in the progenitor cells were determined, and the relationship between the inhibitory activity of each inhibitor cells were determined, and he relationship between the inhibitory activity of each inhibitor toward the differentiation and channel blocker (varapamil), a $Ca^{++}$ chelator (EDTA) and a protein kinase C inhibitor (stauroporine). All of these agents inhibited both the erythropoietin-mediated differentiation of the erythroid progenitor cells, as determined by the incroporation of $^{59}Fe$ into heme, and $Ca^{++}$ uptake in a concentrtion dependent manner. In the cases of varapamil and EDTA, the half-miximal inhibitory concentration $(IC_{50})$ values for differentiation of the progenitor cells may be theconsequence of the inhibition of the $Ca^{++}$ uptake in a concentration dependent manner. In the cases of varapamil and EDTA, the half-miximal inhibitory concentration dependent manner. In the cases of verapamil and EDTA, the half-miximal inhibitory concentration $(IC_{50})$ values for differentiation of the progenitor cells may be the consequence of the inhibition of the $Ca^{++}$ uptake by the inhibitor. On the other hand, in the cases of genistein and stauroporine, the $IC_{50}$ values for inhibition of differentitation were significantly different from that for inhibition of $Ca^{++}$uptake. These results suggest that the mechanism of inhibition of differentiation by these two inhibitors in complex. However, taken all together, the above results support the proposition that $Ca^{++}$ uptake may play a role in the erythropoietin-mediated differentiation of erythoid progenitor cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.216-221
• /
• 1991

The inhibitory effects of glipizide on cromakalim-induced relaxation of aortae and hypotension in the anesthetized rats was examined. In rat thoracic aortic rings pre-contracted with norepinephrine, cromakalim produced a relaxation sustainedly. This relaxation was completely inhibited by pre- or post-treatment of glipizide. In the anesthetized rat, cromakalim produced a rapid and sustained fall in the arterial blood pressure. This hypotensive action of cromakalim was abolished by pre- or post-treatment of glipizide. It is suggested that glipizide is the potent inhibitor of cromakalim, $K^{+}$ channel opener, in the rats.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.4 no.6
• /
• pp.445-453
• /
• 2000

The present investigation tested the hypothesis that the activation of protein kinase G (PKG) leads to a phosphorylation of $Ca^{2+}-activated$ potassium channel $(K_{Ca}\;channel)$ and is involved in the activation of $K_{Ca}$ channel activity in cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells of the rabbit. Single-channel currents were recorded in cell-attached and inside-out patch configurations of patch-clamp techniques. Both molsidomine derivative 3-morpholinosydnonimine-N-ethylcarbamide $(SIN-1,\;50\;{\mu}M)$ and 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate $(8-pCPT-cGMP,\;100\;{\mu}M),$ a membrane-permeable analogue of cGMP, increased the $K_{Ca}$ channel activity in the cell-attached patch configuration, and the effect was removed upon washout of the drugs. In inside-out patches, single-channel current amplitude was not changed by SIN-1 and 8-pCPT-cGMP. Application of ATP $(100\;{\mu}M),$ cGMP $(100\;{\mu}M),$ ATP+cGMP $(100\;{\mu}M\;each),$ PKG $(5\;U/{\mu}l),$ ATP $(100\;{\mu}M)+PKG\;(5\;U/{\mu}l),$ or cGMP $(100\;{\mu}M)+PKG\;(5\;U/{\mu}l)$ did not increase the channel activity. ATP $(100\;{\mu}M)+cGMP\;(100\;{\mu}M)+PKG\;(5\;U/{\mu}l)$ added directly to the intracellular phase of inside-out patches increased the channel activity with no changes in the conductance. The heat-inactivated PKG had no effect on the channel activity, and the effect of PKG was inhibited by 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, Rp-isomer $(Rp-pCPT-cGMP,\;100\;{\mu}M),$ a potent inhibitor of PKG or protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A, 1 U/ml). In the presence of okadaic acid (OA, 5 nM), PP2A had no effect on the channel activity. The $K_{Ca}$ channel activity spontaneously decayed to the control level upon washout of ATP, cGMP and PKG, and this was prevented by OA (5 nM) in the medium. These results suggest that the PKG-mediated phosphorylations of $K_{Ca}$ channels, or some associated proteins in the membrane patch increase the activity of the $K_{Ca}$ channel, and the activation may be associated with the vasodilating action.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.80-86
• /
• 2000

TEA, glibenclamide, L-NAME and SKF 525A-induced contraction were investigated using acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, NO donor) and pinacidil (ATP sensitive $K^{+}$ channel opener) in rat abdominal and thoracic aorta. The relaxant effects of acetylcholine, SNP and pinacidil were not different in the abdominal aorta and in the thoracic aorta. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was dependent on endothelial cell, but pinacidil was independent endothelia cell. In the presence of TEA, glibenclamide, L-NAME, mepacrine and SKF 525A, acetylcholine and SNP did not change, but pinacidil-induced relaxation was significantly reduced in presence of glibenclamide, which is ATP sensitive $K^{+}$ channel blocker. SKF 525A, which is inhibitor of cytochrome P$_{450}$ dependent epoxygenase, partially inhibited the pinacidil-induced relaxation. These results indicate that the pinacidil-induced relaxation may be mediated by ATP sensitive $K^{+}$ channel and partially by EETs, which is produced by cytochrome P$_{450}$ dependent epoxygenase.enase.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.863-869
• /
• 2011

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether an ethanol extract of Acorus gramineus Soland (EAG) augments penile erection in vitro and in vivo experiment. Preconstructed with phenylephrine (PE) in isolated endothelium-intact rabbit corpus cavernosum, EAG relaxed penile smooth muscle in a dose-dependent manner, which was inhibited by pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-argininemethylester (L-NAME), a nitricoxide synthase inhibitor, and 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-${\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a soluble guanylylcyclase (sGC) inhibitor, respectively. EAG-induced relaxation was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with tetraethylammonium (TEA), a nonselective $K^+$ channel blocker. EAG increased cGMP levels of the rabbit corpus cavernosum in a concentration-dependent manner without changes in cAMP levels. In addition, EAG caused increase of peak intracavernous pressure (ICP), ICP/MAP ratio and area under the carve (AUC) in SD rats. Taken together, these results suggest that EAG augments penile erection via NO-cGMP system and $K^+$ channels in corpus cavernosum.