• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 1985

Either the contraction of isolated was deferens or the increase of heart rate in the pithed rats induced by electrical stimulation was significantly augmented by cadmium administration (10 ${\mu}mols$ of cadmium acetate every other day for 2 weeks i.p.). These stimulation-induced responses were diminished by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine, and the inhibition was antagonized by yohimbine. Furthermore, the increase in diastolic blood pressure by clonidine was also significantly reduced after cadmium administration, whereas that by methoxamine was not influenced with this dose range of cadmium. With these results it may be postulated that the long-term cadmium exposure may preferentially affect the responsiveness of the presynaptic as well as the postsynaptic ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptors.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.323-330
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• 1998

Tetrahydroisoquinoline (THI) alkaloids can be considered as cyclized derivatives of simple phenylethylamines. Many of them, especially with 6,7-disubstitution, demonstrate a relatively high affinity for catecholamines. Present study examines the pharmacological action of limited series of THI, using rats' isolated atria and aorta. In addition, a $[^3H]$ prazosin displacement binding study with THI compounds was performed, using rat brain homogenates to investigate whether these probes have ?${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor affinity. We also compared the vascular relaxation potency of these probes with dobutamine. YS 49, YS 51, higenamine and dobutamine, concentration-dependently, relaxed endothelium-denuded rat thoracic aorta precontracted with phenylephrine (PE, 0.1 ${\mu}M$) in which $pEC_{50}$ were $5.56{\pm}0.32$ and $5.55{\pm}0.21$, $5.99{\pm}1.16$ and $5.57{\pm}0.34$, respectively. These probes except higenamine also relaxed KCl (65.4 mM)-contracted aorta. In isolated rat atria, all THIs and dobutamine increased heart rate and contractile force. In the presence of propranolol, the concentration response curves of YS 49 and YS 51 shifted to the right and resulted in $pA_2$ values of $8.07{\pm}0.84$ and $7.93{\pm}0.11$, respectively. The slope of each compound was not deviated from unity, indicating that these chemicals are highly competitive at the cardiac ?${\beta}-adrenoceptors$. YS 49, YS 51, and higenamine showed ?${\alpha)-adrenoceptor$ affinity in rat brain, in which the dissociation constant $(K_i)$ was 2.75, 2.81, and 1.02 ${\mu}M$, respectively. It is concluded, therefore, that THI alkaloids have weak affinity to ${\alpha)_1-adrenoceptor$ in rat aorta and brain, respectively, while these probes show relatively high affinity for cardiac ${\beta}-adrenoceptors$. Thus, these chemicals may be useful in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.99-108
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• 2005

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the analgesic effect and its mechanism of bee venom acupuncture on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) rats. Methods : Bee venom (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously punctured into Choksamni (ST36) of CIA Analgesic effect was evaluated by using the tail flick latency (TFL). Opioid and ${\alpha}2$-adrenergic neurotransmitter system were examined by naloxone as an opioid receptor antagonist and yohimbine as ${\alpha}2$-adrenoceptor antagonist prior to bee venom cupuncture. Results : The results were as follows; 1. The TFL for the CIA rat was decreased as time went by. 2. The TFL in CIA rat was increased in bee venom acupuncture group compared with control group (no treatment). 3. Analgesic effect of bee venom acupuncture was not abolished by naloxone pre-treatment in the CIA rat. 4. Analgesic effect of bee venom aqua-acupuncture was abolished by yohimbine pre-treatment in the CIA rat. 5. Two weeks bee venom acupuncture had the continous analgesic effect for 4 weeks. Conclusions : Bee venom acupuncture has an analgesic effect on the CIA rat and has an antinociception mediated by ${\alpha}2$-adrenergic system.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 1986

To delineate the relationship between subtypes of central alpha-adrenoceptor and central calcium channel, influences of intracerebroventricular (icv) diltiazem and nifedipine on the changes of blood pressure and heart rate by icv methoxamine and clonidine were investigated in urethane-anesthetized rabbits. 1) Methoxamine (1mg, icv) produced pressor and bradycardiac effect and clonidine $(30\;{\mu}g,\;icv)$ produced hypotension and bradycardia. 2) Icv diltiazem and nifedipine elicited dose-dependent deprcssor and bradycardiac responses. The depressor response to nifedipine was more prominent than that to diltiazem but the bradycardiac effect of nifedipine was smaller than that of diltiazem. The depressor responses to icy nifedipine $(35{\mu}g)$ and icv diltiazem $(400{\mu}g)$ were persistent but those to intravenous (iv) nifedipine $(35{\mu}g/kg)$ and diltiazem $(200{\mu}g/kg)$ were transient. 3) The pressor response to methoxamine was little affected by pretreatment with in diltiazem $(400{\mu}g)$ or icv nifedipine $(35,\;350{\mu}g)$ but the bradycardiac response to methoxamine was significantly attenuated by the same pretreatment. 4) The depressor response to clonidine was markedly attenuated by pretreatment with icv diltiazem $(400{\mu}g)$ or icv nifedipine $(35,\;350{\mu}g)$ but not affected by pretreatment with iv diltiazem $(200{\mu}g/kg)$ or iv nifedipine $(20{\mu}g/kg)$. Pretreatment with icv and iv diltiazem or nifedipine reduced the bradycardiac effect of clonidine. 5) Pretreatment with icv clonidine had no effect on the depressor and bradycardiac responses to in diltiazcm or icv nifedipine. These results indicate that diltiazem and nifedipine have no effect on icv methoxamine-induced pressor response elicited by the activation of central alpha-l adrenoceptors whereas the icv clonidine-induccd depressor and bradycardiac effects which result from the activation of central alpha-2 adrenoceptors are inhibited by the calcium antagonists.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.189-199
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• 1996

Myocardial ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptors$ have been shown to mediate a biphaslc inotropic response that was characterized by a transient decline followed by a sustained increasing phase in guinea pig ventricular muscle. Recently one group reported that an ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptors-induced$ intracellular $Na^+$ decrease is linked to fast $Na^+$ channel inhibition and another group reported that it is linked to $Na^+$-$K^+$ pump activation by ${\alpha}_{1b}-adrenoceptors$. But until now, its mechanism is not clear. Therefore, to see whether the $Na^+$channel or $Na^+-K^+$ pump is related to a decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity and/or the negative inotropic response, and which ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ subtype was involved in the decrease in intracellular $Na^+$activity by phenylephrine, we used conventional and sodium selective microelectrodes, and tension transducer to determine the effects of ${\alpha}_1-adrenergic$ stimulation on membrane potential, intracellular $Na^+$ activity, and twitch force in guinea pig ventricular muscles. $10^{-5}$ M Phenylephrine produced a slight hyperpolarization of the diastolic membrane potential, a decrease or increase in $a_N^i_a$, and a biphasic inotropic response. The negative inotropic response accompanied by a decrease in intracellular $Na^+$activity, whereas in muscles showing a remarkable positive inotropic response without initial negative inotropic effect was accompanied by an increase in intracellular $Na^+$ activity. The decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity was apparently inhibited by WB4101, an antagonist of the ${\alpha}_{1a}-adrenoceptors$. The decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity caused by phenylephrine was not abolished or reduced by a block of the fast $Na^+$ channels. $V_{max}$ also was not affected by phenylephrine. Phenylephrine produced an increase in intracellular $Na^+$ activity in the presence of a high concentration of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ (in quiescent muscle) or phorbol dibutyrate, a protein kinase C activator(in beating muscle). These suggest that the ${\alpha}_{1a}-adrenoceptors-mediated$ decrease in intracellular $Na^+$ activity may be related to the protein kinase C.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.258-273
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• 1988

In this study attempts were made to observe the effects of guanabenz on renal function in dog, which manifests the antihypertensive action by inhibition of sympathetic tone through stimulating the presynaptic adrenoceptor (${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$). Guanabenz, when injected at a dose of $30.0{\mu}g/kg$, or infused at a dose of $3.0{\mu}g/kg/min$ intravenously, produced diuretic action with increased amounts of $Na^+\;and\;K^+$ in urine, and with decreased reabsorption rates of $Na^+\;and\;K^+$ in renal tubules. It was also observed that the rates of osmolar and free water clearances were increased, but the glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow were not changed. Guanabenz injected at a dose of $3.0{\mu}g/kg$ into a carotid artery or infused intravenously at a dose of $3.0{\mu}g/kg/min$ in a state of water diuresis elicited the diuretic action of the similar aspect as a case of guanabenz given intravenously. The diuretic action produced by guanabenz was completly blocked by pretreatment of i.v. prazosin, ${\alpha}_1-adrenoblocking$ agent, or of i.v. yohimbine, ${\alpha}_2-adrenergic$ blocking agent. Prazosin, when given into a renal artery, inhibited the diuretic action by i.v. guanabenz in only injected kidney, whereas in case of yohimbine the action was inhibited in both kidney. Guanabenz infused at a dose of $1.0{\mu}g/kg/min$ into a renal artery exhibited no significant changes of renal function in both kidney. In denervation experiments, guanabenz given intravenously produced typical diuretic action in innervated kidney, whereas in denervated kidney, it did not affect the action at initial period but exhibited the action with increase of only free water clearance at later period. These results suggest that guanabenz produced diuretic action in dog by inhibition of electrolyte reabsorption rates in renal tabules, mainly proximal tubule and of ADH release, which is mediated by stimulating of central sympathetic ${\alpha}_2-receptor$.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.123-131
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• 1983

1) To delineate the role of central ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptors$ in the pressor response to raised intracranial pressure(ICP), the influence of yohimbine, an ${alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$ antagonist, on the pressor response to raised ICP was investigated in urethane-anesthetized rabbits. 2) The ICP was raised by infusing saline into a balloon placed in the epidural space. The rise of ICP was slow in the beginning of the infusion but it became sharp as the infusion proceeded. 3) In response to raised ICP, blood pressure(BP) tended to decrease slightly in the beginning and then increased sharply. BP, however, fell abruptly and markedly if ICP was raised further. The maximal pressor response to raised ICP was the increase of $49{\pm}2.4%$ of the original $BP(mean{\pm}SE\;in\;32\;experiments)$, and at this point the volume of saline infused into the balloon was $1.22{\pm}0.15\;ml$, and the ICP $165{\pm}6.4\;mmHg$. 4) Intraventricular yohimbine $(50{\mu}g)$ by itself did not affect BP. After the administration of this dose of yohimbine the increase of both ICP and BP was observed after the infusion of much smaller volume of saline than in the control animals, i.e., after the infusion of $0.83{\pm}0.02\;ml$ of saline the maximal increase of preesor response$(57{\pm}4.5%\;in\;6\;experiments)$ appeared and at this state the ICP was $164{\pm}9.6\;mmHg$. 5) Intraventricular $clonidine(30{\mu}g)$ markedly decreased BP by itself, and in the clonidine-treated rabbits the increase of ICP induced by the infusion was much less than in the control group and the pressor response to raised ICP was hardly seen. 6) The hypotensive effect of intraventricular clonidine was reversed by a susequent intraventricular $yohimbine(500\;{\mu}g)$. At this state the pressor response to raised ICP appeared as in the control animals. 7) These results show that the pressor response to raised ICP was facilitated when ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptors$ in the rabbit brain was blocked by yohimbine and that yohimbine antagonized the inhibitory effect of clonidine on the pressor response to raised ICP.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.216-216
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• 1996

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether in vivo noradrenergic neural activity in the locus coeruleus is related to the development of hypertension. Two groups of animals were prepared, 1) young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and 2) age-matched normotensive wistar kyoto rats (WKY). At il weeks of age, the release of norepinephrine (NE) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) from locus coeruleus of young SHR and WKY as an index of neural activity were determined by in vivo microdialysis along with blood pressure (BP) at three conditions : 1) normal; 2) elevated BP by systemic injection of phenylephrine and 3) alpha-1 adrenoceptor stimulated by perfusion of phenylephrine into the locus coeruleus through microdialysis probe. Basal releases of NE and DOPEG from the iocus coeruleus were 0.415+/-0.089pg/20min, 1.311+/-0.293 pg/20min in SHR and 0.204+/-0.078 pg/20min, 1.492+/-0.365 pg/20min in WKY respectively. Basal release of NE from the locus coeruleus of SHR was significantly greater than that of WKY. Phenylephrine systemic injection caused elevation of BP in both SHR and WKY in a dose related manner. Following phenyephrine injection, the releases of NE and DOPEG from the locus coeruleus of SHR were significantly decreased, whereas there were no significant changes in the releases of NE and DOPEG In young WKY. Alpha-1 adrenoceptor stimulation in the locus coeruleus by perfused phenylephrine through microdialysis probe caused pressor responses in both SHR and WKY, but the magnitude of pressor response in SHR was larger compared with that in WKY. The result from the present study suggests that noradrenergic neural activity in locus coeruleus may contribute as one of triggering factors for the expression of hypertension in young SHR.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 1988

To examine the selectivity of diltiazem, used in the cardiovascular diseases, on alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptor-induced pressor responses, effect of diltiazem on alpha-adrenocepter agonist-induced pressor responses were investigated in urethane-anesthetized rabbits and spinal rabbits. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Intravenous diltiazem(10, 30, 100, 300, $1000{\mu}g/kg$) produced dose-dependent depressor response in rabbits. 2. Pressor responses to intravenous norepinephrine($10{\mu}g/kg$) and phenylephrine ($30{\mu}g/kg$) were inhibited by pretreatment with intravenous diltiazem in rabbits and no difference was noted between the degree of both inhibitions of the pressor response by diltiazem. 3. Presser responses to intravenous norepinephrine ($3{\mu}g/kg$), phenylephrine ($20{\mu}g/kg$) and clonidine ($300{\mu}g/kg$) were inhibited by pretreatment with intravenous diltiazem in spinal rabbits. No difference was noted between the inhibition of norepinephrine-induced pressor response and that of phenylephrine-induced pressor response by diltiazem. The inhibition of clonidine-induced pressor response by diltiazem was slightly prominent than that of norepinephrine- or phenylephrine-induced pressor response. These results suggest that diltiazem significantly inhibits both pressor responses mediated by alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.479-486
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• 1994

Effects of catecholamines and the site of receptor of catecholamines were investigated in the longitudinal muscle of the rumen. In order to this experiment, specimens were obtained from 35 Korean Native Cattles, 2-3 years old, in the Kwang-ju area slaughterhouse. Longitudinal muscle strips of rumen were made from sample, and then measured the isometric contraction with physiograph in $37{^{\circ}C}$ organ bath. The results were summarized as follows. 1. 30% of all strips showed rhythmic contraction after short incubation time. 2. Relaxation produced by catecholamines in this preparations increased in a dose-dependant manner. 3. Isoproterenol(${\beta}$-agonist) caused relaxation, but phenylephrine(${\alpha}_1$-agonist) and xylazine(${\alpha}_2$-agonist) were unaffected. 4. The relaxation induced by epinephrine and norepinephrine were not affected by phentolamine(${\alpha}$-blocker) and prazosin(${\alpha}_1$-blocker), yohimbine(${\alpha}_2$-blocker). But propranolol(${\beta}$-antagonist) abolished the effect of catecholamines on relaxation. 5. It is concluded that catecholamines produced relaxation in the longitudinal muscle of rumen via the ${\beta}$-adrenoceptor.