• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 1984

The effects of $Ca^{++}$ and its antagonists (verapamil and $La^{+++}$) upon the spontaneous contraction and the contracture induced by 60 mM K-Tyrode solution were studied in the isolated uterine muscle. Longitudinal muscle strips were prepared from the rat uteri at estrous stage. All experiments were performed in tris-buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with 100% $O_2$ and kept at 35^{\circ}$. The results obtained were as follows: 1) In the uterine strips contracting spontaneously, both the amplitude of peak tension and the area of contraction curve increased dose-dependently in the range of $0.5${\sim}8$ mM $Ca^{++}$. The frequency of contraction increased as the concentration of $Ca^{++}$ increased up to 2 mM, but above this concentration the frequency decreased. In $Ca^{++}-free$ media, however, contraction did not develop. In the contracture induced by 60 mM K-Tyrode solution, the developed tension increased dose-dependently as the concentration of external $Ca^{++}$ increased to 8 mM. In the absence of external $Ca^{++}$ K-contracture appeared, but it was not sustained. 2) The spontaneous contraction of rat uterus was suppressed by verapamil in proportion to an increase of its concentration and totally abolished at the concentration of $3{\times}10^{-4}\;g/l$, but the spontaneous contraction re-appeared by addition of $Ca^{++}$. The amplitude of peak tension recovered completely but the recovery of frequency was incomplete. K-contracture decreased in a dose-dependent manner after the treatment with verapamil and totally disappeared at its concentration of $3{\times}10^{-4}\;g/l$. Even in this case contracture developed again by extra $Ca^{++}$. 3) The spontaneous contractile activity was inhibited by $La^{+++}$. At the concentration of $10^{-4}$M $La^{+++}$, fibrillation appeared. In the strip inhibited by $10^{-5}M\;La^{+++}$, contractility recovered completely by extra $Ca^{++}$ while in the $10^{-4}M\;La^{+++}$ treated preparation, the rhythmic spontaneous contraction did not develop even at the concentration of 16 mM $Ca^{++}$. After the initial transient depression of contracture tension by $10^{-3}M$ of $La^{+++}$, the strip stowed considerably large size of contracture, hardly influenced by external $Ca^{++}$ or verapamil. The results obtained in this experiment suggest that in the rat uterine muscle there would be some competitive actions between $Ca^{++}$ and its antagonists. It is speculated that $Ca^{++}$ plays an important role in the conduction of excitation, and $La^{+++}$ influences upon cellular $Ca^{++}$ mobilization and re-uptake process as well as transmembrane $Ca^{++}$ transport in a K-depolarized state.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.143-149
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• 2020

This study tried to observe the ability to inhibit vasocontriction in phloretin - the primary ingredient of apple tree leaves and the Manchurian apricot - through ROCK(Rho-associdated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase) inactivation in rat aortae. A piece of artery that was separated from Sprague-Dawley male rats and retained or damaged the endothelium was suspended in myograph tank with two metal rings, the lower ring fixed to the bottom of the tank, and the upper ring connected to the isotonic force transducer. Interestingly, phloretin inhibited fluoride- or phorbol ester-provoked contraction implying that additional pathways dissimilar from endothelial nitric oxide synthesis such as ROCK or MEK (mitogen activated protein kinase kinase) inactivation might be involved in the vasorelaxation. Therefore, this study provides that phloretin participates in the reduction of ROCK or MEK activity in smooth muscle in addition to the endothelial-dependent action of the endotheliuim in complete blood vessels, and consequently inhibits actin-myosin interaction in smooth muscle. Furthermore, phloretin inhibited thromboxane A2-induced contraction suggesting the mechanism including inhibition of ROCK and MEK.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.515-523
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• 2001

Background: More than 70% of morbidity and mortality of diabetes mellitus is due to macrovascular complications. These complications may be associated with defect of endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation. There have been suggestions that this defect might be due to direct toxicities of oxygen-free radical. So in this study ascorbic acid was used as a dietary supplement in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats to correct this defect. Material and Method: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. They were divided into control and experimental groups. Streptozotocin was injected to the 33 rats of experimental group and then divided into two the other receiving subgroups; one receiving ascorbic acid supplement(1 g/l in drinking water); and nosupplements. At 6, 9 and 12 weeks, abdominal aortic rings were obtained to make tissue preparations for evaluation of vascular smooth muscle contractility. Result: While control group showed good response to acetylcholine induced relaxation, diabetic group showed decreased relaxation regardless of ascorbic acid supplement at the experiments 6 weeks after streptozotocin treatment. This abnormal endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation was markedly reversed at 9 and 12 weeks into the diabetic group with ascorbic acid supplement. There were no differences in sodium nitroprusside induced relaxation responses between control and experimental groups; also, norepinephrine induced contractile responses did not show any remarkable effects. Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that the endothelial cells have defects in diabetic rats. Dietary supplement of ascorbic acid can reverse the defects of diabetic endothelial cells through its antioxidant effects and it may further protect against vascular disease in diabetic patients.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 1983

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of thyroid hormone on the left ventricular(LV) volume arid function in man with untreated hyperthyroidism and to determine the effects of successful therapy for thyrotoxicosis on the ventricular pathophysiology. In the present study, equilibrium radionuclide cardiac angiography was performed and LV volume index, ejection phase indexes of LV performance, serum thyroid hormone levels and other hemodynamic parameters were measured in 28 normal subjects and 39 patients with hyperthyroidism before treatment and again every 4 weeks for the first 2 months after the initiation of effective therapy. The results obtained were as follows; 1) In the untreated hyperthyroid state heart rate, blood volume, cardiac index and stroke volume index($97{\pm}14$ beats/min, $73.5{\pm}11.8ml/kg,\;6.9{\pm}1.4\;l/min/m^2$ and $77.6{\pm}13.8ml/m^2$, respectively) were increased significantly compared to those in normal control($74{\pm}12beats/min$, $66.6{\pm}14.8ml/kg,\;3.8{\pm}1.2\;l/min/m^2$ and $56.6{\pm}13.2ml/m^2$ respectively). $(Mean{\pm}SD)$ 2) There was a significant increase in LV end-diastolic volume index in patients with hyperthyroidism ($30.5{\pm}7.5$ for hyperthyroid group compared to a normal control of $22.2{\pm}6.5$; p<0.001), whereas end-systolic volume index remained unchanged $9.6{\pm}3.6\;and\;8.8{\pm}3.3$ respectively).3) In patients with hyperthyroidism, LV ejection fraction was $70.0{\pm}5.6%$, fractional shortening $32.9{\pm}5.1%$, mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening(mean Vcf) $1.34{\pm}0.31$ circ/sec and maximum ejection rate $3.47{\pm}0.80$. All the ejection phase indexes were significantly greater than those in normal control($65.2{\pm}5.7%,\;28.8{\pm}3.2%,\;0.88{\pm}0.37$ circ/see and $2.27{\pm}0.50$, respectively; p<0.001). 4) Effective therapy produced significant decrease in all the values of serum thyroid hormone concentrations(p<0.00l), hemodynamic parameters(p<0.001), end-diastolic volume index(p<0.01) and ejection phase indexes of LV contractility in patients with hyperthyroidism and after one to two months, when the patients were euthyroid, these measurements were in the range of normal. 5) A significant linear correlation between mean Vcf and serum thyroxine level(r=0.63, p<0.001) as well as between mean Vcf and serum triiodothyronine level(r=0.62, p<0.001) was found. The lesser degree of correlation was also noted between other ejection phase indexes and serum thyroid hormone concentrations. The results indicate that the major effects of excess thyroid hormone on the LV in human beings with hyperthyroidism are an enhancement of LV function and an increase in LV enddiastolic volume and that these effects cause predictable reversible cardiac alteration which are changed dramatically and immediately after effective therapy.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.106-120
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• 2010

Objectives: Sanjointang has been clinically used much for treating sleeplessness. However, the effects of Sanjointang in artificial sleep deprivation situations are not known. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the heart rate, left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular diastolic pressure, +dp/dt maximum, -dp/dt maximum, and -dp/dt / +dp/dt ratio which are related to the hemodynamic functions of the heart by using sleep-deprived Sparague-Dawley rats, in order to clarify the impact of Sanjointang on hemodynamic functions of the heart of sleep deprived rats. Methods: Eighteen hearts were removed from the male Sparague-Dawley rats weighting about 180g were perfused by the Langendorff technique with modified 37 Krebs-Henseleit's buffer solution at a constant perfusion pressure (60mmHg). They were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups, 1) Normal group (those which did not have sleep deprivation and received normal saline administration), 2) Control group (sleep deprived and normal saline administered), 3) Sample group (sleep deprived and Sanjointang was administered). Control and sample groups rats were deprived 96 hours of sleep by using the modified multiple platform technique. Heart rate, left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular diastolic pressure, +dp/dt maximum, -dp/dt maximum, -dp/dt / +dp/dt ratio were evaluated at baseline after the administration of either normal saline or Sanjointang. Results: The heart rate and -dp/dt / +dp/dt ratio was significantly decreased in rats with 96 hours of sleep deprived significantly decreased. The change in the heart rate after administering Sanjointang did not show any significant difference. The left ventricular systolic pressure of the removed heart significantly decreased due to Sanjointang administration, while the left ventricular diastolic pressure significantly increased (p<0.05). The +dp/dt maximum and -dp/dt maximum both significantly decreased in the removed heart after administering Sanjointang. (p<0.05). There was no significant difference observed in the -dp/dt / +dp/dt ratio after administering Sanjointang. Conclusions: According to the results above, sleep deprivation significantly decreases heart rate and -dp/dt / +dp/dt ratio. This is considered as a result of exhaustion due to accumulation of fatigue. Meanwhile, Sanjointang reduced left ventricular systolic pressure and raised left ventricular diastolic pressure, and relieved the contractility and relaxation of the myocardium. Consequently, this reduces the burden of the heart and creates a relatively stabilized heart condition similar to a sleeping condition.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.55-68
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• 1992

The effects of changes in extracellular $Na^+\;and\;Ca^+$ concentration on the membrane potential and contractility were studied in the antral circular muscle of guinea pig stomach in order to elucidate the existence and the nature of $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange mechanism. All experiments were performed in tris buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with 100% $O_2$ and kept at $35^{\circ}C.$ The treatment of $10^{-5}$ ouabain was performed to induce intracellular $Na^+$ loading prior to the start of experiment. The results were as follows: 1. $Na^+$-free Tyrode or high $Ca^{2+}$-Tyrode solution hyperpolarized the membrane potential and induced contracture. The time course of contracture was similar to that of change in membrane potential. 2. The degree of hyperpolarization and the amplitude of contracture decreased in accordance with the increase of extracellular $Na^+$ concentration. 3. $Na^+$-free contracture was developed even after blocking the influence of intrinsic nerves by the pretreatment with atropine, guanethidine and TTX. 4. $Ca^{2+}$-channel blockers(D-600 or $Mn^{2+}$) and the blocker of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum(ryanodine) did not suppress the development of $Na^+$-free contracture. And also, dinitrophenol had no effect on $Na^+$-free contracture. 5. Dose-response relationship between extracellular $Na^+$ concentrations and the magnitude of contractures showed a sigmoid pattern. The slope of straight line from Hill plot was 2.7. 6. In parallel with the increase of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration, the amplitude of contracture increased dose dependently and was maximum at 8 mM $Ca^{2+}$-Tyrode solution. 7. The relationship between extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations and the magnitude of contractures showed hyperbolic pattern. The slope of straight line from Hill plot was 1.1. From the above results, it is suggested that $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange mechanism exists in the antral circular muscle of guinea pig stomach and this mechanism affects the membrane potential electrogenically.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1 s.2
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• pp.21-29
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• 1966

Dichloroisoproterenol(DCI) i; one of the well known ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor blocking agents. According to Moran and Perkins, DCI has sympathomimetic like action in relatively low concentrations. Fleming and Hawkins confirmed that DCI acts upon the receptors concerned with positive chronotropic and inotropic actions in the heart. Vogins reported that DCI, in concentration of $5{\times}10^{-8}$ to $5{\times}10^{-6}g/ml$, had properties of sympathomimetic amine causing positive inotropic and chronotropic actions in normal rat atria. And James and Nadeau found that DCI had not only adrenergic blocking effect in moderate and higher concentrations, but it also blocked the effect on the sinus node by vagal stimulation and of directly administered acetylcholine in higher concentrations. As stated above by many authors, DCI has complicated actions according to its concentrations. Our aim at the present experiments was to study the effects of DCI to the action of ouabain and acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit atria, as well as to the action of barium chloride and acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit intestine. In addition, Pan ax Ginseng is widely used as tonics in oriental nations, its pharmacological action, however, has not been clearly established. So we atempted to investigate the effects of the water extract of Panax Ginseng to the action of ouabain and DCI upon both atria and intestine. The results obtained were as follows. 1) DCI has a negative inotropic effect on the excised rabbit atria at concentration of $10^{-5}$ and a positive inotropic effect at concentration of $10^{-6}$. 2) DCI (at concentration of $10^{-6}$) potentiates the positive inotropic effect of ouabain upon the excised rabbit atria. 3) DCI antagonizes the action of acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit atria. 4) The water extract of Panax Ginseng, at concentration of $10^{-3}$, decreases the contractile force of rabbit atria, and tends to slightly increase that of rabbit atria at $10^{-4}$. 5) The water extract of Panax Ginseng exhibits a synergistic action with ouabain on the contractile force of rabbit atria. 6) DCI, in concentrations of $10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-6}$, depresses the tone and amplitude of contraction of the excised rabbit intestine. The depression of the intestinal tone markedly appears in pretreatment with reserpine 2mg/kg 24 hours. 7) DCI antagonizes the contractile effect of barium chloride on the excised rabbit atria. 8) DCI has no significant influence on the action of acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit intestine. 9) The series of those evidences indicates that DCI has a sympathomimetic-like action and more over a relaxing action directly on the excised rabbit intestine. 10) The water extract of Panax Ginseng in concentrations of $10^{-4}{\sim}10^{-3}$, has transient depression of the intestinal tone, but later gradually recovers its normal motility: 11) The water extract of Panax Ginseng has a synergistic action with ouabain on the intestinal contractility.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.339-348
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• 2020

We aimed to characterize the participation of rapid non-genomic and delayed non-genomic/genomic or genomic mechanisms in vasoactive effects to triiodothyronine (T3), emphasizing functional analysis of the involvement of these mechanisms in the genesis of nitric oxide (NO) of endothelial or muscular origin. Influences of in vitro and in vivo T3 treatments on contractile and relaxant responsiveness of isolated rat aortas were studied. In vivo T3-treatment was 500 ㎍·kg^-1·d^-1, subcutaneous injection, for 1 (T3_1d) and 3 (T3_3d) days. In experiments with endothelium-intact aortic rings contracted with phenylephrine, increasing concentrations of T3 did not alter contractility. Likewise, in vitro T3 did not modify relaxant responses induced by acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) nor contractile responses elicited by phenylephrine or angiotensin II in endothelium-intact aortas. Concentration-response curves (CRCs) to acetylcholine and SNP in endothelium-intact aortic rings from T3_1d and T3_3d rats were unmodified. T3_3d, but not T3_1d, treatment diminished CRCs to phenylephrine in endothelium-intact aortic rings. CRCs to phenylephrine remained significantly depressed in both endothelium-denuded and endothelium-intact, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor-treated, aortas of T3_3d rats. In endothelium-denuded aortas of T3_3d rats, CRCs to angiotensin II, and high K⁺ contractures, were decreased. Thus, in vitro T3 neither modified phenylephrine-induced active tonus nor CRCs to relaxant and contractile agonists in endothelium-intact aortas, discarding rapid non-genomic actions of this hormone in smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Otherwise, T3_3d-treatment inhibited aortic smooth muscle capacity to contract, but not to relax, in an endothelium- and NO-independent manner. This effect may be mediated by delayed non-genomic/genomic or genomic mechanisms.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 1997

It has been demonstrated that majority of cells in the mammalian body such as myocytes and epithelial cells of skin and intestine respond to mechanical force or environmental factors and exhibit partial disruption of cell membrane, i. e., cell wounding, even in a physiological condition. Myocardial cells are rather apt to be wounded than other cells since they are definitely exposed to mechanical stress by contraction-relaxation and blood flow. However, the mechanism how myocardial cells protect themselves against cell wounding is not yet clarified. On this background, the present study was performed to elucidate whether albumin leakage is related to cell wounding and to assess whether diltiazem, a potent calcium channel blocker, is beneficial in isoproterenol-induced cell wounding in the heart. Hearts isolated from New Zealand White rabbits ($1.5\sim2.0kg$ body weight, n=20) were perfused with Tyrode solution by Langendorff technique. After stabilization of baseline hemodynamics, the hearts were subjected to bolus administration of isoproterenol and diltiazem as following order: $1.6{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at zero min (the beginning point): $16{\mu}M$ diltiazem at 20min; $1.6{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at 25min; $16{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at 45 min; $160{\mu}M$ diltiazem at 65 min; $16{\mu}M$ isoproterenol at 70 min. During all experiments, the left ventricular function was recorded, albumin leakage in the coronary effluents was analyzed by electrophoresis and Western blot, and myocardial cell membranes were examined by conventional transmission electron microscopy. Data were analyzed by t-test and linear regression test. Isoproterenol significantly increased the inotropic and chronotropic contractions, coronary flow, and frequency of arrhythmia, however, diltiazem did not influence on hemodynamics except decrease in the frequency of arrhythmia and a slight decrease in contractility. Isoproterenol also resulted partial disruption of myocardial cell membrane and inclose in albumin leakage, while diltiazem pretreatment showed number of electron-dense plaques in the cell membrane and a tendency of decrease in albumin leakage. These results indicate that albumin leakage may be an indirect index of cell wounding in the heart and diltiazem nay be beneficial to protect myocardial cells against isoproterenol-induced cell wounding. It is likely that diltiazem promotes resealing process of the cell membrane.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.199-212
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• 1983

The inhibition/influences of adenine compounds on the heart have been described repeatedly by many investigators, since the first report by Druny and Szent-Gyorgyi [1929]. These studies have shown that adenosine and adenine nucleotides have an over-all effect similar to that of acetylcholine [ACh] by slowing and weakening the heartbeat. The basic cellular and membrane events underlying the inhibitory action of adenosine on sinus rate, however, are not well understood. Furthermore, the physiological role of adenosine in regulation of the heartbeat remains still to be elucidated. Therefore, this study was undertaken in order to examine the response of rabbit SA node to adenosine and to compare the response to that of ACh. Isolated SA node preparation, whole atrial pair, or left atrlal strip was used in each experiment. Action potentials of SA node were recorded through the intracellular glass microelectrodes, which were filled with 3M KCI and had resistance of 30-50 M. All experiments were performed in a bicarbonate-buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with 3% $CO_2-97%$ $O_2$ gas mixture and kept at $35^{\circ}C$. Spontaneous firing rate of SA node at 35C [Mean + SEM, n=16] was 154 + 3.3 beats/min. The parameters of action potentials were: maximum astolic potential [MDP], -731.7mV: overshoot [OS], 9 + 1.4mV; slope of pacemaker potential [SPP], 94 3.0mV/sec.Adenosine suppressed the firing rate of SA node in a dose dependent manner. This inhibitory effect appeared at the concentration of $10^{-6}M$ and was potentiated in parallel with the increase in adenosine concentration. Changes in action potential by adenosine were dose-dependent increase of MDP and decrease of SPP until $10^{-4}$. Above this concentration, however, the amplitude of action potential decreased markedly due to the simultaneous decrease of both MDP and OS. All these effects of adenosine were not affected by pretreatment of atropine [2mg/l] and propranolol [$5{\times}10^{-6}M$]. ACh [$10^{-6}M$] responses on action potential were similar to those of adenosine by increasing MDP and decreasing SPP. These effects of ACh disappeared by pretreatment of atropine [2mg/1]. Inhibition/effects of adenosine and ACh on sinus rate were enhanced synergistically with the simultaneous administration of adenosine and ACh. Marked decrease of overshoot potential was the most prominent feature on action potential. Dipyridamole [DPM], which is known to block the adenosine transport across cell membrane, definitely potentiated the action of adenosine . Adenosine suppressed the sinus rate and atrial contractility in the same dosage range, even in the reserpinized preparation. Above` results suggest that adenosine suppresses pacemaker activity, like ACh, by acting directly on the membrane of SA node, increasing MDP and decreasing SPP.