• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2005

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells have unique features including unlimited growth capacity, expression of specific markers, normal karyotypes and an ability to differentiate. Many investigators have tried to use hES cells for cell-based therapy, but there is little information about the properties of available hES cell lines. We compared the characteristics of three hES cell lines. The expression of SSEA-1, -3, -4, and APase, was examined by immunocytochemistry, and Oct-4 expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. Differentiation of the hES cells in vitro and in vivo led to the formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) or teratomas. We examined the expression of tissue-specific markers in the differentiated cells by semiquantitative RT-PCR, and the ability of each hES cell line to proliferate was measured by flow cytometry of DNA content and ELISA. The three hES cell lines were similar in morphology, marker expression, and teratoma formation. However there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the differentiated cells formed by the different cell lines in levels of expression of tissue-specific markers such as renin, kallikrein, Glut-2, ${\beta}-$ and ${\delta}-globin$, albumin, and ${\alpha}1-antitrypsin$ (${\alpha}1-AT$). The hES cell lines also differed in proliferative activity. Our observations should be useful in basic and clinical hES cell research.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.35-48
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• 1985

One of most frequently used anesthetic agents is barbiturate derivatives. Pentobarbital or thiopental sodium have been used most frequently in the laboratory or clinical practice. There have been reports on the renal effects of barbiturate anesthesia in human and laboartory animals. Renal effects of thiopental sodium anesthesia, however, are still controversial. One of the discrepancies may be derived from the doses used. It has been reported that subanesthetic small dose of thiopental sodium influences the renal function directly. To clarify possible central effects of very small amounts of thiopental sodium on the renal function, experiments have been done in conscious rabbits. Thiopental sodium was infused into the lateral cerebroventricle for 10 minutes. Intracerebroventricular thiopental sodium induced increased urinary volume, glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow by doses of $0.1{\sim}1.0\;mg/10 min/rabbit$. Filtration fractions were not changed. Sodium, chloride and potassium excretions were increased by 0.065 mg/10 min/rabbit of thiopental sodium without significant changes of renal hemodynamics. Higher doses of thiopental sodium $(0.1{\sim}1.0\;mg/10 min/rabbit)$ induced greater increases of electrolytes excretion and renal hemodynamics. Free water clearance was not changed by thiopental sodium, but the fractional excretion of free water showed a tendency of decrease. Fractional excretion of sodium was increased by doses of 0.065 to 1.0 mg of thiopental sodium . Highly significant correlation between the changes of glomerular filtration rate and the changes of sodium excretion were found in the higher doses. Plasma renin concentration (activity) was not changed by the centrally administered thiopental sodium. Intravenous thiopental sodium, 1.0 mg/rabbit, induced no changes of renal function in conscious rabbit. These data suggest that intracerebroyentricular thiopental sodium can increase urinary sodium excretion directly by inhibition of sodium reabsorption in the renal tubules and/or indirectly by increasing the renal hemodynamics.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2009

Background : Almost people know hypertension's treatment is taking western medicine. But korean herbal medicine(KHM) also have an effect of turning down blood pressure. Objectives : This study aims to review the influence of KHM on hypertension in korean internal medicine's studies systematically. Additionally, we tried to estimate the change of data of hypertension and let people know a possibility of herbal treatment on hypertension. Methods : Systematic studies searches were performed on one database of korean internal medicine to November 2009. Screening and selection of the studies and extraction of data were performed by one author. Results : Twelve studies were included. All studies were performed retrospectively. Almost studies's object were hypertensive rats. Two studies's object were rabbits and only one study's object was hopitalized patients. Blood pressure and pulse was changed significantly after taking KHM in almost studies, and rest of items, aldosterone, catecholamine, electro, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory effect, renin activity were changed significantly after taking KHM. Conclusions : KHM might have an effect of lowering blood pressure, but almost studies's object were animals, so it is necessary to investigate an effect of KHM for people.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2002

The blood pressure (BP) is regulated by the nervous system and humoral factors, such as renin- angiotensin system, vasopressin and others. In the present study, we examined the central effects of glutamate and GABA on the cardiovascular regulation by injection of these substances into the lateral ventricle and also investigated the relationship between these central effects and the action of angiotensin II (Ang). Male Sprague Dawley rats, $350{\sim}400$ g, were anesthetized with urethane and instrumented with an arterial catheter for direct measurement of BP and heart rate (HR), and an guide cannula in the lateral ventricle for drug injection. A glass microelectode was inserted into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) for recording single unit spikes. Barosensitive neurons were identified by changes of single unit spikes in RVLM following intravenous injection of nitroprusside and phenylephrine. The effects of GABA and glutamate injected into the lateral ventricle were studied in single neuronal activity of the RVLM in addition to changes in BP and heart rate, and compared the results before and after treatment with intravenous losartan, nonpeptide Ang II-type 1 receptor antagonist (1 mg/100 g BW). Intracerebroventricular administration of GABA decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) and HR, but increased the firing rates in the RVLM. However, intracerebroventricular glutamate injection produced effects opposite to GABA. After pretreatment of intravenous losartan, the central effects of GABA on BP and firing rate in the RVLM were significantly attenuated and that of glutamate showed a tendency of attenuation. These results suggested that central GABA and glutamate regulated BP and firing rates in RVLM were inversely related to BP change. The central effects of GABA or glutamate on the autonomic nervous function were modulated by humoral factor, Ang II, by maintaining BP.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.558-565
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• 2005

In this study, Schizandriae fructus which has been used in oriental medicine and folks remedy, was studied to apply to functional foods and oriental medicinal cuisine. The aim of this experiments was to investigate the effects of Schizandriae fructus water extract(SFE) on the renal function, plasma renin activity, plasma levels of aldosterone and arterial natriuretic peptide(ANP) in rats. Spargue-Dawley rats weigh 200g, were randomly assigned to 3 groups such as basal diet only(BDG), basal diet with $0.5{\mu}L/g$ SFE(LAG) and basal diet with $1.0{\mu}L/g$ SFE(HAG). The results were as follows. Water balance decreased significantly after administration for 2 weeks compared with the control period in HAG. Urine volume increased significantly after administration for 1 week compared with the control period in LAG and HAG. Urinary excretion of sodium increased significantly after administration for 1 week and for 2 weeks compared with the control period in LAG and HAG. Urinary excretion of creatinine increased significantly after administration for 2 weeks compared with the control period in HAG. Plama levels of ANL decreased significantly after administration of $SFE(0.5{\mu}L/g)$. Plasma levels of aldosterone decreased significantly after administration of $SFE(1.0{\mu}L/g)$. There results indicated that Schizandriae fructus can improve the renal function through increased urine volume and sodium excretion. These results imply that SFE could be used as a potent food resource for diet therapy or clinical nutrition.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.237-244
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• 2016

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 and arginine-fructose (Arg-Fru) are known as the hypotensive compounds of Panax ginseng; however, their efficacy on antihypertension has not been reported yet to our best knowledge. Thus, hypotensive components-enriched fraction of red ginseng (HCEF-RG) was prepared from fine root concentrate (FR) and their antihypertensive effects were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: Male SHRs were divided into six groups: control (Wistar Kyoto, SHR); FR 500; FR 1,000; HCEF-RG 500; and HCEF-RG 1,000; samples (mg/kg body weight) were orally administered every day for 8 wk. Blood pressure was monitored at 1 wk, 2 wk, 3 wk, 4 wk, 6 wk, and 8 wk by tail cuff method. At 8 wk after samples administration, mice were killed for the measurement of renin activity (RA), angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibition, angiotensin II, and nitric oxide (NO) levels in plasma. Results: HCEF-RG with four-fold more Rg3 and 24-fold more Arg-Fru contents was successfully prepared from reacted mixtures of FR and persimmon vinegar (12 times against FR, v/v) at $80^{\circ}C$ for 18 h. Both FR 1,000 and HCEF-RG 1,000 showed lowered systolic blood pressure than SHR control group and HCEF-RG 1,000 group exhibited a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure. RA was significantly lowered in all treated groups, while angiotensin II did not affect by FR and HCEF-RG treatment. However, angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibition and NO in FR 1,000 and HCEF-RG 1,000 were significantly increased compared with SHR control group. Conclusion: HCEF-RG is more effective and useful for alleviating hypertension than FR, implying the health benefit of Rg3 and Arg-Fru.

• Journal of Oriental Physiology
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• v.14 no.2 s.20
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• pp.149-155
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• 1999

The aim of this experiments was to investigate the effects of Chinese magnolia vine water extract on the renal function, plasma renin activity, plasma levels of aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide in rats. The results of this study were as follows; 1. Water balance decreased significantly after administration with Chinese magnolia vine extracts (0.2 ml/200 g of body weight). 2. Urine volume increased significantly after administration with Chinese magnolia vine extracts. 3. Urinary excretion of sodium increased significantly after administration with Chinese magnolia vine extracts. 4. Urinary excretion of creatinine increased significantly after administration with Chinese magnolia vine extracts (0.2 ml/200 g of body weight). 5. Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide decreased significantly after administration with Chinese magnolia vine extracts (0.1 ml/200 g of body weight). 6. Plasma levels of aldosterone decreased significantly after administration with Chinese magnolia vine extracts (0.2 ml/200 g of body weight).

• Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.86-91
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• 2018

Angiotensin receptor blockers, such as telmisartan, are considered effective in the treatment of hypertension and proteinuria due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. It selectively blocks the $AT_1$ receptor and does not affect the $AT_2$ receptor, thus effectively blocking the activity of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system. This study aims to compare over time the changes in various indicators, including systemic hypertension and proteinuria, before and after the administration of telmisartan in cats with CKD. Decrease in blood pressure (BP) (p<0.001) and urine protein to creatinine (UP/C) ratio (p<0.001) were found to be statistically significant over time after the administration of telmisartan. BP and the UP/C ratio were $160{\pm} 22.2$ and $0.50{\pm}0.647$ before telmisartan administration (Day 0), $150{\pm}21.0$ and $0.27{\pm}0.487$ on the 30th day (Day 30), $150{\pm}17.0$ and $0.25{\pm}0.376$ on the 60th day (Day 60), and $140{\pm}17.8$ and $0.15{\pm}0.233$ on the 90th day (Day 90) after administration, respectively. BP and UP/C were statistically significantly lower in cats with CKD over time at each time point from Day 0 to Day 90 at 30 day intervals. Especially after 90 days of telmisartan administration, the improvement of BP and UP/C were estimated to be about 20 mmHg and 0.35, respectively. In conclusion, the oral administration of telmisartan to cats with CKD is effective in improving BP and proteinuria, which has a positive effect on long-term survival in cats with CKD.

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.485-492
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• 2018

Background: Increasing evidence supports interplay between aldosterone and parathyroid hormone (PTH), which may aggravate cardiovascular complications in various heart diseases. Negative structural cardiovascular remodeling by primary aldosteronism (PA) is also suspected to be associated with changes in calcium levels. However, to date, few clinical studies have examined how changes in calcium and PTH levels influence cardiovascular outcomes in PA patients. Therefore, we investigated the impact of altered calcium homeostasis caused by excessive aldosterone on cardiovascular parameters in patients with PA. Methods: Forty-two patients (mean age $48.8{\pm}10.9$ years; 1:1, male:female) whose plasma aldosterone concentration/plasma renin activity ratio was more than 30 were selected among those who had visited Severance Hospital from 2010 to 2014. All patients underwent adrenal venous sampling with complete access to both adrenal veins. Results: The prevalence of unilateral adrenal adenoma (54.8%) was similar to that of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Mean serum corrected calcium level was $8.9{\pm}0.3mg/dL$ (range, 8.3 to 9.9). The corrected calcium level had a negative linear correlation with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD, ${\rho}=-0.424$, P=0.031). Moreover, multivariable regression analysis showed that the corrected calcium level was marginally associated with the LVEDD and corrected QT (QTc) interval (${\beta}=-0.366$, P=0.068 and ${\beta}=-0.252$, P=0.070, respectively). Conclusion: Aldosterone-mediated hypercalciuria and subsequent hypocalcemia may be partly involved in the development of cardiac remodeling as well as a prolonged QTc interval, in subjects with PA, thereby triggering deleterious effects on target organs additively.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.298-306
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• 2023

Objectives: Cucumis sativus L. (C. sativus) is vegetable commonly used for managing blood pressure and often consumed in combination with standard antihypertensive therapy, despite lack of scientific evidence supporting their use. Combination of herbs and standard medication could have positive or negative effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of C. sativus and the combined effect with losartan in the hypertensive rat model induced by angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that, upon binding to its receptor, constricts blood vessels leading to elevation of blood pressure. Methods: In an antihypertensive study, rats received C. sativus orally at doses of 9, 18, 27, and 36 mg/kg (full dose); while in a combination study, animals received losartan 2.25 mg/kg combined by either with C. sativus 9 or 18 mg/kg. The standards group received losartan 2.25 mg/kg or 4.5 mg/kg (full dose). Results: Blood pressure was measured using the tail-cuff method. C. sativus significantly attenuated angiotensin II-induced hypertension as observed in groups receiving C. sativus at 9, 18, 27, and 36 mg/kg at 30 minutes after induction showed the average change (Δ) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with respect to time zero were 28.8/18.3, 24.8/15.8, 22.8/15.5, and 11.5/9.0 mmHg, respectively. Whereas the average change (Δ) of SBP and DBP in the rats receiving the combination of half doses of C. sativus and losartan were 8.8/9.0 mmHg, respectively. These diminished effects were better than a full dose of C. sativus and comparable with a full dose of losartan (6.5/7.8 mmHg). Conclusion: The present findings indicate that C. sativus dose-dependently blocks blood pressure elevation induced by angiotensin II. The combination of half dose of C. sativus and losartan has an additive effect in lowering blood pressure.