• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.241-247
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• 2000

The present study was designed to assess the protective effect of a selective thromboxane $A_2$ receptor antagonist, KT2-962 (KT2) and possible mechanisms of adriamycin(AD)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The male Wistar rats were given either of AD (7.5 mg/kg, i.v.) alone in the AD-group (n=5) or in KT2+AD- group (n=5) which is a combination of AD and KT2 (30 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 10 days from 3 days before and 7 days after AD injection. The body weight, 24-hours urine volume, urine protein and urinary N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-glu-cosaminidase (NAG) activity were measured with an interval of 2 days during 1 week. BUN, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were measured on the 7th day. KT2 has significantly suppressed AD-induced change of body weight, 24-hours urine volume, urine protein and urinary NAG activity in the KT2+AD-group. The change of BUN, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were significantly inhibited in the B7T2+AD-group. Based on these results, it is concluded that KT2 prevents AD-induced nephrotoxicity and suggests that endogenous thromboxane A2 may play an important role in AD-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.532-537
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• 2009

Previous studies reported that the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is related to alcohol dependence in terms of developing withdrawal or tolerance, however, it is controversial whether NMDA receptor antagonists are effective in preventing relapse in alcohol-dependent patients or not. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, on alcohol intake in C57BL/6 mice, which prefer drinking hereditarily. Using limited access procedures in C57BL/6 mice in the state of alcohol dependence, vehicle, naltrexone 1.0 mg/kg or, memantine 5, 25, or 50 mg/kg i.p. was administered respectively for twelve days. Medication effects on 2-hours alcohol, 22-hour water, and 24-hour food intake and body weight were studied. Using repeated measure ANOVA, the naltrexone 1 mg/kg, memantine 5, 25, or 50 mg/kg, and vehicle groups showed significant medication by day interaction (naltrexone, df=4, F=11.827, p<0.01, memantine 5 mg/kg, df=4, F=7.999, p<0.01; memantine 25 mg/kg, df=4, F=6.199, p<0.05; memantine 50 mg/kg, df=4, F=10.522, p<0.01) in 2-hour alcohol intake. In 3 memantine groups, there was no significant medication by day interaction with the vehicle group in 22-hour water intake, 24-hour food intake, or body weight. The naltrexone and vehicle groups showed significant medication by day interaction in body weight, but not in 22-hour water or 24-hour food intake. From these results, it is suggested that memantine treatment can affect alcohol intake in mice. Therefore, it is possible that a pure NMDA receptor antagonist is effective in preventing relapse in alcohol-dependent patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.166-173
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• 2000

Angiopoietin-1(Ang-1) is a vasculogenic factor that signals through the endothelial cell-specific Tie2 receptor tyrosine kinase. We examined the effect of angiopoietin-1(Ang-1) on radiation-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECS) and receptor/second messenger signal transduction pathway for Ang-1's effect on HUVECs. The percent of apoptotic cells under control condition(0Gy) was $8.2\%$. Irradiation induced apoptosis was increased in a dose(1, 5, 10, and 15Gy)- and time 12, 24, 48 and 72hr)-dependent manner. The percent of apoptotic cells was approximately $34.9\%$ after 15 Gy of irradiation. Under these conditions, pretreatment with Ang-1's (50, 100, 200, and 400 ng/ml) inhibited irradiation-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Two hundred ng/ml of Ang-1 inhibited approximately $55-60\%$ of the apoptotic events that occurred in the 10 Gy-irradiated cells. Pre-treatment with soluble Tie2 receptor, but not Tie1 receptor, blocked the Ang-1's antiapoptotic effects. Phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (P13-kinase) specific inhibitor, wortmanin and LY294002, blocked the Ang-1-induced antiapoptotic effect. Ang-1 promotes the survival of endothelial cells in irradiation-induced apoptosis through Tie2 receptor binding and P13-kinase activation. Pretreatment of Ang-1 could be beneficial in maintaining normal endothelial cell integrity during irradiation therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.5
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• pp.467-475
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• 1997

Although one of the major physiological functions of taurine(2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is the inhibitory action on the central nervous system(CNS), the mechanism of taurine in controlling the neuronal excitation in the CNS has been in controversy. Electrically evoked pEPSP and spontaneous activity induced by the perfusion of low $Mg^{++}-ACSF$ were recorded in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampal slice. To test the inhibitory effect of taurine on spontaneous responses, taurine was treated for 2 min at various concentrations(1 mM-10 mM). Taurine reduced the spontaneous activity by 22.2% at 1 mM, and 100% at 2 mM in low $Mg^{++}-ACSF$. Evoked response was induced by electrical stimulation of Schaffer collateral-commissural fibers. Taurine reduced the evoked response by 11.68% at 3 mM, and 24.25% at 5 mM. Even 20 mM of taurine reduced the evoked response only by 24 % after 5 min treatment. That is, the inhibitory efficacy was much higher in spontaneous activity than in evoked response. The $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, 100 uM bicuculline, blocked the inhibitory action of taurine, while $GABA_B$ receptor antagonist, 700 uM phaclofen, did not. Taurine blocked the spontaneous activity in the presence of CNQX, and did not block the electrically evoked responce in the presence of APV. The results suggest that taurine causes hyperpolarization in the cell by binding to $GABA_A$ receptor and preferentially attenuates NMDA receptor-mediated hyperexcitation, leaving synaptic transmission unmodified.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.211-219
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• 2004

The effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and ATP analogs, P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor agonists, on growth of normal mouse mammary epithelial cells (NMuMG) were examined. Cells were plated onto 24 well plates in DMEM supplemented with 10 % fetal calf serum. After serum starvation for 24 hours, ATP, P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor agonists (AdoPP[NH]P, ATP-α-S, ATP-γ-S, β, γ-me-ATP and 2me-S-ATP), P/sub 2u/ purinoceptor agonist (UTP) and P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor antagonists (Reactive Blue 2, more selective to P/sub 2y/ receptor than PPADS; PPADS) were added. DNA synthesis was estimated as incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA (1 hour pulse with 1 μ Ci/ml, 18～19 hours after treatment). ATP, Adopp[NH]P, ATP-α-S or ATP-γ-S, significantly increased DNA synthesis at 1, 10 and 100 μM concentrations with dose-dependency (P<0.05), and the maximum responses of ATP and ATP analogs were shown at 100 μM concentration (P<0.05). The potency order of DNA synthesis was ATP≥ATP- γ -S>Adopp [NH]P>ATP-α-S. β, γ -me-ATP, 2me-S-ATP and UTP did not increase DNA synthesis. In autoradiographic analysis of percentage of S-phase cells, similar results were observed to those of DNA synthesis. Addition of 1, 10 or 100 μM Reactive Blue 2 or PPADS significantly decreased ATP (100 μM)-induced DNA synthesis, however, PPADS was less effective than Reactive Blue 2. In Elvax 40P implant experiment, ATP directly stimulated mammary endbud growth in situ suggesting the physiological regulator of ATP in mammary growth. ATP 100 μM rapidly increased MAPK activity, reaching a maximum at 5 min and then gradually decreasing to the base level in 30 min. ATP analogs, Adopp[NH]P and ATP-γ-S also increased MAPK activity, however, β, γ-me-ATP and 2me-S-ATP did not. The inhibitor of the upstream MAPK kinase (MEK), PD 98059 (25 μM), effectively reduced ATP (100 μM) or EGF(10 ng/ml, as positive control)-induced MAPK activity and DNA synthesis (P<0.05). These results indicate that ATP-induced DNA synthesis was prevented from the direct inhibition of MAPK kinase pathway. Overall results support the hypothesis that the stimulatory effects of normal mouse mammary epithelial growth by addition of ATP or ATP analogs are mediated through mammary tissue specific P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor subtype, and MAPK activation is necessary for the ATP-induced cell growth.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 1989

This study was investigated the effects of imipramine (IMI) and electroconvulsive shock (ECS), which are used as antidepressant therapy, on the central $\beta_1$or $\beta_2$ adrenergic receptor in anesthetized rats. The resting blood pressure and heart rate decreased in reserpinized group (5 mg/kg i. p., 24 hr before), but not in order 4 groups i. e. acute IMI (20 mg/kg i. p.. 3-5 hr before), chronic IMI (Same dose, twice a day for 14 days), siggle ECS (sinusoidal 20 Hz, 120 V for 2 sec) and repeated ECS (same condition, daily for 12 days). The increase of heart rate and hypotension evoked by 1 or 3 $\mu$g intracerebroventricular (i. c. v.) administration of (+) dobutamine, $\beta_2$-agonist, 1 or 3 $\mu$g i. c. v. was significantly attenuated in repeated ECS or reserpine treatment. And, the diminuation of pulse pressure of salbutamol also reduced by repeated ECS. These results suggest that IMI or ECS result in attenuation on tachycardia by (+) dobutamine or on hypotension by salbutamol, presumably by which the central $\beta_1$ or $\beta_2$receptor sensitivity may be suppressed, repectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.309-314
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• 2004

Cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) is involved in the transcriptional regulation of more than 100 genes in E. coli. CRP dimer is converted into active form via the sequential conformation change of cAMP binding pocket, hinge region and HTH DNA binding motif by binding of cAMP. The temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) was applied to CRP protein to know whether it was an efficient technique to study the conformational transitions and the thermal stability. TGGE showed the unfolding process of wild-type and S83G CRP proteins with the temperature gradient set from 29 to 71$^{\circ}C$ on nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel. Melting temperature (Tm) was 57$\pm$1 and 55$\pm$1$^{\circ}C$ for wild-type and S83G CRP, respectively in acidic buffer[89.8 mM Glycine and 24 mM Boric acid (pH 5.8)].

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.128-141
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• 1985

To investigate the influence of phenobarbital sodium on the action of morphine and on the diurnal rhythms of both opiate receptor binding and ${\beta}-endorphin$ contents, the amount of specifically bound $(^3H)$-morphine and immunoreactive ${\beta}-endorphin$ were measured in the midbrain of phenobarbital-treated rats at 4h intervals in a day. Rats were housed and adapted to a controlled cycle of either 12 h light-12 h dark or 24 h constant dark. After 3 weeks of adaptation, 0.5 ml of physiological saline or phenobarbital sodium (20mg/kg/day, i.p.) were administered twice a day for 2 weeks. Highly significant diurnal rhythms of opiate receptor binding and ${\beta}-endorphin$ were present in rat midbrain. In control group, the peak of maximum $(^3H)$-morphine binding was observed at 22:00 h, whereas the peak of ${\beta}-endorphin$ content was found at 06:00 h. Even in the absence of time cues these diurnal rhythms persisted, but they were highly modified with respect to the wave form as well as differences in the timing of peak and nadir. In the phenobarbital-treated group, these diurnal rhythms were also modified in shape, phase and amplitude, as well as in timing of peak and nadir. In this group, 24 h mean of opiate receptor binding was significantly decreased, while the 24 h mean level of ${\beta}-endorphin$ content was highly increased. However, Kd values in all experimental groups did not change. This indicates that differences in binding were not due to changes in the affinity, but in the number of binding sites. Statistical analysis of regression line indicates that changes of receptor binding were closely correlated with the changes of ${\beta}-endorphin$ content. These results suggest that phenobarbital may influence the action of morphine by changing the number of opiate receptors and that the modification of diurnal rhythm of opiate receptor by the agent is possibly due to changes of ${\beta}-endorphin$ content.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.6
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• pp.264-268
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• 2013

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal pulmonary fibrotic disease. In general, the exaggerated activation of the coagulation cascade has been observed during initiation or maintenance of the fibrotic disease. In our recent study, immunohistochemical expression of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), which plays a key role in coagulation cascade, was observed in surgical specimen of IPF patients, and associated with poor clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overexpression of PAR-2 in inflammatory cells from peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in IPF patients. Methods: From May 2011 to March 2012, IPF patients and controls were enrolled in Seoul National University Hospital. Peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected for analysis of PAR-2 expression. Flow cytometry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used for PAR-2 receptor and mRNA assessment. Results: Twelve IPF patients and 14 controls were included in this study. Among them, flow cytometry analysis was conducted from 26 peripheral blood (patient group, 11; control group, 13) and 7 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (patient group, 5; control group, 2). The expression of PAR-2 receptor was not different between patient and control groups (p=0.074). Among all 24 population, PAR-2 mRNA assessment was performed in 19 persons (patient group, 10; control group, 9). The mRNA expression of PAR-2 was not significant different (p=0.633). Conclusion: In IPF patients, PAR-2 receptor and mRNA expression were not different from control group.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.164-164
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• 2002

에스트로젠을 처리한 송사리의 간으로부터 choriogenin vitellogenin estrogen receptor의 발현량을 전사수준에서 Real-time을 사용하여 정량.비교하였다. 시험어종으로는 부화 후 5개월 이상된 성숙한 수컷 송사리(Oryzias latipes)를(체중 약 250mg/마리)를 사용하여 17$\beta$-estradiol(25ppt, 50ppt, 100ppt)에 24시간 노출시켰다. Fluorescence dye는 choriogenin vitellogenin estrogen receptor의 경우 FAM (6-carboxyfluorescein)을 사용하였으며, $\beta$-actin의 경우는 VIC를 사용하였다. 프로브에 사용하는 quencher dye는 TAMRA(6-carboxy-N',N',N',N'-tetramethyl rhodamine)을 사용하였다. Internal control로 사용된 $\beta$-actin은 17$\beta$-estradiol의 농도에 상관 없이 0~10pM 범위에서 일정하게 발현됨을 보여주었다. vitellogenin choriogenin L 및 choriogenin H는 17$\beta$-estradiol의 농도에 의존하여 발현이 증가되는 용량-반응양상(Dose-dependent)을 나타내었다. 반면, estrogen receptor는 모든 처리군에서 $10^{-2}$pM 정도로 발혐됨에 따라 본 시험농도의 17$\beta$-estradiol에 의해서는 거의 유도발현이 되지 않음을 보여주었다. choriogenin L, choriogenin H, vitellogenin I 및 estrogen receptor 발현감수성을 비교한 결과, 25ppt 및 50ppt의 17$\beta$-esoadiol 농도에서는 ChgL > ChgH > VTG I >ER의 순으로 감수성이 높았으며, 100ppt 노출에서는 ChgL > VTG I > Chg H > ER의 순으로 감수성이 높게 나타났다. 결론적으로 choriogenin이 에스트로젠물질에 의한 가장 민감한 생체지표임을 알 수 있었다.