• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2008

Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in many tissues and is found to be enhancing the bone tissue formation or inhibits the bone loss. Although it is reported that taurine reduces the alveolar bone loss through inhibiting the bone resorption, its functions of taurine and expression of taurine transporter (TauT) in bone have not been identified yet. The purpose of this study is to clarify the uptake mechanism of taurine in osteoblast using mouse osteoblast cell lines. In this study, mouse stromal ST2 cells and mouse osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells as osteoblast cell lines were used. The activity of taurine uptake was assessed by measuring the uptake of [$^3H$]taurine in the presence or absence of inhibitors. TauT mRNA was detected in ST2 and MC3T3-E1 cells. [$^3H$]Taurine uptake by these cells was dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium ion. The [$^3H$]taurine uptake in ST2 cells treated with 4 mM calcium was increased by 1.7-fold of the control which was a significant change. In contrast, in $Ca^{++}$-free condition and L-type calcium channel blockers (CCBs), taurine transport to osteocyte was significantly inhibited. In oxidative stress conditions, [$^3H$]taurine uptake was decreased by TNF-$\alpha$ and $H_2O_2$. Under the hyperosmotic conditions, taurine uptake was increased, but inhibited by CCBs in hyperosmotic condition. These results suggest that, in mouse osteoblast cell lines, taurine uptake by TauT was increased by the presence of extracellular calcium, whereas decreased by CCBs and oxidative stresses, such as TNF-$\alpha$ and $H_2O_2$.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 1996

The present study was undertaken to investigate the physiological characteristics of the adrenergic responses in the tilapia dorsal aorta. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, clonidine and methoxamine in the presence of propranolol($3{\times}10^{-6}$M), induced only endothelium-independent and concentration-dependent vasocontractions in tilapia dorsal aorta. The rank order of potency of adrenergic agonists inducing vasocontraction was epinephrine>norepinephrine>phenylephrine>clonidine>ethoxamine, Yohimbine produced a parallel shift of the concentration-vascontraction curves of epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine and clonidine to the right, while prazosin depressed the maximum responses of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Calcium-free physiological solution and verapamil markedly reduced epinephrine or norepinephrine-induced vasocontractions. These results suggest that a-adrenergic agonists produce only on endothelium-inedpenent casoconstrictions in tilapia dorsal aorta and these effect of a-adrenergic agonists, which might be associated with both calcium release from intracellular stores and calcium influx through voltage-dependent calcium channel.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2001

Adrenal chromaffin cells secrete catecholamine in response to acetylcholine. The secretory response has absolute requirement for extracellular calcium, indicating that $Ca^{2+}$ influx through voltage operated $Ca^{2+}$ channels is the primary trigger of the secretion cascade. Although the existence of various types of $Ca^{2+}$ channels has been explored using patch clamp technique in adrenal chromaffin cells, there is still disagreement with the types of $Ca^{2+}$ channels existed in different species. Therefore, we have tried to identify several distinct types of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in rat chromaffin cells. By using nicardipine(L type channel blocker), $\omega$-CgTx GVIA(N type channel blocker), and $\omega$-AgaTx VIA(P type channel blocker), it was identified that L, N, and P type $Ca^{2+}$ channel exist in rat adrenal chromaffin cells and the order of contribution of each channel type to whole cell $Ca^{2+}$ current was L type> N type> P type. type> P type.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1992.05a
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• pp.45-45
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• 1992

Calcium channel에 작용하는 dihydropyridine(DHP) 계열의 calcium channel 효능제와 길항제의 caicium channel에 대한 작용과 muscarinic receptor에 대한 작용과의 관계를 조사하기 위하여 [$^3$H]QNB와 [$^3$H]nitrendipine 결합실험을 시행하고 이를 지표로 하여 칼슘효능제와 길항제의 이들 receptors에 대한 결합성질을 검토하였다. 본 연구결과 칼슘 channel 효능제인 Bay K 8644는 칼슘길항제인 nicardipine 및 nimodipine과 같이 고농도에서 muscarinic receptor에 대한 [$^3$H]QNB결합을 경쟁적으로 억제하였으며 이들 약물의 muscarinic receptor에 대한 Ki치는 각각 16.7 $\mu$M, 3.5 $\mu$M, 및 15.5 $\mu$M이었다. 한편, 이들 약물은 다같이 칼슘 channel의 high affinity DHP결합부위에 대한 [$^3$H]nitrendipine 결합을 억제하였으나 이 부위에 대한 Bay K 8644, nicardipine, 및 nimodipine의 Ki치는 각각 4 nM, 0.1 nM, 및 0.2 nM로서 muscarinic receptor에 대한 Ki치 보다 4,000-75,000배 작았다. 뿐만 아니라 [$^3$H]QNB결합을 완전히 차단하는 고농도의 atropine(1 $\mu$M)에 의해서도 [$^3$H]nitrendipine결합이 전혀 영향을 받지 않았다. 따라서 DHP계 약물의 muscarinic receptor에 대한 작용은 칼슘channel에 대한 이들 약물의 작용을 연구하거나 임상적 치료 목적으로 사용할때는 나타나지 않을 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 1989

Calcium promoted ethylene production from mungbean hypocotyl segments incubated in the presence of either auxin or cytokinin (kinetin). Time course studies indicated that the calcium effect on ethylene production had a longer latent period (about 6 h) in combination with kinetin than with auxin. Studies on the effects of agents that are known to interfere with either action or transport (uptake) of calcium on ethylene biosynthesis indicated different patterns between auxin- and kinetin-treated tissues. Auxin-induced ethylene production was inhibited by the calmodulin inhibitor, trifluoperazine (TFP), and this inhibition was overcome by high concentrations of calcium applied, but TFP had no significant effect on kinetin-induced ethylene production regardless of calcium in the medium. The calcium channel blocker, verapamil, inhibited auxin-induced, but had little effect on kinetin-induced, ethylene producton. In vivo activity of "ethylene forming enzyme (EFE)" was found to be substantially promoted by calcium treatment. The enzyme activity was further increased by kinetin when segments were simultaneously treated with calcium, but auxin did not have such an effect.an effect.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.263-273
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• 1998

For histologic observation of the regenerated bone following guided tissue regeneration (GTR) using ePTFE membranes with calcium carbonate implant and autogenous bone graft, biopsies were collected from 2 patients during 5-year-postoperative surgical reentry. In both combined cases with guided tissue regeneration in conjunction with calcium carbonate implant and autogenous bone graft, significant bone fill and gain in probing attachment level was observed. In histologic examination, specimen in GTR case with calcium carbonate grafting was composed of a dense bone containing vascular channel with lamellar structure and viable bone cells in lacunae, however considerable calcium carbonate particles remained unresorbed and isolated from regenerated bone by the dense cellular and fibrous connective tissue. No formative cells could be seen in contact with remained calcium carbonate particles. In GTR case with autogenous bone grafting, specimen show was composed of a dense lamellar bone containing vascular channel, which showed normal alveolar bone architectures. The present observation indicate that guided tissue regeneration in conjunction with grafting, especially autogenous bone graft, has highly osteogenic potential, however resorbable calcium carbonate granules were not completely resorbed at 5 year postimplantation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.456-461
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• 1996

Vascular relaxation action of crude extracts of two kinds of Coptidis rhizoma (Coptis chinensis and Coptis japonica, Ranunculaceae) was investigated and compared with that of berberine and palmatine, active alkaloid components of these plants. The results show that total extracts, berberine, and palmatine induced a concentration-dependent vasodilatation of rat thoracic aorta contracted with phenylephrine (PE). Palmatine, unlike to berberine, did not inhibit contraction induced by KCI. In calcium-free media, not only berberine but also crude extracts inhibited calcium-induced contraction. Furthermore, pretreatment of crude extracts inhibited contraction induced by PE noncompetitively. In PE-induced contraction, berberine was 2.5 times more potent than Coptis chinensis in the relaxation of rat aorta in terms of $IC_{50}$ values. Analysis of the effects of crude extracts on the Emax and $IC_{50}(PE)IC_{50}(KCI)$ ratios provides information on selectivity and indicates that extracts exhibit greater inhibition of the contrac tile response induced by PE than by KCI. We concluded that crude extracts have .alpha.-adrenoceptor blocking action and possesses inhibitory effect on calcium influx, which may be at least in part responsible for the antihypertensive action.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.251-262
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• 2011

Human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) potassium channel blockade, an undesirable side effect which might cause sudden cardiac death, is one of the major concerns facing the pharmaceutical industry. The purpose of this study is to develop an in silico QSAR model which uncovers the structural parameters of T-type calcium channel blockers to reduce hERG blockade. Comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) was conducted on a series of piperazine and benzimidazole derivatives bearing methyl 5-(ethyl(methyl)amino)-2-isopropyl-2-phenylpentanoate moieties, which was synthesized by our group. Three different alignment methods were applied to obtain a reliable model: ligand based alignment, pharmacophore based alignment, and receptor guided alignment. The CoMSIA model with receptor guided alignment yielded the best results : $r^2$ = 0.955, $q^2$ = 0.781, $r^2_{pred}$ = 0.758. The generated CoMSIA contour maps using electrostatic, hydrophobic, H-bond donor, and acceptor fields explain well the structural requirements for hERG nonblockers and also correlate with the lipophilic potential map of the hERG channel pore.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3917-3921
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• 2016

Background: The association between calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and survival in cancer patients remains unclear and the results of related studies are conflicting. The objective of the study was to investigate the association between calcium channel blockers (CCBs) use and survival in cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library for studies published before January 2016 with the terms related to CCBs and survival in cancer patients. The information was reviewed and extracted by two evaluators independently. Data of publications was extracted and calculated into hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS). Statistical analysis was performed by using Review Manager 5.3. Results: There were 11 studies included in our meta-analysis. Analysis of all studies showed that CCBs use was not associated with survival in cancer patients (HR=1.07; 95% CI: 0.91-1.25; P=0.42). No association between CCBs use and overall survival in cancer patients was existed whether in Asian (HR=1.18, 95% CI: 0.72-1.93; P=0.52) or Caucasian population (HR=1.03, 95% CI: 0.89-1.20; P=0.66). Conclusions: There is no evidence that CCBs use is associated with a better or worse outcome of survival in cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.259-263
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• 2020

Background: Dual-type calcium channel blockers (CCBs), such as efonidipine and cilnidipine, are renoprotective drugs that reportedly reduce proteinuria by dilating afferent and efferent arterioles of the glomerulus. However, studies comparing the effect of dual-type CCB on proteinuria have not been conducted. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effect of dual-type CCB (efonidipine and cilnidipine) usage patterns in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included 53 patients with CKD who 1) initiated efonidipine or cilnidipine treatment while on a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor and 2) had received efonidipine or cilnidipine for at least one year. We compared usage patterns between the efonidipine and cilnidipine groups during the one-year period and analyzed the following outcomes: urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio, blood pressure, and serum creatinine. Results: The study included 25 patients in the efonidipine group and 28 patients in the cilnidipine group. In both groups, blood pressure and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratios tended to decrease; however, the change during each interval was not significant. Conclusions: In patients with CKD who were on renin-angiotensin system inhibitor therapy, the addition of a dual-type CCB (i.e., efonidipine or cilnidipine) tended to reduce proteinuria; however, the change during each interval was not significant.