• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.305-312
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• 2015

Paeonol is a major component found in the Paeoniaceae family such as Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews. Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews has traditionally been used to enhance blood flow and relieve joint pain in east Asian countries including China, Korea and Japan. Current research has shown that paeonol blocked the voltage-gated sodium channel and L-type calcium channel. However, there is a lack of research to reveal the relation between cardiac function and blockade of ion channels by paeonol. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate whether paeonol has anti-arrhythmic effects via modulating cardiac ion channels. It is collected that the effects of paeonol on multiple ion channels such as the fast sodium channel and L-type calcium channel from published papers. To incorporate the information on multi-channel block, we computed the effects using the mathematical cardiac model of the guinea-pig and rat ventricular cells (Noble 1998 and 1991 model) and induced early after-depolarizations (EADs) to generate an arrhythmia in the whole heart. Paeonol slightly shortened the action potential duration in the normal cardiac ventricular action potential by the inhibition of sodium channel and L-type calcium channel. Paeonol presented the protective effect from EADs by the inactivation of sodium channel but not L-type calcium channel. Paeonol did not show any changes when it treated on normal ventricular cells through the inhibition of sodium channel, but the protective effect of paeonol through sodium channel on EADs was dose-dependent. These findings suggest that paeonol and its original plant may possess anti-arrhythmic activity, which implies their cardioprotective effects.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제57권10호
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• pp.445-450
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• 2014

Purpose: Familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HOKPP) is an autosomal dominant channelopathy characterized by episodic attacks of muscle weakness and hypokalemia. Mutations in the calcium channel gene, CACNA1S, or the sodium channel gene, SCN4A, have been found to be responsible for HOKPP; however, the mechanism that causes hypokalemia remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of this mechanism by investigating the expression of calcium-activated potassium ($K_{Ca}$) channel genes in HOKPP patients. Methods: We measured the intracellular calcium concentration with fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester in skeletal muscle cells of HOKPP patients and healthy individuals. We examined the mRNA and protein expression of KCa channel genes (KCNMA1, KCNN1, KCNN2, KCNN3, and KCNN4) in both cell types. Results: Patient cells exhibited higher cytosolic calcium levels than normal cells. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the mRNA levels of the $K_{Ca}$ channel genes did not significantly differ between patient and normal cells. However, western blot analysis showed that protein levels of the KCNMA1 gene, which encodes $K_{Ca}$1.1 channels (also called big potassium channels), were significantly lower in the membrane fraction and higher in the cytosolic fraction of patient cells than normal cells. When patient cells were exposed to 50 mM potassium buffer, which was used to induce depolarization, the altered subcellular distribution of BK channels remained unchanged. Conclusion: These findings suggest a novel mechanism for the development of hypokalemia and paralysis in HOKPP and demonstrate a connection between disease-associated mutations in calcium/sodium channels and pathogenic changes in nonmutant potassium channels.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.247-255
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• 1998

Carbon tetrachloride (CCI$_4$) induces the hepatotoxicity due to the reactive free radicals generated by cytochrome P-450 (CYP-450) enzyme, which result in destabilization of cellular membrane. Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocking agent, has been known to suppress the CYP-450 enzyme activities. To study the effect of diltiazem in $CCl_4$-treated rats, we measured the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), contents of bilirubin, albumin, total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine malondialdehyde and calcium. Also we conducted liver histopathologic examinations. Diltiazem, when administered 1 hour prior to CCI$_4$ treaeent, significantly reduced the activities of ALT and AST, the contents of microsomal malondialdehyde and calcium in liver and microsome as compared with those of $CCl_4$-treated rats. In addition, histopathologic examination showed that diltiazem prevented the development of centrilobular necrosis induced by CCI$_4$ in liver tissue. Our results suggested that diltiazem could inhibit the formation of free radicals and the influx of calcium. Therefore diltiazem may be applied to suppress the liver damage caused by $CCl_4$.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.51-57
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• 2006

Haloperidol is a classical neuroleptic drug that is still in clinical use and can lead to abnormal motor activity following repeated administration. However, there is little knowledge of how it triggers neuronal impairment. In this study, we report that it induced calcium ion influx via L-type calcium channels and that the elevation of calcium ions induced by haloperidol appeared to render hippocampal cells more susceptible to oxidative stress. Indeed, the level of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax increased in response to oxidative stress in haloperidol-treated cells, and these effects were inhibited by verapamil, a specific L-type calcium channel blocker, but not by the T-type calcium channel blocker, mibefradil. These findings indicate that haloperidol induces calcium ion influx via L-type calcium channels and that this calcium influx influences neuronal fate.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.231-236
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• 2015

Angiotensin II (AngII)는 혈관평활근세포의 수축을 통해 혈관을 수축시키는 강력한 작용을 나타낼 뿐만 아니라 혈관세포의 성장 등에 중요한 역할을 한다. 본 연구에서는 AngII에 의해 형성되는 활성산소가 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)에 유리되는 칼슘에 의해 조절된다는 것을 검증하였다. 쥐의 대동맥으로부터 분리된 혈관평활근세포에서 AngII에 의해 활성산소가 농도 의존적, 그리고 시간 의존적으로 형성됨을 관찰하였다. AngII에 의해 형성되는 활성산소는 PI3K의 억제제에 의해 봉쇄되었으나 EKR의 억제제에 의해서는 봉쇄되지 않음을 알 수 있었다. AngII에 의해 유리되는 칼슘은 L-type 칼슘이온통로 봉쇄제인 Nifedipine 또는 배양액에 칼슘이 제거된 환경에서 억제됨을 확인할 수 있었다. 마지막으로 AngII에 의해 형성되는 활성산소는 배양액에 칼슘이 없는 조건이나 L-type 칼슘이온통로 억제제를 전처리 하였을 경우 억제되는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들을 바탕으로 쥐의 대동맥으로부터 분리된 혈관평활근세포에서 AngII에 의한 활성산소의 형성은 PI3K/L-type 칼슘이온통로를 통한 기전을 통해 조절됨을 제안한다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.139-144
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• 2012

It has been reported that activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) can mediate endocannabinoid-induced short-term depression of synaptic transmission in cerebellar parallel fiber (PF)-Purkinje cell (PC) synapse. mGluR1 has signaling pathways involved in intracellular calcium increase which may contribute to endocannabinoid release. Two major mGluR1-evoked calcium signaling pathways are known: (1) slow-kinetic inward current carried by transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channel which is permeable to $Ca^{2+}$; (2) $IP_3$-induced calcium release from intracellular calcium store. However, it is unclear how much each calcium source contributes to endocannabinoid signaling. Here, we investigated whether calcium influx through mGluR1-evoked TRPC channel contributes to endocannabinoid signaling in cerebellar Purkinje cells. At first, we applied SKF96365 to inhibit TRPC, which blocked endocannabinoid-induced short-term depression completely. However, an alternative TRP channel inhibitor, BTP2 did not affect endocannabinoid-induced short-term depression although it blocked mGluR1-evoked TRPC currents. Endocannabinoid signaling occurred normally even though the TRPC current was mostly blocked by BTP2. Our data imply that TRPC current does not play an important role in endocannabinoid signaling. We also suggest precaution in applying SKF96365 to inhibit TRP channels and propose BTP2 as an alternative TRPC inhibitor.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.277-289
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• 2018

The exponential increase in the use of mobile communication has triggered public concerns about the potential adverse effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phones on the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we explored the relationship between calcium channels and apoptosis or autophagy in the hippocampus of C57BL/6 mice after RF-EMF exposure with a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4.0 W/kg for 4 weeks. Firstly, the expression level of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), a key regulator of the entry of calcium ions into the cell, was confirmed by immunoblots. We investigated and confirmed that pan-calcium channel expression in hippocampal neurons were significantly decreased after exposure to RF-EMF. With the observed accumulation of autolysosomes in hippocampal neurons via TEM, the expressions of autophagy-related genes and proteins (e.g., LC3B-II) had significantly increased. However, down-regulation of the apoptotic pathway may contribute to the decrease in calcium channel expression, and thus lower levels of calcium in hippocampal neurons. These results suggested that exposure of RF-EMF could alter intracellular calcium homeostasis by decreasing calcium channel expression in the hippocampus; presumably by activating the autophagy pathway, while inhibiting apoptotic regulation as an adaptation process for 835 MHz RF-EMF exposure.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.93-101
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• 2009

The use of magnesium sulphate has recently increased in anesthesiology and pain medicine. The roles of magnesium sulphate are as an analgesic adjuvant, a vasodilator, a calcium channel blocker and reducing the anesthetic requirement. These effect are primarily based on the regulation of calcium influx into the cell and antagonism of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. We discuss here the clinical effects of magnesium sulphate on anesthesiology and pain medicine.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.167-179
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• 2009

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases and it causes cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. While antihypertensive drug use increased, it took 15% of national health insurance drug expenditure. This study aimed to examine the pattern of antihypertensive drug prescription using National Health Insurance claims database and compare it with recommendations of Korea Hypertension Treatment Guidelines. Among the antihypertensive drugs, calcium channel blocker(64.4%) was most commonly prescribed class, and diuretics(44.6%), angiotensin II receptor blocker(33.3%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor(11.7%) was followed. Approximately 81% of antihypertensives prescription were without cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, and among the comorbid conditions, diabetes(10.7%) was most common. calcium channel blocker(62.3%) was mostly prescribed class for hypertension with angina pectoris, angiotensin receptor blocker(45.3%) with myocardial infarction, diuretics(70.2%) and calcium channel blocker(49.5%) with congestive heart failure. For Hypertension with cerebrovascular disease, calcium channel blocker(68.0%) and angiotensin receptor blocker(43.3%) were prescribed mainly. When it comes to diabetes, calcium channel blocker(57.2%) was still mostly prescribed and angiotensin receptor blocker(45.9%) followed. But in hospitals and tertiary hospitals, angiotensin receptor blocker(65.7, 66.1%) was mostly prescribed for the patients with diabetes. For Hypertension with chronic renal disease, angiotensin receptor blocker(59.5%), calcium channel blocker(56.5%), diuretics(54.6%) were mainly used. Average number of classes per prescribing was $1.89{\pm}0.89$ class, average days per prescribing was $33{\pm}19$ day. Among the hypertension without comorbidity, 40.5% of prescription was monotherapy and 58.8% of polytherapy included diuretics. Among the outpatient prescriptions, calcium channel blocker was the most commonly used class, and the prescription pattern in clinic did not closely followed recommendations of Hypertension Treatment Guidelines.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.156-160
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• 2008

This study was conducted to evaluate the hypotensive properties of the extract of Chinese balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum)'s root. In the studies for calcium channel-blocking using Xenopus oocytes, the ethanol-extract ($26.2{\pm}5.2%$) showed higher activity than water-extract. Twenty female rats were fed 25, 35, and 45 mg/kg BW/day of the ethanol-extract for 14 days to observe the changes in blood pressures and heart pulses. Ethanol-extract decreased the systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures of the rats. Especially, the rats fed with 45 mg/kg BW/day of the ethanol-extract showed significant decreases in the blood pressures. These results suggested that a decrease in blood pressures was due to the extension of a blood vessel with calcium channel-blocking by ethanol-extract of Chinese balloon flower. Forty %-ethanol showed the highest efficiency for ethanol-extraction of Chinese balloon flower.