• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 1995

Arachidonic acid (AA, C20 : 4, $\omega$-6) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA,C20 : 5, $\omega$-3), which are polyunsaturated fatty acids forming eicosanoids, were tested for their effects on blood pressure in Wistar rats and SHR. AA is the most important precursor for the biosynthesis of eicosanoids which include the prostaglandins, prostacyclin (PGI$_2$), thromboxane $A_2$ (TXA$_2$) and the leukotriens. TXA$_2$is a potent vasoconstrictor and a powerful inducer of platelet aggregation causing myocardial infarction and hypertention. In contrast, PGI$_2$ induces vasodilation and inhibits platelet aggregation. In this study, AA markedly increased blood pressure, but its effect was antagonized by both EPA, a structural analog of AA, and dazmegrel, a TX synthetase inhibitor. Also, AA enhanced the antihypertensive effects of hydralazine and captopril, and EPA reduced TXA$_2$ production. These results indicate that the hypotensive effects of EPA might be closely related to the decrease in TXA$_2$ biosynthesis due to competitive inhibition by structural similarity of the EPA to the AA, the precursor of TXA$_2$.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2000

High molecular weight water-insoluble chitosan alone has been previously shown to exhibit in vitro stimulatory effect on macrophages nitric oxide (NO) production. However, high molecular weight water-soluble chitosan (WSC) had no effect on NO production by itself. When WSC was used in combination with recombinant $interferon-{\gamma}\;(Rifn-{\gamma})$, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal effect of WSC on NO synthesis was shown at 24 h after treatment with $rIFN-{\gamma}$. The increased production of NO from $rIFN-{\gamma}$ plus WSC-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was decreased by the treatment with $N^G$ $monomethyl-_L-arginine$. The increase in NO synthesis was reflected, as an increased amounts of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein. Synergy between $rIFN-{\gamma}$ and WSC was mainly dependent on WSC-induced nuclear $factor-_KB$ activation. The present results indicate that WSC may provide various activities such as anti-microbial, anti-tumoral, and anti-viral. In addition, since NO has emerged as an important intracellular and intercellular regulatory molecule having functions as diverse as vasodilation, neural communication, cell growth regulation and host defense, it is tempting to hypothesize that this WSC is involved in the local control of the various fundamental processes such as cardiagra, cardiac infarction, impotence etc.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.189-194
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• 2008

The effects of DHU001, a mixed herbal formula consisted of 7 types aqueous extracts for treating respiratory disorders were observed on xylene-induced acute inflammation. The xylene was topically applied 60 min after administration of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg of DHU001, and all animals were sacrificed 2 hrs after xylene application. The changes on ear weights, histolopathological analyses of ear were evaluated and compared to those of indomethacin and dexamethasone(15 mg/kg treated)-Both of drugs are well-known by anti-inflammatory agents. Xylene application resulted in marked increases in induced ear weights as compared with intact control ear. Severe vasodilation, edematous changes of ear skin and increase in the thickness of the ear tissues, neutrophil infiltration as acute inflammation were detected in xylene-treated control ears at histopathological observation. However, these xylene-induced acute inflammatory changes were dose-dependently decreased by oral treatment of DHU001. Therefore, it is concluded that DHU001 has favorable anti-inflammatory effects on xylene-applicated acute ear inflamed mice.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 1996

The objective of this study is to investigate the direct effects of green tea catechins(GTC) on vascular smooth muscle tension and 45Ca2+ Uptake in rat aorta. The methods used in this study are isometric tension measurements using physiograph, Lanthanum method for 45Ca2+(2 uCi/ml) uptake measurement in rat aorta. GTC modified tension induced by 40 mM KCl or 1 uM norepinephrine in rat aorta. Low concentrations of GTC(<0.5mg/ml) increased tension by 40 mM KCl or 1 uM norepinephrine, individually. However, high conecentration of GTC(>0.5 mg/ml) inhibiited tension by 40 mM KCl or 1 uM norepinephrine, individually. GTC increased 45Ca uptake induced by 40 mM KCl in a dose-dependent manner. From these results, GTC has the dual actions in vascular smooth muscle in vitro. Low concentrations of GTC augments tension by K or norepinephrine. However, high concentrations of GTC inhibits tension by K or norepinephrine GTC may have Ca2+ channel activation, action, which may result in unphysiological vasodilation by Ca2+ overload in vascular smooth muscle.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.248-258
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with coronary artery diseases (CAD) in women patients with chest pain. Method: BMI, WC, and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) were measured for 162 women patients with chest pain whose mean age was $54.9{\pm}9.2$ years. CAD was diagnosed by coronary angiography. Results: In comparing BMI and WC, WC was found to be more strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factors. For example, correlations with the high density lipoprotein cholesterol were r=-.266, p=.001 (WC) vs. r=-.131, p=.104 (BMI), and for homocystein, r=.378, p<.001 (WC) vs. r=.150, p=.068 (BMI). Obstructive CAD develops more frequently in women patients with abdominal obesity than in patients without abdominal obesity. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that WC is a better index of adiposity than BMI.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.190-198
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a smoking cessation education on endothelial function and carboxyhemoglobin levels in smokers with variant angina. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 60 male smokers with variant angina admitted to one hospital: the control group (30) between September and December, 2009, and the experimental group (30) between February and May, 2010. Endothelial function, as defined by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, and serum carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) were determined at baseline and at 3 months after the initiation of education in both groups. Results: Three months after the program, smoking cessation was successful in 22 of the 30 smokers in the experimental group, but only in 4 of 30 smokers in the control group ($p$<.001). After the education, the experimental group showed a significant increase in FMD, and a significant decreased in serum COHb compared with the control group. Conclusion: The findings indicate that this smoking cessation education program is effective for hospitalized smokers with variant angina.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.1 s.258
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• pp.60-63
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• 2006

Vasodilatory shock has been implicated in life-threatening complications after cardiac surgery. This syndrome may result from the vasopressin deficiency following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which do not respond to fluids or usual intravenous inotropes. We used arginine-vasopressin in adults with vasodilatory shock coming on cardiopulmonary bypass. Therefore, we report these cases with a review of articles.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.584-590
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• 2000

Natural products are one of the useful source of cardiovascular drugs, in particular, when they have antioxidant activity. Gagaminine, an alkaloid isolated from the roots of Cynanchum wilfordi Hemsley, has been reported to potently inhibit the aldehyde oxidase activity ({TEX}$IC_{50}${/TEX}=0.8$\mu$M) and reduce lipid peroxidation. However, the effect of gagaminine on vascular smooth muscle has not yet been investigated. In the present study, we examined whether gagaminine relaxes vascular smooth muscle by isometric tension study. In order to observe its relaxation effect on the arteries, conductivel vessel (rat thoracic aorta) and resistance vessel (pig coronary artery) were purposely used. Results indicated that gagaminine relaxed in a concentration-dependent manner $\alpha$-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction of rat aorta. Pretreatment with gagaminine inhibited PE-induced contraction, noncompetitively. {TEX}$Ca^{2+}${/TEX}-induced contraction was significantly diminished by gagaminine. In pig coronary artery, gagaminine relaxed thromboxane receptor (U 46619)-mediated contraction in dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with gagaminine also reduced the maximum contraction induced by KCl. These observations strongly suggest that agagminnine relaxes vascular smooth muscle, irrespective of both resistance and conductive artery. We demonstrate that gagaminine, a potent natural antioxidant, has a significant vasodilatory effect and its action mechanism van be ascribed at least in part to {TEX}$Ca^{2+}${/TEX} antagonistic action as evidenced by inhibition {TEX}$Ca^{2+}${/TEX}-induced contraction (rat aorta) and KCl-induced contraction (porcine artery). Furthermore, neither $\alpha$ -adrenoceptor nor thromboxane receptor seems responsible for the relaxation of gagaminine.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2020

When blood vessels are damaged, a fast hemostatic response should occur to minimize blood loss and maintain normal circulation. Platelet activation and aggregation are essential in this process. However, excessive platelet aggregation or abnormal platelet aggregation may be the cause of cardiovascular diseases such as thrombosis, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Therefore, finding a substance capable of regulating platelet activation and suppressing agglutination reaction is important for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. 6,7-Dimethoxy-2H-chromen-2-one (Scoparone), found primarily in the roots of Artemisia or Scopolia plants, has been reported to have a pharmacological effect on immunosuppression and vasodilation, but studies of platelet aggregation and its mechanisms are still insufficient. This study confirmed the effect of scoparone on collagen-induced human platelet aggregation, TXA₂ production, and major regulation of intracellular granule secretion (ATP and serotonin release). In addition, the effect of scoparone on the phosphorylation of the phosphoproteins PI3K/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) involved in signal transduction in platelet aggregation was studied. As a result, scoparone significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK, which significantly inhibited platelet aggregation through TXA₂ production and intracellular granule secretion (ATP and serotonin release). Therefore, we suggest that scoparone is an antiplatelet substance that regulates the phosphorylation of phosphoproteins such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK and is of value as a preventive and therapeutic agent for platelet-derived cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.227-230
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• 2002

The vasodilatory shock after cardiopulmonary bypass is defined as the condition involving severe and persistent form of hypotension, tachycardia, normal or increased cardiac output and decreased systemic vascular resistance. Because of the unsuccessful response to infusion of fluids or catecholamine vasopressors, a sustained systemic shock state occurs and results in a high morbidity and mortality. We successfully treated this syndrome of 3 patients after open heart surgery with low dose of arginine vasopressin(AVP). Therefore, we report these cases with a review of related articles.