• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.2771-2775
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• 2011

Poly-ethylenedioxypyrrole (PEDOP) coated thiolated multiwall carbon nanotubes palladium nanoparticles (MWCNTs-Pd) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) [PEDOP/MWCNTs-Pd/GCE] for the determination of hydroquinone (HQ) and it’s isomer catechol (CA) were synthesized and compared with bare GCE and thiolated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-SH/GCE). The modification could be made by simple processes on a GCE with MWCNTs-Pd covered by PEDOP in a 0.05 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP)/MeCN solution system. A well-defined peak potential evaluation of the oxidation of hydroquinone to quinone at 0.05 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), and electrochemical reduction back to hydroquinone were found by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4. Peak current values increased linearly with increasing hydroquinone contents. The peak separation between the anodic and cathodic peaks at the PEDOP/MWCNTs-Pd/GCE was ${\Delta}Ep$ = 40 mV for HQ and ${\Delta}Ep$ = 70 mV for CA, resulting in a higher electron transfer rate. Moreover, good reproducibility, excellent storage stability, a wide linear range (0.1 ${\mu}M$ - 5 mM for HQ and 0.01 ${\mu}M$ - 6 mM for CA), and low detection limits ($2.9{\times}10^{-8}$ M for HQ and $2.6{\times}10^{-8}$ M for CA; S/N = 3) were determined using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and amperometric responses; this makes it a promising candidate as a sensor for determination of HQ and CA.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 1991

Inactivation properties of Ca current in the unfertilized eggs of mouse were studied by using the whole cell voltage clamp technique and single microelectrode voltage clamp technique. Membrane potential was held at -80 mV and step depolarization was applied from -50 mV to 50 mV for $200{\sim}500\;ms$. Peak of inward Ca currents was $-2{\sim}-4\;nA$ at a membrane Potentials from -20 mV to 0 mV and outward currents were not observed within the membrane voltage range studied $(-50{\sim}50\;mV)$. Inward currents were fully inactivated within 200 ms after the onset of step depolarization. As the membrane became depolarized, time constant of inactivation (${\tau}$) was decreased but remained around $20{\sim}30\;ms$ beyond 10 mV. When $Ca^{2+}$ was used as a charge earlier, inactivation of inward $Ca^{2+}$ current also occured and time course of inactivation was similar to that of $Ca^{2+}$ currents as charge carrier. In the bathing solution containing high potassium $(131\;mM\;K^+)$, process of inactivation was not changed except a parallel decrease of value for the entire range of membrane potential. Steady-state inactivation of the $current(h_{\infty})$ obtained from the double pulse experiment showed the voltage-dependent change. These results suggested that inactivation of Ca currents in the unfertilized eggs of mouse was voltage-dependent.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.992-998
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• 1996

The $La_{0.8}Ca_{0.2}CoO_3$ prepared by a citrate process was shown to have higher oxygen reduction current density and specific activity than $LaCoO_3$, $La_{0.6}Ca_{0.4}CoO_3$. In the cyclic voltammogram, an oxygen desorption peak of a $La_{0.8}Ca_{0.2}CoO_3$+carbon electrode was larger than that of a only carbon electrode. $La_{0.8}Ca_{0.2}CoO_3$ sintered at $900^{\circ}C$ for 5 hours was shown high oxygen reduction current density because of the particle size distribution and sintering effect.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.99-103
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• 2003

We studied the nonequilibrium superconductivity due to tunnel injection of polaronic quasiparticle (QP) from organic photoconductor. The transport properties of an organic copper (II) phthalocyanine (Cu -Pc)/d-wave superconductor were investigated in dark and under ultraviolet (UV) radiation for performance of a novel $high -T_{c}$ superconducting three terminal device. We observed that the injection of polaronic QP from the organic Cu -Pc film into the $Bi_2$S $r_2$$CaCuO_{8+{\delta}}$ film generated a substantially larger nonequilibrium effect as compared to the normal QP injection current. We could increase the current gain by UV excitation of the organic photoconductor injector. The tunneling spectroscopy of a Cu -Pc/BSCCO junction exhibited a small enhancement of the zero bias conductance peak under the W excitation. The above phenomena are of importance in developing optically controlled three terminal superconducting device.e.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2000

This study was designed to clarify the mechanism of the inhibitory action of a nitric oxide (NO) donor, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1), on contraction, cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ level $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ and ionic currents in guinea-pig ileum. SIN-1 $(0.01{\sim}100\;{\mu}M)$ inhibited 25 mM KCl- or histamine $(10\;{\mu}M)-induced$ contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. SIN-1 reduced both the 25 mM KCl- and the histamine-stimulated increases in muscle tension in parallel with decreased $[Ca^{2+}]_i.$ Using the patch clamp technique with a holding potential of -60 mV, SIN-1 $(10\;{\mu}M)$ decreased peak Ba currents $(I_{Ba})$ by $30.9{\pm}5.4%$ (n=6) when voltage was stepped from -60 mV to +10 mV and this effect was blocked by ODQ $(1\;{\mu}M),$ a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. Cu/Zn SOD (100 U/ml), the free radical scavenger, had little effect on basal $I_{Ba},$ and SIN-1 $(10\;{\mu}M)$ inhibited peak $I_{Ba}$ by $32.4{\pm}5.8%$ (n=5) in the presence of Cu/Zn SOD. In a cell clamped at a holding-potential of -40 mV, application of $10\;{\mu}M$ histamine induced an inward current. The histamine-induced inward current was markedly and reversibly inhibited by $10\;{\mu}M$ SIN-1, and this effect was abolished by ODQ $(1\;{\mu}M).$ In addition, SIN-1 markedly increased the depolarization-activated outward $K^+$ currents in the all potential ranges. We concluded that SIN-1 inhibits smooth muscle contraction mainly by decreasing $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ resulted from the inhibition of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels and the inhibition of nonselective cation currents and/or by the activation of $K^+$ currents via a cGMP-dependent pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2015

Background: Ginsenoside Rd (GSRd), one of the most abundant ingredients of Panax ginseng, protects the heart via multiple mechanisms including the inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx.We intended to explore the effects of GSRd on L-type $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{Ca,L}$) and define the mechanism of the suppression of $I_{Ca,L}$ by GSRd. Methods: Perforated-patch recording and whole-cell voltage clamp techniques were applied in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. Results: (1) GSRd reduced $I_{Ca,L}$ peak amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner [half-maximal inhibitory concentration $(IC_{50})=32.4{\pm}7.1{\mu}mol/L$] and up-shifted the current-voltage (I-V) curve. (2) GSRd ($30{\mu}mol/L$) significantly changed the steady-state activation curve of $I_{Ca,L}$ ($V_{0.5}:-19.12{\pm}0.68$ vs. $-6.26{\pm}0.38mV$; n = 5, p < 0.05) and slowed down the recovery of $I_{Ca,L}$ from inactivation [the time content (${\zeta}$) from 91 ms to 136 ms, n = 5, p < 0.01]. (3) A more significant inhibitive effect of GSRd ($100{\mu}mol/L$) was identified in perforated-patch recording when compared with whole-cell recording [$65.7{\pm}3.2%$ (n = 10) vs. $31.4{\pm}5.2%$ (n = 5), p < 0.01]. (4) Pertussis toxin ($G_i$ protein inhibitor) completely abolished the $I_{Ca,L}$ inhibition induced by GSRd. There was a significant difference in inhibition potency between the two cyclic adenosine monophosphate elevating agents (isoprenaline and forskolin) prestimulation [$55{\pm}7.8%$ (n = 5) vs. $17.2{\pm}3.5%$ (n = 5), p < 0.01]. (5) 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and N-acetyl-$\small{L}$-cysteine (a nitric oxide scavenger) partly recovered the $I_{Ca,L}$ inhibition induced by GSRd. (6) Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (a protein kinase C activator) and GF109203X (a protein kinase C inhibitor) did not contribute to the inhibition of GSRd. Conclusion: These findings suggest that GSRd could inhibit $I_{Ca,L}$ through pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein ($G_i$) and a nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent mechanism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.361-368
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• 1998

The spontaneous contractions of gastric smooth muscles are regulated by slow waves, which are modulated by both nervous system and humoral agents. This study was designed to examine the effects of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) on the contractile and electrical activities of antral smooth muscles in guinea-pig stomach, using an intracellular recording technique. To elucidate the underlying mechanism for its effect on contractility, ionic currents were also measured using a whole-cell patch clamp method. The basal tone by $PGE_2$ was variable, whereas the magnitude of phasic contractions was reduced ($19.0{\pm}2.1%$, n=19). The resting membrane potentials were hyperpolarized ($-4.4{\pm}0.5%$ mV, n=10), and plateau potentials were lowered ($-2.9{\pm}0.5%$ mV, n=10). In most cases, however, the initial peak potentials of slow waves were depolarized more by $PGE_2$ than those of control. The frequency of the slows wave was increased from $5.7{\pm}0.2$ cycles/min to $6.5{\pm}0.2$ (n=22). Voltage-operated $Ca^{2+}$ currents were decreased by $PGE_2$ (n=5). Voltage-operated $K^+$ currents, both Ca-dependent and Ca-independent, were increased (n=5). These results suggest that $PGE_2$ plays an important role in the modulation of gastric smooth muscle activities, and its inhibitory effects on the contractility and activities of slow waves are resulted from both decrease of $Ca^{2+}$ currents and increase of $K^+$ currents.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1755-1762
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• 2013

A graphene-Zn/Al layered double hydroxide composite film was simultaneously prepared by electrochemical deposition on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (G-LDH/GCE) from the mixture solution containing GO and nitrate salts of $Zn^{2+}$ and $Al^{3+}$. The modified electrode showed good electrochemical performances toward the simultaneous electrochemical detection of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CA) and resorcinol (RE) due to the unique properties of graphene (G) and LDH such as large active surface area, facile electronic transport and high electrocatalytic activity. The redox characteristics of G-LDH/GCE were investigated with cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The well-separated oxidation peak potentials, corresponding to the oxidation of HQ, CA and RE, were observed at 0.126 V, 0.228 V and 0.620 V respectively. The amperometric response of the modified electrode exhibited that HQ can be detected without interference of CA and RE. Under the optimized conditions, the oxidation peak current of HQ is linear with the concentration of HQ from 6.0 ${\mu}M$ to 325.0 ${\mu}M$ with the detection limit of 0.077 ${\mu}M$ (S/N=3). The modified electrode was successfully applied to the direct determination of HQ in a local tap water, showing reliable recovery data.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.364-382
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• 1992

In order to investigate the effect of intracellular cyclic GMP on the calcium channel, whole cell patch clamp technique with internal perfusion method was used in the single ventricular myocytes of the rabbit. Cyclic GMP, cGMP analogues, cAMP, isopernaline and forskolin were perfused into cells and their effects on the calcium current were analysed by applying depolarizing step pulse of 10 mV in amplitude for 200 msec from holding potential of -40 mV. Calcium currents usually activated from -30 mV and then reached a peak at +10 mV. Amplitude of the calcium current was standardized with membrane capacitance, 50 pF. Peak amplitude at +10 mV in control was -0.15 nA/50pF. When 100 mM cAMP was applied from the pipette, peak amplitude of calcium current increased to -0.32 nA and addition of 1 mM isoprenaline further increased its amplitude. In the presence of cGMP it alone also produced an increase of the calcium current to -0.52 nA/50pF and addition of isoprenaline or forskolin increased its magnitude to -[0.55~0.95] nA/50pF. Simultaneous application of cGMP and cAMP increased the calcium current to -0.67 nA/50pF. Among the cGMP analogues, 8-Br-cGMP was the most potent stimulant for the calcium current activation. From the above results it could be concluded tlat cGMP increases the calcium current not through cAMP dependent protein kinase nor cAMP dependent phosphodiesterase pathway, but through independent phosphorylation pathway, possibly cGMP dependent protein kinase pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.1 s.34
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• pp.23-32
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• 1984

The effects of morphine on the transmembrane potential and the short circuit current in the isolated frog skin were studied under different experimental conditions. The measurem ents of the transmembrane potential and the short circuit current were carried out according to Ussing and Zerahn's method. Experimental results were summerized as follows: 1) $5{\pm}10^{-3}$M of morphine markedly depressed the transmembrane potential and the short circuit current of the naive preparation. The peak of these inhibitory effects of morphine was observed about 1 hour after administration of the drug. 2) However $10^{-4}$M of naloxone did not affect these effects of morphine. 3) Decrease of $K^+$, increase of $K^+$ or $Ca^{2+}$ in the perfusate, markedly potentiated the inhibitory action of morphine on both transmembrane potential and short circuit current of the frog skin, and addition of $Mn^{2+}$ to the solution depressed the effect of morphine on the transmembrane potential, while the inhibitory effect of morphine on the short circuit current was diminished in the $Ca^{2+}$-free ringer solution, and increase of $Mg^{2+}$ concentration depressed those effect of morphine on both electrical parameters. 4) In the morphine treated preparations, transmembrane potential and short circuit current were decreased in the early phase of drug treatment ($1{\sim}2$ days), but gradually increased to the significantly high level from the control (48 days after treatment). In these preparations, the effects of morphine on both electrical parameters were also potentiated in the early phase, but markedly diminished in the late phase of treatment. From the above results, it is postulated that the pharmacological actions of morphine as well as development of the tolerance by morphine may be partially related to the changes of ion fluxes and/or permeabilities of skin by the drug.