• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 1988

Pharmacological actions of an antispasmodic agent, oxybutynin were investigated in the isolated procine coronary arteries. The coronary rings were contracted by acetylcholine (ACh) and KCl in a dose-dependent fashion. The ACh-induced contractions were signifcantly potentiated by removal of endothelium and $EC_{50}=0.52\;{\mu}M$ of intact endothelial rings was about 2 times greater than $EC_{50}=0.28\;{\mu}M$ of rings without the endothelium. These results suggest that the endothelium plays an inhibitory role in ACh-induced contraction. Oxybutynin and atropine inhibited dose-dependently $1.0\;{\mu}M$ ACh-induced contraction and atropine inhibited dose-dependently $1.0\;{\mu}M$ ACh-induced contraction and the $IC_{50s}$ were 11.0 nM and 0.47 nM, respectively. Atropine did not affect 35 mM KCl-induced contraction but oxybutynin inhibited the contraction to the basal tension in a dose-dependent manner. The $IC_{50}$ of oxybutynin on the KCl-induced contraction was $49.7\;{\mu}M$. The dose-response curve to ACh was parallelly shifted to the right by pretreating coronary rings with $IC_{50}$ of atropine (0.47 nM) or oxybutynin (11.0 nM) but the curve to KC1 was rightward shifted in a noncompetitive manner under pretreatment with $IC_{50}$ of oxybutynin $(49.7\;{\mu}M$). Oxybutynin inhibited $0.1\;{\mu}M$ Bay K 8644-induced contraction to the basal tension in a dose dependent manner, but $35\;{\mu}M$ histamine-induced contraction was inhibited to only 50e/e of the original level even in maximal concentration $(5{\times}10^{-4}M)$ of oxybutynin. These results suggest that oxybutynin causes antispasmodic action through sensitive blocking action on muscarinic receptors and inhibitory action on calcium influx in the procine coronary artery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2009

Background: Zaprinast is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 5, 6 and 9. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors could produce anti-nociceptive effects by promoting the accumulation of cGMP. We hypothesized that intrathecal zaprinast could attenuate the allodynia induced by chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve in rat. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared with four loose ligations of the left sciatic nerve just proximal to the trifurcation into the sural, peroneal and tibial nerve branches. Tactile allodynia was measured by applying von Frey filaments to the lesioned hindpaw. The thresholds for the withdrawal responses were assessed. Zaprinast ($3-100{\mu}g$) was administered intrathecally by the direct lumbar puncture method to obtain the dose-response curve and the 50% effective dose ($ED_{50}$). Measurements were taken before and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min after the intrathecal doses of zaprinast. The side effects were also observed. Results: Intrathecal zaprinast resulted in a dose-dependent antiallodynic effect. The maximal effects occurred within 15-30 min and then they gradually decreased down to the baseline level over time in all the groups. There was a dose dependent increase in the magnitude and duration of the effect. The $ED_{50}$ value was $17.4{\mu}g$ (95% confidence intervals; $14.7-20.5{\mu}g$). No severe motor weakness or sedation was observed in any of the rats. Conclusions: Intrathecally administered zaprinast produced a dose-dependent antiallodynic effect in the chronic constriction injury neuropathic pain model. These findings suggest that spinal phosphodiesterase 5, 6 and 9 may play an important role in the modulation of neuropathic pain.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.628-634
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• 1999

We have studied, by a nonisotopic in situ end-labeling(ISEL) technique, frequency of apoptosis in the external granular layer(EGL) of the cerebellum of immature mice by ${\gamma}$-rays irradiation from $^{60}Co$ or diagnostic ultrasound exposure. The total number of normal cells and cells showing morphological features of apoptosis were counted. The frequency of apoptotic cells was expressed as a percentage of the total number of cells in EGL. The extent of changes following 200 cGy(1090 cGy/min) was studied at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 24 hours after exposure. The maximal frequency was found 6~8 hours after exposure. The immature mice that received 18, 36, 54, 108, 198, 396 cGy of ${\gamma}$-rays or diagnostic ultrasound(7.5MHz, 4.2mW, $I_{SPTA}=7.9mW/cm^2$, $I_{SPTA}=114.3W/cm^2$) for 10 or 30 minutes were examined 6 hours after irradiation. Measurements performed after ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation showed a dose-related increase in apoptotic cells in each of the mice studied. The dose-response curves were analyzed by a linear-quadratic model ; frequency of apoptotic cell in the EGL was y = $(0.1349{\pm}0.01175)D$+$(-0.0001522{\pm}0.0000334)D^2$+0.048($r^2$ = 0.981, D = dose in cGy). In the experiment of ultrasound exposure, the frequency of apoptotic cell was $0.106{\pm}0.130$(10 minutes exposure) and $0.167{\pm}0.220$(30 minutes exposure). We estimated the relative dose of the yield from the experiment with ultrasound by substituting the yield from ultrasound exposure into the curve from the ${\gamma}$-irradiation. The relative dose of ultrasound exposure compared with ${\gamma}$-irradiation were 0.432 cGy(10 minutes exposure) and 0.885 cGy(30 minutes exposure). We have found that there is no evidence to indicate that diagnostic ultrasound involves a significant risk.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.184-188
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• 2007

The major goal in the treatment of diabetes mellitus is to achieve near-normal glycemic control. To optimize both fasting blood glucose and postprandial glucose levels is important in keeping blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. ${\alpha}-Glucosidase$ is the enzyme that digests dietary carbohydrate, and inhibition of this enzyme could suppress postprandial hyperglycemia. The purpose of this study was to test the inhibitory activity of methanol extract of Euonymus alatus on ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ in vitro and in vivo to evaluate its possible use as an anti-diabetic agent. Yeast ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activities of methanol extract of E. alatus were measured at concentrations of 0.50, 0.25, 0.10, and 0.05 mg/ml. The ability of E. alatus to lower postprandial glucose was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A starch solution (1 g/kg) with and without E. alatus extract (500 mg/kg) was administered to diabetic rats by gastric intubation after an overnight fast. Plasma glucose levels were measured at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min. Plasma glucose levels were expressed in increments from baseline, and incremental areas under the response curve were calculated. Extract of E. alatus, which had an $IC_{50}$ value of 0.272 mg/ml, inhibited yeast ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ activity in a concentration-dependent manner. A single oral dose of E. alatus extract significantly inhibited increases in blood glucose levels at 60 and 90 min (p<0.05) and significantly decreased incremental response areas under the glycemic response curve (p<0.05). These results suggest that E. alatus has an antihyperglycemic effect by inhibiting ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ activity in this animal model of diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.25-30
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• 1992

With transmitted dose through chest which has the problem of wide variations in absorption, simple film/screen combination method makes it diffucult to image lung field, mediastinum and retrocardiac areas. In order to overcome this, it is very common to use the high kilovoltage technique in diminishing the differences between high and low contrast. We have been adopting this method at department of diagnostic radiology, Seoul National University Hospital. To compare the image of it with that of low kilovoltage technique, we did radiographic tests using beans on the skin. We marked off into three anatomical categories such as lungs, mediastinum and near diaphragm, then attached a bean on a marked area at random. In order to compare with high and low, we took a radiography of high($120{\sim}140\;kVp$) and low($70{\sim}90\;kVp$) kilovoltage tehchniques, respectively at the same time. We have done experiments 320 cases. We evaluated the results of test in response to sensitivity(true positive) and specificity(true negative). In evaluating, we gave them points from 1 to 5 according to true or false. With given points by a radiologist having much experiences, we could acquire the percentage of sensitivity and specificity. The percentage made us to get the schematic table of ROC curve of those two methods. Consequently, high kilovoltage technique appeared 18% better than low kilovoltage technique for detecting beans with our apparatus.

• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.326-331
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• 1997

To construct a competitive ELISA standard curve for the detection of glucose-6-phosphate debydrogenase (G6PD), we used highly purified native G6PD (nG6PD) as both immobilized and soluble antigens and anti-G6PD serum raised against nG6PD as antibody. The polystyrene cuvettes coated with nG6PD were challenged with a mixture of a limiting amount of anti-G6PD serum and various doses of nG6PD as competitors followed by incubation with alkaline phosphatase-anti-IgG conjugate. The competitive ELISA did not exhibit the typical sigmoidal dose-response curve characteristic of competition immunoassays under the optimal concentrations of antigen and antibody. The soluble nG6PD used as competitor failed to effectively inhibit the binding of antibodies to the immobilized nG6PD. The addition of NADP, a cofactor of G6PD enzyme, to coating buffer used for immobilizing nG6PD to the cuvettes and PBS-Tween-BSA buffer for diluting competitors did not improve the inhibition of antibody binding to immobilized nG6PD by soluble n/G6PD. The addition of BSA to coating buffer did not increase inhibition, either. Surprisingly, when partially active G6PD (paG6PD), obtained by repeated freeze-thawing, was used as competitor, the antibody binding to either immobilized nG6PD or immobilized paG6PD was inhibited 49-58%. We conclude that an effective competitive ELISA system with nG6PD enzyme and anti-G6PD serum for the detection of G6PD may not be established due to the poor inhibition of antibody binding to immobilized nG6PD by soluble nG6PD under the present assay conditions and that the inhibition may be improved by using an inactivated enzyme as competitor regardless of the type of immobilized antigen used. These results imply that the immobilized nG6PD may undergo denaturation upon binding to the polystyrene cuvettes and that our anti-G6PD serum may recognize denatured enzyme better than active enzyme.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 2010

Sperm chromatin integrity is essential for successful fertilization and development of an embryo. Reported here is a quantification of DNA fragments which is intimately associated with reproductive potential to provide one of criteria for sperm chromatin integrity. Three sperm populations were considered: CONTROL (no treatment), UV irradiation (48mW/$cm^2$, 1h) and $H_2O_2$ (oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide, 10 mM, 50 mM and 100 mM). DNA fragments in boar sperm were evaluated by using ligation-mediated quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (LM-qPCR) assay, which relies on real-time qPCR to provide a measure of blunt 5' phosphorylated double strand breaks in genomic DNA. The results in agarose gel electrophoresis showed no significant DNA fragmentation and no dose-dependent response to $H_2O_2$. However, the remarkable difference in shape and position was observed in melting curve of LM-qPCR. This result supported that the melting curve analysis of LM-qPCR presented here, could be more sensitive and accurate than previous DNA fragmentation assay method.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.902-905
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• 2002

The most common form of genetic nephrogenic diabetes insipidus(NDI), a rare inherited disorder, is congenital and is transmitted in an X-linked recessive mode. It is refractory to the antidiuretic effect of normal to moderately increased levels of plasma arginine vasopressin(AVP) but, in some cases, may respond to high levels of the hormone or its analogue, deamino-D-arginine vasopressin(DDAVP). X-linked congenital NDI has now been linked to over 128 different mutations in diverse coding regions of the AVP receptor 2(AVPR2) gene. The functional effects of these mutations vary from complete loss of responsiveness to a simple shift to the right in the dose response curve. We report a case of congenital partial NDI, with transversion of A to G at codon 280 of the AVPR2 gene, resulting in a subsequent change of amino acid from tyrosine to cysteine, and that has been effective with hydrochlorothiazide and high dose of DDAVP.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.131-136
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• 2011

Background: Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant and analgesic agent that interacts selectively with the voltage-sensitive-$Ca^{2+}$-channel alpha-2-delta subunit. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the analgesic action of intrathecal (IT) pregabalin is associated with KATP channels in the rat formalin test. Methods: IT PE-10 catheters were implanted in male Sprague-Dawley rats (250.300 g) under inhalation anesthesia using enflurane. Nociceptive behavior was defined as the number of hind paw flinches during 60 min after formalin injection. Ten min before formalin injection, IT drug treatments were divided into 3 groups: normal saline (NS) $20\;{\mu}l$ (CON group); pregabalin 0.3, 1, 3 and $10\;{\mu}g$ in NS $10\;{\mu}l$ (PGB group); glibenclamide $100\;{\mu}g$ in DMSO $5\;{\mu}l$ with pregabalin 0.3, 1, 3 and $10\;{\mu}g$ in NS $5\;{\mu}l$ (GBC group). All the drugs were flushed with NS $10\;{\mu}l$. Immunohistochemistry for the $K_{ATP}$ channel was done with a different set of rats divided into naive, NS and PGB groups. Results: IT pregabalin dose-dependently decreased the flinching number only in phase 2 of formalin test. The log dose response curve of the GBC group shifted to the right with respect to that of the PGB group. Immunohistochemistry for the $K_{ATP}$ channel expression on the spinal cord dorsal horn showed no difference among the groups 1 hr after the formalin test. Conclusions: The antinociceptive effect of pregabalin in the rat formalin test was associated with the activation of the $K_{ATP}$ channel. However, pregabalin did not induce $K_{ATP}$ channel expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 1982

Yeum et al. formulated a new hot-plate method using the threshold temperature, and there are some controversies on the effects of naloxone and diazepam on the antinociceptive action. In this paper, the comparison of three methods registering analgesic activity and the application of the new hot-plate method formulated by Yeum et al. on the study of the influences of naloxone and diazepam on the analgesic effect of morphine were tried in male mice. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1) The least-square regression lines of the morphine analgesia plotted against log-dose showed the correlation coefficient of above 0.90, but the competitive antagonism produced by naloxone (0.1 mg/kg) against the analgesia was more prominently demonstated by the new hot-plate method than the other methods: original hot-plate method and electrical stimulation method. 2) In the experiment using the new hot-plate method, the log dose-response curve of morphine (y=7.30 x+49.80, r=0.998) was shifted to the right by the pretreatment of naloxone (0.1 mg/kg), but was slightly shifted to the left by the pretreatment of diazepam (2.5 mg/kg). This study suggests that for the analgesia experiment, the new hot-plate method is superior to the original hot-plate method or the electrical stimulation method, and that the potentiative effect of diazepam on the morphine anagesia is not significant.