• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.85-97
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• 2003

Introduction : In this study, the analgesic effect and its mechanism of bee venom aqua-acupuncture on complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats was investigated. It has been reported from a neurochemical standpoint that bee venom exerts antinociceptive effects on inflammation and that the opioid system and adrenergic system play important roles in acupuncture analgesia. however, it is not known whether central opioid and ${\alpha}2$-adrenergic components of the intrinsic descending analgesic system are activated after bee venom aqua-acupuncture. Methods : Bee venom(1mg/kg) was subcutaneously aqua-acupunctured into Joksamni($ST_{36}$) of rats with complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA)- induced arthritis and was checked of increase in 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 aqua-acupuncture. Results : The following results have been obtained. 1. The tail flick latency in the rat model with adjuvant-induced arthritis was significantly decreased in 2 weeks. 2. The tail flick latency in the rat model with adjuvant-induced arthritis was increased in bee venom aqua-acupuncture group compared to the normal saline aqua-acupuncture group. 3. Analgesic effect of bee venom was antagonized by yohimbine not by naloxone pretreatment in the rat model adjuvant-induced arthritis. Conclusions : Bee venom aqua-acupuncture has an analgesic effect on the rat model of adjuvant-induced of adjuvant-induced arthritis and has antinociception mediated by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic system.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2000

Depending on the fish species the vascular tone is distinctively regulated by numerous vasoactive substances. In most fish species the regulatory role of autonomic neurotransmitters and other vasoactive substances are not well defined. This research was designed to delineate the regulatory role of various endogenous autonomic neurotransmitters known to be important in mammalian vascular systems on isolated Israeli carp ventral aorta. Acetylcholine(ACh) contracted the aorta regardless of the pre-existing level of vascular tone, and the contraction was almost completely abolished by a cholinergic-muscarinic antagonist atropine. Endogenous, multiple receptor ($\alpha$ and $\beta$)-acting adrenergic agonist epinephrine (Epi) relaxed the vessel in the presence and absence of the pre-existing tones. Another endogenous multiple receptoracting agonist norepinephrine (NE) weakly contracted the aorta in non-preconstrcted state, but the response was reversed to relaxation when preconstricted. Isoproterenol, ${\alpha}\;{\beta}$ adrenergic receptor agonist, was a potent vasodilator whereas an ${\alpha}_1$ agonist phenyephrine was a contractor. The ${\alpha}_2$ adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine has not any significant effect in altering the vascular tone. The vasorelaxing action of Epi, NE and isoproterenol was significantly attenuated by $\beta$ receptor antagonist propranolol. These results imply that ACh may primarily play a contractor role via muscarinic receptor activation while adrenergic agonists, Epi and NE, are relaxants through activation of $\beta$ adrenergic receptors in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.508-517
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• 1998

There is evidence that the sympathetic nervous system exerts a control on thyroid function via an adrenergic innervation of thyroid cells. Although it is clear that the inhibitory effects of catecholamines result from an activation of ${\alpha}_1$-adrenoceptors, the mechanisms involved in ${\alpha}_1$-stimulation are not fully understood. The effects of methoxamine and protein kinase C (PKC) activator on the release of thyroxine ($T_4$) from mouse thyroid were studied to clarify the role of PKC in the regulation of $T_4$ release in vitro. The glands were incubated in the medium, samples of the medium were assayed for $T_4$ by EIA kits. Methoxamine inhibited the TSH-stimulated $T_4$ release. This inhibition was reversed by prazosin, an ${\alpha}_1$-adrenergic antagonist. Futhermore, the inhibitory effect of methoxamine on the $T_4$ release stimulated by TSH was prevented by chloroethylclonidine, an ${\alpha}_{1b}$-adrenoceptor antagonist, but not by WB4101, an ${\alpha}_{1a}$-adrenoceptor antagonist. Also methoxamine inhibited the forskolin-, cAMP- or IBMX-stimulated $T_4$ release. These inhibition were reversed by PKC inhibitors, such as staurosporine and $H_7$. PMA, a PKC activator, completely inhibited the TSH-stimulated $T_4$ release, and its inhibition was reversed by staurosporine and $H_7$, but not by chelerythrine. R59022 (a diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor), like methoxamine, also inhibited the TSH-stimulated $T_4$ release, and its inhibition was also reversed by staurosporine. The present study suggests that methoxamine inhibition of $T_4$ release from mouse thyroid can be induced by activation of the ${\alpha}_{1b}$-adrenoceptors and that it is mediated through the ${\alpha}_1$-adrenoceptor-stimulated PKC formation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.318-325
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• 1996

Background: Sympathectomy relieves pain in sympathectically maintained pain, and subcutaneous injection of norepinephrine(NE) can rekindle mechanical allodynia. However, the mechanism of rekindling is not clear. The purpose of this study is to investigate which subtype of $\alpha$-adrenoceptor is involved in NE-induced rekindling of mechanical allodynia in sympathectomized neuropathic rats. Methods: Neuropathic injury was produced by tightly ligating the left L5 and L6 spinal nerves of 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats and bilateral lumbar sympathectomy was done at two weeks postoperatively. Starting at 7 days after sympathectomy, rekindling of mechanical allodynia was induced by NE and clonidine injected into the left paw, which was reversed by pretreatment of phentolamine and idazoxan. Mechanical allocynia was quantified by measuring the frequency of foot lifts to two von Frey filaments applied to the paw. Results: All tested rats displayed well-developed signs of mechanical allodynia at the left paw that were abolished by a bilateral lumbar sympathectomy. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of NE (0.05 ${\mu}g$) into the affected paw of sympathectomized neuropathic rats rekindled previous mechanical allodynia. These effects could be mimicked by an ${\alpha}_2$-receptor agonist clonidine, but not by an ${\alpha}_1$-receptor agonist phenylephrine. The NE-induced rekindling of mechanical allodynia was significantly reduced by prior s.c. injection of a mixed $\alpha$-receptor antagonist phentolamine (20${\mu}g$) and ${\alpha}_2$-receptor antagonist idazoxan(20${\mu}g$), but not by a ${\alpha}_1$-receptor antagonist terazosin (20${\mu}g$). The pretreatment of idazoxan produced dose-related inhibition of NE-induced rekindling of mechanical allodynia. The rekindling induced by ${\alpha}_2$-receptor agonist clonidine (5${\mu}g$) was also reversed by prior s.c. injection of ${\alpha}_2$-receptor antagonist idazoxan (20${\mu}g$). Conclusion: Subcutaneous injection of NE into the paw of sympathectomized neuropathic rats rekindles mechanical allodynia, which is reversed by an ${\alpha}_2$-, but not by an ${\alpha}_1$-receptor antagonist. Therefore, rekindling of mechanical allodynia in sympathectomized neuropathic rats is mediated by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.305-310
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• 2000

The present study examined the effect of a methanol extract of Evodiae Fructus on the blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The systolic blood pressure was measured after rats were pretreated with phentolamine, propranolol, or $N_{\omega}$-nitro-$_{L}$-arginine methyl ester(NAME) and subsequently received methanol extract of Evodiae Fructus. In SHR, intraperitoneal administration of methanol extract of Evodiae Fructus (0.5 mg/kg) produced antihypertensive effect that lasted for at least 4 hours. Antihypertensive effect of Evodiae Fructus was more stronger than that with $\alpha$-adrenergic receptor antagonist phentolamine and was not affected by $\beta$-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol. The antihypertensive effect of Evodiae Fructus was abolished by pretreatment of NAME. Our findings suggest Evodiae Fructus has an hypertensive effect, which may be mediated through nitric oxide synthesis.s.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.501-509
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• 1990

This study was designed to examine effects of $\alpha$$_2$-Adrenergic Antagonists on blood chemical values in xylazine-sedated dogs. Twenty-four crossbred dogs of both sexes were intramusculary injected with a standard dosage of xylazine(2.2mg/kg of body weight). Righting reflex was uniformly lost and considered to be the point of maximum sedation. When the dogs were maximally sedated, tested groups were in-travenously injected with yohimbine 0.125mg/kg, 4-aminopyridine(4-AP) 0.3mg/kg, and a combination of yohimbine with 4-AP. Control group was intravenously 1 $m\ell$ of physiological saline solution. Total protein(T.P), albumin, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotrnasferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) were analyzed in the conditions of 0-, 30-, 60- and 120-minute after the administration of drugs. The results obtained in the study were as follows. 1. Changes of T.P, albumin, AST, ALT and BUN values in the control group were not significant during or after xylazine administration for at least 120minutes. 2. No changes of T.P, albumin, AST, ALT and BUN values in the tested groups were observed during or after $\alpha$$_2$-Adrenergic Antagonists treatment. 3. Serum glucose values of control group were getting remarkably increased after xylazine injection. 4. The xylasine-induced hyperglycemia was reversed in the dogs administrated with $\alpha$$_2$-Adrenergic Antagonists. Therefore, the results of the study show that the combined treatment with antagonists may be useful for accidental overdoses of xylazine and rapid reversal of animals sedated with xylazine.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2009

Because it is known that bivalve hearts contain various modulatory systems activated by neuroendocrine substances, it was examined whether different classes of endogenous and synthetic drugs of neuroendocrinological importance can influence cardiac functions of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Cholinergically active agents acetylcholine and carbachol increased heart rates while diminishing cardiac contractility. Adrenergically active substances norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (Epi) also induced heart rate increase and contractility decrease. An $\alpha_1$-adrenergic receptor-selective agonist phenyephrine (PE) failed to modulate either parameter. The Epi-induced heart rate increase and contractile depression were both blocked significantly by non-selective $\beta_1/\beta_2$-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. A $\beta_1$-selective antagonist atenolol prevented Epi-induced heart rate decrease but not the contractile depression, suggesting possible $\beta_2$ receptors for Epi-induced contractile depression. The three autacoids examined exerted discrete responses: histamine increased heart rate and depressed contraction; $\gamma$-amino-butyric acid increased both parameters; serotonin failed to change either parameter. The 5 piscine anesthetic agents examined, MS-222, benzocaine, quinaldine, urethane, pantocaine and pentobarbital, all failed to influence the cardiac function of oysters. Collectively, activities of neuroendocrinologically acting agents in mammals showed unexpected and distinct activities from those in mammalian cardiovascular systems. These results obtained from substances of different physiological functions can serve as a basis for understanding neuroendocrine control of the heart function in Pacific oyster.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.237-243
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• 1995

The effects of various autonomic blocking agents to perivascular nerve stimulation were investigated on isolated coronary artery of pig. 1. The magnitude of contractile response to perivascular nerve stimulation increased with increasing frequency(280Hz) of stimulation. 2. The contractions to perivascular nerve stimulation(40V, 40Hz, 0.5msec, 1min) were increased by pretreatment of the cholinestrase inhibitor, physostigmine. 3. The contraction to perivascular nerve stimulation(40V, 40Hz, 0.5msec, 1min) was antagonised by the muscarinic antagonist, atropine. 4. The contraction to perivascular nerve stimulation(40V, 40Hz, 0.5msec, 1min) was blocked by the neural blocker, tetrodotoxin. 5. The contractions to perivascular nerve stimulation(40V, 40Hz, 0.5msec, 1min) were not significantly affected by the ${\alpha}$-adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine or ${\beta}$-adrenergic antagonist, propranolol. 6. The contractile response by the acetylcholine was increased by the pretreatment of cholinestrase inhibitor, physostigmine. This findings suggest that the powerful excitatory action by the perivascular nerve stimulation may be linked to muscarinic receptor by cholinergic nerve excitation in coronary artery of pig.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.238-243
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• 2010

In the present study, the antinociceptive profiles of Viola tricolor L. (V. tricolor L.) extract were examined in ICR mice. V. tricolor L. extract administered orally (200mg/kg) showed an antinociceptive effect as measured by the tail-flick and hot-plate tests. In addition, V. tricolor L. extract attenuated the writhing numbers in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Furthermore, the cumulative nociceptive response time for intrathecal (i.t.) injection of substance P (0.7 ${\mu}g$) was diminished by V. tricolor L. extract. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with yohimbine (${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic receptor antagonist) attenuated antinociceptive effect induced by V. tricolor L. extract in the writhing test. However, naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist) or methysergide (5-HT serotonergic receptor antagonist) did not affect antinociception induced by V. tricolor L. extract in the writhing test. Our results suggest that V. tricolor L. extract shows an antinociceptive property in various pain models. Furthermore, this antinociceptive effect of V. tricolor L. extract may be mediated by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic receptor, but not opioidergic and serotonergic receptors.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.119-123
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• 2012

In the present study, the antinociceptive profiles of $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract were examined in ICR mice. $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract administered orally (200 mg/kg) showed an antinociceptive effect as measured by the tail-flick and hot-plate tests. In addition, $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract attenuated the writhing numbers in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Furthermore, the cumulative nociceptive response time for intrathecal (i.t.) injection of substance P (0.7 ${\mu}g$) was diminished by $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with yohimbine (${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic receptor antagonist) attenuated antinociceptive effect induced by $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract in the writhing test. However, naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist) or methysergide (5-HT serotonergic receptor antagonist) did not affect antinociception induced by $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract in the writhing test. Our results suggest that $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract shows an antinociceptive property in various pain models. Furthermore, this antinociceptive effect of $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract may be mediated by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic receptor, but not opioidergic and serotonergic receptors.