• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2008

Nitric oxide(NO) has been known to play important roles in numerous physiologic processes including neurotransmission, vasorelaxation, and cellular apoptosis. Using a mouse cDNA gene chip, we examined expression patterns and time course of NO-dependent genes in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Genes shown to be upregulated more than two fold or at least at two serial time points were further selected and validated by RT-PCR. Finally, 81 selected genes were classified by function as signaling, apoptosis, inflammation, transcription, translation, ionic homeostasis and metabolism. Among those, genes related with signaling, apoptosis and inflammation, such as guanylate cyclase 1, soluble, alpha3(Gucy1a3); protein kinase C, alpha($Pkc{\alpha}$); lymphocyte protein tyrosine kinase(Lck); BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa-interacting protein(Bnip3); apoptotic protease activating factor 1(Apaf1); X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis(Xiap); cyclin G1(Ccng1); chemokine(C-C motif) ligand 4(Ccl4); B cell translocation gene 2, anti-proliferative(Btg2); lysozyme 2(Lyz2); secreted phosphoprotein 1(Spp1); heme oxygenase(decycling) 1(Hmox1); CD14 antigen(Cd14); and granulin(Grn) may play important roles in NO-dependent responses in murine macrophages.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.119-130
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• 2013

Objectives : Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause for vascular complications such as atherosclerosis. The present study is to investigate whether Doinseunggi-tang (DST) improves diabetic vascular dysfunction in type II diabetes. Methods : The db/db mice were treated with high fat/high cholesterol diet and DST (200 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Results : DST significantly lowered blood glucose and systolic blood pressure. In addition, DST also markedly decreased total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol, whereas increased the HDL-cholesterol. Vascular relaxation of aortic rings by acetylcholine or SNP was ameliorated by DST in a dose-dependent manner. Damage of vascular intima and hypertrophic of media was improved by DST. Immunohistological study revealed that DST attenuated the increase of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and ET-1 expression in thoracic aorta. Conclusions : Taken together, DST suppressed hyperglycemia and diabetic vascular dysfunction in type II db/db mice. The present data suggests that Doinseunggi-tang may be prevent a development of diabetic atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the relaxation effects and its underlying mechanisms of Epimedium koreanum Nakai(EK) in phenylephrine(PE) treated isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The dose-dependent relaxation responses of phenylephrine(PE, $1{\times}10^{-6}M$)-precontracted strips to EK at $0.01-3.0mg/m{\ell}$ were measured and also observed after endothelial denudation using organ bath. To analyze the underlying mechanisms of EK-induced relaxation, $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), indomethacin(IM) were pretreated before EK extract infused into precontracted strips induced by PE. To investigate cytotoxic activity and nitric oxide(NO) concentration of EK extract on EA.hy926 cells, mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity(MTT) assay and nitric oxide detection kit were used. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by EK extract at $0.3mg/m{\ell}$, $1.0mg/m{\ell}$, $3.0mg/m{\ell}$ and the relaxation responses of PE-precontracted strips denuded endothelium also inhibited in comparison with intact endothelium. The pretreatment of L-NNA, MB, TEA reduced EK extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, but the pretreatment of IM didn't affect EK extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. When EK extract was applicated on EA.hy926 cells, the NO concentration was increased. Our findings have shown that EK extract exerts a relaxing effect on corpus cavernosum in part by suppressing influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through activating the NO-cGMP system.

• 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.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2015

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the effects of Shingi-whan(SG) on the male reproductive and sexual function, so we measured the spermatogenesis and the testicular toxicity in mice and the vasorelaxation in isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. Methods : To evaluate effect on the spermatogenesis in mice, we prepared two groups, control group and SG group that was orally administered SG(1,000mg/kg) for 20 days, and compared. To analyze testicular toxicity in mice, we also prepared two groups, doxo group that was injected with doxorubicin (3mg/kg) on three times and doxo + SG group that was injected with doxorubicin and SG for 20 days, and compared. To investigate sexual function of SG in mice, we prepared three groups, normal group and aging elicited group consisting of 18-month-old mice, SG treated aging group that was orally administered SG for 60 days, and compared using histochemical staining on mice corpus cavernous tissues. In order to define the relaxation effects of SG, rabbit corpus cavernous tissues were prepared in $2{\times}2{\times}6mm$ sized strip. Then the dose-dependent relaxation responses of SG at 0.01-3.0 mg/ml in contracted strips induced by phenylephrine were measured. Results : The sperm density in dutus epididymis and the diameter of seminiferous tubules of SG group was significantly increased when compared to control group. The testicular weight and the diameter and height of epithelial layer of seminiferous tubules of doxo + SG group was significantly increased when compared to doxo group. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by SG extract In SG treated aging group, ratio of smooth muscles to collagen fibers and red blood cell count in venous sinus was increased as compared to aging elicited group. Conclusions : Our findings have shown that SG extract have effect on spermatogenesis and mitigating effect on doxo-induced testicular toxicity. Further, it also have the vasorelaxant effect on rabbit corpus cavernosum.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.393-402
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• 1997

In the present study, we characterized the angiotensin II (AII)-induced relaxations in the phenylephrine-precontracted rabbit mesenteric arteries with endothelium. 1) AII-induced relaxation was consistently observed in the rabbit mesenteric arteries with and without endothelium, but not in the aortic segment with endothelium. 2) AII-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was markedly inhibited by $N^w-nitro-L-arginine$ (L-NNA, $100\;{\mu}M$), methylene blue ($10\;{\mu}M$) and LY83583 ($10\;{\mu}M$), respectively. 3) Inhibition of cyclooxygenase with indomethacin ($10\;{\mu}M$) strongly decreased the vasorelaxant response to AII irrespective of the presence of endothelium. 4) 7-Ethoxyresorufin ($1\;{\mu}M$) and clotrimazole ($1\;{\mu}M$), inhibitors of cytochrome P-450-dependent arachidonic acid metabolism, greatly attenuated the vasodilator response to AII. 5) Carbacyclin, arachidonic acid and prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ ($PGF_{2{\alpha}}$) caused concentration-dependent relaxations in the mesenteric artery with endothelium, which were inhibited by L-NNA and methylene blue. 6) AII and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ significantly stimulated cyclic GMP formation in the mesenteric arteries with endothelium, which was inhibited by L-NNA and methylene blue, respectively. 7) AII enhanced synthesis of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and 6-keto $PGF_{1{\alpha}}$ from the arterial segments with endothelium, which was inhibitable by indomethacin, but not by L-NNA. In conclusion, the vasorelaxant responses to AII of the rabbit mesenteric artery with endothelium are subserved by arachidonic acid and its metabolites produced via activation of cyclooxygenase and cytochrome P-450 enzyme as well as by nitric oxide.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.461-466
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• 2003

The primary mechanism of smooth muscle contraction is phosphorylation of the 20 kDa myosin light chains(LC20) by a myosin light chain kinase(MLCK). Relaxation, then, is generally the result of dephosphorylation of LC20 by myosin phosphatase(MP). Changes in MP activity is one of the important mechanisms in the regulation of Ca2+-sensitivity. Inhibition of MP activity is linked to an increase in phosphorylated myosin light chain(MLC) without an increase in [Ca/sup 2+/]i-levels. It is now generally accepted that Rho-kinase phosphorylates 130 kDa regulatory and myosin binding subunits(M130, MYPT) of MP, which results in an inhibition of MP activity. In addition Rho-kinase can also directly phosphorylate MLC. In the present study, LC20 phosphorylation and MP subunits translocation to the cell membrane were investigated in freshly isolated ferret portal vein smooth muscle single cells treated with PGF2α. We also examined the effect of Y27632(10-5mol/L), Rho-kinase inhibitor, in the MP subunits localization to compare with butanol fraction of Fructus Crataegi in its effect. Butanol fraction of Fructus Crataegi(BFFC; 1㎎/㎖) was more effective in PGF2α induced contraction than those of phenylephrine in its vasodilation effect. It significantly(P<0.05) dephosphorylated the LC20 at time indicated. In addition, the dissociation of subunits are inhibited by BFCF treatment. The results indicate that, in the smooth muscle cells, the relaxation effect of BFFC is associated with increase of MP activity based on inhibition of dissociation of the catalytic and targeting subunits of the phosphatase, and thus decrease the sensitivity of LC20 phosphorylation for Ca/sup 2+/.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2016

This study is conducted to investigate vasorelaxant effect of Corni Fructus(CF) on rabbit carotid artery. To determine vasorelaxant effect of CF on rabbit carotid artery, arterial sections with intact or removed endothelium were used in this organ bath study. After being contracted by phenylephrine(PE), arterial sections were treated with CF extract in a dose-dependent manner. To identity its mechanism, the contracted arterial sections by PE were pretreated with indomethacin(IM), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), Nω-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA) or methylene blue(MB) and 1.0 ㎎/㎖ CF extract. We also studied to confirm the effect on influx of extracellular calcium chloride(Ca²⁺) of the CF extract in rabbit carotid artery. To measure the cytotoxicity of the CF extract, cell viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay. Generation of nitric oxide(NO) was also measured by Griess reagent. The arterial sections with intact endothelium were relaxed significantly by CF extract, but this effect was inhibited in the arterial sections with damaged endothelium. The vasorelaxant effect was inhibited significantly when arterial sections were pretreated with IM, TEA, L-NNA, MB. In Ca²⁺-free krebs solution, increasing of arterial contraction by Ca²⁺ was also inhibited by CF significantly. The treatment of CF extract increased NO concentration in HUVEC. This study suggested that the vasorelaxant effect of CF extract would be related with endothelium derived relaxing factor(EDRF) such as NO, prostacyclin(PGI₂), endothelium derived hyperpolarization factor(EDHF).

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2004

We have examined the relaxative response to the water extract of Rheum undulatum L. (ERU) and water extract of alcohol steamed Rheum undulatum L. (SRU) with isolated thoracic aorta from sprague dawley (SD) rat. Rat thoracic aorta was investigated in vessel segments suspended for isometric tension recording by polygraph. Responses to ERU and SRU were investigated in vessels precontracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT). We found that the thoracic aorta segments responded to ERU and SRU with a dose-dependent vasorelaxation : The thoracic aorta segments responded to ERU and SRU with a dose-dependent vasodilation. The amounts of emodin were 0.063%, 0.076% and 0.145% in ERU and SRU, respectable. The 5-HT induced contraction at 10-4M were inhibited by 85.2±4.76% and 84.0±2.91% after addition of the 0.1mg/mL water extract of ERU and SRU. The 5-HT induced contraction at 10/sup -3/M were inhibited by 100% after 10/sup -3/M emodin. In conclusion, vasodilation effect of the water extract of Rheum undulatum L. in rat thoracic aorta was not decreased according to the processing of alcohol steamed Rheum undulatum L.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2002.07a
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• pp.203-203
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• 2002

Rheum palmatum L. has been used for treatment of hypertension, lipemia, and paramenia in the oriental gerbal medicines for a long time. We have examined the relaxational response to the water extract of Rheum palmaum L. in isolated thoracic aorta from sprague dawley (SD) rat in the presence and absence of endothelium. Rat thoracic aorta was investigated in vessel segments suspended for isometric tension recording by polygraph. Responses to Rhizoma Rhei were investigated in vessels precontracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine. We found that the ghoracic aorta segments responded to the water extract of Rheum palmatum L. (ERP) with a dose-dependent vasorelaxation. We found that 1.The thoracic aorta sehments responded to ERP with a dose-dependent vasodiliation. 2.The 5-HT induced contraction at 10$\^$-4/M were inhibited by 85.8% after addition of the 0.1 g/mL water extract of ERP. 3. The 5-HT induced contraction at 10$\^$-4/ M with and without endothelium were inhibited by 86.4% and 85.8% after addition of the 0.1g/mL ERP. 4. After pre-treatment of the thoracic aorta with 10$\^$-4/M N$\^$G/-monomethyl-L-arginine(L-NMMA), inducible niric oxide synthase inhibitor, the vessels has not response to the contraction. In conclusion, ERP induced reaxation in the isolated rat thoracic aorta were composed of dose-dependent relaxation. and it has potent vasodilation.