• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.743-748
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• 2005

This study was performed for the investigation of vasodilatory efficacy and its underlying mechanisms of Jagumhuan(JGH), a herbal remedy. JGH produced completely endothelium-dependent relaxation and relaxed phenylephrine(PE)-precontracted aorta in a concentration dependent manner. The magnitude of relaxation was greater in PE induced contraction than that of KCl, suggesting involvement of $K^+$ channel in the relaxant effect. Both glibenclamide$(10^{-5}M)$, a $K_{ATP}$ channel inhibitor and indometacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, completely prevented this relaxation. The relaxation effects of JGH, involve in part the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium as pretreatment with L-NAME, an NOS inhibitor, and methylene blue, a cGMP inhibitor, attenuated the responses by 62% and 58%, respectively. In addition, nitrite was produced by JGH in human aortic smooth muscle cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The relaxant effect of JGH was also inhibited by 55.41% by tetraethylammonium(TEA; 5mM), a $K_{Ca}$ channel inhibitor. In the absence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, pre-incubation of the aortic rings with JGH significantly reduced the contraction by PE, suggesting that the relaxant action of the JGH includes inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular stores. These results indicate that in rat thoracic aorta, JGH may induce vasodilation through ATP sensitive $K^+$ channel activation by prostacyclin production. However, the relaxant effect of JGH may also mediated in part by NO pathways and $Ca^{2+}$ activated $K^+$ channel.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.148-154
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• 2008

The butanol extract of Euonymus alatus (BEA) induced dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted aorta, which was abolished by removal of functional endothelium. Pre-treatment of the endothelium-intact aortic tissues with $N^G-nitro-L-arginine methylester$ (L-NAME), and 1 H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole- [$4,3-{\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibited the relaxation induced by BEA, respectively. BEA-induced vascular relaxation was not blocked by glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium (TEA), indomethacin, atropine, propranolol, verapamil, and diltiazem, respectively. Moreover, BEA inhibits phenylephrine-induced vascular constriction in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that BEA relaxes vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide/cGMP signaling.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.1166-1173
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• 2006

The aqueous extracts of Cortex Caryophylli (AEC) induced dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted aorta, which was abolished by removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact aortic tissues with N$^G$_nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 1 H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-${\alpha}$l-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibited the relaxation induced by AEC. AEC-induced vascular relaxations were also markedly attenuated by addition of verapamil, diltiazem and glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium (TEA), respectively, while the relaxation effect of AEC was not blocked by indomethacin, atropine, or propranolol. Moreover, incubation of endothelium-intact aortic rings with AEC increased the production of cGMP. These results suggest that AEC dilates vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide/cGMP signaling, which seems to be causally related with L-type Ca$^{2+}$ and K$^+$ channels.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.89-98
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• 2008

There are increasing evidences in the literatures on the potential role of ginsenosides in treating cardiovascular diseases. In this article, current information about ginsenosides-mediated vascular relaxation are reviewed. From the published studies using isolated organs, cell culture systems and animal models, ginsenosides are shown to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow through diverse mechanisms, including nitric oxide release by activating eNOS phosphorylation via PI3K/Akt and/or ERK1/2 pathways in endothelial cells, induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase through activation of NF-${\kappa}$B, reducing the intracelluar Ca$^{2+}$ levels by activating Ca$^{2+}$-activated K$^{+}$ channels in vascular smooth muscle cells and reducing platelet aggregation by decreasing thromboxane A$_2$ formation and intracelluar Ca$^{2+}$in platelets. In addition, the relevant clinical trials regarding the effects of ginsenosides on the cardiovascular disease are summarized, particulary focusing on managing hypertension and improving thrombotic disorders. Finally, antagonistic effects of ginsenosides on the prostaglandin H$_2$ receptor and scavenging effects on the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are discussed.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.193-199
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• 2023

In this investigation, we made a study of the efficacy of luteolin (a flavonoid found in plants such as vegetables, herbs and fruits) on vascular contractibility and to elucidate the mechanism underlying the relaxation. Isometric contractions of denuded muscles were stored and combined with western blot analysis which was conducted to assess the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and phosphorylation-dependent inhibitory protein for myosin phosphatase (CPI-17) and to examine the effect of luteolin on the RhoA/ROCK/CPI-17 pathway. Luteolin significantly alleviated phorbol ester-, fluoride- and thromboxane mimetic-elicited contractions regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, implying its direct effect on smooth muscle. It also significantly alleviated the fluoride-elicited elevation in pCPI-17 and pMYPT1 levels and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-elicited increase in pERK1/2 level, suggesting depression of ROCK and PKC/MEK activity and ensuing phosphorylation of MYPT1, CPI-17 and ERK1/2. Taken together, these results suggest that luteolin-elicited relaxation includes myosin phosphatase reactivation and calcium desensitization, which seems to be arbitrated by CPI-17 dephosphorylation via ROCK/PKC inhibition.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.145-150
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the influence of galangin on vascular contractibility and to determine the mechanism underlying the relaxation. Isometric contractions of denuded aortic muscles were recorded and combined with western blot analysis which was performed to measure the phosphorylation of phosphorylation-dependent inhibitory protein of myosin phosphatase (CPI-17) and myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and to evaluate the effect of galangin on the RhoA/ROCK/CPI-17 pathway. Galangin significantly inhibited phorbol ester-, fluoride- and thromboxane mimetic-induced vasoconstrictions regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, suggesting its direct effect on vascular smooth muscle. Galangin significantly inhibited the fluoride-dependent increase in pMYPT1 and pCPI-17 levels and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-dependent increase in pERK1/2 level, suggesting repression of ROCK and MEK activity and subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1, CPI-17 and ERK1/2. Taken together, these results suggest that galangin-induced relaxation involves myosin phosphatase reactivation and calcium desensitization, which appears to be mediated by CPI-17 dephosphorylation via not PKC but ROCK inactivation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.345-355
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• 2010

산성화를 초래하는 Hypoxia 등 여러 가지 조건에서 변화하는 세포외 pH 변화는 궁극적으로 세포내 pH 변화를 유발하며 세포 내외 pH 변화는 혈관평활근 수축성 변화를 유발한다. 이러한 세포 내외 pH 변화에 의한 혈관 수축성 변화 기전을 규명하고자, pH 변화가 혈관수축인자들에 의한 혈관평활근 수축, 혈관평활근세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도, 그리고 혈관평활근의 $Ca^{2+}$에 대한 민감도에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 쥐에서 분리한 상장간막동맥과 그 분지에서 등장성 수축을 기록하였으며 배양한 상장간막동맥 세포에서 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 변화를 측정하였다. 세포외 pH는 정상인 7.4에서 6.4, 6.9 혹은 7.8로 변화시켰으며, 세포내 pH 변화는 propionic acid나 $NH_4$를 투여하거나 ${\beta}$-escin으로 세포막의 투과성을 증가시켜 세포외 용액의 pH 변화로 유발시켰다. 결과: 세포외 pH를 7.4에서 6.9, 6.4로 감소시키면 노에피네프린과 세로토닌에 의한 용량-반응 곡선이 우측 이동하였으며 최대 수축력의 50% 수축력을 유발하는 농도(half maximal effective concentration)가 증가하였고, pH를 7.8로 증가시키면 그 반대 현상이 일어났다. 노에피네프린은 배양한 혈관평활근세포에서 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도를 증가시켰으며, 이 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 증가는 세포외 pH 감소에 의하여 억제되었으며 세포외 pH 증가에 의하여 증가하였다. 노에피네프린에 의한 수축은 세포내 pH를 감소시키는 $NH_4$에 의하여 억제된 반면, 안정 장력은 $NH_4$과 propionic acid에 의하여 증가하였다. ${\beta}$-escin으로 세포막의 투과도를 증가시킨 후 세포외 용액의 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도를 증가시켜 수축을 유발시킨 후 세포외 용액의 pH를 변화시키면 pH 감소에 의하여 수축력이 감소하였으며 증가에 의하여 수축력이 증가하였다. 결론: 세포외 pH의 감소는 혈관평활근의 수축성을 감소시키는데 이는 세포외 pH 감소에 의한 혈관평활근의 혈관수축물질에 대한 반응성 감소, 혈관평활근 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 유입 억제 그리고 $Ca^{2+}$에 대한 혈관평활근의 민감성 감소에 의하여 일어난 것으로 추정할 수 있었다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.359-365
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• 2013

Plasma pH can be altered during pregnancy and at labor. Membrane excitability of smooth muscle including uterine muscle is suppressed by the activation of $K^+$ channels. Because contractility of uterine muscle is regulated by extracellular pH and humoral factors, $K^+$ conductance could be connected to factors regulating uterine contractility during pregnancy. Here, we showed that TASK-2 inhibitors such as quinidine, lidocaine, and extracellular acidosis produced contraction in uterine circular muscle of mouse. Furthermore, contractility was significantly increased in pregnant uterine circular muscle than that of non-pregnant muscle. These patterns were not changed even in the presence of tetraetylammonium (TEA) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Finally, TASK-2 inhibitors induced strong myometrial contraction even in the presence of L-methionine, a known inhibitor of stretch-activated channels in myometrium. When compared to non-pregnant myometrium, pregnant myometrium showed increased immunohistochemical expression of TASK-2. Therefore, TASK-2, seems to play a key role during regulation of myometrial contractility in the pregnancy and provides new insight into preventing preterm delivery.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.52-58
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• 2017

This study was aimed to examine relaxing effects of Acanthopanacis cortex(AC) through nitric oxide(NO) production and phosphodiesterase type 5(PDE-5) inhibition in corpus cavernosum. In order to define the relaxation effects of AC extract, rabbit corpus cavernous tissues were prepared in $2{\times}2{\times}8mm$ sized strip. AC extract ($0.01-3.0mg/m{\ell}$) were treated in contracted strips induced by phenylephrine(PE) and $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) was treated before AC extract-treated. And calcium chloride($Ca^{2+}$) 1 mM was infused into precontracted strips after pretreatment of AC extract in $Ca^{2+}-free$ krebs-ringer solution. When AC extract was applied to human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC), cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and NO concentration was measured by Griess reagent system. Ratio of smooth muscles to collagen fibers and eNOS, PDE-5 positive reaction were measured by histochemical and immunohistochemical process on mice corpus cavernosum. AC extract significantly affected relaxion of the cavernous strips, and the pretreatment of L-NNA inhibited AC extract-induced relaxation. Contraction induced by the addition of $Ca^{2+}$ was inhibited by treatment with the AC extract in $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution. In AC group, NO concentration, ratio of smooth muscle to collagen fibers, and eNOS positive reaction were increased, PDE-5 positive reaction was decreased compared to PE group. As a result of the above experiment, it was thought that AC extract inhibits the inflow of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ by activating cGMP through the increase of eNOS / NO and the decrease of PDE-5 which inhibits cGMP activity, in the corpus cavernosum.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.175-188
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• 2022

혈관과 섬유증 기관들의 평활근과 세포외기질에 대한 릴랙신의 조절기능이 입증되어왔다. 본 총설에서는 저항성 소동맥과 방광을 포함한 섬유증 기관들의 세포외기질에 작용하는 릴랙신의 다양한 기전들을 고찰한다. 릴랙신은 혈관 평활근육의 수축을 억제하고, 콜라겐과 같은 세포외기질의 구성성분들을 감소키켜 혈관벽의 수동적 신전성을 증가시킴으로써, 혈관확장을 유도한다. 릴랙신이 동맥의 혈관확장을 유도하는 주된 세포기전은 RXFP1/PI3K의 활성화, Akt 인산화 및 eNOS 활성화를 통한 내피세포-의존성 산화질소의 생성에 의해 매개된다. 추가적으로, 릴랙신은 또한 다른 대체경로들을 작동하여 신장과 장간막 동맥의 혈관확장을 증가시킨다. 신장 소동맥에서, 릴랙신은 내피세포의 MMPs 및 EtB 수용체의 활성화와 VEGF 및 PlGF의 생성을 촉진하여, 평활근의 수축성과 콜라겐의 침착을 억제함으로써 혈관확장을 초래한다. 이와 달리, 장간막 소동맥에서, 릴랙신은 bradykinin (BK)-유도 이완을 시간-의존적으로 증강시킨다. BK-매개 이완의 신속 증가는 IK_Ca 이온통로와 뒤이은 EDH 유발에 의존하는 반면, BK에 의한 지속적 이완은 COX 활성과 PGI₂에 의존한다. 릴랙신의 항섬유화 효과는 염증유발 면역세포의 침투, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) 및 근섬유아세포의 분화와 활성을 억제하여 매개된다. 릴랙신은 또한 근섬유아세포 내 NOS/NO/cGMP/PKG-1 경로를 활성화하여, TGF-β1-유도 ERK1/2 및 Smad2/3 신호의 활성과 ECM 콜라겐의 침착을 억제한다.