• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.227-237
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• 2021

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a cardioprotectant and potential cardiovascular therapeutic agent. Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) are important determinants of myocardial structure and function. Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel is a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether CO modulates BK channels and the signaling pathways in HCFs using whole-cell mode patch-clamp recordings. CO-releasing molecules (CORMs; CORM-2 and CORM-3) significantly increased the amplitudes of BK currents (IBK). The CO-induced stimulating effects on IBK were blocked by pre-treatment with specific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blockers (L-NG-monomethyl arginine citrate and L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester). 8-bromo-cyclic GMP increased IBK. KT5823 (inhibits PKG) or ODQ (inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase) blocked the CO-stimulating effect on IBK. Moreover, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP also increased IBK, and pre-treatment with KT5720 (inhibits PKA) or SQ22536 (inhibits adenylate cyclase) blocked the CO effect. Pre-treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (a thiol-alkylating reagent) also blocked the CO effect on IBK, and DL-dithiothreitol (a reducing agent) reversed the CO effect. These data suggest that CO activates IBK through NO via the NOS and through the PKG, PKA, and S-nitrosylation pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.439-445
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• 1999

This study is to investigate the mechanism of inhibitory effect of imipramine on the calcium utilization in single cells isolated from canine detrusor. 2 mm thick smooth muscle chops were incubated in 0.12% collagenase solution at $36^{circ}C,$ and aerated with 95% $O_2/5%\;CO_2,$ and then cell suspension was examined. Acetylcholine (ACh) evoked a concentration-dependent contraction of the isolated detrusor cells in normal physiologic salt solution (PSS), and the ACh-induced contraction was significantly inhibited by imipramine. In $Ca^{2+}-free$ PSS, ACh-induced contraction was less than those in normal PSS and it was not affected by the pretreatment with imipramine. $Ca^{2+}-induced$ contraction in $Ca^{2+}-free$ PSS was supressed by imipramine, but addition of A 23187, a calcium ionophore, overcomed the inhibitory effect of imipramine. High potassium-depolarization (40 mM KCl) evoked cell contraction, which was inhibited by imipramine. Caffeine, a releasing agent of the stored $Ca^{2+}$ from sarcoplasmic reticulum, evoked a contraction of the cells that was not blocked by the pretreatment with imipramine. These results suggest that imipramine inhibits the influx of calcium in the detrusor cells through both the receptor-operated- and voltage-gated-calcium channels, but does not affect the release of calcium from intracellular storage site.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.146-150
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cholecystokinin (CCK), a hormone or neuropeptide, is secreted in response to intraluminal nutrients by enteroendocrine I-cells of the intestine and has important physiological actions related to appetite regulation and satiety. The stimulation on CCK secretion from the intestine is of potential relevance for body weight management. Naringenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavanone) and its glycoside naringin (naringenin 7-rhamnoglucoside) have been reported to have many biological functions. In the current study, we investigated the question of whether naringenin and naringin could stimulate CCK secretion and then examined the mechanisms involved in CCK release. MATERIALS/METHODS: STC-1 cells were used as a model of enteroendocrine cells. CCK release and changes in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) were measured after incubation of cells with naringenin and naringin for 1 h. RESULTS: Naringenin caused significant (P < 0.05) stimulation of CCK secretion, but naringin did not. In addition, regarding the secretory mechanisms, naringenin-induced CCK secretion involved increases in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, at least in part, and activation of TRP channels, including TRPA1. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study suggest that naringenin could have a role in appetite regulation and satiety.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.177-183
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• 2016

We fortuitously observed a human neutrophil intracellular free-calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) increasing activity in the commercially available phosphodiesterase I (PDE I), which is actually dried crude venom of Crotalus atrox. As this activity was not observed with another commercially available pure PDE I, we tried to find out the causative molecule(s) present in 'crude' PDE, and identified Lys49-phospholipase A2 (Lys49-PLA2 or K49-PLA2), a catalytically inactive protein which belongs to the phospholipase A2 family, by activity-driven three HPLC (reverse phase, size exclusion, reverse phase) steps followed by SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS. K49-PLA2 induced $Ca^{2+}$ influx in human neutrophils without any cytotoxic effect. Two calcium channel inhibitors, 2-aminoetoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) ($30{\mu}M$) and SKF-96365 ($20{\mu}M$) significantly inhibited K49-PLA2-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase. These results suggest that K49-PLA2 modulates $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in human neutrophils via 2-APB- and SKF-96365-sensitive calcium channels without causing membrane disruption.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.587-595
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• 2003

The aim of this study was to investigate trazodone's effect on vasorelaxation and blood pressure lowering and to examine its underlying mechanism of action in isolated thoracic aorta and anesthesized rats. Precontracted aortic rings with high KCl were relaxed with trazodone, at concentrations of $50{\mu}M$ or greater. However, precontracted rings with phenylephrine (PE) were relaxed with trazodone, at concentrations of $0.03{\mu}M$ or greater, in a concentration-dependent manner. These relaxant effects of trazodone on endothelium intact rat aortic rings were significantly greater than those on denuded rings. The trazodone-induced relaxations were suppressed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channel blocker, tetrabutylammonium (TBA), a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, nifedipine, $Na^+$ channel blockers, lidocaine and procaine, and removal of extracellular $Na^+$, but not by aminoguanidine, 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n, n-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC), indomethacin, glibenclamide and clotrimazole. In vivo, infusion of trazodone elicited significant decrease in arterial blood pressure. Trazodone-induced decrease in blood pressure was markedly inhibited by pretreatment of intravenous injection of saponin, L-NNA, methylene blue, TBA, lidocaine or nifedipine. These findings suggest that the endothelium-dependent relaxation and decrease in blood pressure induced by trazodone is mediated by release of NO from the endothelium, activation of TBA-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels or inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.290-296
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• 2013

In preliminary tests, we examined the effect of several fractions isolated from fermented pine needle extract on pacemaker potentials in cultured interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) from the mouse colon using a whole cell patch clamp technique. Among these fractions, Fraction 3 (F3) elicited the most powerful depolarization of membrane. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of F3 obtained from fermented extract of Pinus densiflora needle on pacemaker potentials in ICCs and to establish its mechanism of action. Colonic ICCs generated spontaneous periodic pacemaker potentials in the current-clamp mode. F3 depolarized the membrane and decreased the frequency and amplitude of pacemaker potentials in a dose-dependent fashion. The F3-induced effects on pacemaker potentials were blocked by methoctramine, a muscarinic $M_2$ receptor antagonist, and by glycopyrrolate, a muscarinic $M_3$ receptor antagonist. The F3-induced effects on pacemaker potentials were blocked by external $Na^+$-free solution and by flufenamic acid, a non-selective cation channel blocker, as well as by the removal of external $Ca^{2+}$ and in the presence of thapsigargin, a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor in the endoplasmic reticulum. Taken together, these results suggest that F3 of pine needle extract modulates the pacemaker activity of colonic ICCs by the activation of non-selective cation channels via muscarinic $M_2$ and $M_3$ receptors. And external $Ca^{2+}$ influx and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release are involved in F3 actions on ICCs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.19-24
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• 2006

The intermediate conductance $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ channels (SK4, IKCa1) are present in lymphocytes, and their membrane expression is upregulated by various immunological stimuli. In this study, the activity of SK4 was compared between Bal-17 and WEHI-231 cell lines which represent mature and immature stages of murine B lymphocytes, respectively. The whole-cell patch clamp with high-$Ca^{2+}$ ($0.8{\mu}M$) KCl pipette solution revealed a voltage-independent $K^+$ current that was blocked by clotrimazole (1 mM), an SK4 blocker. The expression of mRNAs for SK4 was confirmed in both Bal-17 and WEHI-231 cells. The density of clotrimazole-sensitive SK4 current was significantly larger in Bal-17 than WEHI-231 cells ($-11.4{\pm}3.1$ Vs. $-5.7{\pm}1.15$ pA/pF). Also, the chronic stimulation of B cell receptors (BCR) by BCR-ligation (anti-IgM Ab, $3{\mu}g$/ml, 8∼12 h) significantly upregulated the amplitude of clotrimazolesensitive current from $-11.4{\pm}3.1$ to $-53.1{\pm}8.6$ pA/pF in Bal-17 cells. In WEHI-231 cells, the effect of BCR-ligation was significantly small ($-5.7{\pm}1.15$ to $-9.0{\pm}1.00$ pA/pF). The differential expression and regulation by BCR-ligation might reflect functional changes in the maturation of B lymphocytes.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.307-312
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• 2009

The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are pacemaking cells required for gastrointestinal motility. The possibility of whether DA-9701, a novel prokinetic agent formulated with Pharbitis Semen and Corydalis Tuber, modulates pacemaker activities in the ICC was tested using the whole cell patch clamp technique. DA-9701 produced membrane depolarization and increased tonic inward pacemaker currents in the voltage-clamp mode. The application of flufenamic acid, a non-selective cation channel blocker, but not niflumic acid, abolished the generation of pacemaker currents induced by DA-9701. Pretreatment with a $Ca^{2+}$-free solution and thapsigargin, a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor in the endoplasmic reticulum, abolished the generation of pacemaker currents. In addition, the tonic inward currents were inhibited by U-73122, an active phospholipase C inhibitor, but not by $GDP-{\beta}-S$, which permanently binds G-binding proteins. Furthermore, the protein kinase C inhibitors, chelerythrine and calphostin C, did not block the DA-9701-induced pacemaker currents. These results suggest that DA-9701 might affect gastrointestinal motility by the modulation of pacemaker activity in the ICC, and the activation is associated with the non-selective cationic channels via external $Ca^{2+}$ influx, phospholipase C activation, and $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal storage in a G protein-independent and protein kinase C-independent manner.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.329-337
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• 1999

Thyroid hormone-induced cellular dysfunctions may be associated with changes in the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. The ryanodine receptor, a $Ca^{2+}$ release channel of the SR, is responsible for the rapid release of $Ca^{2+}$ that activates cardiac muscle contraction. In the excitation-contaction coupling cascade, activation of ryanodine receptors is initiated by the activity of sarcolemmal $Ca^{2+}$ channels, the dihydropyridine receptors. In hyperthyroidism left ventricular contractility and relaxation velocity were increased, whereas these parameters were decreased in hypothyroidism. The mechanisms for these changes have been suggested to include alterations in the expression and/or activity levels of various proteins. In the present study, quantitative changes of ryanodine receptors and the dihydropyridine receptors, and the functional consequences of these changes in various thyroid states were investigated. In hyperthyroid hearts, $[^3H]ryanodine$ binding and ryanodine receptor mRNA levels were increased, but protein levels of ryanodine were not changed significantly. However, the above parameters were markedly decreased in hypothyroid hearts. In case of dihydropyridine receptor, there were a significant increase in the mRNA and protein levels, and [3H]nitrendipine binding, whereas no changes were observed in these parameters of hypothyroid hearts. Our findings indicate that hyperthyroidism is associated with increases in ryanodine receptor and dihydropyridine receptor expression levels, which is well correlated with the ryanodine and dihydropyridine binding. Whereas opposite changes occur in ryanodine receptor of the hypothyroid hearts.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.34-39
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• 2006

The antispasmodic and vasodilator activities of a newly synthesized piperidine derivative (1-(4'fluorophenacyl)-4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidinium chloride) were studied in vitro. The test compound exhibited a dose-dependent relaxant effect on the spontaneous and $K^+$ (75 mM)-induced contractions of isolated rabbit jejunum with respective $EC_{50}$ values of 0.01 mM(0.01-0.02, 95% CI) and 0.30 mM (0.17-0.56). The $Ca^{++}$ channel blocking (CCB) activity was confirmed when the test compound (0.1-0.2 mM) shifted the $Ca^{++}$ dose-response curves to the right, similar to that produced by verapamil ($0.1-1.0{\mu}M$), a standard CCB. In the isolated rabbit aorta, the test compound showed a dose-dependent vasodilator effect on $K^+$ (75 mM)-induced contractions with an $EC_{50}$ value of 0.08 mM (0.02-0.26) while also suppressed the norepinephrine ($1{\mu}M$) control peak responses with $EC_{50}$ value of 0.08 mM (0.05-0.13, n=5). When tested in Langendorff perfused rabbit heart preparation, the test compound exhibited a negligible inhibitory effect on the rate or force of atrial and ventricular contractions when tested up to 5 mM. The results show smooth muscle-selective relaxant effect of the test compound on intestinal and vascular preparations mediated possibly via blockade of voltage and receptor-operated $Ca^{++}$ channels.