• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.62-66
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• 2002

Hypertension is not only a well-established cardiovascular risk factor but also increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Most studies conducted to investigate the effectiveness of treatment for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension have focused primarily on conventional drug and physiotherapeutic treatments. BanhabackchulChunma-tang(半夏白朮天麻湯:BCT) is popular herbal medicine used in clinic for the treatment of various symptoms of drulatory disorders and weakness of digestive system, including anorexa and nausea with vertigo, severe headache, vomiting and so on. However, the mechanisms underlying its efficacy are unknown. This study investigated the effects of BCT as an alternative medication on the contraction induced by phenylephrine and KCI in rat thoratic aorta. BCT revealed siginificant relaxation on phenylephrine-induced arterial contraction, but revealed noncompetitive effect on concentration responses of phenylephrine-induced contraction. Treatment of N-L/sup ω/ -argine methyl ester(L-NAME) and methylene blue(MB)(10/sup -5/M) reduced the relaxation of BCT. BCT also increased in vitro NO production. It suggest that the relaxation effect of BBT is related with NO pathway, becausse the effect of L-NAME and MB are due to inhibition of NO synthesis from endothelial cells. These results indicate that BCT would be effective in hypertension treatment and its mechanism of relaxtion on arterial contraction is likely to be related with NO production, blocking of α-receptor and signal transduction after receptor activation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.267-271
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• 1997

We developed a dermal equivalent (DE) which was engineered using human dermal fibroblasts and a matrix of collagen gel. The in vitro construction of the DE was accomplished by casting a porcine collagen type I solution plus concentrated medium with isolated and cultured fibroblasts. These constructs were attached to culture dishes or left floating in culture medium. Contraction of attached gels results in decreased gel thickness without a change in gel diameter, and contraction of floating gels results in decreased gel thickness and diameter. After contraction, there was no increase in cell number in floating gels, but cells in attached gels began to increase after about 4 days of the lag phase in cell growth curve. At this lag phase, addition of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) at a concentration of $0.1{\mu}$/ml promoted cell proliferation in the attached collagen gels, but no effect in floating gels. These results indicate that the method of contraction had an influence on the extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, and this influenced not only cell growth but also fibroblast responsiveness to FGF. This suggests that attached collagen gel is more suitable as a dermal equivalent than the floating gel. And the final contracted area of attached gel is much larger than that of the floating gel since floating gel is contracted in all directions but attached gel is contracted only vertically.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.397-403
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• 2011

The proliferation, migration, cytokine release, and contraction of airway smooth muscle cells are key events in the airway remodeling process that occur in lung disease such as asthma, chronic obstruction pulmonary disease, and cancer. These events can be modulated by a number of factors, including cigarette smoke extract (CSE). CSE-induced alterations in the viability, migration, and contractile abilities of normal human airway cells remain unclear. This study investigated the effect of CSE on cell viability, migration, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ secretion, and contraction in normal human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs). Treatment of HBSMCs with 10% CSE induced cell death, and the death was accompanied by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). CSE-induced cell death was reduced by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger. In addition, CSE reduced the migration ability of HBSMCs by 75%. The combination of NAC with CSE blocked the CSE-induced reduction of cell migration. However, CSE had no effect on TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. CSE induced an increase in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in 64% of HBSMCs. CSE reduced the contractile ability of HBSMCs, and the ability was enhanced by NAC treatment. These results demonstrate that CSE treatment induces cell death and reduces migration and contraction by increasing ROS generation in normal HBSMCs. These results suggest that CSE may induce airway change through cell death and reduction in migration and contraction of normal HBSMCs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.95-101
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• 1994

Saponin of Panax ginseng (C.A. Meyer) is composed of Protopanaxatriol (PT) and Protopanaxa- diol (PD). We investigated the effects of PT and PD on the contractility and $^{45}Ca$ uptake in the pig coronary artery. Isometric tension in the helical strips and $^{45}Ca$ uptake in the ring strips were measured in the presence or absence of PT and PD. PT and PD did not affect the high K+ (40 mM)-induced contraction but relaxed the ACh-induced contraction in a dose4ependent manner (1~10 mg/dl). The vasorelaxing effect of PT on the ACh-induced contraction was more potent than that of PD. Those relaxations were partially suppressed by the rubbing of endothelium removal. ACh-induced contraction in the $Ca^{2+}$-free Tyrode's solution was suppressed by the pretreatment of PT or PD. Following the depletion of ACh-sensitive intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ pool, ACh-induced contraction was suppressed by the pratreatment of PT or PD. With the pretreatment of PT or PD, $^{45}Ca$ uptake by high K+ (43 mM) was not changed but that by ACh was suppressed in the pig coronary artery. From the above results, we suggested that the vasorelaxing effect of PT and PD of Panax ginseng was due to inhibition of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release, inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake via receptor-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channels and in part a release of vasorelaxing factor from endothelium in pig coronary artery.

• 대한물리치료과학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.137-145
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• 2006

We investigated whether increased contractile responsiveness to epidermal growth factor (EGF) is associated with altered activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the aortic smooth muscle of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. EGF induced contraction and MAPK activity in aortic smooth muscle strips, which were significantly increased in tissues from the DOCA-salt hypertensive rats compared with those from sham-operated rats. AG1478, PD98059, and LY294002, inhibitors of EGF receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), respectively, inhibited the contraction and the activity of ERK1/2 that were elevated by EGF. Y27632 and GF109203X, inhibitors of Rho kinase and protein kinase C, respectively, attenuated EGF-induced contraction, with no diminution of ERK1/2 activity. Although EGF also elevated the activity of EGFR tyrosine kinase in both sham-operated and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, the expression and the magnitude of activation did not differ between strips. These results strongly suggest that EGF induces contraction by the activation of ERK1/2, which is regulated by the PI3K pathway in the aortic smooth muscle of DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.11-19
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• 2005

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is often attributed to malalignment and maltracking of patella within the patellofemoral joint. Most exercise for PFPS has focused on selectively strengthening the vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO). This study was designed to identify the effect of medial, lateral wedge and difference of Quadriceps angle (Q-angle) on vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis muscle (VL) activity ratios. The subjects were twenty young adult males who had not experienced any knee injury. They were asked to perform isometric contraction exercises in three postures using medial and lateral wedge. The EMG activity of the VL and VMO were recorded in three postures by surface electrodes and normalized by %MVC values derived from seated, isometric knee extensions. The normalized EMG activity levels (%MVC) of the VL and VMO for the three postures of the lower extremities were compared using 2-way repeated measures ANOVA with 1 between-subject factor (group), and 1 within-subject factor (wedge). Results of repeated measures of ANOVA's revealed that the medial wedge isometric contraction exercise produced significantly greater EMG activity of VMO/VL ratios in Group I (Q-angle $18^{\circ}$ or less) (p<.05). But, the medial wedge isometric contraction exercise was no significant difference of VMO/VL ratios in Group II (Q-angle $19^{\circ}$ or more) (p>.05). These results have important implications for selective VMO muscle strengthening exercises in PFPS patients.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제28권11호
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• pp.1311-1316
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• 2005

To better define the relationship between dermal regeneration and wound contraction and scar formation, the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) loaded in collagen sponge matrix on the fibroblast cell proliferation rate and the dermal mechanical strength were investigated. Collagen sponges with acid-soluble fraction of pig skin were prepared and incorporated with EGF at 0, 4, and 8 $\mu$g/1.7 $cm^{2}$. Dermal fibroblasts were cultured to 80$\%$ confluence using DMEM, treated with the samples submerged, and the cell viability was estimated using MTT assay. A deep, $2^{nd}$ degree- burn of diameter 1 cm was prepared on the rabbit ear and the tested dressings were applied twice during the 15-day, post burn period. The processes of re-epithelialization and dermal regeneration were investigated until the complete wound closure day and histological analysis was performed with H-E staining. EGF increased the fibroblast cell proliferation rate. The histology showed well developed, weave-like collagen bundles and fibroblasts in EGF-treated wounds while open wounds showed irregular collagen bundles and impaired fibroblast growth. The breaking strength (944.1 $\pm$ 35.6 vs. 411.5 $\pm$ 57.0 Fmax, $gmm^{-2}$) and skin resilience (11.3 $\pm$ 1.4 vs. 6.5 $\pm$ 0.6 mJ/$mm^{2}$) were significantly increased with EGF­treated wounds as compared with open wounds, suggesting that EGF enhanced the dermal matrix formation and improved the wound mechanical strength. In conclusion, EGF-improved dermal matrix formation is related with a lower wound contraction rate. The impaired dermal regeneration observed in the open wounds could contribute to the formation of wound contraction and scar tissue development. An extraneous supply of EGF in the collagen dressing on deep, $2^{nd}$ degree-burns enhanced the dermal matrix formation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.99-106
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• 2017

Obesity is a critical risk factor for the hypertension. Although angiotensin II (Ang II) in obese individuals is known to be upregulated in obesity-induced hypertension, direct evidence that explains the underlying mechanism for increased vascular tone and consequent increase in blood pressure (BP) is largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the novel mechanism underlying Ang II-induced hyper-contractility and hypertension in obese rats. Eight-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with 60% fat diet or normal diet for 4 months. Body weight, plasma lipid profile, plasma Ang II level, BP, Ang II-induced vascular contraction, and expression of regulatory proteins modulating vascular contraction with/without Ang II stimulation were measured. As a result, high fat diet (HFD) accelerated age-dependent body weight gaining along with increased plasma Ang II concentration. It also increased BP and Ang II-induced aortic contraction. Basal expression of p-CPI-17 and myosin light chain (MLC) kinase was increased by HFD along with increased phosphorylation of MLC. Ang II-induced phosphorylation of CPI-17 and MLC were also higher in HFD group than control group. In conclusion HFD-induced hypertension is through at least in part by increased vascular contractility via increased expression and activation of contractile proteins and subsequent MLC phosphorylation induced by increased Ang II.

• 대한한의학원전학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.103-109
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• 2009

It was described in "Somun Jogyeongron" that Eum(Yin)-Yang' deficiency, excess and exuberance. According to "Somun Jogyeongron", It was known that the syndrome of Yang deficiency and exuberance is belong to external contraction, Eum deficiency and exuberance is belong to internal damage. The syndrome of Yang deficiency is belong to Gyejitang[contraction of wind] which constitutional weakness as the main etiological factor of deficiency conditions. The syndrome of Yang exuberance is belong to Mahwangtang[cold damage] which constitutional strong as the main etiological factor of exuberance conditions. Eum deficiency is so dysfunction of the spleen and stomach that Eum fluid and essence is not engender, distributed. So the dysfunction of spleen and stomach makes dampness-heat obstruction and then makes Internal heat at last. The syndrome of Eum deficiency is applicable to bojungikgitang. As contrasted with Eum deficiency, Eum exuberance is occurred cold-dampness obstruction, which we call 'Eum exuberance'. The syndrome of Yang exuberance is applicable to Ijungtang. In the light of "Somun Jogyongron", We explain that the syndrome of Yin deficiency and Yin exuberance, which was caused by dampness-heat, cold-dampness obstruction and internal damage based on disorder of the spleen and stomach.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.809-817
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of vasodilation of Lespedezea cuneata(LC) in rabbit common carotid artery and cavernosal smooth muscle. LC relaxed arterial strips precontracted with norepinephrine and cavernosal strips precontracted with phenylephrine. The arterial relaxation effects of LC was endothelium-dependent. $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), NOS inhibitor, methylene blue(MB), cGMP inhibitor, indomethacin(IM), cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor and tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), KCa-channel blocker attenuate the relaxation responses of LC in arterial strips. In $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs-ringer solution, pretreatment of LC extract significantly reduced the contraction induced by addition $Ca^{2+}$. L-NNA reduced LC extract-induced relaxation in cavernosal strips, but IM, TEA and MB didn't affect LC extract-induced relaxation. When LC extract was applicated on human umbilical vein endothelial cell, the nitric oxide concentration was increased. We conclude that in rabbit common carotid artery, LC may suppress influx of extra-cellular $Ca^{2+}$ through the release of endothelium derived relaxing factor including nitric oxide, prostacyclin, endothelium derived hyperpolarizing factor. And LC exerts a relaxing effect on corpus cavernosum through activating the NO.