• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.243-257
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• 1996

CCK and cholinergic agonist stimulate enzyme release from the pancreatic acini via G-protein-mediated activation of phospholipase C, In contrast secretin and related peptides increase the level of cAMP and activate cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Camostat, a synthetic protease inhibitor, causes pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia by increasing the CCK release. In this study, the secretagogue-induced changes of intracellular proteins were examined in the dispersed pancreatic acini of rats with or without camostat treatment. Camostat(FOY-305, 200 mg/kg, p.o.) was given for 4 days twice daily and the dispersed acini were prepared at 12 bouts after last treatment. The profiles of Intracellular phosphoproteins were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis after incubating the acini with $^{32}P$. The amylase release from the dispersed acini was measured. The pancreatic weight was increased to 126% of control, while amylase activity per mg acinar protein decreased to 41% of control, The maximum response of amylase release from dispersed acini to CCK-8 or carbachol was markedly decreased(65% or 46% of control, respectively). The group of intracellular proteins(24 kD, pI $4.5{\sim}8.5$) was increased in quantity by camostat. CCK-8 or secretin increased phosphorylation of a protein(34 kD, pI 4.7) in camostat-treated as well as control rats. CCK-8 increased tyrosine phosphoryiation in the acini of control rats. However, in camostat-treated rats, the basal level of tyrosine phosphorylation was increased and it was rather decreased by CCK-8. Secretin had no effect on the level of tyrosine phosphorylation in acini. These results indicate that both phospholipase C and adenylate cyclase induce phosphorylation of an intracellular acinar protein(34 kD, pI 4.7) and camostat treatment increases the basal level of tyrosine phosphorylation in acinar cells. And these results suggest that not only serine/threonine protein kinase but also protein tyrosine kinase/phosphatase are involved in the process of CCK receptor mediated stimulation-secrelion coupling.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.207-213
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• 2007

This study was designed to characterize ureteral smooth muscle motility and also to study the effect of forskolin(FSK) and isoproterenol(ISO) on smooth muscle contractility in murine ureter. High $K^+$(50 mM) produced tonic contraction by $0.17{\pm}0.06mN$(n=19). Neuropeptide and neurotransmitters such as serotonin($5{\mu}M$), histamine($20{\mu}M$), and carbarchol(CCh, $10{\sim}50{\mu}M$) did not produce significant contraction. However, CCh($50{\mu}M$) produced slow phasic contraction in the presence of 25 mM $K^+$. Cyclopiazonic acid(CPA, $10{\mu}M$), SR $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase blocker, produced tonic contraction(0.07 mN). Meanwhile, inhibition of mitochondria by protonophore carbnylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone(CCCP) also produced weak tonic contraction(0.01 mN). The possible involvement of $K^+$ channels was also pursued. Tetraethyl ammonium chloride(TEA, 10 mM), glibenclamide($10{\mu}M$) and quinidine($20{\mu}M$) which are known to block $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels($K_{Ca}$ channel), ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels($K_{ATP}$) and nonselective $K^+$ channel, respectively, did not elicit any significant effect. However, $Ba^{2+}$($1{\sim}2mM$), blocker of inward rectifier $K^+$ channels($K_{IR}$ channel), produced phasic contraction in a reversible manner, which was blocked by $1{\mu}M$ nicardipine, a blocker of dehydropyridine-sensitive voltage-dependent L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels($VDCC_L$) in smooth muscle membrane. This $Ba^{2+}$-induced phasic contraction was significantly enhanced by $10{\mu}M$ cyclopiazonic acid(CPA) in the frequency and amplitude. Finally, regulation of $Ba^{2+}$-induced contraction was studied by FSK and ISO which are known as adenylyl cyclase activator and $\beta$-adrenergic receptor agonist, respectively. These drugs significantly suppressed the frequency and amplitude of $Ba^{2+}$-induced contraction(p<0.05). These results suggest that $Ba^{2+}$ produces phasic contraction in murine ureteral smooth muscle which can be regulated by FSK and $\beta$-adrenergic stimulation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2015

Background: Ginsenoside Rd (GSRd), one of the most abundant ingredients of Panax ginseng, protects the heart via multiple mechanisms including the inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx.We intended to explore the effects of GSRd on L-type $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{Ca,L}$) and define the mechanism of the suppression of $I_{Ca,L}$ by GSRd. Methods: Perforated-patch recording and whole-cell voltage clamp techniques were applied in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. Results: (1) GSRd reduced $I_{Ca,L}$ peak amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner [half-maximal inhibitory concentration $(IC_{50})=32.4{\pm}7.1{\mu}mol/L$] and up-shifted the current-voltage (I-V) curve. (2) GSRd ($30{\mu}mol/L$) significantly changed the steady-state activation curve of $I_{Ca,L}$ ($V_{0.5}:-19.12{\pm}0.68$ vs. $-6.26{\pm}0.38mV$; n = 5, p < 0.05) and slowed down the recovery of $I_{Ca,L}$ from inactivation [the time content (${\zeta}$) from 91 ms to 136 ms, n = 5, p < 0.01]. (3) A more significant inhibitive effect of GSRd ($100{\mu}mol/L$) was identified in perforated-patch recording when compared with whole-cell recording [$65.7{\pm}3.2%$ (n = 10) vs. $31.4{\pm}5.2%$ (n = 5), p < 0.01]. (4) Pertussis toxin ($G_i$ protein inhibitor) completely abolished the $I_{Ca,L}$ inhibition induced by GSRd. There was a significant difference in inhibition potency between the two cyclic adenosine monophosphate elevating agents (isoprenaline and forskolin) prestimulation [$55{\pm}7.8%$ (n = 5) vs. $17.2{\pm}3.5%$ (n = 5), p < 0.01]. (5) 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and N-acetyl-$\small{L}$-cysteine (a nitric oxide scavenger) partly recovered the $I_{Ca,L}$ inhibition induced by GSRd. (6) Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (a protein kinase C activator) and GF109203X (a protein kinase C inhibitor) did not contribute to the inhibition of GSRd. Conclusion: These findings suggest that GSRd could inhibit $I_{Ca,L}$ through pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein ($G_i$) and a nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent mechanism.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.141-153
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this report is to examine the effect of $BL_{66}$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{43}$ supplement and LIl ${\cdot}$ $GB_{44}$ draining in acupuncture for cerebral apoplexy treatment. Methods : I designed to investigate whether $BL_{66}$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{43}$ supplement and $LI_1$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{44}$ draining in acupuncture affects cerebral hemodynamics [regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), mean arterial blood pressure(MABP)] in normal rats, and to make manifest whether $BL_{66}$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{43}$ supplement and $LI_1$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{44}$ draining in acupuncture is mediated by cyclooxygenase or guanylate cyclase. The changes of rCBF and MABP were determinated by laser-doppler flowmetry(LDF). Results : 1. $BL_{66}$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{43}$ supplement and LI1 ${\cdot}$ $GB_{44}$ draining in acupuncture increased rCBF significantly, but decreased MABP. These results suggest that $BL_{66}$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{43}$ supplement and $LI_1$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{44}$ draining in acupuncture increased significantly rCBF by dilating pial arterial diameter(PAD). 2. By pretreatment with indomethacin(1 mg/kg, i.p.), the effect of $BL_{66}$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{43}$ supplement and $LI_1$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{44}$ draining in acupuncture induced increase of rCBF was significantly inhibited, the decreased MABP by treatment with $BL_{66}$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{43}$ supplement and $LI_1$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{44}$ draining in acupuncture was increased. 3. By pretreatment with methylene blue($10{\mu}/kg$, i.p.), the increased rCBF by treatment with $BL_{66}$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{43}$ supplement and $LI_1$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{44}$ draining in acupuncture was decreased conversely, the decreased MABP by treatment with $BL_{66}$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{43}$ supplement and $LI_1$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{44}$ draining in acupuncture was decreased. and then increased. Conclusion : I suggest that $BL_{66}$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_43$ supplement and $LI_1$ ${\cdot}$ $GB_{44}$ draining in acupuncture has an anti-ischemic effect through the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2009

Nitric oxide (NO) acts as an intracellular messenger at the physiological level but can be cytotoxic at high concentrations. The cells within periodontal tissues, such as gingival and periodontal fibroblasts, contain nitric oxide syntheses and produce high concentrations of NO when exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharides and cytokines. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying NO-induced cytotoxicity in periodontal tissues are unclear at present. In our current study, we examined the NO-induced cytotoxic mechanisms in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Cell viability and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined using a MTT assay and a fluorescent spectrometer, respectively. The morphological changes in the cells were examined by Diff-Quick staining. Expression of the Bcl-2 family and Fas was determined by RT-PCR or western blotting. The activity of caspase-3, -8 and -9 was assessed using a spectrophotometer. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, decreased the cell viability of the HGF cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. SNP enhanced the production of ROS, which was ameliorated by NAC, a free radical scavenger. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, did not block the SNP-induced decrease in cell viability. SNP also caused apoptotic morphological changes, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. The expression of Bax, a member of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family, was upregulated in the SNP-treated HGF cells, whereas the expression of Bcl-2, a member of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was downregulated. SNP augmented the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol and enhanced the activity of caspase-8, -9, and -3. SNP also upregulated Fas, a component of the death receptor assembly. These results suggest that NO induces apoptosis in human gingival fibroblast via ROS and the Bcl-2 family through both mitochondrial- and death receptor-mediated pathways. Our data also indicate that the cyclic GMP pathway is not involved in NO-induced apoptosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.314-321
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• 2015

Background: Ginseng belongs to the genus Panax. Its main active ingredients are the ginsenosides. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To understand the effects of ginsenoside Re (GRe) on GI motility, the authors investigated its effects on the pacemaker activity of ICCs of the murine small intestine. Methods: Interstitial cells of Cajal were dissociated from mouse small intestines by enzymatic digestion. The whole-cell patch clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in cultured ICCs. Changes in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content induced by GRe were investigated. Results: Ginsenoside Re ($20-40{\mu}M$) decreased the amplitude and frequency of ICC pacemaker activity in a concentration-dependent manner. This action was blocked by guanosine 50-[${\beta}-thio$]diphosphate [a guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein inhibitor] and by glibenclamide [an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive $K^{+}$ channel blocker]. To study the GRe-induced signaling pathway in ICCs, the effects of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and RP-8-CPT-cGMPS (a protein kinase G inhibitor) were examined. Both inhibitors blocked the inhibitory effect of GRe on ICC pacemaker activity. L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester ($100{\mu}M$), which is a nonselective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, blocked the effects of GRe on ICC pacemaker activity and GRe-stimulated cGMP production in ICCs. Conclusion: In cultured murine ICCs, GRe inhibits the pacemaker activity of ICCs via the ATP-sensitive potassium ($K^{+}$) channel and the cGMP/NO-dependent pathway. Ginsenoside Re may be a basis for developing novel spasmolytic agents to prevent or alleviate GI motility dysfunction.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 1988

The pattern of progesterone production and secretion of frog(R. dybowskii) follicles was investigated in follicle culture in vitro. Involvement of cAMP in the regulation of the steroid production by the follicles was also investigated by manipulating endogeneous cAMP level with forskolin and/or 3-isoburyl- 1 - methylxanthine(IBMX). Endogeneous follicular progesterone level increased rapidly in one hour of culture by treatment of frog pituitary homogenate(FPH) and reached peak level at 2 hours or later. But the absolute amount of progesterone produced (60-300 pg/follicle) or the peak time of the honnone level was different between individual animals. Basal level of progesterone in untreated sister follicles was very low (around 10 pg/follicle) and nearly undetectable in most cases regardless of culture lime. Secretion level of progesterone by the follicles obtained by measunng the honnone in the culture media was just the reflection of the intrafollicular level. Exogeneously added forskolin, an adenylate cyclase stimulator, and/or IBMX, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could mimic FPH action in terms of progesterone production and secretion. Thus, it seems clear that FPH regulates progesterone production via cAMP system in the follicle cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.802-816
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• 1997

In order to investigate the pharmacological properties of New Woohwangehungsimwon Pill (NWCH). Effects of Woohwangehungsimwon Pill (WCH) and NWCH were compared using various experimental models. In isolated rat aorta, NWCH and WCH showed the relaxation of blood vessels in maximum contractile response to phenylephrine ($10^{-6}$M) without regard to endothelium containing or denuded rings of the rat aorta. Furthermore, the presence of the inhibitors of NO synthase and guanylate cyclase did not affect significantly the relaxative effects of NWCH and WCH. NWCH and WCH inhibited the vascular contractions induced by acethylcholine, prostaglandin endoperoxide or peroxide in a dose-dependent manner. In conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs), NWCH and WCH decreased significantly heart rate. These, at high doses, had a negative inotropic effect that was a decrease of LVDP and (-dp/dt)/(+dp/dt) in the isolated perfused rat hearts, and also decreased the contractile force and heart rate in the isolated rat right atria. In excised guinea-pig papillary muscle, these had no effects on parameters of action potential at low doses, whereas inhibited the cardiac, contractility at high doses. Furthermore, these had a significant inhibitory effects on heart acceleration in normotensive rats and SHRs. These results suggested that NWCH and WCH have weak cardiovascular effects, and that there is no significant differences between two preparations.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2000

This study was designed to clarify the mechanism of the inhibitory action of a nitric oxide (NO) donor, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1), on contraction, cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ level $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ and ionic currents in guinea-pig ileum. SIN-1 $(0.01{\sim}100\;{\mu}M)$ inhibited 25 mM KCl- or histamine $(10\;{\mu}M)-induced$ contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. SIN-1 reduced both the 25 mM KCl- and the histamine-stimulated increases in muscle tension in parallel with decreased $[Ca^{2+}]_i.$ Using the patch clamp technique with a holding potential of -60 mV, SIN-1 $(10\;{\mu}M)$ decreased peak Ba currents $(I_{Ba})$ by $30.9{\pm}5.4%$ (n=6) when voltage was stepped from -60 mV to +10 mV and this effect was blocked by ODQ $(1\;{\mu}M),$ a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. Cu/Zn SOD (100 U/ml), the free radical scavenger, had little effect on basal $I_{Ba},$ and SIN-1 $(10\;{\mu}M)$ inhibited peak $I_{Ba}$ by $32.4{\pm}5.8%$ (n=5) in the presence of Cu/Zn SOD. In a cell clamped at a holding-potential of -40 mV, application of $10\;{\mu}M$ histamine induced an inward current. The histamine-induced inward current was markedly and reversibly inhibited by $10\;{\mu}M$ SIN-1, and this effect was abolished by ODQ $(1\;{\mu}M).$ In addition, SIN-1 markedly increased the depolarization-activated outward $K^+$ currents in the all potential ranges. We concluded that SIN-1 inhibits smooth muscle contraction mainly by decreasing $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ resulted from the inhibition of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels and the inhibition of nonselective cation currents and/or by the activation of $K^+$ currents via a cGMP-dependent pathway.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 1990

The one event on signalling mechanism is the cleavage by adenyl cyclase of ATP into second messenger, cyclic AMP. The other transfer system of inositol metabolism. it is widely recognized that hydrolysis of the minor membrane lipid phosphoinositide bisphosphate($PIP_2$) initiated by occupation of certain receptors and catalyzed by phospholipase C, lead to toe generation of the two intracellular messengers, inositol triphosphate($IP_3$) and diacylglycerol(DG). $IP_3$ is converted to inositol tetrakisphosphate($IP_4$) by $IP_3$ kinase. In the present study, it is that purification of calmodulin is used by phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B chromatography. it's molecular weigh, 17.000 in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In order to observe the affinity between calmodulin (CaM)-Affigel 15 and $IP_3$ kinase, and isolated $IP_3$ kinase, was applied in CaM-Affigel with $Ca^{2+}$ equilibirum buffer and EGTA equilibirum buffer. We compared with binding and elution effect of $IP_3$ kinase in several condition of buffer. In affinity of binding. $Ca^{2+}$ equilibrium buffer was in the most proper condition. and elution, CaM/$Ca^{2+}$ buffer(CE1 10.36, CE2 12. 76pM/min/mg of protein) was effected much more than EGTA buffer(E2 1.48, E3 2.43pM/min/mg of protein), but CaM/$Ca^{2+}$ stimulate the activity of $IP_3$ kinase. And then, several detergents such as sodium deoxycholate, tween 20. cholic acid, polyethylene glycol, chaps were applied. The 0.2% chaps buffer(E2 23.19, E3 8.05pM/min/mg of protein) was the most effective in elution of $IP_3$ kinase.