• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.57-58
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• 2006

Red ginseng is a classical traditional Chinese medicine. Among Chinese herbs, red ginseng has been considered as one of the tonics. Many studies indicated that red ginseng could enhance immune function of the human body. Red ginseng total saponin, ginsenoside, the most important active constituents identified in red ginseng can protect against myocardial ischaemia damage and protect endothelium against electrolysis-induced free radical injury. Macrophages play a significant role in host defense mechanisms. When activated, they inhibit the growth of a wide variety of tumor cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pure ginsenoside Rb1 on immunostimulatory activity such as murine macrophage phagocytosis and proliferation of splenocytes. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on the production of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) in murine macrophage, RAW 264.7 cells. ROS have emerged as important signaling molecules in the regulation of various cellular processes. Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly increased production of ROS in dose dependent manner. As NO plays an important role in immune function, ginsenoside Rb1 treatment could modulate several aspects of host defense mechanisms due to stimulation. Treatment with ginsenoside Rb1 to macrophages induced the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines and expression levels of these genes in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, incubation of RAW 264.7 cells with ginsenoside Rb1 showed a dose dependent increased phagocytosis activity and lymphocyte proliferation of splenocytes. Therefore, these results suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 has promising potential as a natural medicine for stimulation of the immune system.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.271-280
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• 2020

Hypertension has been approved to cause disharmony between the heart and kidney such as cardiac hypertrophy and kidney dysfunction. In traditional oriental medicine Paeo-tang (PET) has been shown to have effects on blood circulation improvement. However, the beneficial effect of PET on hypertension remains unknown. In this study, we investigated that PET attenuates blood pressure and improves cardiovascular and renal function in NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) rat model. Hypertensive rat models were induced by the administration of L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day) and then PET (50 or 100 mg/kg/day) or Olmetec was treated for 2 weeks. PET treatment significantly suppressed the systolic blood pressure and decreased intima-media thickness in the thoracic aorta. PET ameliorated endothelium-dependent and independent vascular relaxation in the L-NAME-induced vascular dysfunction. PET ameliorated the functional decline in the kidney such as albumin and blood urea nitrogen in plasma. These results demonstrated that PET possesses protective effects against L-NAME-induced hypertension.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.213-223
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• 1993

To investigate the endothelium dependent vascular reactivity of the systemic arterial and the pulmonary arterial system in acute renal hypertensive rats of 2-kidney, 1-ligation type (RHRs), acetylcholine (ACh)-induced vasodilation and depressor effects were evaluated in isolated arteries and in vivo, respectively, in the presence and absence of functional endothelium. ACh $(10^{-5}\;M)$ relaxed the intact thoracic aortas from RHRs and normotensive rats (NRs), but the effect was significantly smaller for those from RHRs (34 and 86%, respectively, p<0.01). ACh-induced vasodilation was completely abolished after removal of endothelial cell or pretreatment with EDRF inhibitors, L-NAME and MB, indicative of its dependence on intact endothelial or EDRF function. ACh also induced vasorelaxation of the intact pulmonary arteries from RHRs and NRs; however, unlike the effects on the thorcic aorta, no significant difference in amplitude was noted between two groups. ACh $(0.1{\sim}10\;{\mu}g/kg,\;i.v.)$ reduced mean systemic arterial pressure in anesthetized RHRs and in NRs to the similar magnitude (% change: 39 and 46% at $10\;{\mu}g/kg$, respectively) and these hypotensive effects were significantly decreased after pretreatment with L-NAME (30 mg/kg, i.v.). Deprssor effects of ACh on mean pulmonary arterial pressure were similar in RHRs and NRs with and without pretreatment of L-NAME. However, in both NRs and RHRs, the depressor effects of ACh on mean pulmonary arterial pressure were significantly reduced compared with those for mean systemic arterial pressure, and the increment of mean pulmonary arterial pressure noted after L-NAME $(0.1{\mu}100\;mg/kg,\;i.v.)$ was significantly smaller than that for mean systemic arterial pressure. These results indicate that in RHRs the endothelial cell function was impaired, at least in part, in systemic arterial system, but not in pulmonary arterial system, and both ACh-evoked and basal release of EDRF was less in the pulmonary arterial system than in systemic arterial system of both NRs and RHRs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.299-302
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• 2002

Selectins are differentially expressed carbohydrate binding proteins involved in the initiation of tissue inflammation by mediating the rolling and tethering of leukocytes on the vascular endothelium. This primary event in initiation of inflammation, as occurs during reperfusion injury, can be therapeutically targeted using selectin inhibitors, which generally block binding of sLex to E-, P-, and L-selectins. The objective of this study was to determine the role of selectins in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury after kidney transplantation. Canine kidneys were subjected to 60-min warm ischemia, flushed with UW solution, cold stored for 24 h, and autotransplanted into the nephrectomized donor. Renal autografts were monitored for 7 days by serum creatinine in the first study and by histology and myeloperoxidase activity after 4-hour reperfusion in the second study. In each study, one group of animals received TBC1269 (selectin inhibitor) and the other received saline vehicle. Serum creatinine rose quickly after transplantation and was not different between the groups. TBC1269 abolished a reperfusion-induced 2-fold increase in renal cortex neutrophil infiltration and improved histologic signs of ischemia after 4 hours of reperfusion. Selectin blockade does not improve the course of injury caused by warm renal ischemia. A minor benefit associated with the inhibition of early inflammation during reperfusion after kidney transplantation seems to occur.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.174-180
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• 2006

We examine the effect of Geiji-Bokryung-Hwan(GBH) on erectile function in a rat model of hypercholesterolemic erectile dysfunction. GBH, a drug preparation consisting of five herbs of Cinnamomi Ramulus (Geiji), Poria Cocos (Bokryun), Mountan Cortex Radicis (Mokdanpi), Paeoniae Radix (Jakyak), and Persicae Semen (Doin) is a traditional Korean herbal medicine that is widely used in the treatment of atherosclerosis-related disorders. In this study, 3-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The 6 rats control animals were fed a normal diet and the other 18 rats were fed 1% cholesterol diet for 3 months. After 1 months, GBH was added to the drinking water of the treatment group of 12 rats but not the cholesterol only group of 6 rats. Of the 12 rats 6 received 30 mg/kg per day (group 1) and 6 received 60 mg/kg per day (group 2) of GBH. At 3 months erectile function was evaluated with cavernous nerve electrostimulation in all animals. Penile tissues were collected for electron microscopy, and to perform Western blot for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and caveolin-1. Systemic arterial pressure was not significantly different between the animals that were fed the 1% cholesterol diet and the controls. Conversely erectile function was not impaired in the herbal medicine treated rats. Electron microscopy showed many caveolae with fingerlike processes in the cavernous smooth muscle and endothelial cell membranes in control and treated rats but not in the cholesterol only group of rats. Western blot showed differences among groups in protein expression for eNOS, nNOS, caveolin-1 and bFGF protein expression in penile tissue. Increased eNOS and nNOS protein expressions dy high cholesterol diet were significantly decreased in group 1 and group 2. Interestingly, caveolin-1 and bFGF protein expression was significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in the cholesterol only and control groups.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.411-418
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• 2014

Vascular remodelling is an adaptive mechanism, which counteracts pressure changes in blood circulation. Nicotine content in cigarette increases the risk of hypertension. The exact relationship between nicotine and vascular remodelling still remain unknown. Current study was aimed to determine the effect of clinically relevant dosage of nicotine (equivalent to light smoker) on aortic reactivity, oxidative stress markers and histomorphological changes. Twelve age-matched male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, i.e.: normal saline as control or 0.6 mg/kg nicotine for 28 days (i.p., n=6 per group). On day-29, the rats were sacrificed and the thoracic aorta was dissected immediately for further studies. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP) of nicotine-treated vs. control were significantly increased (p<0.05). Nicotine-treated group showed significant (p<0.05) increase tunica media thickness, and decrease in lumen diameter, suggesting vascular remodelling which lead to prior hypertension state. The phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractile response in nicotine group was significantly higher than control group ($ED_{50}=1.44{\times}10^5M$ vs. $4.9{\times}10^6M$) (p<0.05~0.001). However, nicotine-treated rat showed significantly lower endothelium-dependent relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) than in control group ($ED_{50}=6.17{\times}10^7M$ vs. $2.82{\times}10^7M$) (p<0.05), indicating loss of primary vascular function. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker was significantly higher in nicotine group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymatic activity and glutathione (GSH) were all reduced in nicotine group (p<0.05) vs. control, suggesting nicotine induces oxidative imbalance. In short, chronic nicotine administration impaired aortic reactivity, probably via redox imbalance and vascular remodelling mechanism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.351-361
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• 1989

The contraction of renal arterial strip by no.epineph.me (NE) or 40 mM $K^+$ were Significantly attenuated after histamine $(10^{-5}\;M)-induced$ contraction. The mechanisms of this phenomenon were investigated in the helical strips of isolated renal artery with the measurement of isometric tension. The arterial strip was immersed in the tris-buffered Tyrode's solution which was equilibrated with 100% $O_2\;at\;35^{\circ}C$. The contraction was induced by NE or 40 mM $K^+$ during the recovery from the histamine-induced contraction which lasted for 15 minutes. The contraction by NE was also attenuated in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ Tyrode's solution and the increase of contraction by addition of 2 mM $Ca^{2+}$ was attenuated as well. This attenuation phenomenon was not observed in the presence of low concentration $(3{\times}10^{-7}\;M)$ of histamine. This attenuation was not affected by destruction of endothelium, pretreatment with papaverine or propranolol. This attenuation was partially inhibited by pretreatment of ouabain or in low $K^+(0.5 mM)$ Tyrode's solution. But the attenuation in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ Tyrode's solution was not inhibited. Furthermore this attenuation was completely blocked by pretreatment of djphenhydramine $(H_1-receptor blocker)$ and potentiated by pretreatment of cimetidine $(H_2-receptor\;blocker)$. This attenuation Phenomenon was disappeared after recovery of 1 hour. From the above results, it is suggested that the attenuation phenomenon may be resulted partially from the activation of $Na^+-K^+$ exchange pump and partially from the depletion of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ pool after the histamine-induced contraction mediated through $H_1-receptor$ function.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.1 s.34
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• pp.41-46
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• 1984

Cadmium (Cd) was administered by a series of weekly intraperitoneal injections at dose of 2mg/kg in rabbits and rats. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and thromboxane $B^2(TXB_2)$ in platelet-rich plasma from Cd-poisoned animals were significantly higher than those of the control group. Furthermore, the inhibition of 6-keto-prostaglandin $F_{1{\alpha}}$, production in Cd-treated aorta ring was inversely related to the enhancement of platelet aggregation. These results suggest that Cd not only inhibits prostacyclin synthesis in the arterial endothelium, but also stimulates the platelet aggregation by enhancing thromboxane AZ production. These findings are assumed to support the evidence of an effect of Cd toxicity on the vascular wall and platelet function in raising arteriall pressure.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.98-100
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• 2003

Synthetic polymers such as PET and ePTFE have widely been used for artificial vascular patches. However, these materials cannot function for a long term as blood vessel due to thrombotic occlusion and calcification. To overcome this limitation, a biocompatible vascular patch was developed using stem cell and tissue engineering approach. Autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were differentiated into vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. These cells were seeded onto collagen patch matrices. The matrices were anastomosed to abdominal arteries in canine models. Prior to implantation, histological and scanning electron microscopical examination revealed stem cell adhesion and growth on the matrices. At 3 weeks, the implanted vascular patches were patent. Histological examination showed the regeneration of endothelium, media and adventitia in the grafts. Cell tracing analysis using fluorescent reagent showed that labeled stem cells were present in the implanted grafts and contributed to the regeneration of vascular tissues. This study may help us develop a tissue-engineered vascular patch appropriate for clinical applications.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.587-595
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• 1999

This study was designed to investigate effects of calcium antagonists on endothelial and neuronal dysfunction of right coronary artery (RCA) induced by ischemia- reperfusion in anesthetized, open-chest pigs. After reperfusion, pigs were sacrificed and the RCA was rapidly dissected for in vitro experiments. Experimental groups were divided into 4 groups: control (C-RCA), ischemia-reperfusion only (I-RCA), verapamil infusion (VI-RCA) and nifedipine infusion (NI-RCA) group, respectively. The ischemia did not affect hemodynamics, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, LVdP/dtmax, and decreased RCA flow. Arterial pressure and heart rate during ischemia-reperfusion were decreased in VI-RCA and NI-RCA, and RCA flow during reperfusion was increased in NI-RCA. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) produced concentration-dependent contractions in C-RCA. The 5-HT-induced contractions were potentiated in I-RCA and VI-RCA, but not in NI-RCA. Endothelium-dependent relaxation by calcium ionophore A23187 was inhibited in I-RCA and VI-RCA, and recovered in NI-RCA. Cyclic GMP contents were decreased in I-RCA group alone. Electrical field stimulation in C-RCA produced transient and frequency-dependent contractions and at 50 Hz caused biphasic contractions. The transient contractions were not affected by pretreatment with phentolamine and atropine, but the biphasic contraction was altered by the pretreatment. Both contractions were inhibited in I-RCA, and were partially recovered in VI-RCA and NI-RCA. Ischemia-reperfusion of RCA in pigs causes endothelial and neuronal dysfunctions, and calcium antagonists partially prevent both.