• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.732-737
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• 2008

This study developed a natural ingredient as a functional food possessing properties of attenuation of hypertension and cardiovascular hypertrophy. In a previous study hydrolysates obtained from chicken leg bone protein using Alcalase strongly inhibited angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) in vitro. In particular, hydrolysate (A4H) from four hours of incubation exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.545 mg/ml). A4H was selected as a potent ACE inhibitor and orally administrated to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) for eight weeks to investigate attenuating effects on age-related development of hypertension and cardiovascular hypertrophy. Results showed that treatment with A4H of SHRs attenuated the development of hypertension as effectively as the clinical antihypertensive drug captopril. Moreover, a significantly lower heart to body weight ratio and thinness of coronary arterial wall was observed in SHRs that had been treated with A4H or captopril. The results suggest that A4H can be utilized in developing an ACE inhibitor as a potential ingredient of functional foods to alleviate hypertension and cardiovascular hypertrophy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.148-159
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• 2003

Objective: This study examines the effects of acupoint combination on NADPH-diaphorase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) in the brainstem of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Methods: The changes of NADPH-d-positive neurons using a histochemical method and the changes of nNOS-positive neurons using an immunohistochemical method were evaluated. The optical densities of NADPH-d-positive neurons and nNOS-positive neurons of the Choksamni(ST36) Umnungchon(SP9) groups were significantly increased in all brainstem areas as compared to the Choksamni and Choksamni Kokchi(LI11) groups and decreased, with the exeption of the nNOS-positive neurons in the superficial gray of superior colliculus, as compared to the normal group. Results: Our results demonstrated that electroacupuncture changes the activity in the NO system in the brainstem of SHR and the acupoint combination is one of the important parameters for this effect.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect and the mechanism of Geumgoeshingi-whan (GGSGW) Pharmacopuncture at the acupoint GV 4 on the blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: SHR were injected with normal saline solution (Control-SHR group)or GGSGW Pharmacopuncture (GGSGW-SHR group) at the acupoint GV 4. The systolic arterial blood pressure and renal parameters were measured for two weeks. Results: The systolic arterial blood pressure was decreased significantly after GGSGW Pharmacopuncture at the acupoint GV 4 in SHR, followed by a significant rise in creatine clearance. The plasma levels of aldosterone were decreased significantly after GGSGW Pharmacopunctureas were the plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Conclusion: These results suggest that the blood pressure was decreased significantly after GGSGW Pharmacopuncture at the acupoint GV 4 in SHR and that the depressor response of the blood pressure was related to decreases in the plasma levels of aldosterone and ANP.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.349-356
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• 1998

The aim of the experiments was to investigate the effect of Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 20(脾兪) and BL 23(賢兪) on the blood pressure, plasma renin activity, plasma levels of aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The results of this study were as follows: 1. Systolic blood pressure was decreased significantly after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 20, BL 23. 2. Plasma renin activity was increased significantly after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at meridian point BL 23, BL 20. 3. Plasma levels of aldosterone was increased significantly after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 20. 4. Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was increased significantly after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 23, but it was decreased significantly after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 20. These results suggest that the changes of the depressor response after Semen Cuscutae aqua-acupuncture at the meridian point BL 20, BL 23 are related to the changes of the plasma renin activity, plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and aldosterone.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2004

Severe hypertension (>180 mmHg) develops in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) after 12 wk-old; however, it is not clear whether what kinds of molecular mechanism leads to altered cardiac performance following developmental stages in SHR. Also, although the effect of calcineurin (Cn) to promote cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro is established, its overall necessity as a hypertrophic mediator is currently an area of ongoing debate. Thus, we have examined i) body weight and blood pressure, ii) differences of expression and distribution of signaling molecules such as Cn, protein kinase B/Akt (PKB/Akt), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) between SHR and their age-matched control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats following developmental stages. In 16 wk-old SHR compared with WKY, 2-dimentional echocardiography showed cardiac enlargement and hypertrophy of left ventricle, significantly. Taken together, we suggest that Cn is associated with hereditary cardiac hypertrophy, the process being related to the molecular signaling mechanisms involving PKB/Akt and ERK.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2004

The vascular relaxant effect of amlodipine adipate, a new salt of amlodipine, was evaluate in isolated rat aorta, and compared with that of amlodipine besylate. Furthermore, antihypertensive effects were measured in hypertensive rat models, such as spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and rena1 hypertensive rats (RHR). Amlodipine adipate concentration-dependently inhibited $Ca^{2+}$-induced contraction of rat aorta with a very slow onset of action (reached its maximum at 3.5 h;$IC_{50}$: 3.76 nM), having a pattern and a potency similar to those of amlodipine besylate ($IC_{50}$: 4.01 nM). In SHR and RHR, orally administered amlodipine adipate produced a dosedependent and long-lasting (>10-24 h) antihypertensive effect ($ED_{20}$: 2.48 and 1.57 mg/kg, respectively), with a pattern and a potency similar to those of amlodipine besylate ($ED_{20}$: 2.50 and 1.99 mg/kg in SHR and RHR, respectively). These results suggest that amlodipine adipate is a potent and long-lasting antihypertensive agent and that its antihypertensive effect is not significantly different to that of amlodipine besylate.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 1994

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) activates guanylate cyclase which mediates the formation of cGMP from GTP in vascular smooth muscle. It is well known that endothelium-dependent relaxation is impaired in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). However, it is still unknown whether the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in SHR results from the reduced release of EDRF or from the decrease of vascular response to EDRF. We investigated the effects of cGMP on the contractility and Ca movement in the aorta of SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The amplitude of the endothelium-dependent relaxation to actylcholine (ACh) was significantly less in SHR than in WKY. L-arginine $(10^{-3}M)$ did not increase endothelium-dependent relaxation in both strains. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an activator of guanylate cyclase, relaxed the 40 mM $K^+-induced$ contraction in a dose-dependent manner $(10^{-10}{\sim}10^{-6}\;M)$ in the endothelium-rubbed aortic strips of both strains. However, there was no significant difference in these relaxations between WKY and SHR. 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP), a cell membrane-permeable derivative of cGMP relaxed the 40 mM $K^+-induced$ contraction in a dose-dependent manner $(10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-4}\;M)$ in the endothelium-rubbed aortic strips of both strains. Also norepinephrine $(10^{-6}\;M)-induced$ contractions in normal and Ca-free Tyrode's solution were suppressed by the pretreatment with 8-Br-cGMP $(10^{-4}\;M)$ in either strain. However, the amplitudes of suppression induced by 8-Br-cGMP were greater in SHR than that in WKY. Basal $^{45}Ca$ uptake and 40mM $K^+-stimulated\;^{45}Ca$ uptake were not suppressed by pretreatment with 8-Br-cGMP $(10^{-4}\;M)$ in single aortic smooth muscle cells of both SHR and WKY. From the above results, it is suggested that cGMP decreases Ca sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle cells and that the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in the aortic strips of SHR is not the result of a reduced vascular response to EDRF.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.579-582
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• 2001

Twenty one Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats(SHR) that were 4- to 21-month-old were examined histopathologically and serologically during a routine health monitoring of the rat colony. The results of the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) for murine pathogens demonstrated that 14 of 21 SHR rats had antibodies to Mycoplasma pulmonis. Histopathologically, the mycoplasma positive SHR rats were observed to have the typical pulmonary lesions which are characterized by the hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue around the bronchi, bronchioles and vessels. Based on the histopathological findings and serological results, this case was diagnosed as a murine mycoplasmosis of SHR rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1087-1095
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• 1996

The study was carried out to investigate a new type of functional foods with hypotensive effect which is critical in the prevention and treatment of hypertension and related circulatory diseases. The experimental diets(A, B, C) were prepared from plant based ingredients such as buckwheat, potato, perilla seed with different ratios formulated as an edible form appropriate for human consumption according to AIN-77 standard. Control group(D) was fed commercial rat chow. Twety-four 15-week-old SDR(Sprague Dawley rats) and twenty-four 20-week-old SHR(spontaneously hypertensive rats), weighing 200g respectively, were assigned to 4 treatments of 6 rats each in a completely randomized design. Blood pressure was measured at 7 day interval by tail-cuff sphygmomanometer using an IITC cuff pump and amplifier. The growth rates of both SHR and SDR were not statistically different in comparions with the control except those of diet B and C in SDR and SHR, respectively(p<0.05). When exprimental diets were fed, systolic blood pressure of SDR and SHR at day 28 had been lowered by 17-20 mmHg(ave. of 19.6mmHg for both strains) compared with the reference pressure at day 0. The levels of HDL-cholesterol were increased, while the levels of LDL-cholesterol consistently decreased in both strains when experimental diets were fed(p<.05). Plasma total cholesterol levels were not different among treatments. Plasma triglyceride levels were higher in control diet(commercial rat chow) due to two times higher fat content of control diet itself(p<.05). Atherogenic indices were lower compared to those of control when the experimental diets were fed in both strains (p,.05). The results suggest that the antihypertensive diets mainly consisting of plant-based ingredients may possibly effective in relieving hypertension as well as circulatory diseases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.154-155
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• 1998

Taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid is widely distributed in animal tissues and has a variety of biological activities. A recent worldwide study demonstrated beneficial effects of taurine on aging and age-associated disorders. In general, taurine levels in the brain decrease when an animal is subjected to pathologic conditions such as ischemia-anoxia and seizure. But taurine levels tend to increase in the brain in hypertention. In the present study, the blood-brain barrier BBB) transport of [$^3$H]taurine was compared between spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) using Internal artery carotid perfusion (ICAP) at a rate of 4$m\ell$/min for 10, 15 and 30 second. Calculated V$\_$D/, volume of distribution in brain, and PS, the permeability surface area product of [$^3$H]taurine through the BBB in SHR was a little lower than that in SD. PS for 15s is more higher than that of other seconds in both of them. It could be followed by taurine efflux back into blood after 15s. We also obtained pharmacokinetic parameters using intravenous injection of plasma volume marker, [$\^$14/C]sucrose and [$^3$H] taurine. PS value of [$^3$H]taurine in SHR (16.1 ${\pm}$ 2.9 ${\times}$ 10$\^$-3/ $m\ell$/min/g) was significantly higher than that in SD (7.4 ${\pm}$ 0.8 ${\times}$ 10$\^$-3/ $m\ell$/min/g). There is also significant difference for %ID/g in brain between SHR (0.195 ${\pm}$ 0.031) and SD (0.058 ${\pm}$ 0.003).