• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 1985

With the improvement of hemodialysis, the course of the disease in patient with endstage renal disease has been clearly improved. Nevertheless, among several shortcomings to our present mode of renal replacement therapy, cardiovascular complications have been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Several factors such as anemia, arteriovenous shunting of blood, intermittent extracorporeal circulation and hypertension may be contributing. But little is known about the quantitative cardiac hemodynamic characteristics occurred during hemodialysis. The purpose of this study is to observe the sequential hemodynamic changes before, during and after the hemodialysis and to investigate reliable parameters in the detection of ventricular dysfunction. In the present study, equilibrium radionuclide cardiac angiography was performed and left and right ventricular volume indices, ejection phase indices of both ventricular, performance were measured in the 16 stable patients with chronic renal failure treated with maintenance hemodialysis sequentially i.e. before, during (early and late phase) and after the hemodialysis. The results obtained were as follows; 1) The indices of the left ventricular function were not changed during the hemodialysis but increased after the hemodialysis. 2) The indices of the right ventricular function(EF, SVI) were significantly decreased in the early phase (15, 30 minutes after starting extracorporeal circulation) but recovered after the hemodialysis. 3) The ratio of right ventricular to left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly decreased in the early phase and the lung volume indices were significantly increased at the same phase. As a conclusion, hemodialysis improves left ventricular function maybe due to increased contractility, and effects on the right ventricular function maybe due to the increased lung volume in the early phase of hemodialysis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.223-230
• /
• 1999

Alterations of cardiovascular function associated with various thyroid states have been studied. 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; ${\alpha}-myosin$ heavy chain, ${\beta}-myosin$ heavy chain, ${\beta}-receptors,$ the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein, and the sarcolemmal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase.$ All these cellular alterations may be associated with changes in the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. The most important regulator of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration is the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), which serves as a $Ca^{2+}$ sink during relaxation and as a $Ca^{2+}$ source during contraction. The $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ and phospholamban are the most important proteins in the SR membrane for muscle relaxation. The dephosphorylated phospholamban inhibits the SR $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ through a direct interaction, and phosphorylation of phospholamban relieves the inhibition. In the present study, quantitative changes of $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ and phospholamban expression and the functional consequences of these changes in various thyroid states were investigated. The effects of thyroid hormones on (1) SR $Ca^{2+}$ uptake, (2) phosphorylation levels of phospholamban, (3) SR $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ and phospholamban protein levels, (4) phospholamban mRNA levels were examined. Our findings indicate that hyperthyroidism is associated with increases in $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ and decreases in phospholamban levels whereas opposite changes in these proteins occur in hypothyroidism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.5 no.5
• /
• pp.443-449
• /
• 2001

Previously we reported that THI 52 inhibits tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages exposed to LPS plus $IFN-{\gamma}.$ In the present study, the effects of THI 52 on vascular reactivity ex vivo, and iNOS protein expression (rat lung) were investigated in LPS-treated rats. Treatment of THI 52 concentration-dependently reduced not only serum nitrite production but also the expression of iNOS protein in rat lung tissues. Thoracic aorta taken from LPS injected rat for 8 h ex vivo resulted in suppression of vasoconstrictor effects to phenylephrine (PE), which was restored by THI 52 (20 mg/kg) 30 min prior to LPS. When measured iNOS activity, treatment of THI 52 concentration-dependently reduced the enzyme activity in RAW 264.7 cells activated with LPS plus $IFN-{\gamma}.$ Likewise, iNOS activity was significantly reduced in lung tissues taken those rats that were injected THI 52 prior to LPS injection compared with LPS injection alone. These results strongly suggest that THI 52 can suppress iNOS gene expression induced by LPS, and restore the vascular contractility to PE. Thus, THI 52, a new synthetic isoquinoline alkaloid, may be beneficial in inflammatory disorders where production of NO is excessed by iNOS expression.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.287-298
• /
• 2020

Ca²⁺ signaling of endothelial cells plays a critical role in controlling blood flow and pressure in small arteries and arterioles. As the impairment of endothelial function is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis, stroke, and hypertension), endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling mechanisms have received substantial attention. Increases in endothelial intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations promote the synthesis and release of endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs, e.g., nitric oxide, prostacyclin, or K⁺ efflux) or directly result in endothelial-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH). These physiological alterations modulate vascular contractility and cause marked vasodilation in resistance arteries. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are nonselective cation channels that are present in the endothelium, vascular smooth muscle cells, or perivascular/sensory nerves. TRP channels are activated by diverse stimuli and are considered key biological apparatuses for the Ca²⁺ influx-dependent regulation of vasomotor reactivity in resistance arteries. Ca²⁺-permeable TRP channels, which are primarily found at spatially restricted microdomains in endothelial cells (e.g., myoendothelial projections), have a large unitary or binary conductance and contribute to EDHFs or EDH-induced vasodilation in concert with the activation of intermediate/small conductance Ca²⁺-sensitive K⁺ channels. It is likely that endothelial TRP channel dysfunction is related to the dysregulation of endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling and in turn gives rise to vascular-related diseases such as hypertension. Thus, investigations on the role of Ca²⁺ dynamics via TRP channels in endothelial cells are required to further comprehend how vascular tone or perfusion pressure are regulated in normal and pathophysiological conditions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.295-304
• /
• 2006

Objectives : This study was done to investigate whether two oriental prescriptions, saganmahwang-tang (SMT) and prescription C (P-C) significantly affect mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells. Methods : Cofluent HTSE cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of SMT or P-C to assess the effect of each agent on 3H-mucin release. Possible cytotoxicities of each agent were assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Also, the effects of SMT and P-C on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle were investigated. Results : SMT significantly inhibited mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, without cytotoxicity. P-C significantly increased mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, with significant cytotoxicity. SMT inhibited Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. P-C did not affect Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. Conclusion : Results su99est that SMT and P-C have regulating effects on mucin secretion from airway goblet cells. Further investigation is needed, because of the value in finding novel agents to this purpose, and these oriental medical prescription have potential for such a role.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.216-225
• /
• 2014

The present study was designed to investigate whether ethylacetate (EtOAc) fraction extracted from Rubus coreanum affect the contractility of the isolated thoracic aortic strips and blood pressure of normotensive rats. The EtOAc fraction ($400{\mu}g/mL$) significantly depressed both phenylephrine (PE, $10{\mu}M$)- and high $K^+$ (56 mM)-induced contractile responses of the isolated thoracic aortic strips in a concentration-dependent fashion. In the simultaneous presence of L-NAME (an inhibitor of NO synthase, $300{\mu}M$) and EtOAc ($400{\mu}g/mL$), both PE- and high $K^+$-induced contractile responses were recovered to the corresponding control level in comparison with inhibition of EtOAc-treatment alone. Moreover, in the simultaneous presence of EtOAc after pretreatment with 0.4% CHAPS, both PE- and high $K^+$-induced contractile responses were recovered to the corresponding control level compared to the inhibitory response of EtOAc-treatment alone. Also, in anesthetized rats, EtOAc fraction (0.3~3.0 mg/kg) injected into a femoral vein dose-dependently produced depressor responses. This hypotensive action of EtOAc fraction was greatly inhibited after treatment with phentolamine (1 mg/kg), chlorisondamine (1 mg/kg), L-NAME (3 mg/kg/30 min) or sodium nitroprusside ($30{\mu}g/kg/30 min$). Intravenous infusion of EtOAc fraction (1.0~10.0 mg/kg/30 min) markedly inhibited norepinehrine-induced pressor responses. Taken together, these results demostrate that EtOAc causes vascular relaxation in the isolated rat thoracic aortic strips as well as hypotensive action in anesthetized rats. These vasorelaxation and hypotension of EtOAc seem to be mediated at least by the increased NO production through the activation of NO synthase of vascular endothelium, and the inhibitory adrenergic modulation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.901-913
• /
• 1989

This study was investigated under the postulation that activation of intracellular calcium- calmodulin complex during ischemia-reperfusion leads to myocardial injury. The protective effects of calcium channel blocker, diltiazem and calmodulin inhibitors, trifluoperazine, flunarizine and calmidazolium from ischemic injury in rat hearts were observed by using Langendorff apparatus when the antagonists were infused for 3 min in the beginning of ischemia. Thereby, an increase in resting tension developed during 30-min ischemia was analyzed with regard to [1] the degree of cardiac functional recovery following 60-min reperfusion, [2] changes in biochemical variables evoked during 30-min ischemia. The results obtained were as follows: l. In the ischemic group, the resting tension was increased by 4.1*0.2 g at 30-min ischemia. However, the increase in resting tension was markedly reduced not only by pretreatment with diltiazem [3.3 p M] but also with calmodulin inhibitors, trifluoperazine [3.3 p M], flunarizine [0.5 p M] and calmidazolium [0.5 p M], respectively. 2. Recovery of myocardial contractility, +dF /dt and coronary flow were much reduced when evoked by reperfusion in the ischemic group. These variables were significantly improved either by pretreatment with diltiazem or with calmodulin inhibitors. 3. The resting tension increment evoked during ischemia was significantly inversely correlated with the degree of cardiac function recovered during reperfusion. 4. Following 30-min ischemia, the production of malondialdehyde and release of lysosomal enzyme were much increased in association with a decrease in creatine kinase activity. 5. The increases in malondialdehyde production and release of free lysosomal enzyme were suppressed by pretreatment with calmodulin inhibitors as well as diltiazem. Likewise, the decrease of creatine kinase activities was prevented by these calcium antagonists. With these results, it is indicated that a increase in resting tension observed during ischemia has an inverse relationship to the cardiac function recovered following reperfusion, and further, the later may be significantly dependent on the degree of biochemical alterations occurred during ischemia such as decrease in creatine kinase activity, increased production of malondialdehyde and increased release of free lysosomal enzyme. Thus it is concluded that calmodulin plays a pivotal role in the process of ischemic injury.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.53-60
• /
• 1991

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with adjunctive oral litholytic therapy has proven to be a useful treatment in selected patients with gallbladder stones. To study the effect of ESWL on gallbladder dynamics, $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ hepatobiliary scintigraphy was done for 25 patients with symptomatic gallstones and 10 normal controls. Of these 25 patients, 15 were treated with ESWL and adjunctive oral litholytic agents (ESWL group) and 10 were treated only with oral litholytic agents (UDCA group). After overnight fast and gallbladder visualization on a routine hepatobiliary scintigraphy with 7mCi of $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$, subjects were given fatty meal and imaged with a gamma camera interfaced to a computer (1 frame/minute for 70 minutes). A gallbladder time-activity curve was generated and latent period (LP), ejection period (EP), ejection fraction (EF) and ejection rate (ER) were calculated. ESWL group were studied before, 1day after and 2weeks after ESWL, and WDCA group were studied before and 2weeks after starting oral medication. Mean basal EF was significantly reduced in patients but other parameters were not reduced. In ESWL group, mean EF and mean ER at lday after ESWL were reduced. In 3 of them, gallbladder was not visualized at all. Two weeks after ESWL, however, all parameters were recoverd to basal level. In UDCA group, all parameters were not changed significantly during medication. We can conclude that ESWL has such immediate adverse effect on gallbladder dynamics as reducing contractility and nonvisualization of gallbladder but it has no long-term effect.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.384-389
• /
• 2012

Background Numerous procedures are available for nipple reconstruction without a single gold standard. This study presents a method for reducing donor-site morbidity in nipple reconstruction using a composite nipple graft after transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap breast reconstruction. Methods Thirty-five patients who underwent nipple reconstruction using a composite nipple graft technique between July of 2001 and December of 2009 were enrolled in this study. To reduce the donor site morbidity, the superior or superior-medial half dome harvesting technique was applied preserving the lateral cutaneous branch of the fourth intercostal nerves. The patients were asked to complete a previously validated survey to rate the color and projection of both nipples, along with the sensation and contractility of the donor nipple; and whether, in retrospect, they would undergo the procedure again. To compare projection, we performed a retrospective chart review of all the identifiable patients who underwent nipple reconstruction using the modified top hat flap technique by the same surgeon and during the same period. Results Thirty-five patients were identified who underwent nipple reconstruction using a composite nipple graft. Of those, 29 patients (82.9%) responded to the survey. Overall, we received favorable responses to the donor site morbidity. Projection at postoperative 6 months and 1 year was compared with the immediate postoperative results, as well as with the results of nipples reconstructed using the modified top hat flap. Conclusions The technique used to harvest donor tissue is important. Preserving innervation of the nipple while harvesting can reduce donor site morbidity.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.89-93
• /
• 2008

Goldfish were exposed to radioactive isotope $^{18}F$, which is used for positron emission tomography (PET). $^{18}F$ is created when the oxygen in water combines with hydrogen on exposure to positrons accelerated by a cyclotron. The temporal change in intestine contractility was measured by physiograph after the exposure to $^{18}F$. The distance between the goldfish and 580 mCi of $^{18}F$ was approximately 4 cm and the exposure was for 4 hrs. The absorption level calculated from the distance, exposure time, and half-life of $^{18}F$ was approximately 2 Gy. The contractile activity of goldfish intestine was lowest on the first day and increased gradually to 100% of the control level by a period of between 5 and 36 days.