• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.58-65
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• 2021

Background: Supraspinal delivery of neurotensin (NTS), which may contribute to the effect of a systemically administered agonist, has been reported to be either pronociceptive or antinociceptive. Here, we evaluated the effects of systemically administered NTSR1 agonist in a rat model of neuropathic pain and elucidated the underlying supraspinal mechanism. Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced by L5 and L6 spinal nerve ligation in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of intraperitoneally administered NTSR1 agonist PD 149163 was assessed using von Frey filaments. To examine the role of 5-HT neurotransmission, a serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonist dihydroergocristine was pretreated intrathecally, and spinal microdialysis studies were performed to measure the change in extracellular level of 5-HT in response to PD 149163 administration. To investigate the supraspinal mechanism, NTSR1 antagonist 48692 was microinjected into the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) prior to systemic PD 149163. Additionally, the effect of intrathecal DHE on intra-RVM PD 149163 was assessed. Results: Intraperitoneally administered PD 149163 exhibited a dose-dependent attenuation of mechanical allodynia. This effect was partially reversed by intrathecal pretreatment with dihydroergocristine and was accompanied by an increased extracellular level of 5-HT in the spinal cord. The PD 149163-produced antinociception was also blocked by intra-RVM SB 48692. Direct injection of PD 149163 into the RVM mimicked the maximum effect of the same drug delivered intraperitoneally, which was reversed by intrathecal dihydroergocristine. Conclusions: These observations indicate that systemically administered NTSR1 agonist produces antinociception through the NTSR1 in the RVM, activating descending serotonergic projection to release 5-HT into the spinal dorsal horn.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제65권1호
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• pp.57-62
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• 2022

Excessive activation and aggregation of platelets is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, inhibition of platelet activation and aggregation is considered an attractive therapeutic target in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. In particular, strong platelet activation and aggregation by collagen secreted from the vascular endothelium are characteristic of vascular diseases. Artesunate is a compound extracted from the plant roots of Artemisia or Scopolia species, and has been reported to be effective in anticancer and Alzheimer's disease fields. However, the effect and mechanism of artesunate on collagen-induced platelet activation and aggregation have not been elucidated. In this study, the effect of artesunate on collagen-induced human platelet aggregation was confirmed and the mechanism of action of artesunate was clarified. Artesunate inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and Mitogen-activated protein kinases, which are phosphoproteins that are known to act in the signal transduction process when platelets are activated. In addition, artesunate decreased TXA₂ production and decreased granule secretion in platelets such as ATP and serotonin release. As a result, artesunate strongly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen, a strong aggregation inducer secreted from vascular endothelial cells, with an IC₅₀ of 106.41 µM. These results suggest that artesunate has value as an effective antithrombotic agent for inhibiting the activation and aggregation of human platelets through vascular injury.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.60-70
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the effects of cordycepin-enriched (CE)-WIB801C, a n-butanol extract of Cordyceps militaris-hypha on collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation. CE-WIB801C dose dependently inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and had a synergistic effect together with cordycepin (W-cordycepin) from CE-WIB801C on the inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation. CE-WIB801C and cordycepin stimulated the phosphorylation of VASP ($Ser^{157}$) and the dephosphorylation of PI3K and Akt, and inhibited the binding of fibrinogen to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$) and the release of ATP and serotonin in collagen-induced platelet aggregation. A-kinase inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cAMPS reduced CE-WIB801C-, and cordycepin-increased VASP ($Ser^{157}$) phosphorylation, and increased CE-WIB801C-, and cordycepin-inhibited the fibrinogen binding to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$. Therefore, we demonstrate that CE-WIB801C-, and cordycepin-inhibited fibrinogen binding to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$are due to stimulation of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of VASP ($Ser^{157}$), and inhibition of PI3K/Akt phosphorylation. These results strongly indicate that CE-WIB801C and cordycepin may have preventive or therapeutic potential for platelet aggregation-mediated diseases, such as thrombosis, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.17-25
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• 1992

The general and some other pharmacological actions of growth hormone without N-terminal methionine(rhGH) were investigated in animals. The hormone had no influences on the central nervous system and on body temperature at a high oral dose of 40 IU/kg in animals. It had neither analgesic nor antiepileptic actions at the high doses. In the isolated ileum and trachea of guinea-pig and isolated stomach fundus and uterus of rat, it showed neither contractive nor relaxing effects at a concentration of $1{\times}10^{-3}\;IU/ml$ in bath, and no inhibitory action at a dose of $1{\times}10^{-3}\;IU/ml$ against the contractions produced by histamine ($5{\times}10^{-5}\;g/ml$), serotonin($1{\times}10^{-5}\;g/ml$), acetylcholine($1{\times}10^{-5}\;g/ml$) and oxytocin($5{\times}10^{-3}\;IU/ml$). Furthermore, the intravenous injection of 20 IU/kg rhGH had no influences on the normal blood pressure and respiration in rabbits. These negative results in pharmacological profile are thought that the hormone may not elicit serious side effects. On the other hand, the rhGH exhibited a weak inhibitory action of glucose tolerance in normal rats, significantly lowered the blood glucose contents in adrenalectomized rats 20 min after i.v. administration of 80 IU/kg, and showed a significant inhibitory effect on in vitro glycerol release in epinephrine-stimulated epididymal fat pad segments of rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.67-74
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• 2016

Tomato extract has been shown to exert antiplatelet activity in vitro and to change platelet function ex vivo, but with limitations. In this study, antiplatelet activity of water soluble tomato concentrate (Fruitflow I) and dry water soluble tomato concentrate (Fruitflow II) was investigated using rat platelets. Aggregation was induced by collagen and adenosine diphosphate and granule-secretion, $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, thromboxane B2, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were examined. The activation of integrin ${\alpha}_{IIb}{\beta}_3$ and phosphorylation of signaling molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and PI3K/Akt, were investigated by flow cytometry and immunoblotting, respectively. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were examined. Moreover, in vivo thrombus weight was tested by an arteriovenous shunt model. Fruitflow I and Fruitflow II significantly inhibited agonist induced platelet aggregation, adenosine triphosphate and serotonin release, $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, and thromboxane B2 concentration, while having no effect on cAMP and cGMP levels. Integrin ${\alpha}_{IIb}{\beta}_3$ activation was also significantly decreased. Moreover, both concentrates reduced phosphorylation of MAPK pathway factors such as ERK, JNK, P38, and PI3K/Akt. In vivo thrombus formation was also inhibited. Taken together, these concentrates have the potential for ethnomedicinal applications to prevent cardiovascular ailments and can be used as functional foods.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.51-62
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• 2004

Objective: To investigate the analgesic effect and its serotonergic mechanism, especially related with 5-HTI and 5-HT2 receptor, of electroacupuncture(EA) in the rat model of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA). Methods : Immunization of male Sprague-Dawley rats with bovine type II (C II) collagen emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant, followed by a booster injection 14 days later, leads to development of arthritis in more than 70% of rats by 21 days postinjection. After three weeks of first immunization, EA stimulation(2 Hz, 0.07 mA, 0.3 ms) was delivered into Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) for 30 minutes. Analgesic effect was evaluated by tail flick latency(TFL). We compared the analgesic effect of EA with TFLs between pretreatment of normal saline and pretreatment of spiroxatrine (5-HT1 receptor antagonist, 1mg/kg, intraperitoneal) and spiperone (5-HT2 receptor antagonist, 1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) in CIA. Results : 1. TFLs were gradually decreased in CIA as increasing severity of arthritis. 2. Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA stimulation in CIA increased TFLs and the effect lasted for 60 minutes. 3. Increased TFLs with Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA stimulation were inhibited by pretreatment of spiroxatrine and spiperone in CIA. Conclusions : Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA showed analgesic effects in CIA The analgesic effects of Jogsamni($ST_{36}$) EA were inhibited by spiroxatrine and spiperone pretreatment. These observations suggest that 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 serotonergic receptor, which involve the release of serotonin neurotransmitter, play an important roles in analgesic mechanism of EA stimulation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.161-168
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• 1995

Brain dopamine systems play a central role in the control of movement, hormone release, and many complex behavior. The action of dopamine at its synapse is terminated predominately by high affinity reuptake into presynaptic terminals by dopamine transporter (DAT). The dopamine transporter(DAT) is membrane protein localized to dopamine-containing nerve terminals and closely related with cocaine abuse, Parkinsonism, and schizophrenia. In present study, the recombinant plasmid pRc/CMV-DAT, constructed by subcloning of a cDNA encoding a bovine DAT into eukaryotic expression vector pRc/CMV, was stably transfected into CV-1 cells(monkey kidney cell line). The DAT activities in the cell lines selected by Geneticin$^{R}$ were determined by measuring the uptake of $[^3H]$-dopamine. The transfected cell lines showed 30-50 fold higher activities than untransfected CV-1 cell line, and this result implies that DAT is well expressed and localized in transfected cells. The transfected cells accumulated $[^3H]$-dopamine in a dose-dependent manner with a $K_{m}$ of 991.6nM. Even though high doses of norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin, and choline neurotransmitters inhibited the uptake of $[^3H]$-dopamine, DAT in transfected cell line was proven to be much more specific to dopamine. The psychotropic drugs such as GBR12909, CFT, normifensine, clomipramine, desipramine, and imipramine inhibited significantly the dopamine uptake in tissue culture cells stably transfected with DAT cDNA. Radioactive in situ hybridization was done to map the cellular localization of DAT mRNA-containing cells in the adult rat central nervous system. The strong hybridization signals were detected only in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area. The restricted anatomical localization of DAT mRNA-containing cells confirms the DAT as a presynaptic marker of dopamine-containing cells in the rat brain.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.93-100
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects of WSY-1075 composited with Corni Fructus, Angelica gigantis Radix, Lycii Fructus, Ginseng Radix, Cervi parvum Cornu and Cinnamomi Cortex in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) and scratching mouse model. Methods : WSY-1075 was prepared by extracting with 30% ethanol. In the present study, we investigated the effect of WSY-1075 on the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and histamine in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) activated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187, and on the scratching behavior in mice treated with pruriogens. Results : WSY-1075 was not cytotoxic effect in used all concentration. PMA plus A23187 treatment significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production compared with media control in RPMCs. However, TNF-${\alpha}$, $IL1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production increased by PMA plus A23187 treatment were significantly inhibited by WSY-1075 (200 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 400 ${\mu}g/mL$). WSY-1075 also inhibited the histamine release from RPMCs stimulated by compound 48/80, which promotes histamine release. Moreover, WSY-1075 administration had an inhibitory effects on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80, histamine, serotonin and substence P) in ICR mice. Conclusion : These results suggest that WSY-1075 administration (200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg) has the anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects on the activated rat peritoneal mast cell and mouse pruritus. WSY-1075 has a potential use as a composition of medicinal plants for treatment against inflammation- and pruritus-related disease.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.81-92
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• 2001

Stress has been linked to the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of various psychiatric illnesses. Over the past few years, our understanding of the brain and neuroendocrine systems that are linked to stress responses has increased enormously. This article reviews a series of animal and human studies to understand what are the central pathways by which stress is perceived, processed, and transduced into a neuroendocrine response. We focus on the limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(LHPA) axis and several neurotransmitter systems such as norepinephrine, CRF, serotonin, acetylcholine, and dopamine. LHPA stress circuit is a complex system with multiple control mechanisms which are altered in pathological states. CRF and related peptides in the central nervous system appear to enhance behavioral responses to stressors. Norepinephrine systems are also activated by stressors and cause the release of catecholamines from the autonomic nervous system. CRF-norepinephrine interaction makes a feed-forward system which may be important for an organism to mobilize not only the pituitary system but also the central nervous system, in response to environmental challenges. The interactions among several neurotransmitters and endocrine systems appear to play key roles in mediating various behavioral and psychological stress responses involving abnormal responses to stressors such as anxiety and affective disorders.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.317-322
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• 2011

Sertraline HCl, (1S-cis)-4-(3, 4-dichloro-phenyl)-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-N-methyl-l-naphthalenamine hydrochloride, is a potent and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor which is used in the treatment of depression and obsessivecompulsive disorders. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two sertraline HCl tablets, Traline tablet (Myungin Pharm. Co. Ltd.) and Zoloft$^{(R)}$ tablet (Pfizer Inc.), according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The in vitro release of sertraline from the two sertraline HCl formulations was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II method with various dissolution media. Twenty four healthy Korean male volunteers, $23.50{\pm}1.74$ years in age and $64.09{\pm}7.10\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ crossover study was employed. After a single tablet containing 50 mg as sertraline HCl was orally administered, blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of sertraline in serum were determined using an online columnswitching HPLC method with UV/Vis detection. The dissolution profiles of two formulations were similar in all tested dissolution media. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated, and computer programs (Equiv Test and K-BE Test) were utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and un-transformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the reference drug, Zoloft$^{(R)}$ tablet, were 0.04, 3.26 and -1.29% for $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log0.8 to log1.25. Thus, the criteria of the KFDA bioequivalence guideline were satisfied, indicating Traline tablet was bioequivalent to Zoloft$^{(R)}$ tablet.