• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.97-106
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• 2007

The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of nicorandil, which is an ATP-sensitive potassium ($K_{ATP}$) channel opener, on secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by cholinergic stimulation and membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal glands. The perfusion of nicorandil ($0.3{\sim}3.0mM$) into an adrenal vein for 90 min produced relatively dose-and time-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $k^+$ (a direct membrane depolarizer, 56 mM), DMPP (a selective neuronal nicotinic receptor agonist, $100{\mu}M$ for 2 min), McN-A-343 (a selective muscarinic $M_1$ receptor agonist, $100{\mu}M$ for 4 min), Bay-K-8644 (an activator of L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channels, $10{\mu}M$ for 4 min) and cyclopiazonic acid (an activator of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase, $10{\mu}M$ for 4 min). In adrenal glands simultaneously preloaded with nicorandil (1.0 mM) and glibenclamide (a nonspecific $K_{ATP}$-channel blocker, 1.0 mM), the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were recovered to the considerable extent of the control release in comparison with that of nicorandil-treatment only. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that nicorandil inhibits the adrenal CA secretion in response to stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal glands. It seems that this inhibitory effect of nicorandil may be mediated by inhibiting both $Ca^{2+}$ influx and the $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular store through activation of $K_{ATP}$ channels in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. These results suggest that nicorandil-sensitive $K_{ATP}$ channels may play an inhibitory role in the regulation of the rat adrenomedullary CA secretion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.517-526
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• 2009

The present study was attempted to investigate whether polyphenolic compounds isolated from wine, which is brewed from Rubus coreanum Miquel (PCRC), may affect the release of catecholamines (CA) from the isolated perfused adrenal medulla of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and to establish its mechanism of action. PCRC $(20\sim180\;{\mu}g/ml)$ perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min relatively dose-dependently inhibited the CA secretory responses to ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (56 mM), DMPP $(100\;{\mu}M)$ and McN-A-343 $(100\;{\mu}M)$. PCRC itself did not affect basal CA secretion (data not shown). Also, in the presence of PCRC $(60\;{\mu}g/ml)$, the CA secretory responses to veratridine (a selective $Na^+$ channel activator $(10\;{\mu}M)$, Bay-K-8644 (a L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, $10\;{\mu}M$), and cyclopiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor, $10\;{\mu}M$) were significantly reduced, respectively. In the simultaneous presence of PCRC $(60\;{\mu}g/ml)$ and L-NAME (an inhibitor of NO synthase, $30\;{\mu}M$), the inhibitory responses of PCRC on the CA secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, and Bay-K-8644 were considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with that of PCRC-treatment alone. The level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of PCRC $(60\;{\mu}g/ml)$ was greatly elevated compared with the corresponding basal level. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PCRC inhibits the CA secretion from the isolated perfused adrenal medulla of the SHRs evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization. It seems that this inhibitory effect of PCRC is mediated by blocking the influx of calcium and sodium into the adrenal medullary chromaffin cells of the SHRs as well as by inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of NO synthase.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.229-239
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• 2009

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of provinol, which is a mixture of polyphenolic compounds from red wine, on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla, and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Provinol (0.3 ${\sim}$ 3 ${\mu}g/ml$) perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min dose- and time-dependently inhibited the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (a direct membrane-depolarizer, 56 mM), DMPP (a selective neuronal nicotinic $N_N$ receptor agonist, 100 ${\mu}M$) and McN-A-343 (a selective muscarinic $M_1$ receptor agonist, 100 ${\mu}M$). Provinol itself did not affect basal CA secretion. Also, in the presence of provinol (1 ${\mu}g/ml$), the secretory responses of CA evoked by Bay-K-8644 (a voltage-dependent L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, 10 ${\mu}M$), cyclopiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor, 10 ${\mu}M$) and veratridine (an activator of voltage-dependent $Na^+$ channels, 10 ${\mu}M$) were significantly reduced. Interestingly, in the simultaneous presence of provinol (1 ${\mu}g/ml$) plus L-NAME (a selective inhibitor of NO synthase, 30 ${\mu}M$), the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclpiazonic acid recovered to the considerable extent of the corresponding control secretion in comparison with the inhibition of provinol-treatment alone. Under the same condition, the level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of provinol (3 ${\mu}g/ml$) was greatly elevated in comparison to its basal release. Taken together, these data demonstrate that provinol inhibits the CA secretory responses evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both muscarinic and nicotinic) receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization from the perfused rat adrenal medulla. This inhibitory effect of provinol seems to be exerted by inhibiting the influx of both calcium and sodium into the rat adrenal medullary cells along with the blockade of $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of nitric oxide synthase.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.602-610
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• 2013

This study was aimed to evaluate the cavernosal relaxation effect of Crataegii fructus(CF) in the contracted rabbit penile corpus cavernosum by agonists.In order to study the effect of CF on the vasoconstriction of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum, isolated rabbit penile corpus cavernosum tissues were used for the experiment using organ baths containing Krebs solution.To investigate the cavernosal relaxation of CF, CF extract at $0.01{\sim}3.0mg/m{\ell}$ was added after penile corpus cavernosum were contracted by norepinephrine(NE) $1{\mu}M$. To analyze the mechanism of CF's vasorelaxation, CF extract infused into contracted penile tissues by NE after each treatment of indomethacin(IM), $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA).To study the effect of CF on influx of extracellular calcium chloride($Ca^{2+}$) in penile tissues, in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, $Ca^{2+}$ 1 mM infused into contracted penile tissues by NE after pretreatment of CF. Cytotoxic activity of CF on human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide(NO) prodution was measured by Griess reagent. CF relaxed cavernosal strip with endothelium contracted by NE, but in the strips without endothelium, CF-induced relaxation was significantly inhibited. The pretreatment of L-NNA, MB, TEA decreased significantly on the cavernosal relaxation than not-treatment of them. But the pretreatment of IM had no significant effect on the cavernosal relaxation. In $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, when $Ca^{2+}$ infused into contracted penile tissues by NE, pretreatment of CF inhibit contraction induced by adding $Ca^{2+}$.NO production wasn't increased by treatment of CF on HUVEC. This findings showed that CF is effective for the relaxation of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum, and we suggest that CF relax rabbit corpus cavernosal smooth muscle through multiple action mechanisms that include increasing the release of nitric oxide from corporal sinusoidal endothelium, inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization into cytosol from the extracellular fluid, and maybe a hyperpolarizing action.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.77-86
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• 1999

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Sunghyangchungi-san (SHCS) on the oxidant-induced contraction and lipid peroxidation in rabbit carotid artery. Vascular rings isolated from rabbit carotid artery were exposed to t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), an extrinsic oxidant, and the effect of SHCS on the changes of vascular tension and lipid peroxidation induced by t-BHP was determined. t- BHP induced a slowly developing and sustained contraction of the arterial rings. SHCS effectively relaxed the arterial rings that were pre-contracted by t-BHP. The responses to SHCS were partially dose-dependent at concentrations lower than 0.5 mg/ml. When SHCS was applied prior to the exposure to t-BHP, it inhibited the t-BHP-induced contraction as well. t- BHP increased lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. SHCS as well as well-known anti-oxidants GSH and DPPD reduced significantly lipid peroxidation induced by t-BHP. SHCS partially blocked the increase in $^{45}Ca$ uptake induced by t-BHP. In contrast to SHCS, anti-oxidants GSH and DPPD failed to inhibit significantly the t- BHP-induced contraction or $^{45}Ca$ uptake. From the above results, it is suggested that SHCS relaxed t-BHP-induced contraction of rabbit carotid artery independently of its anti-oxidant action, and inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx may contribute to the underlying mechanism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.345-356
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• 2019

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3-fatty acid, modulates multiple cellular functions. In this study, we addressed the effects of DHA on human umbilical vein endothelial cell calcium transient and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation under control and adenosine triphosphate (ATP, $100{\mu}M$) stimulated conditions. Cells were treated for 48 h with DHA concentrations from 3 to $50{\mu}M$. Calcium transient was measured using the fluorescent dye Fura-2-AM and eNOS phosphorylation was addressed by western blot. DHA dose-dependently reduced the ATP stimulated $Ca^{2+}$-transient. This effect was preserved in the presence of BAPTA (10 and $20{\mu}M$) which chelated the intracellular calcium, but eliminated after withdrawal of extracellular calcium, application of 2-aminoethoxy-diphenylborane ($75{\mu}M$) to inhibit store-operated calcium channel or thapsigargin ($2{\mu}M$) to delete calcium store. In addition, DHA ($12{\mu}M$) increased ser1177/thr495 phosphorylation of eNOS under baseline conditions but had no significant effect on this ratio under conditions of ATP stimulation. In conclusion, DHA dose-dependently inhibited the ATP-induced calcium transient, probably via store-operated calcium channels. Furthermore, DHA changed eNOS phosphorylation suggesting activation of the enzyme. Hence, DHA may shift the regulation of eNOS away from a $Ca^{2+}$ activated mode to a preferentially controlled phosphorylation mode.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권6호
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• pp.571-578
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• 1999

This study evaluated the effects of PKC activation using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and PKC inhibition using the isoquinoline sulfomide derivative H-7 on hemodynamics and glucoregulation in the isolated perfused rat liver. Livers were isolated from fed male Holtzman rats and perfused with Krebs Ringer bicarbonate solution under a constant flow of 50 ml/min at $35^{\circ}C.$ Portal vein pressure, glucose and lactate concentrations in the medium and oxygen consumption rates were continuously monitored by a Grass polygraph, YSI glucose and lactate monitors, and a YSI oxygen monitor, respectively. PMA at concentration of 2 to 200 nM increased the portal vein pressure, glucose and lactate production, but decreased oxygen consumption rate in a dose-dependent fashion. H-7 $(200\;{\mu}M)$ attenuated PMA (50 nM)-induced vasoconstriction $(15.1{\pm}1.36\;vs\;10.56{\pm}1.17\;mmHg),$ glucose production rate $(91.3{\pm}6.15\;vs\;71.8{\pm}2.50\;{\mu}moles/g/hr),$ lactate production rate $(72.4{\pm}6.82\;vs\;53.6{\pm}4.82\;{\mu}moles/g/hr)$ and oxygen consumption rate $(33.7{\pm}1.41\;vs\;27.9{\pm}1.75\;{\mu}l/g/min).$ The effects of PMA were blocked either by addition of verapamil $(9\;{\mu}M)$ or perfusion with $Ca^{2+}-free$ KRB. These results suggest that the hemodynamic and glucoregulatory changes in the perfused rat liver are mediated by protein kinase C activation and require $Ca^{2+}$ influx from the extracellular fluid.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.203-216
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• 1995

The effects of ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ receptor stimulation on membrane potential, intracellular $Na^+$ activity, and twitch force were investigated in ventricular muscles from guinea-pig hearts. Action potentials, intracellular $Na^+$ activity, and twitch force of ventricular papillary muscles were measured simultaneously under various experimental conditions. Stimulation of the ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ receptor by phenylephrine produced variable changes in action potential duration, a slight hyperpolarization of the diastolic membrane potential, a decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity, and a biphasic inotropic response in which a transient negative inotropic response was followed by a sustained positive inotropic response. These changes were blocked by prazosin, an antagonist of the ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ receptor, but not by atenolol, an antagonist of the ${\beta}-adrenergic$ receptor. This indicates that the changes in membrane potential, intracellular $Na^+$ activity, and twitch force are mediated by stimulation of the ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ receptor, but not by stimulation of ${\beta}-adrenergic$ receptor. The decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity was not observed in quiescent muscles, depending on the rate of the action pontentials in beating muscles. The intracellular $Na^+$ activity decrease was substantially inhibited by tetrodotoxin. However, the decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity was not affected by an inhibition of the $Na^+-K^+$ pump. Therefore, the decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity mediated by the ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ receptor appears to be due to a reduction of $Na^+$ influx during the action potential, perhaps through tetrodotoxin sensitive $Na^+$ channels. Our study also revealed that the decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity might be related to the transient negative inotropic response. The intracellular $Na^+$ activity decrease could lower intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through the $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchanger and thereby produce a decline in twitch force.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.717-724
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• 2020

Background: Malignant arrhythmias require drug therapy. However, most of the currently available antiarrhythmic drugs have significant side effects. Ginsenoside Rg2 exhibits excellent cardioprotective effects and appears to be a promising candidate for cardiovascular drug development. So far, the oral toxicity and antiarrhythmic effects of Rg2 have not been evaluated. Methods: Acute oral toxicity of Rg2 was assessed by the Limit Test method in mice. Subchronic oral toxicity was determined by repeated dose 28-day toxicity study in rats. Antiarrhythmic activities of Rg2 were evaluated in calcium chloride-induced arrhythmic rats. Antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 was investigated in arrhythmic rats and H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Results: The results of toxicity studies indicated that Rg2 exhibited no single-dose (10 g/kg) acute oral toxicity. And 28-day repeated dose treatment with Rg2 (1.75, 3.5 and 5 g/kg/d) demonstrated minimal, if any, subchronic toxicity. Serum biochemical examination showed that total cholesterol in the high-dose cohort was dramatically decreased, whereas prothrombin time was increased at Day 28, suggesting that Rg2 might regulate lipid metabolism and have a potential anticoagulant effect. Moreover, pretreatment with Rg2 showed antiarrhythmic effects on the rat model of calcium chloride induced arrhythmia, in terms of the reduced duration time, mortality, and incidence of malignant arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 might be the inhibition of calcium influx through L-type calcium channels by suppressing the phosphorylation of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Conclusion: Our findings support the development of Rg2 as a promising antiarrhythmic drug with fewer side effects for clinical use.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.87-100
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• 1994

도파민 함유세포가 교감신경절에 존재하는 것으로 알려져 있으나, 말초에서 신경전달 물질로써 그의 역할과 작용기전에 대해서 아직까지 알려진 바가 많지 않다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 도파민 $D_2$-수용체의 선택적인 효능약으로 알려진 apomorphine이 흰쥐 적출 관류 부신에서 카테콜아민(CA)분비작용에 미치는 영향을 연구코자 시도하여 다음과 같은 연구결과를 얻었다. $10{\um}M\;Apomorphine$의 비교적 낮은 농도를 부신정맥내에 20분간 관류 하였을때 5.32mM ACh, 56mM KCl, $100{\mu}M$ DMPP 및 $100{\mu}M$ McN-A-343 등의 투여에 의한 CA 분비작용이 의의 있게 감소되었다. Apomorphine 농도를 $30{\mu}M$로 증가시켜 관류하였을때 상기약물에 의한 CA 분비작용은 더욱 억제되었으며 또한 Bay-K-8644에 의한 $100{\mu}M$의 고농도로 전처치 하였을때, ACh, excess $K^+$, DMPP 및 McN-A-343에 의한 CA분비작용은 현저히 차단되었다. 도파민 $D_2$-수용체 차단제인 metoclopramide $(30{\mu}M)$으로 20분간 관류 하였을때 ACh, DMPP 및 McN-A-343에 의한 CA 분비작용은 유의하게 억제된 효과를 나타내었으나 $excess\;{K^+}$에 의한 CA분비작용은 별다른 영향을 받지 않았다. 그러나 metoclopramide $(30{\mu}M)$ 존재하에서 $30{\mu}M$ apomorphine으로 20분간 전처치 하였을때 $excess{K^+}$ 뿐만 아니라 DMPP의 CA 분비작용은 별다른 변화를 받지 않았다. 이상과 같은 실험 연구결과를 종합하여 보면, apomorphine은 cholinergic receptor stimulation과 membrane depolarization에 의한 CA 분비작용을 용량의존적으로 억제하여, 이러한 작용은 억제성 도파민 수용체를 활성화 시킴으로써 흰쥐 부신 수질의 chromaffin cell 내로 칼슘의 유입을 억제하여 나타나는 것으로 사료된다.