• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.318-325
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• 1996

Background: Sympathectomy relieves pain in sympathectically maintained pain, and subcutaneous injection of norepinephrine(NE) can rekindle mechanical allodynia. However, the mechanism of rekindling is not clear. The purpose of this study is to investigate which subtype of $\alpha$-adrenoceptor is involved in NE-induced rekindling of mechanical allodynia in sympathectomized neuropathic rats. Methods: Neuropathic injury was produced by tightly ligating the left L5 and L6 spinal nerves of 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats and bilateral lumbar sympathectomy was done at two weeks postoperatively. Starting at 7 days after sympathectomy, rekindling of mechanical allodynia was induced by NE and clonidine injected into the left paw, which was reversed by pretreatment of phentolamine and idazoxan. Mechanical allocynia was quantified by measuring the frequency of foot lifts to two von Frey filaments applied to the paw. Results: All tested rats displayed well-developed signs of mechanical allodynia at the left paw that were abolished by a bilateral lumbar sympathectomy. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of NE (0.05 ${\mu}g$) into the affected paw of sympathectomized neuropathic rats rekindled previous mechanical allodynia. These effects could be mimicked by an ${\alpha}_2$-receptor agonist clonidine, but not by an ${\alpha}_1$-receptor agonist phenylephrine. The NE-induced rekindling of mechanical allodynia was significantly reduced by prior s.c. injection of a mixed $\alpha$-receptor antagonist phentolamine (20${\mu}g$) and ${\alpha}_2$-receptor antagonist idazoxan(20${\mu}g$), but not by a ${\alpha}_1$-receptor antagonist terazosin (20${\mu}g$). The pretreatment of idazoxan produced dose-related inhibition of NE-induced rekindling of mechanical allodynia. The rekindling induced by ${\alpha}_2$-receptor agonist clonidine (5${\mu}g$) was also reversed by prior s.c. injection of ${\alpha}_2$-receptor antagonist idazoxan (20${\mu}g$). Conclusion: Subcutaneous injection of NE into the paw of sympathectomized neuropathic rats rekindles mechanical allodynia, which is reversed by an ${\alpha}_2$-, but not by an ${\alpha}_1$-receptor antagonist. Therefore, rekindling of mechanical allodynia in sympathectomized neuropathic rats is mediated by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2001

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of cholinergic stimulation and membrane depolarization on secretion of epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NE) in the perfused model of the rat adrenal gland and to investigate the effect of bromocriptine on secretion of EP and NE evoked by these secreta-gogues. Acetylcholine (ACh, 5.32 mM), high $K^{+}$(56mM), 1.1-dimethyl-4-phenyl piperazinium iodide (DMPP, 100 $\mu$M for 2 min), (3-(m-cholro-phenyl-carbamoyl-oxy)-2butynyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (McN-A-343, 100 $\mu$M for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid (10 $\mu$M for 4 min) and methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl) -pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay-K-8644, 10 $\mu$M for 4 min) evoked a 1.3~5.3-fold greater secretion of EP than NE in the perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of bromocriptine (1-10 $\mu$M) into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced relatively dose-dependent inhibition in secretion of EP and NE evoked by ACh, high $K^{+}$, DMPP, and McN-A-343. Moreover, under the presence of bromocriptine (1~10 $\mu$M), releasing responses of EP and NE evoked by cyclopiazonic acid and Bay-K-8644 were also greatly reduced. Taken together, these results suggest that cholinergic stimulation and membrane depolarization enhance more release of EP than NE in the perfumed rat adrenal medulla, and that bromocriptine inhibits the release of EP and NE evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors as well as by membrane depolarization. It seems that this inhibitory effect of bromocriptine is associated with inhibition of calcium channels through activation of dopaminergic D2-receptors located in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells.lls.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.301-309
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• 1996

Since it has been reported that the depolarization-induced NE release is inhibited by activation of presynaptic $A_1-adenosine$ heteroreceptor in hippocampus, a large body of experimental data on the post-receptor mechanism of this process has been accumulated. But, the post-receptor mechanism of presynaptic $A_1-adenosine$ receptor on the NE release has not been clearly elucidated yet. Therefore, it was attempted to clarify the participation of $K^+-channel$ in the post-receptor mechanisms of the $A_1-adenosine$ receptor-mediated control of NE release in this study. Slices from rat hippocampus were equilibrated with $^3H-norepinephrine$ and the release of the labelled products was evoked by electrical stimulation (3 Hz, 5 $VCm^{-1}$, 2 ms, rectangular pulses), and the influence of various agents on the evoked tritium-outflow was investigated. Adenosine, in concentrations ranging from $1{\sim}30\;{\mu}M$, decreased the NE release in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting the basal rate of release. 4AP $(1{\sim}30{\mu}M)$, a specific A-type $K^+-channel$ blocker, increased the evoked NE release in a dose-related fashion, and the basal rate of release is increased by 10 and $30{\mu}M$. TEA $(1{\sim}10{\mu}\;M)$, a nonspecific $K^+-channel$ blocker, increased the evoked NE release in a dose-dependent manner without affecting basal release. The adenosine effects were significantly inhibites by 3 ${\mu}M$ 4AP and 10 mM TEA treatment. 4AP $(30{\mu}M)-$ and TEA (10 mM)-induced increments of evoked NE release were completely abolished in $Ca^{++} free, but these were recoverd in low $Ca^{++} medium. And the effects of $K^+-channel$ blockers in low $Ca^{++} medium were inhibites and abolishes by $Mg^{++} (4 mM) adding and TTX $(0.3{\mu}M)$ adding medium, respectively. These results suggest that the decrement of the evoked NE-release by $A_1-adenosine$ receptor is mediated by 4AP and TEA sensitive $K^+-channel$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 1997

Lithium remains the most widely used therapeutic agent for bipolar affective disorder, particularly mania. Although many investigators have studied the effects of lithium on abnormalities in monoamine neuro-transmitter as a pathophysiological basis of affective disorder, the action mechanism of lithium ion remains still unknown. To explore the action mechanism of lithium in the brain, we examined the effects of lithium on the extrasynaptosomal concentrations of catecholamines and their metabolites. Synaptosomes were prepared from the rat forebrains and assays of catecholamines and metabolites were made using HPLC with an electrochemical detector. Lithium of 1mM decreased the extrasynaptosomal concentrations of NE from the control group of $3.07{\pm}1.19$ to the treated group of $0.00{\pm}0.00$ (ng/ml of synaptosomal suspension) but not that of DHPG. It can be suggested that lithium increases synaptosomal uptake of NE. Increased intraneuronal uptake of NE would decrease neurotransmission and extraneuronal metabolism of NE. Because increased brain NE metabolism and neurotransmission have been suggested as important components in the pathophysiology of bipolar affective disorder, especially mania, lithium-induced increase of intraneuronal NE uptake can be suspected as an action mechanism of therapeutic effect of lithium in manic patient, possibly in bipolar affective disorder.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.225-231
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• 1997

As it has been reported that the depolarization-induced norepinephrine (NE) release is modulated by activation of presynaptic $A_1-adenosine$ heteroreceptor and various lines of evidence indicate the involvement of adenylate cyclase system in $A_1-adenosine$ post-receptor mechanism in hippocampus, it was attempted to delineate the role of adenylate cyclase system in the $A_1-receptor-mediated$ control of NE release in this study. Slices from rat hippocampus were equilibrated with $[^3H]-NE$ and the release of the labelled products was evoked by electrical stimulation.(3 Hz, $5Vcm^{-1}$, 2 ms, rectangular pulses). The influence of various agents on the evoked tritium-outflow was investigated. $N^6-Cyclopentyladenosine$ (CPA), a specific $A_1-adenosine$ receptor agonist, in concentrations Tanging from 0.1 to $10{\mu}M$ decreased the $[^3H]-NE$ release in a dose-dependent mauler without any change of basal rate of release. 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, $2{\mu}M$), a selective $A_1-receptor$ antagonist, inhibited the CPA effect. The responses to N-ethylmaleimide $(3&10{\mu}M)$, a SH-alkylating agent of G-protein, were characterized by increments of the evoked NE-release and the CPA effects were completely abolished by NEM pretreatment. Forskolin, a specific adenylate cyclase activator, in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to $30{\mu}M$ increased the evoked and basal rate of NE release in a dose-dependent manner and the CPA effects were inhibited by forskolin pretreatment. Rolipram $(1&10{\mu}M)$, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, did not affect the evoked NE release but reduced the CPA effect. And 8-bromo-cAMP $(100&300{\mu}M)$, a membrane permeable cAMP analogue inhibited the CPA effect significantly. These results suggest that the $A_1-adenosine$ heteroreceptor plays an important role in NE-release via nucleotide-binding protein $G_i$ in the rat hippocampus and that the adenylate cyclase system might be participated in this process.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.1_2
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• pp.13-23
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• 1978

1) It was attempted to clarify the sites of action of central (either intraventricular or intracisternal) norepinephrine(NE) and clonidine to cause cardiac slowing and hypotension in urethane-anesthetized rabbits. 2) NE produced cardiac slowing but indistinct effect on blood pressure. Clonidine produced cardiac slowing and hypotension. 3) Intraventricular and intracisternal administration of NE, clonidine, phenylephrine and isoproterenol did not make difference in their effects, except that the onset of cardiac slowing by intracisternal NE was more rapid than intraventricular NE. 4) Upon repeated administration of NE at the intervals of about two hours, blood pressure responses changed to the pressor ones, the cardiac slowing unchanged. By this procedure the cardiac slowing as well as the hypotension by clonidine were gradually diminished. 5) Clonidine, when given during the NE effects were persisting, did not produce the lowering of blood pressure and further decrease of heart rate. NE, when given during the clonidine effects were persisting, produced marked elevation of blood pressure but did not produce further decrease of heart rate. 6) After intraventricular administration of regitine or desmethylimipramine, the cardiac slowing effect of NE and the clonidine effects were not observed, whereas NE produced marked elevation of blood pressure. 7) Reserpinized rabbits showed pressor and cardiac accelerating responses to NE; slight pressor, and little cardiac responses to clonidine. 8) It seems that the cardiac slowing by both clonidine and NE as well as the hypotetsion by clonidine are mediated by the presynaptic ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor in the brain but the pressor responses to NE and clonidine are mediated by other site(s) than the presynaptic ones.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.63-73
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• 2002

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the effects Samyoo-tang Extract (SE) on the vascular systems, including changes in blood pressure and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : The changes in rCBF were determined by Laser-Doppler flowmetry through the opened cranial method and norepinephrine (NE)-induced blood vessel contractions were determined by physiograph in the pulmonary artery of isolated rabbits. Results and Conclusion : 1. Contractions evoked by NE ($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by SE in the pulmonary artery. 2. SE inhibited the relaxation of NE induced contractions pretreated with propranolol. 3. SE did not inhibit the relaxation of NE induced contractions pretreated with ODQ and L-NNA. 4. Blood pressure was not affected by SE in rats. 5. rCBF was increased by SE in a dose-dependent manner. 6. Pretreatment with propranolol was increased by SE in a dose-dependent manner in blond pressure. 7. Pretreatment with methylene blue, ODQ and L-NNA did not inhibit SE induced increased in rCBF. These results indicate that SE can relax NE-induced contraction of rabbit blood vessels and increased the changes of rCBF in rats, that relate to the sympathetic nerve system.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2000

Fructus Aristolochiae has been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for various disease.The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Fructus Aristolochiae on norepinephrine(NE) induced blood vessel contraction in rabbits. Rabbit(2 kg, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of each rabbit was cut into equal segments and mounted in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 2-3 g loading tension. The dose of norepinephrine(NE) which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for NE ($10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-3}M$). Contractions evoked by NE ($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Fructus Aristolochiae in abdominal aorta and femoral artery. Fructus Aristolochiae inhibited the relaxation pretreated propranolol and L-NNA in femoral artery. But Fructus Aristolochiae did not effect the relaxation pretreated ODQ in femoral artery and abdominal aorta. These results indicate that Fructus Aristolochiae can relax NE induced contraction of rabbit blood vessel selectively, and that this relaxation relates to nitric oxide synthesis and sympathetic action.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 1982

In this paper, the influence of phenytoin and phenobarbical on the changes of brain norepinephrine(NE) content, plasma corticosterone and blood sugar level in mice were studied. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1) Phenytoin(50 mg/kg) increased the brain NE content but phenobarbital(50 mg/kg) did not affect. The increase of the brain NE content induced phenytoin was potentiated by phenobarbital pretreatment. 2) Phenytoin(25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg) markedly increased the level of plasma corticosterone but phenobarbital did not affect. The increase of the plasma corticosterone induced by phenytoin was inhibited by phenobarbital pretreatment. 3) Phenytoin(50 mg/kg) markedly increased the blood sugar level but phenobarbital did not affect. The increase of the blood sugar induced by phenytoin was not affected by phenobarbital pretreatment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 1997

As it has been reported that the depolarization-induced norepinephrine (NE) release is modulated by activation of presynaptic $A_1$-adenosine heteroreceptor and various lines of evidence indicate that $A_2$-adenosine receptor also presents in hippocampus, and that the adenosine effect is magnesium dependent, the present study was undertaken to delineate the role of adenosine receptors in the modulation of hippocampal NE release. Slices from the rat hippocampus were equilibrated with $[^3H]-NE$ and the release of the labelled product, $[^3H]-NE$, was evoked by electrical stimulation (3 Hz, 5 V $cm^{-1}$, 2 ms, rectangular pulses), and the influence of various agents on the evoked tritium outflow was investigated. $N^6-cyclo-pentyladenosine$ (CPA), in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 ${\mu}M$, decreased the $[^3H]-NE$ release in a dose-dependent manner without changing the basal rate of release, and these effects were significantly inhibited by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 2 ${\mu}M$) treatment. When the magnesium concentration was reduced to 0.4 mM or completely removed, the evoked NE release increased along with decreased basal rate of release. In contrast, increasing the magnesium concentrations to 2.4 and 4 mM, decreased the evoked NE release. The CPA effects on evoked NE release were reducedby magnesium removal, but potentiated by 2.4 mM magnesium in the medium. 5-(N-cyclopropyl)-carboxamodiadenosine (CPCA, 1 & 10 ${\mu}M$), an $A_2$-agonist, decreased the evoked tritium outflow, and this effect was also abolished by DPCPX pretreatment. CGS, a powerful $A_2$-agonist, did not affect the evoked NE release. However, the effects of CPCA and CGS on evoked NE release were significantly increased by pretreatment of DPCPX in the magnesium-free medium. These results indicate that inhibitory effect of $A_1$-adenosine receptor on NE release is magnesium-dependent, and $A_2$-receptor may be present in the rat hippocampus.