• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.287-297
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• 2001

Contraction of smooth muscle is initiated by an increase in cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ leading to activation of $Ca^{2+}$/ calmodulin-dependnet myosin light chain (MLC) kinase and phosphorylation of MLC. The types of contraction and signaling mechanisms mediating contraction differ depending on the region. The involvement of these different mechanisms varies depending on the source of $Ca^{2+}$ and the kinetic of $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization. $Ca^{2+}$ mobilizing agonists stimulate different phospholipases $(PLC-{\beta},\;PLD\;and\;PLA_2)$ to generate one or more $Ca^{2+}$ mobilizing messengers $(IP_3\;and\;AA),$ and diacylglycerol (DAG), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC). The relative contributions of $PLC-{\beta},\;PLA_2$ and PLD to generate second messengers vary greatly between cells and types of contraction. In smooth muscle cell derived form the circular muscle layer of the intestine, preferential hydrolysis of $PIP_2$ and generation of $IP_3$ and $IP_3-dependent\;Ca^{2+}$ release initiate the contraction. In smooth muscle cells derived from longitudinal muscle layer of the intestine, preferential hydrolysis of PC by PLA2, generation of AA and AA-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ influx, cADP ribose formation and $Ca^{2+}-induced\;Ca^{2+}$ release initiate the contraction. Sustained contraction, however, in both cell types is mediated by $Ca^{2+}-independent$ mechanism involving activation of $PKC-{\varepsilon}$ by DAG derived form PLD. A functional linkage between $G_{13},$ RhoA, ROCK, $PKC-{\varepsilon},$ CPI-17 and MLC phosphorylation in sustained contraction has been implicated. Contraction of normal esophageal circular muscle (ESO) in response to acetylcholine (ACh) is linked to $M_2$ muscarinic receptors activating at least three intracellular phospholipases, i.e. phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC), phospholipase D (PLD) and the high molecular weight (85 kDa) cytosolic phospholipase $A_2\;(cPLA_2)$ to induce phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolism, production of diacylglycerol (DAG) and arachidonic acid (AA), resulting in activation of a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. In contrast, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) contraction induced by maximally effective doses of ACh is mediated by muscarinic $M_3$ receptors, linked to pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding proteins of the $G_{q/11}$ type. They activate phospholipase C, which hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate $(PIP_2),$ producing inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate $(IP_3)$ and DAG. $IP_3$ causes release of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and formation of a $Ca^{2+}$-calmodulin complex, resulting in activation of myosin light chain kinase and contraction through a calmodulin-dependent pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.3
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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.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 1988

This study aimed to investigate the autonomic innervations of human vas deferens and the effect of diazepam, a benzodiazepine sedative antianxiety drug, on the smooth muscle contractility of vas deferens. The specimens were obtained from healthy volunteers undergoing elective vasectomy with local anesthesia. The muscle preparation did not show any spontaneous contraction, but showed a good contraction induced by norepinephrine exerting the strongest response at $33^{\circ}C$. Phentolamine inhibited the norepinephrine-induced contraction concentration-dependently. Isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist evoked a considerable extent of contraction, and this contractile activity was antagonized by propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. Acetylcholine induced a dashing contraction of the human vas deferens, and atropine, a muscarinic receptor blocking agent abolished the acetylcholine-induced contraction. Diazepam inhibited the norepinephrine-induced contraction in a concentration dependent manner. These results suggest that the smooth muscle of human vas deferens has cholinergic muscarinic and beta adrenergic receptors as well as the predominant alpha adrepergic receptor. Diazepam inhibits the motility, especially norepinephrine-induced contraction of human vas deferens.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.101-109
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• 2008

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetics, on secretion of catecholamines (CA) secretion evoked by cholinergic stimulation from the perfused model of the isolated rat adrenal gland, and to establish its mechanism of action, and to compare ketamine effect with that of thiopental sodium, which is one of intravenous barbiturate anesthetics. Ketamine ($30{\sim}300{\mu}M$), perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 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 NN receptor agonist, $100{\mu}M$) and McN-A-343 (a selective muscarinic M1 receptor agonist, $100{\mu}M$). Also, in the presence of ketamine ($100{\mu}M$), the CA secretory responses evoked by veratridine (a voltage-dependent $Na^+$ channel activator, $100{\mu}M$), Bay-K-8644 (an 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. Interestingly, thiopental sodium ($100{\mu}M$) also caused the inhibitory effects on the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, veratridine, Bay-K-8644, and cyclopiazonic acid. Collectively, these experimental results demonstrate that ketamine inhibits the CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors and the membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. It seems likely that the inhibitory effect of ketamine is mediated by blocking the influx of both $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ through voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ channels into the rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells as well as by inhibiting $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store, which are relevant to the blockade of cholinergic receptors. It is also thought that, on the basis of concentrations, ketamine causes similar inhibitory effect with thiopental in the CA secretion from the perfused rat adrenal medulla.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.3
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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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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2005

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, on secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by cholinergic nicotinic stimulation and membrane-depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland and to establish the mechanism of its action. Naltrexone $(3{\times}10^{-6}M)$ perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced time-dependent inhibition in CA secretory responses evoked by ACh $(5.32{\times}10^{-3}M)$ , high $K^+$ $(5.6{\times}10^{-2}M)$ , DMPP ($10^{-4}$ M) and McN-A-343 $(10^{-4}M)$ . Naltrexone itself did also fail to affect basal CA output. In adrenal glands loaded with naltrexone $(3{\times}10^{-6}M)$ , the CA secretory responses evoked by Bay-K-8644, an activator of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels and cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$, were also inhibited. However, in the presence of met-enkephalin $(5{\times}10^{-6}M)$ , a well-known opioid agonist, the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also significantly inhibited. Collectively, these experimental results demonstrate that naltrexone inhibits greatly CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as that by membrane depolarization. It seems that this inhibitory effect of naltrexone does not involve opioid receptors, but might be mediated by blocking both the calcium influx into the rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells and the uptake of $Ca^{2+}$ into the cytoplasmic calcium store, which are at least partly relevant to the direct interaction with the nicotinic receptor itself.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.699-708
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• 2005

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of naloxone, a well known opioid antagonist, on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by cholinergic stimulation and membrane-depolarization in the isolated perfused rat adrenal glands, and to establish its mechanism of action. Naloxone ($10^{-6}\~10^{-5}$ M), perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min, produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition of CA secretory responses evoked by ACh ($5.32\times10^{-3}$ M), high K+ ($5.6\times10^{-2}$ M), DMPP ($10^{-4}$ M) and McN-A-343 ($10^{-4}$ M). Naloxone itself also failed to affect the basal CA output. In adrenal glands loaded with naloxone ($3\times10^{-6}$ M), the CA secretory responses evoked by Bay-K-8644, an activator of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels, and cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase, were also inhibited. In the presence of met-enkephalin ($5\times10^{-6}$ M), a well known opioid agonist, the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also significantly inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that naloxone greatly inhibits the CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as that by membrane depolarization. It seems that these inhibitory effects of naloxone does not involve opioid receptors, but might be mediated by blocking both the calcium influx into the rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells and the uptake of $Ca^{2+}$ into the cytoplasmic calcium store, which are at least partly relevant to the direct interaction with the nicotinic receptor itself.

• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.38.1-38.6
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• 2012

The present study aimed to determine the possible mechanisms of the peripheral antinociception of the aqueous extracts of Dicranopteris linearis (AEDL), Melastoma malabathricum (AEMM) and Bauhinia purpurea (AEBP) leaves in mice. Briefly, the antinociceptive profile of each extract (300, 500, and 1000 mg/kg; subcutaneous (s.c.)), was established using the abdominal constriction test. A single dose (500 mg/kg) of each extract (s.c.) was pre-challenged for 10 min with various pain receptors' antagonists or pain mediators' blockers and 30 min later subjected to the antinociceptive assay to determine the possible mechanism(s) involved. Based on the results obtained, all extracts exerted significant (p < 0.05) antinociceptive activity with dose-dependent activity observed only with the AEMM. Furthermore, the antinociception of AEDL was attenuated by naloxone, atropine, yohimbine and theophylline; AEMM was reversed by yohimbine, theophylline, thioperamide, pindolol, reserpine, and 4-chloro-DL-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride; and of AEBP was inhibited by naloxone, haloperidol, yohimbine and reserpine. In conclusion, the antinociceptive activity of those extracts possibly involved the activation of several pain receptors (i.e. opioids, muscarinic, ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic and adenosine receptors, adenosine, H3-histaminergic and $5HT_{1A}$, dopaminergic receptors).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2009

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of dihydrexidine, a full $D_1$ receptor agonist, on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the perfused model of the rat adrenal gland, and to establish its mechanism of action. Dihydrexidine (10-100 ${\mu}M$), perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min, relatively produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition in the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (56 mM), DMPP (100 ${\mu}M$) and McN-A-343 (100 ${\mu}M$). Dihydrexidine itself did fail to affect basal CA output. Also, in adrenal glands loaded with dihydrexidine (30 ${\mu}M$), the CA secretory responses evoked by Bay-K-8644 (10 ${\mu}M$), an activator of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels, cyclopiazonic acid (10 ${\mu}M$), an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase, and veratridine, an activator of voltage-dependent $Na+$ channels (10 ${\mu}M$), were also markedly inhibited, respectively. However, in the simultaneous presence of dihydrexidine (30 ${\mu}M$) and R (+)-SCH23390 (a selective antagonist of $D_1$ receptor, 3 ${\mu}M$), the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high K+, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644, cyclopiazonic acid and veratridine were considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with the inhibitory responses by dihydrexidinetreatment alone. In conclusion, these experimental results suggest that dihydrexidine significantly inhibits the CA secretion evoked by cholinergic stimulation (both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors) and membrane depolarization from the rat adrenal medulla. It seems that this inhibitory effect of dihydrexidine may be mediated by inhibiting influx of both $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ into the cytoplasm as well as by suppression of $Ca^{2+}$ release from cytoplasmic calcium store through activation of dopaminergic $D_1$ receptors located on the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.657-666
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• 2017

Paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic drug, induces severe peripheral neuropathy. Gabapentin (GBT) is a first line agent used to treat neuropathic pain, and its effect is mediated by spinal noradrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Electro-acupuncture (EA) is used for treating various types of pain via its action through spinal opioidergic and noradrenergic receptors. Here, we investigated whether combined treatment of these two agents could exert a synergistic effect on paclitaxel-induced cold and mechanical allodynia, which were assessed by the acetone drop test and von Frey filament assay, respectively. Significant signs of allodynia were observed after four paclitaxel injections (a cumulative dose of 8 mg/kg, i.p.). GBT (3, 30, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) or EA (ST36, Zusanli) alone produced dose-dependent anti-allodynic effects. The medium and highest doses of GBT (30 and 100 mg/kg) provided a strong analgesic effect, but they induced motor dysfunction in Rota-rod tests. On the contrary, the lowest dose of GBT (3 mg/kg) did not induce motor weakness, but it provided a brief analgesic effect. The combination of the lowest dose of GBT and EA resulted in a greater and longer effect, without inducing motor dysfunction. This effect on mechanical allodynia was blocked by spinal opioidergic (naloxone, $20{\mu}g$), or noradrenergic (idazoxan, $10{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, whereas on cold allodynia, only opioidergic receptor antagonist blocked the effect. In conclusion, the combination of the lowest dose of GBT and EA has a robust and enduring analgesic action against paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain, and it should be considered as an alternative treatment method.