• Title/Summary/Keyword: $Na^+$ channel

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The NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium suppresses Ca2+ signaling and contraction in rat cardiac myocytes

  • Qui Anh Le;Tran Nguyet Trinh;Phuong Kim Luong;Vu Thi Van Anh;Ha Nam Tran;Joon-Chul Kim;Sun-Hee Woo
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • v.28 no.4
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    • pp.335-344
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    • 2024
  • Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) has been widely used as an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (Nox) to discover its function in cardiac myocytes under various stimuli. However, the effects of DPI itself on Ca2+ signaling and contraction in cardiac myocytes under control conditions have not been understood. We investigated the effects of DPI on contraction and Ca2+ signaling and their underlying mechanisms using video edge detection, confocal imaging, and whole-cell patch clamp technique in isolated rat cardiac myocytes. Application of DPI suppressed cell shortenings in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 of ≅0.17 µM) with a maximal inhibition of ~70% at ~100 µM. DPI decreased the magnitude of Ca2+ transient and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content by 20%-30% at 3 µM that is usually used to remove the Nox activity, with no effect on fractional release. There was no significant change in the half-decay time of Ca2+ transients by DPI. The L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) was decreased concentration-dependently by DPI (IC50 of ≅40.3 µM) with ≅13.1%-inhibition at 3 µM. The frequency of Ca2+ sparks was reduced by 3 µM DPI (by ~25%), which was resistant to a brief removal of external Ca2+ and Na+. Mitochondrial superoxide level was reduced by DPI at 3-100 µM. Our data suggest that DPI may suppress L-type Ca2+ channel and RyR, thereby attenuating Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release and contractility in cardiac myocytes, and that such DPI effects may be related to mitochondrial metabolic suppression.

Effect of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}-antagonists$ on the Spontaneous Contractions and Electrical Activities of Guinea-pig Stomach (기니피그 위 평활근의 자발적 수축과 전기적 활동에 대한 $Ca^{2+}$$Ca^{2+}$-길항제 영향)

  • Rhie, Sang-Ho;Kim, Ki-Whan
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.241-257
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    • 1987
  • The effects of external $Ca^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}-antagonists$ on the spontaneous contractions and electrical activities were investigated in guinea-pig stomach in order to clarify the mechanism for the generation of slow waves. Electrical responses of circular smooth muscle cells were recorded using glass capillary microelectrodes filled with 3 M KCl. All experiments were performed in tris-buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with 100% $O_2$ and kept at $35^{\circ}C$. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The amplitude of spontaneous contractions was maximal at around 2-4 mM $Ca^{2+}$, whereas their frequency was inversely related with external $Ca^{2+}$ within the range of 0.5 to 16 mM $Ca^{2+}$. 2) Verapamil suppressed the amplitude of spontaneous contraction in a dose-dependent manner, while the frequency of spontaneous contractions was almost not changed over the whole concentration of verapamil $(0.01{\sim}5\;mg/l)$. 3) Manganese increased both the amplitude and the frequency of spontaneous contractions dose-dependently in low $Mn^{2+}$ (below 0.05 mM $Mn^{2+}$), while their amplitude and frequency were decreased in high $Mn^{2+}$ (above 0.1 mM $Mn^{2+}$). 4) The ampltude and maximum rate of rise of slow waves were incrased in high $Ca^{2+}$ solution. In $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution, the spontaneous contractions recorded simultaneously with slow waves ceased and tonic contraction ($Ca^{2+}-free$ contracture) was developed in parallel with membrane depolarization and the disappearance of slow waves. 5) Verapamil (1 mg/1) decreased the amplitude and maximum rate of rise of slow waves and it depolarized the membrane by about 6 mV, whereas the frequency of slow waves was not affected by verapamil. 6) Manganese showed different characteristic effects between low and high $Mn^{2+}$ on the slow waves: In low $Mn^{2+}$ (0.05 mM $Mn^{2+}$), the initial rapid increases and the subsequent gradual decreases in three parameters of slow waves (amplitude, rate of rise, and frequency of slow waves) till a new steady state were observed. However, in high $Mn^{2+}$ (0.5 mM $Mn^{2+}$) slow waves disappeared and membrane was depolarized. From the above results, the following conclusions could be made: 1) $Ca^{2+}$ is necessary for a generation of the slow waves, even though it is small amount. 2) Verapamil suppresses the spontaneous contractions of gastric antral strip by the decreases in amplitude and maximum rate of rise of slow waves, while this drug does not block the $Ca^{2+}-channel$ involved in the generation of slow waves. 3) Manganese has dual actions on the $Ca^{2+}-channels$; the $Ca^{2+}-channel$ involved in the generation of slow waves (or Na-Ca exchange system) or the channel for the generation of spike potentials are stimulated by a low concentration of $Mn^{2+}$, while both the $Ca^{2+}$. Channels are blocked by high concentration of $Mn^{2+}$.

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Effect of Nifedipine on Endocrine and Cardiovascular Responses to Angiotensin II in SHR Fed with Different Sodium Diets

  • Choi, Eun-Kyung;Park, Yoon-Yub;Ahn, Dong-Kuk;Park, Jae-Sik;Lee, Won-Jung
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology
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    • v.27 no.1
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    • pp.57-66
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    • 1993
  • Effects of a voltage dependent calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine, on the responses of blood pressure, and secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and aldosterone to angiotensin II (Ang II) were compared in male Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). A low, control or high sodium diet (2, 10 or 25 mmol Na/100 g diet) was fed for 6 weeks from the age of 6 weeks. On the morning of the experiment catheters were inserted under ether anesthesia in the femoral artery for pressure recording and blood sampling, and in the femoral vein for drug infusion. Ang II was infused at a rate of 250 ng/kg/min for 20 min. Nifedipine mixed with Ang II was infused at a rate of $16{\mu}g/kg/min$ for 20 min. Arterial blood samples were collected before and after infusion of Ang II with or without nifedipine. The control plasma level of aldosterone was inversely related to the amount of salt intake, whereas the plasma ANP level was not different between the salt groups. SHR showed a higher basal plasma ANP but a lower aldosterone concentration than Wistar rats. Infusion of Ang II produced a significant increase in blood pressure and plasma levels of aldosterone and ANP: The % increase was not significantly different either between the salt groups or between SHR and Wistar rats. SHR showed a greater pressor response to Ang II but a remarkably smaller decrease in heart rate after Ang II infusion than Wistar rats, With increasing sodium intake, the effect of Ang II on aldosterone secretion was decreased, whereas that on ANP secretion or blood pressure was not changed. Nifedipine decreased the responses of blood pressure and heart rate to Ang II in all groups. Nifedipine caused almost a complete inhibition of Ang II induced ANP secretion, but only a partial inhibition of Ang II induced aldosterone secretion or vasoconstriction. These results indicate that calcium dependent processes were involved in Ang II induced vasoconstriction, and secretions of aldosterone and ANP. However, the calcium dependent process far ANP secretion was considerably different from that for aldosterone secretion or vasoconstriction evoked by ang II. The ang II induced increase in ANP secretion appeared to be caused primarily by activating voltage-dependent calcium channels, whereas Ang II induced aldosterone secretion and vasoconstriction was not.

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A Comparative Study on the Measurement Value of Yangdorak in Idiopathic Facial Paralysis and Normal Group (특발성안면신경마비환자군과 건강검진군의 양도락 진단결과에 대한 비교연구)

  • Lee, Dong-Hyun;Jeong, Yeong-Pyo;Jeong, Hyo-Keun;Kim, Hyeon-Su;Ryu, Chung-Ryul;Cho, Myung-Rae;Chae, Woo-Seok;Sul, Jae-Uk;Na, Gun-Ho
    • Journal of Acupuncture Research
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.27-38
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    • 2006
  • Objectives : The aim of the present study was to evaluate Yandorak for the wide inflection and establishment of a diagnostic system. Methods : We analyzed the measurement value of Yandorak on fifty one patients with idiopathic facial paralysis and eighty four healthy persons from April 1, 2005 to March 1, 2006 by using Yangdorak(YDRAK-94N, Sord Medicom Co., Korea). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 11.0 for Windows, Mann-Whitney test for the comparisons followed side(Right and Left), sex, palsy localization in Idiopathic facial paralysis and normal group and one-way ANOVA(Kruskal Wallis) for the comparisons followed age. p < .05 was considered significant statistically. Results The difference of the electric current value of all meridian except Bladder(BL) of normal group on both side extremity was not significant statistically, Electric current value of all meridian except Gall-Bladder(GB) was more higher in idiopathic facial paralysis group than in normal group. The measurement value of Yandorak followed sex and palsy localization were not significant statistically. Conclusion : It is suggested that the measurement value of six Hand Yang & Eum channel, Liver Meridian of Foot Gworeum(厥陰) and Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangmyeong(陽明) is more higher in idiopathic facial paralysis group than in normal group.

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Intensified Low-Temperature Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Using Microchannel Reactor Block : A Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation Study (마이크로채널 반응기를 이용한 강화된 저온 피셔-트롭쉬 합성반응의 전산유체역학적 해석)

  • Kshetrimatum, Krishnadash S.;Na, Jonggeol;Park, Seongho;Jung, Ikhwan;Lee, Yongkyu;Han, Chonghun
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.92-102
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    • 2017
  • Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction converts syngas (mixture of CO and H2) to valuable hydrocarbon products. Simulation of low temperature Fischer -Tropsch Synthesis reaction and heat transfer at intensified process condition using catalyst filled single and multichannel microchannel reactor is considered. Single channel model simulation indicated potential for process intensification (higher GHSV of $30000hr^{-1}$ in presence of theoretical Cobalt based super-active catalyst) while still achieving CO conversion greater than ~65% and $C_{5+}$ selectivity greater than ~74%. Conjugate heat transfer simulation with multichannel reactor block models considering three different combinations of reactor configuration and coolant type predicted ${\Delta}T_{max}$ equal to 23 K for cross-flow configuration with wall boiling coolant, 15 K for co-current flow configuration with subcooled coolant, and 13 K for co-current flow configuration with wall boiling coolant. In the range of temperature maintained (498 - 521 K), chain growth probability calculated is desirable for low-temperature Fisher-Tropsch Synthesis.

Increase of L-type Calcium Current by cGMP-dependent Protein Kinase Regulates in Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes

  • Han, Jin;Kim, Na-Ri;Kim, Eui-Yong;Ho, Won-Kyung;Earm, Yung-E;Kim, Han-Kyoun
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • v.2 no.6
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    • pp.733-742
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    • 1998
  • Background: We have previously reported that not only cGMP but also 8-Br-cGMP or 8-pCPT-cGMP, specific and potent stimulators of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGMP-PK), increased basal L-type calcium current $(I_{Ca})$ in rabbit ventricular myocytes. Our findings in rabbit ventricular myocytes were entirely different from the earlier findings in different species, suggesting that the activation of cGMP-PK is involved in the facilitation of $I_{Ca}}$ by cGMP. However, there is no direct evidence that cGMP-PK can stimulate $I_{Ca}}$ in rabbit ventricular myocytes. In this report, we focused on the direct effect of cGMP-PK on $I_{Ca}}$ in rabbit ventricular myocytes. Methods and Results: We isolated single ventricular myocytes of rabbit hearts by using enzymatic dissociation. Regulation of $I_{Ca}}$ by cGMP-PK was investigated in rabbit ventricular myocytes using whole-cell voltage clamp method. $I_{Ca}}$ was elicited by a depolarizing pulse to +10 mV from a holding potential of -40 mV. Extracellular 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-pCPT-cGMP), potent stimulator of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGMP-PK), increased basal $I_{Ca}}$. cGMP-PK also increased basal $I_{Ca}}$. The stimulation of basal $I_{Ca}}$ by cGMP-PK required both 8-Br-cGMP in low concentration and intracellular ATP to be present. The stimulation of basal $I_{Ca}}$ by cGMP-PK was blocked by heat inactivation of the cGMP-PK and by bath application of 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, Rp-isomer (Rp-pCPT-cGMP), a phosphodiesterase-resistant cGMP-PK inhibitor. When $I_{Ca}}$ was increased by internal application of cGMP-PK, IBMX resulted in an additional stimulation of $I_{Ca}}$. In the presence of cGMP-PK, already increased $I_{Ca}}$ was potentiated by bath application of isoprenaline or forskolin or intracellular application of cAMP. Conclusions: We present evidence that cGMP-PK stimulated basal $I_{Ca}}$ by a direct phosphorylation of L-type calcium channel or associated regulatory protein in rabbit ventricular myocytes.

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생쥐 초기 배아에서 Aquaporin 8과 9의 발현에 관한 연구

  • 신현상;계명찬;강수만;이성은;이지원;강한승;김문규
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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    • 2003.10a
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    • pp.68-68
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    • 2003
  • Aquaporin은 막관통 통로 단백질(transmembrane channel protein)로서, 삼투압의 농도구배에 따라 세포막을 가로질러 물분자를 이동시키는 기능을 하고 있다. 포유류 초기배아에서 포배강 형성은 영양외배엽세포에서 $Na^+ / K^+$ATPase에 의한 이온 농도 구배가 형성되면 auqaporin에 의해 물이 포배강으로 유입되면서 이루어진다. 본 연구에서는 생쥐 초기배아에서 반정량적인 역전사 중합효소 연쇄반응 방법(semi-quantitative RT-PCR)과 실시간 역전사 중합효소 연쇄반응 방법(real-time RT-PCR)을 통하여 AQP8과 9의 mRNA발현을 조사하고 다중 면역형광현미경 방법(confocal immunofluorescence microscopy)을 통해 단백질 발현양상을 분석하였다. AQP8 mRNA는 상실기까지 발현되지 않다가 포배기에 이르러 발현되었고 AQP9 mRNA는 수정란에서부터 발현되어 포배기에는 유의할 정도로 증가하였다. 따라서 AQP8 mRNA는 배아유전자가 활성화되어 나타나는 것이고 AQP9 mRNA는 모계유전자 기원임을 알 수 있었다. AQP8 단백질은 상실배 단계까지 발현되지 않다가 포배시기에 영양외배엽세포사이의 접합면에 발현되었고 AQP9 단백질은 상실배 시기에 할구 사이의 인접 부위에서 강하게 발현되었다가 포배시기에는 세포간의 접합면에 약하게 발현하는 경향을 나타내었다. 실시간 역전사 중합효소 연쇄반응 방법으로 조사한 결과 포배에서 물과 글리세롤을 통과시키는 AQP9는 mRNA의 발현양이 AQP8보다 약 4배 정도 많았다. 또한 포배기에 이르러서야 물만을 통과시키는 AQP8의 발현이 나타나는 것을 보아 포배강 형성시 외부에서 영양외배엽을 통해 포배강으로 유입되는 물의 이동(trans- trophectodermal water movements)에 AQP9보다 AQP8이 더 중요하게 관여할 것으로 사료된다., K, Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni)을 측정하였다. 실험 조건1의 결과로서 각 국의 유아용 일회용 기저귀의 중금속 함량은 거의 유사한 경향을 나타내었으며 Cr, Zn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Mg, Li, K는 detection limit(2 ppm) 이하였고, Cd, Fe, Co, Cu, Ca, Al, Sr는 검출되었지만 기준치 이하였다. 실험 조건2의 결과로서 측정 항목(Cr, Sb, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Cu)중 Cr, Cd, Ni, Cu는 detection limit(0.1 ppm) 이하였고, Sb, Pb, Co는 검출되었지만 기준치 이하였다.았다. 4%의 경우에는 8$0^{\circ}C$이하로 온도를 낮추는 것이 좋은 상태를 나타내었다. 이와 같은 결과는 일반적으로 화학적 레팅을 4%, 7%에서한 선행결과와 상당히 다른 결과이다.염 농도가 증가할수록 감소 현상을 보였다.X>, 75BG30은 8.6$\mu\textrm{m}$, 75BG40은 7.02$\mu\textrm{m}$로 나타났다. 따라서 경화제 양에 관계없이 10$\mu\textrm{m}$ 이하로 나타나, 경화제 10$m\ell$만으로 미세한 크기를 얻을 수 있음을 알 수 있다. 젤리 강도 변화에 따른 차이는 300BF는 78.09$\mu\textrm{m}$ 300BG는 56.32$\mu\textrm{m}$로, 75BF나 75BG에 비하여 현저히 증가하여, 젤라틴의 젤리 강도는 캡슐 제조 조건의 주요한 변수임을 알 수 있다.추출물 투여시 혈당강하 및 혈중콜레스테롤 강하가 나타났으며, 상엽복합추출물 투여와 운동을 병행시 이러한 감소 효과가 더 뚜렷하게 나타났다.교육의 적임자로 보는 시각이 비교적 높았고 약 1/2정도는 영양교육에 참여하겠다는 의지를 가지고 있을 뿐만 아니라 실제로 영양지도를

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Schottky Contact Application을 위한 Yb Germanides 형성 및 특성에 관한 연구

  • Na, Se-Gwon;Gang, Jun-Gu;Choe, Ju-Yun;Lee, Seok-Hui;Kim, Hyeong-Seop;Lee, Hu-Jeong
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 2013.02a
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    • pp.399-399
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    • 2013
  • Metal silicides는 Si 기반의microelectronic devices의 interconnect와 contact 물질 등에 사용하기 위하여 그 형성 mechanism과 전기적 특성에 대한 연구가 많이 이루어지고 있다. 이 중 Rare-earth(RE) silicides는 저온에서 silicides를 형성하고, n-type Si과 낮은 Schottky Barrier contact (~0.3 eV)을 이룬다. 또한 낮은 resistivity와 Si과의 작은 lattice mismatch, 그리고 epitaxial growth의 가능성, 높은 thermal stability 등의 장점을 갖고 있다. RE silicides 중 ytterbium silicide는 가장 낮은 electric work function을 갖고 있어 n-channel schottky barrier MOSFETs의 source/drain으로 주목받고 있다. 또한 Silicon 기반의 CMOSFETs의 성능 향상 한계로 인하여 germanium 기반의 소자에 대한 연구가 이루어져 왔다. Ge 기반 FETs 제작을 위해서는 낮은 source/drain series/contact resistances의 contact을 형성해야 한다. 본 연구에서는 저접촉 저항 contact material로서 ytterbium germanide의 가능성에 대해 고찰하고자 하였다. HRTEM과 EDS를 이용하여 ytterbium germanide의 미세구조 분석과 면저항 및 Schottky Barrier Heights 등의 전기적 특성 분석을 진행하였다. Low doped n-type Ge (100) wafer를 1%의 hydrofluoric (HF) acid solution에 세정하여 native oxide layer를 제거하고, 고진공에서 RF sputtering 법을 이용하여 ytterbium 30 nm를 먼저 증착하고, 그 위에 ytterbium의 oxidation을 방지하기 위한 capping layer로 100 nm 두께의 TiN을 증착하였다. 증착 후, rapid thermal anneal (RTA)을 이용하여 N2 분위기에서 $300{\sim}700^{\circ}C$에서 각각 1분간 열처리하여 ytterbium germanides를 형성하였다. Ytterbium germanide의 미세구조 분석은 transmission electron microscopy (JEM-2100F)을 이용하였다. 면 저항 측정을 위해 sulfuric acid와 hydrogen peroxide solution (H2SO4:H2O2=6:1)에서 strip을 진행하여 TiN과 unreacted Yb을 제거하였고, 4-point probe를 통하여 측정하였다. Yb germanides의 면저항은 열처리 온도 증가에 따라 감소하다 증가하는 경향을 보이고, $400{\sim}500^{\circ}C$에서 가장 작은 면저항을 나타내었다. HRTEM 분석 결과, deposition 과정에서 Yb과 Si의 intermixing이 일어나 amorphous layer가 존재하였고, 열처리 온도가 증가하면서 diffusion이 더 활발히 일어나 amorphous layer의 두께가 증가하였다. $350^{\circ}C$ 열처리 샘플에서 germanide/Ge interface에서 epitaxial 구조의 crystalline Yb germanide가 형성되었고, EDS 측정 및 diffraction pattern을 통하여 안정상인 YbGe2-X phase임을 확인하였다. 이러한 epitaxial growth는 면저항의 감소를 가져왔으며, 열처리 온도가 증가하면서 epitaxial layer가 증가하다가 고온에서 polycrystalline 구조의 Yb germanide가 형성되어 면저항의 증가를 가져왔다. Schottky Barrier Heights 측정 결과 또한 면저항 경향과 동일하게 열처리 증가에 따라 감소하다가 고온에서 다시 증가하였다.

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Calcium Current and Background Current Activation in L-triiodothyronine Loaded Ventricular Myocytes of the Rabbit

  • Han, Jin;Kim, Eui-Yong;Han, Jae-Hee;Park, Choon-Ok;Hong, Seong-Geun;Leem, Chae-Hun;So, In-Suk;Ho, Won-Kyung;Earm, Yung-E;Sung, Ho-Kyung
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.99-111
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    • 1992
  • Permissive action of thyroid hormone at the level of Ca channel and responsible mechanisms underlying thyroid hormone-induced change in myocardial contractile state and $T_3-induced$ arrhythmias were investigated in rabbit ventricular or atrial myocytes using whole cell patch clamp technique. Single cells were isolated by Langendorff perfusion with collagenase. Cardiac myocytes were incubated in $low-Cl^-,$, $high-K^+$ medium containing $1_{\mu}M\;L-triiodothyronine\;(T_3)$ at $4^{\circ}C$ for 2.10 hours. The calcium currrent $(I_{Ca})$ was increased in $T_3$ loaded cells, however, the shape of current voltage curve and reverse potential did not altered. Cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, isoprenaline and 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine increased $I_{Ca}$ in euthyroid and hyperthyroid conditions, and acetylcholine blocked the increase of $I_{Ca}\;in\;T_3$ loaded cells. The amplitude of $I_{Ca}$ was much larger after perfusing cGMP than cGMP in both conditions, whereas the degree of increase of $I_{Ca}$ was greater after perfusing cAMP than cGMP in $T_3$ loaded cells. The degree of increase of $I_{Ca}$ after perfusing isoprenaline or IBMX also was greater in $T_3$ loaded cells than in control cells. Background current induced by isoprenaline also increased in $T_3$ loaded cells. The Ca release dependent inward current was increased in amplitude but its activation and inactivation time course was not changed in $T_3$ loaded cells. Activation of Na pump current was not changed in $T_3$ loaded cells. From the above results it is suggested that thyroid hormone induced increase in the contractile state of cardiac myocytes are accompanied by augmented $I_{Ca}$ and the increase of Ca release from sarcoplasmic reticulum and the permissive action of thyroid hormone to catecholamines could induce arrhythmias through the increase of $I_{Ca}$ and background current.

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Provinol Inhibits Catecholamine Secretion from the Rat Adrenal Medulla

  • Lee, Jung-Hee;Seo, Yu-Seung;Lim, Dong-Yoon
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.229-239
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    • 2009
  • The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of provinol, which is a mixture of polyphenolic compounds from red wine, on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla, and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Provinol (0.3 ${\sim}$ 3 ${\mu}g/ml$) perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min dose- and time-dependently inhibited the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (a direct membrane-depolarizer, 56 mM), DMPP (a selective neuronal nicotinic $N_N$ receptor agonist, 100 ${\mu}M$) and McN-A-343 (a selective muscarinic $M_1$ receptor agonist, 100 ${\mu}M$). Provinol itself did not affect basal CA secretion. Also, in the presence of provinol (1 ${\mu}g/ml$), the secretory responses of CA evoked by Bay-K-8644 (a voltage-dependent L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, 10 ${\mu}M$), cyclopiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor, 10 ${\mu}M$) and veratridine (an activator of voltage-dependent $Na^+$ channels, 10 ${\mu}M$) were significantly reduced. Interestingly, in the simultaneous presence of provinol (1 ${\mu}g/ml$) plus L-NAME (a selective inhibitor of NO synthase, 30 ${\mu}M$), the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclpiazonic acid recovered to the considerable extent of the corresponding control secretion in comparison with the inhibition of provinol-treatment alone. Under the same condition, the level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of provinol (3 ${\mu}g/ml$) was greatly elevated in comparison to its basal release. Taken together, these data demonstrate that provinol inhibits the CA secretory responses evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both muscarinic and nicotinic) receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization from the perfused rat adrenal medulla. This inhibitory effect of provinol seems to be exerted by inhibiting the influx of both calcium and sodium into the rat adrenal medullary cells along with the blockade of $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of nitric oxide synthase.