• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.60-67
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• 2000

Objectives : Radix Angelicae Gigantis(RAG) and Resina Ferulae(RF) have been used in oriental medicine or folk medicine to increase stamina. The aim of this study was the characterization of the mechanism of action of RAG and RF on smooth muscle and macrophages in rats to find new substances for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases and immune dysfunction. Methods : We investigated the effects of the water extracts of RAG and RF on phenylephrine or KCl-contracted rat endothelium-denuded aorta, the production of NO in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and the production of NO and induction of iNOS in the $IFN-{\gamma}-primed$ RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The water extracts of the RAG and RF showed significant concentration-dependent relaxation effects on phenylephrine or KCl-contracted rat endothelium-denuded aorta. It also reduced the tension of the rat endothelium denuded aorta which was contracted in $Ca^{2+}-free$ media. On the other hand, it increased production of NO in VSMC which was stimulated with $IL-{\beta}$ or $IL-{\beta}$ plus $IFN-{\gamma}$. The water extracts of RAG and RF increased production of NO and induction of iNOS in the $IFN-{\gamma}-primed$ RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : According to the above results, the water extracts of RAG and RF relaxed the smooth muscle effectively and increased the production of NO in VSMC and macrophages. So, these herbs can be applied to erectile dysfunction, hypertension, angina pectoris, artherosclerosis and a defense defect for virus or microbe.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 2015

It is well known that cigarette smoke can cause erectile dysfunction by affecting the penile vascular system. However, the exact effects of nicotine on the corpus cavernosum remains poorly understood. Nicotine has been reported to cause relaxation of the corpus cavernosum; it has also been reported to cause both contraction and relaxation. Therefore, high concentrations of nicotine were studied in strips from the rabbit corpus cavernosum to better understand its effects. The proximal penile corpus cavernosal strips from male rabbits weighing approximately 4 kg were used in organ bath studies. Nicotine in high concentrations ($10^{-5}{\sim}10^{-4}M$) produced dose-dependent contractions of the corpus cavernosal strips. The incubation with $10^{-5}M$ hexamethonium (nicotinic receptor antagonist) significantly inhibited the magnitude of the nicotine associated contractions. The nicotine-induced contractions were not only significantly inhibited by pretreatment with $10^{-5}M$ indomethacin (nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibitor) and with $10^{-6}M$ NS-398 (selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor), but also with $10^{-6}M$ Y-27632 (Rho kinase inhibitor). Ozagrel (thromboxane $A_2$ synthase inhibitor) and SQ-29548 (highly selective TP receptor antagonist) pretreatments significantly reduced the nicotine-induced contractile amplitude of the strips. High concentrations of nicotine caused contraction of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosal strips. This contraction appeared to be mediated by activation of nicotinic receptors. Rho-kinase and cyclooxygenase pathways, especially cyclooxygenase-2 and thromboxane $A_2$, might play a pivotal role in the mechanism associated with nicotine-induced contraction of the rabbit corpus cavernosum.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.617-623
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• 2017

The vascular actions and mechanisms of taurine were investigated in the isolated human radial artery (RA). RA rings were suspended in isolated organ baths and tension was recorded isometrically. First, a precontraction was achieved by adding potassium chloride (KCl, 45 mM) or serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT, $30{\mu}M$) to organ baths. When the precontractions were stable, taurine (20, 40, 80 mM) was added cumulatively. Antagonistic effect of taurine on calcium chloride ($10{\mu}M$ to 10 mM) -induced contractions was investigated. Taurine-induced relaxations were also tested in the presence of the $K^+$ channel inhibitors tetraethylammonium (1 mM), glibenclamide ($10{\mu}M$) and 4-aminopyridine (1 mM). Taurine did not affect the basal tone but inhibited the contraction induced by 5-HT and KCl. Calcium chloride-induced contractions were significantly inhibited in the presence of taurine (20, 40, 80 mM) (p<0.05). The relaxation to taurine was inhibited by tetraethylammonium (p<0.05). However, glibenclamide and 4-aminopyridine did not affect taurine -induced relaxations. Present experiments show that taurine inhibits 5-HT and KCl -induced contractions in RA, and suggest that large conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels may be involved in taurine -induced relaxation of RA.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.345-355
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• 2010

Background: Extracellular and intracellular pH ($pH_o$ and $pH_i$), which can be changed in various pathological conditions such as hypoxia, affects vascular contractility. To elucidate the mechanism to alter vascular contractility by pH, the effects of pH on reactivity to vasocontracting agents, intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx, and $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle were examined. Material and Method: Isometric contractions in rat superior mesenteric arteries (SMA) were observed. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) was recorded by microfluorometer using Fura-2/acetoxylmethyl ester in muscle cells. $pH_o$ was increased from 7.4 to 7.8 or decreased to 6.9 or 6.4. $pH_i$ was decreased by applying $NH_4^+$ or propionic acid or modulated by changing $pH_o$ after increasing membrane permeability using $\beta$-escin. Result: Decreases in $pH_o$ from 7.4 to 6.9 or 6.4 shifted concentration-response curve by norepinephrine (NE) or serotonin (SE) to the right and significantly increased half maximal effective concentration (EC50) to NE or SE. Increase in $pH_o$ from 7.4 to 7.8 shifted concentration-response curve by norepinephrine (NE) or serotonin (SE) to the left and significantly reduced EC50 to NE or SE. NE increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in cultured smooth muscle cells from SMA and the increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was reduced by decreases in $pH_o$. NE-induced contraction was inhibited by $NH_4^+$, whereas the resting tension was increased by $NH_4^+$ or propionic acid. When the cell membrane of SMA was permeabilized using ${\beta}$-escin, SMA was contracted by increasing extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration from 0 to $10{\mu}M$ and the magnitude of contraction was decreased by a decrease in $pH_o$ and vice versa. Conclusion: From these results, it can be concluded that a decrease in $pH_o$ might inhibit vascular contraction by reducing the reactivity of vascular smooth muscle to vasoactive agents, $Ca^{2+}$ influx and the sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle to $Ca^{2+}$.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2003

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of bornyl acetate on arterial blood pressure and vascular contractile responses in the normotensive rats and to establish the mechanism of action. Both phenylephrine (an adrenergi$\alpha$-receptor agonist) and high potassium (a membrane-depolarizing agent) caused greatly contractile responses in the isolated aortic strips. These phenylephrine (10$^{-5}$ M)-induced contractile responses were depressed in the presence of high concentrations of bornyl acetate (10∼20 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml), but not affected in low concentrations of bornyl acetate (2.5∼5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml). High potassium (5.6 ${\times}$ 10$^{-2}$ M)-induced contractile responses were also greatly inhibited in the presence of bornyl acetate (2.5∼20 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) in a dose-dependent fashion. Bornyl acetate (1∼10 mg/kg) given into a femoral vein of the normotensive rat produced a dose-dependent depressor response, which is transient (data not shown). Interestingly, the infusion of a moderate dose of bornyl acetate (3mg/kg/30 min) made a significant reduction in pressor responses induced by intravenous norepinephrine. Collectively, these results obtained from the present study demonstrate that intravenous bornyl acetate causes a dose-dependent depressor action in the anesthetized rat at least partly through the blockade of adrenergic $\alpha$$_1$-receptors. bornyl acetate also causes vascular relaxation in the isolated aortic strips of the rat via the blockade of adrenergic $\alpha$$_1$-receptors, in addition to the unknown mechanism of direct vasorelaxation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2013

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to be related to cardiovascular diseases. Many studies have demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have beneficial effects against ROS. We investigated the antioxidant effect of captopril and enalapril in nitric oxide mediated vascular endothelium-dependent relaxations. Materials and Methods: Isolated rabbit abdominal aorta ring segments were exposed to ROS by electrolysis of the organ bath medium (Krebs-Henseleit solution) after pretreatment with various concentrations (range, $10^{-5}$ to $3{\times}10^{-4}$ M) of captopril and enalapril. Before and after electrolysis, the endothelial function was measured by preconstricting the vessels with norepinephrine ($10^{-6}$ M) followed by the cumulative addition of acetylcholine (range, $3{\times}10^{-8}$ to $10^{-6}$ M). The relevance of the superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide scavenging effect of captopril and enalapril was investigated using additional pretreatments of diethyldithiocarbamate (DETCA, 0.5 mM), an inhibitor of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3AT, 50 mM), an inhibitor of catalase. Results: Both captopril and enalapril preserved vascular endothelium-dependent relaxation after exposure to ROS in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.0001). Pretreatment with DETCA attenuated the antioxidant effect of captopril and enalapril (p<0.0001), but pretreatment with 3AT did not have an effect. Conclusion: Both captopril and enalapril protect endothelium against ROS in a dose-dependent fashion in isolated rabbit abdominal aortas. This protective effect is related to superoxide anion scavenging.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.214-223
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• 2003

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of green tea extract (GTE) on arterial blood pressure and contractile responses of isolated aortic strips of the normotensive rats and to establish the mechanism of action. The phenylephrine ($10^{-6}~10^{-5}M$)-induced contractile responses were greatly inhibited in the presence of GTE (0.3~1.2 mg/mL) in a dose-dependent fashion. Also, high potassium ($3.5{\times}10^{-2}~5.6{\times}10^{-2}{\;}M$)-induced contractile responses were depressed in the presence of 0.6~1.2 mg/mL of GTE, but not affected in low concentration of GTE (0.3 mg/mL). However, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, $4~12{\;}{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect the contractile responses evoked by phenylephrine and high $K^+$. GTE (5~20 mg/kg) given into a femoral vein of the normotensive rat produced a dose-dependent depressor response, which is transient. Interestingly, the infusion of a moderate dose of GTE (10 mg/kg/30 min) made a significant reduction in pressor responses induced by intravenous norepinephrine. However, EGCG (1 mg/kg/30 min) did not affect them. Collectively, these results obtained from the present study demonstrate that intravenous GTE causes a dose-dependent depressor action in the anesthetized rat at least partly through the blockade of adrenergic $\alpha_1$-receptors. GTE also causes the relaxation in the isolated aortic strips of the rat via the blockade of adrenergic $\alpha_1$-receptors, in addition to the unknown direct mechanism. It seems that there is a big difference in the vascular effect between GTE and EGCG.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.353-358
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• 2016

The generation and collection of cigarette smoke (CS) is a prerequisite for any toxicology study on smoking, especially an in vitro CS exposure study. In this study, the effects on blood and vascular function were tested with two widely used CS preparations to compare the biological effects of CS with respect to the CS preparation used. CS was prepared in the form of total particulate matter (TPM), which is CS trapped in a Cambridge filter pad, and cigarette smoke extract (CSE), which is CS trapped in phosphate-buffered saline. TPM potentiated platelet reactivity to thrombin and thus increased aggregation at a concentration of $25{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$, whereas 2.5~10% CSE decreased platelet aggregation by thrombin. Both TPM and CSE inhibited vascular contraction by phenylephrine at $50{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$ and 10%, respectively. TPM inhibited acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation at $10{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$, but CSE exhibited a minimal effect on relaxation at the concentration that affects vasoconstriction. Neither TPM nor CSE induced hemolysis of erythrocytes or influenced plasma coagulation, as assessed by prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Taken together, CS affects platelet activity and deteriorates vasomotor functions in vitro. However, the effect on blood and blood vessels may vary depending on the CS preparation. Therefore, the results of experiments conducted with CS preparations should be interpreted with caution.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.271-280
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• 2020

Hypertension has been approved to cause disharmony between the heart and kidney such as cardiac hypertrophy and kidney dysfunction. In traditional oriental medicine Paeo-tang (PET) has been shown to have effects on blood circulation improvement. However, the beneficial effect of PET on hypertension remains unknown. In this study, we investigated that PET attenuates blood pressure and improves cardiovascular and renal function in NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) rat model. Hypertensive rat models were induced by the administration of L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day) and then PET (50 or 100 mg/kg/day) or Olmetec was treated for 2 weeks. PET treatment significantly suppressed the systolic blood pressure and decreased intima-media thickness in the thoracic aorta. PET ameliorated endothelium-dependent and independent vascular relaxation in the L-NAME-induced vascular dysfunction. PET ameliorated the functional decline in the kidney such as albumin and blood urea nitrogen in plasma. These results demonstrated that PET possesses protective effects against L-NAME-induced hypertension.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1982

Force development of smooth muscle cells is directly regulated by the concentration of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the sarcoplasmic concentration of calcium ion can be modulated by electrogenic Na-K pump. The role of Na-K pump on vascular tone was studied in isolated rabbit renal artery. Helical strips of arterial muscle were prepared from left renal arteries. All experiments were performed in $HCO_3^--buffered$ Tyrode solution which was aerated with $3%CO_2-97%\;O_2$ mixed gas and kept at $35^{\circ}C$. In some experiments, rabbit was injected intraperitoneally $18{\sim}24$ hours prior to the experiments, with a large dose(5 mg/kg body wt) of reserpine, in order to eliminate the catecholamines present in intrinsic adrenergic nerve terminate. Treatment used in this experiment that inhibits Na-K pump was the exposure of strips to K-free Tyrode solution. Contractile response to K free Tyrode solution developed slowly and the time required for maximum contracture was $20{\sim}30$ minutes. This K-free contracture was rapidly relaxed by the addition of potassium to the bathing solution. No K-free contracture occurred in a Ca-free Tyrode solution. But contraction developed rapidly when calcium ion was added to the bathing solution after 30 minute exposure of the strip to Ca-free Tyrode solution. This contracture was completely inhibited by Ca-antagonist, verapamil. The K-free contracture was abolished by ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ blocker, phentolamine, as well as by the catecholamine depletion from adrenergic nerve terminals. Even in reserpinized strip, the exogenous norepinephrine-induced contraction in K-free Tyrode solution was rapidly suppressed by the addition of potassium ion. The results of this experiment suggest that K free contracture develops by norepinephrine release from adrenergic nerve terminals, while the relaxation of K-free contracture is induced by the activation of electrogenic Na-K pump.