• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.142-151
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• 2002

The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of apamin on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, cyclopiazonic acid and Bay-K-8644 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland and to establish the mechanism of its action. The perfusion of apamin (1 nM) into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced greatly potentiation in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32 $ imes$ $10^{-3}$ M), high $K^+$, (5.6 $ imes$ $10^{-2}$), DMPP ($10^{-4}$ M for 2 min), McN-A-343 ($10^{-4}$ M for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid ($10^{-5}$ M for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 ($10^{-5}$ M for 4 min). However, apamin itself did fail to affect basal catecholamine output. Furthermore, in adrenal glands preloaded with apamin (1 nM) under the presence of glibenclamide ($10^{-6}$ M), an antidiabetic sulfonylurea that has been shown to be a specific blocker of ATP-regulated potassium channels (for 20 min), CA secretion evoked by DMPP and McN-A-343 was not affected. However, the perfusion of high concentration of apamin (100 nM) into an adrenal vein for 20 min rather inhibited significantly CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, cyclopiazonic acid and Bay-K-8644. Taken together, these results suggest that the low concentration of apamin causes greatly the enhancement of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization. These findings suggests that apamin-sensitive SK ($Ca^{2+}$) channels located in rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells may play an inhibitory role in the release of catecholamines mediated by stimulation of cholinergic nicotinic and muscarinic receptors as well as membrane depolarization. However, it is thought that high concentration of apamin cause the inhibitory responses in catecholamine secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors as well as by membrane depolarization from the rat adrenal gland without relevance with the SK channel blockade.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.148-149
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• 1998

It has been known that potassium channel openers are a new class of molecules that have attracted general interest because of their potent antihypertensive activity in vivo and vasorelaxant activity in vitro (Hamilton and Weston, 1989). In the present study, it was attempted to examine the effect of the potassium channel opener on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by cholinergic stimulation, membrane depolarization and calcium mobilization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of pinacidil (30-300 uM) into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced relatively dose-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^{+}$ (56 mM), DMPP (100 uM for 2 min), McN-A-343 (100 uM for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid (10 uM for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 (10 uM for 4 min). Also, under the presence of minoxidil (100 uM), which is also known to be a potassium channel activator, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also significantly depressed. However, in adrenal glands preloaded with pinacidil (100 uM) under the presence of glibenclamide (1 uM), an antidiabetic sulfonylurea that has been shown to be a specific blocker of ATP-regulated potassium channels (for 20 min), CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were considerably recovered to a considerable extent of the normal release as compared to that of pinacidil only. These results, taken together, suggest that pinacidil cause the marked inhibition of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization, indicating strongly that this effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. Furthermore, these findings suggest strongly that these potassium channel openers-sensitive membrane potassium channels also play an important role in regulating CA secretion.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 1994

Teratogenic effects of diazinon were assessed on morphology of chick embryos cholinergic blocking agents. Diazinon at doses ranging from 25 to $2000{\mu}g/egg$, was injected on Day 3 of incubation. $TD_{50S}$, were different for the various teratogenic sings such as wry neck, micromelia, abnormal feathering, abnormal beak and curled claws. The threshold dose for wry neck was higher than the threshold dose for other signs; $40{\mu}g/egg$ produced substantial micromelia, abnormal feathering, abnormal beak and curled claws, but gave no sings of wry neck. In contrast to the teratogenic doses, the $LD_{50}$ of diazinon was very high(above $2000{\mu}g/egg$). One of the characteristics of diazinon-induced teratogenesis was reduction of body weight(78.8%) and body length(73.8%). Maximal teratogenic effects, scored as sings of retarded growth, wry neck, micromelia, abnormal feathering, abnormal beak, and curled claws, were produced when the insectcide was administered on the third or fourth day. The threshold dose for type II teratogenic sings including wry neck and short neck was higher than for type I including micromelia and abnormal feathering. Morphorlogical studies, using atropine and gallamine, suggested that nicotinc but not muscarinic receptors may be involved in the mechanism of diazinon-induced type II malformations.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2020

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is caused by various factors, such as cholinergic dysfunction, regulation of neurotrophic factor expression, and accumulation of amyloid-beta. We investigated whether or not a combination of Carthamus tinctorius L. seed and Taraxacum coreanum (CT) has a protective effect on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in a mouse model. Methods and Results: Mice were orally pretreated with CT (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days, and scopolamine (1 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally before subjecting them to behavior tests. CT-administered mice showed better novel object recognition and working memory ability than scopolamine-treated control mice. In T-maze and Morris water maze tests, CT (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) significantly increased space perceptive ability and occupancy to the target quadrant, respectively. In addition, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of CT attenuated cholinergic dysfunction through inhibition of butyryl cholinesterase in brain tissue. Furthermore, CT-administered mice showed higher cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element-binding protein (CREB) levels and lower amyloid precursor protein (APP) levels compared to scopolamine-treated control mice. Conclusions: CT improved scopolamine-induced memory impairment through inhibition of cholinergic dysfunction, up-regulation of CREB, and down-regulation of APP. Therefore, CT could be a useful therapeutic agent for AD with protective effects on cognitive impairment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.339-350
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• 1999

The present study was attempted to examine the effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by cholinergic stimulation, membrane depolarization and calcium mobilization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of PACAP (10 nM) into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced a great inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh $(5.32{\times}10^{-3}\;M),$ high $K^+\;(5.6{\times}10^{-2}\;M),$ DMPP $(10^{-4}\;M\;for\;2\;min),$ McN-A-343 $(10^{-4}\;M\;for\;2\;min),$ cyclopiazonic acid $(10^{-5}\;M\;for\;4\;min)$ and Bay-K-8644 $(10^{-5}\;M\;for\;4\;min).$ Also, in the presence of neuropeptide (NPY), which is known to be co-localized with norepinephrine in peripheral sympathetic nerves, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also significantly depressed. However, in adrenal glands preloaded with PACAP (10 nM) under the presence of VIP antagonist $[(Lys^1,\;Pro^{2.5},\;Arg^{3.4},\;Tyr^6)-VIP\;(3\;{\mu}M)]$ for 20 min, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were not altered greatly in comparison to the case of PACAP-treatment only. Taken together, these results suggest that PACAP causes the marked inhibition of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization, indicating that this effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.615-619
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• 2017

Background: Black ginseng has a more potent biological activity than non-steamed ginseng. We investigated the effects of long-term intake of dietary black ginseng extract (BG) on antioxidant activity in aged mice. We also compared the effects of BG on cognitive deficits with those of white ginseng extract (WG) and red ginseng extract (RG). Methods: Ten-month-old mice were fed an AIN-93G-based diet containing 10 g/kg (low dose, L) or 30 g/kg (high dose, H) WG powder, RG powder, or BG powder for 24 wk. We measured serum lipids, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, the protein expression levels of choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter, which are presynaptic cholinergic markers in the cortex and hippocampus of the brain, were measured by western blotting. Results: Triglyceride levels were reduced in all the extract-treated mice, except those in the LBG group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the HBG group were higher than those in the control group. Total cholesterol levels were reduced in the LBG group. Additionally, glucose levels in the HBG group were significantly reduced by 41.2%. There were lower levels of malondialdehyde in the LBG group than in the control group. Furthermore, glutathione reductase activity increased in the HWG group and the HRG group. The protein expression levels of choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter significantly increased in all the ginseng-treated groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that supplementation with the tested ginseng extracts may suppress the cognitive decline associated with aging, via regulation of the cholinergic and antioxidant defense systems.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.240-248
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• 2001

The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of quinine on secretion of catecholamines (CA) etroked by cholinergic stimulation and membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of quinine (15-150${\mu}$M) into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh ($5.32{\times}10^{-3}M$), high $K^{+}5.6{\times}10^{-2}M$, DMPP ($10^{-4}M$ for 2 min), McN-A-343 ($10^{-4}M$ for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid ($10^{-5}$ for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 ($10^{-5}$ M for 4 min). Also, under the presence of pinacidil ($10^{-4}$ M), which is also known to be a selective potassium channel activator, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also greatly reduced. When preloaded along with quinine ($5{\times}10^{-5}M$) and glibenclamide ($10^{-6}$ M), a specific blocker of ATP-regulated potassium channels, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were recovered as compared to those of quinine-treatment only. taken together, these results demonstrate that quinine inhibits CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization through inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenmodullary chromaffin cells. These findings suggest that activation of potassium channels may be involved at least in inhibitory action of quinine on CA secretion from the rat adrenal gland.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2001

The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of strychnine on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+,$ DMPP and McN-A-343 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of strychnine $(10^{-4}\;M)$ into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced great inhibition in CA secretory responses evoked by ACh $(5.32{\times}10^{-3}\;M),$ DMPP $(10^{-4}\;M\;for\;2\;min)$ and McN-A-343 $(10^{-4}\;M\;for\;2\;min),$ but did not alter CA secretion by high $K^+\;(5.6{\times}10^{-2}\;M).$ Strychnine itself did also fail to affect basal catecholamine output. Furthermore, in adrenal glands preloaded simultaneously with strychnine $(10^{-4}\;M)$ and glycine (an agonist of glycinergic receptor, $10^{-4}\;M),$ CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, DMPP and McN-A-343 were considerably recovered to some extent when compared with those evoked by treatment with strychnine only. However, CA secretion by high $K^+\;(5.6{\times}10^{-2}\;M)$ was not affected. Taken together, these results demonstrate that strychnine inhibits greatly the CA secretory responses evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors, but does not affect that by membrane depolarization. It is suggested that strychnine-sensitive glycinergic receptors are localized in rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.511-521
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to determine whether bromocriptine affects the catecholamines (CA) secretion evoked in isolated perfused rat adrenal glands, by cholinergic stimulation, membrane depolarization and calcium mobilization, and to establish the mechanism of its action. The perfusion of bromocriptine ($1~10{\;}{\mu}M$) into an adrenal vein, for 60 min, produced relatively dose-dependent inhibition in the secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by acetylcholine (ACh, 5.32 mM), DMPP ($100{\;}{\mu}M$ for 2 min), McN-A-343 ($100{\;}{\mu}M$ for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, $10{\;}{\mu}M$ for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 ($10{\;}{\mu}M$ for 4 min). High $K^+$ (56 mM)-evoked CA release was also inhibited, although not in a dose-dependent fashion. Also, in the presence of apomorphine ($100{\;}{\mu}M$), which is also known to be a selective $D_2$-agonist, the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also significantly depressed. However, in adrenal glands preloaded with bromocriptine ($3{\;}{\mu}M$) in the presence of metoclopramide ($15{\;}{\mu}M$), a selective $D_2$-antagonist, the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid considerably recovered as compared to that of bromocriptine only. Taken together, these results suggest that bromocriptine can inhibit the CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors, as well as by membrane depolarization, in the perfused rat adrenal medulla. It is thought this inhibitory effect of bromocriptine may be mediated by inhibiting the influx of extracellular calcium and the release from intracellular calcium stores, through the activation of dopaminergic $D_2$-receptors located in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. Furthermore, these findings also suggest that the dopaminergic $D_2$-receptors may play an important role in regulating adrenomedullary CA secretion.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.399-406
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• 1997

The effects of different $K^+$ channel blockers were investigated on the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations in the circular muscle of the rabbit proximal stomach. Non-selective blockers of $K^+$ channels, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 3~30${\mu}M$) and tetraethylammonium (TEA, 100~1000${\mu}M$) significantly enhanced the NANC relaxations in a concentration-dependent manner. The enhancement was more prominent for the NANC relaxations induced by the electric field stimulation (EFS) with lower frequencies. Blockers of large conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels, charybdotoxin and iberiotoxin, a blocker of small conduntance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels, apamin and a blocker of ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels, glibenclamide had no effect on the NANC relaxations, respectively. Exogeneous administration of nitric oxide (NO, 1~30${\mu}M$) caused concentration-dependent relaxations which showed a similarity to those obtained with EFS. None of the $K^+$ channel blockers had an effect on the concentration-dependent relaxation in response to NO. These results suggest that prejunctional $K^+$ channels regulate the release of NO from the NANC nerve in the rabbit proximal stomach as the inhibition of prejunctional $K^+$ channels increases the NANC relaxation induced by the EFS.