• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.142-151
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• 2002

The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of apamin on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, cyclopiazonic acid and Bay-K-8644 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland and to establish the mechanism of its action. The perfusion of apamin (1 nM) into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced greatly potentiation in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32 $ imes$ $10^{-3}$ M), high $K^+$, (5.6 $ imes$ $10^{-2}$), DMPP ($10^{-4}$ M for 2 min), McN-A-343 ($10^{-4}$ M for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid ($10^{-5}$ M for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 ($10^{-5}$ M for 4 min). However, apamin itself did fail to affect basal catecholamine output. Furthermore, in adrenal glands preloaded with apamin (1 nM) under the presence of glibenclamide ($10^{-6}$ M), an antidiabetic sulfonylurea that has been shown to be a specific blocker of ATP-regulated potassium channels (for 20 min), CA secretion evoked by DMPP and McN-A-343 was not affected. However, the perfusion of high concentration of apamin (100 nM) into an adrenal vein for 20 min rather inhibited significantly CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, cyclopiazonic acid and Bay-K-8644. Taken together, these results suggest that the low concentration of apamin causes greatly the enhancement of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization. These findings suggests that apamin-sensitive SK ($Ca^{2+}$) channels located in rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells may play an inhibitory role in the release of catecholamines mediated by stimulation of cholinergic nicotinic and muscarinic receptors as well as membrane depolarization. However, it is thought that high concentration of apamin cause the inhibitory responses in catecholamine secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors as well as by membrane depolarization from the rat adrenal gland without relevance with the SK channel blockade.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.87-100
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• 1994

It has been known for some time that dopamine-containing cells are existed in sympathetic ganglia, i.e., small, intensely fluorescent cells. However, its role and mechanism of action as a peripheral neurotransmitter are poorly understood so far. In the present study, an attempt was made to examine the effect of apomorphine, which is known to be a selective agonist of dopaminergic $D_2$. receptor on secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of a low concentration of 10uM apomorphine into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced significant reduction in CA secretion induced by 5.32 mM ACh, 56 mM KCl, 100 uM DMPP and 100 uM McN-A-343. Increasing apomorphine concentration to 30 uM led to more markedly decreased CA secretion as compared to the case of 10 uM apomorphine and also did inhibit clearly CA release by $10^{-5}M$ Bay-K-8644. Furthermore, in adrenal glands preloaded with a higher dose of 100 uM apomorphine, CA releases evoked by ACh, excess $K^+$, DMPP and McN-A-343 were almost abolished by the drug. The perfusion of $3.3{\pm}10^{-5}M$ metoclopramide, which is well-known as a selective dopaminergic $D_2$ antagonist, produced significantly inhibitory effect of CA release by ACh, DMPP and McN-A-343 but did not affect that by excess $K^+$. However, preloading of 30uM apomorphine in the presence of metoclopramide did not modify the CA secretory effect of excess $K+$ and DMPP. These experimental results demonstrate that apomorphine causes dose-dependent inhibition of CA secretion by cholinergic receptor stimulation and also by membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland, suggesting that these effects appear to be exerted by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium into the rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells through activation of inhibitory dopaminergic receptors.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.50-54
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• 2019

Melatonin is a neurotransmitter that modulates various physiological phenomena including regulation and maintenance of the circadian rhythm. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in oral functions including orofacial muscle contraction, salivary secretion, and tooth development. However, knowledge regarding physiological crosstalk between melatonin and nAChRs is limited. In the present study, the melatonin-mediated modulation of nAChR functions using bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, a representative model for the study of nAChRs, was investigated. Melatonin inhibited the nicotinic agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP) iodide-induced cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) increase and norepinephrine secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of melatonin on the DMPP-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase was observed when the melatonin treatment was performed simultaneously with DMPP. The results indicate that melatonin inhibits nAChR functions in both peripheral and central nervous systems.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.171-179
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• 1992

Effects of a $M_1$ receptor antagonist, pirenzepine, a $M_2$ receptor antagonist, AF-DX116, and a nicotinic receptor antagonist, mecamylamine on the pressor responses to preganglionic sympathetic nerve stimulation (PNS) and McN-A-343 and DMPP in spinal (pithed) rabbits were investigated, in order to elucidate a functional role of $M_1$, $M_2$ and nicotinic receptors in ganglionic transmission. Pirenzepine and AF-DX116 selectively inhibited the McN-A-343-induced pressor response in chlorisondamine-treated rabbit and the BCh-induced bradycardia, respectively. Electrical stimulations of preganglionic sympathetic outflow at T8 level produced increases in blood pressure. Pirenzepine $(3\;{\mu}g/kg)$ significantly inhibited the PNS-induced pressor response and the degree of inhibition was not changed by increasing the doses to $100\;{\mu}g/kg$. AF-DX116 $(100\;{\mu}g/kg)$ had no effect on the PNS-induced pressor response. Mecamylamine inhibited the PNS-induced pressor response in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory action of mecamylamine was significantly augmented by combined-treatment with pirenzepine $(30\;{\mu}g/kg)$ but AF-DX116 $(100\;{\mu}g/kg)$ did not affect the inhibitory action of mecamylamine. McN-A-343 and DMPP elicited pressor response in the spinal rabbit. Pirenzepine and AF-DX116 dose-dependently inhibited the McN-A-343-induced pressor response but they did not affect DMPP-induced pressor response. Mecamylamine inhibited both pressor responses induced by McN-A-343 and DMPP. These results suggest that not only nicotinic receptors but also $M_1$ receptors play a facilitatory role in ganglionic transmission but $M_2$ receptors do not contribute the transmission in spinal (pithed) rabbits.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.242-242
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• 1996

The influence of glucocorticoids on the secretory responses of catecholamines (CA) evoked by acetylcholine (ACh), DMPP, McN-A-343, excess K$\^$+/ and Bay-K-8644 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland and to clarify the mechanism of its action. The perfusion of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (10-100 uM) into an adrenal vein for 20min produced relatively a dose-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32mM), excess K$\^$+/ (56mM), DMPP (a selective nicotinic receptor agonist, 100uM for 2min), McN-A-343 (a muscarinic receptor agonist, 100uM for 4min), Bay-K-8644 (a calcium channel activator, 10 uM for 4min) and cyclopiazonic acid (a releaser of intracellular Ca$\^$2+/, 10uM for 4min).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.173-184
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• 1998

The present study was undertaken to examine the influence of glucocorticoids on the secretory responses of catecholamines (CA) evoked by acetylcholine (ACh), DMPP, McN-A-343, excess K^+$ and Bay-K-8644 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland and to clarify the mechanism of its action. The perfusion of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (10-100\;{\mu}M$) into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced a dose-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), excess K^+$ (a membrane-depolarizor 56 mM), DMPP (a selective nicotinic receptor agonist, 100\;{\mu}M$ for 2 min), McN-A-343 (a muscarinic receptor agonist, 100\;{\mu}M$ for 4 min), Bay-K-8644 (a calcium channel activator, 10\;{\mu}M$ for 4 min) and cyclopiazonic acid (a releaser of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, 10\;{\mu}M$ for 4 min). Similarly, the preperfusion of hydrocortisone (30\;{\mu}M$) for 20 min also attenuated significantly the secretory responses of CA evoked by nicotinic and muscarinic receptor stimulation as well as membrane-depolarization, $Ca^{2+}$ channel activation and the release of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Furthermore, even in the presence of betamethasone (30{\mu}M$), CA secretion evoked by ACh, excess K^+$, DMPP and McN-A-343 was also markedly inhibited. Taken together, the present results suggest that glucocorticoids cause the marked inhibition of CA secretion evoked by both cholinergic nicotinic and muscarinic receptor stimulation from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland, indicating strongly that this inhibitory effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium as well as the release of intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2004

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of leptin on CA release from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal gland, and to establish its mechanism of action. Leptin $(1{\sim}100\;ng/ml)$, when perfused into an adrenal vein of the rat adrenal gland for 60 min, enhanced a dose-dependently the secretory responses of CA evoked by ACh $(5.32{\times}10^{-3}\;M)$, DMPP $(10^{-4}\;M)$ and McN-A-343 $(10^{-4}\;M)$, although it alone has weak effect on CA secretion. However, it did not affect the CA secretion evoked by excess $K^+\;(5.6{\times}10^{-2}\;M)$. Leptin alone produced a weak secretory response of the CA. Moreover, leptin (10 ng/ml) in to an adrenal vein for 60 min also augmented the CA release evoked by BAY-K-8644, an activator of the dihydropyridine L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels, and cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ ATPase. However, in the presence of U0126 $(1\;{\mu}M)$, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), leptin no longer enhanced the CA secretion evoked by ACh and DMPP. Furthermore, in the presence of anti-leptin (10 ng/ml), an antagonist of Ob receptor, leptin (10 ng/ml) also no longer potentiated the CA secretory responses evoked by DMPP and Bay-K-8644. Collectively, these experimental results suggest that leptin enhances the CA secretion from the rat adrenal medulla evoked by cholinergic stimulation (both nicotininc and muscarinic receptors), but does not that by membrane depolarization. It seems that this enhanced effect of leptin may be mediated by activation of U0126-sensitive MAPK through the leptin receptors, which is probably relevant to the activation of the dihydropyridine L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels located on the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2000

The present study was designed to investigate the effect f quinidine on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^{+}$, DMPP, McN-A343, cyclopiazonic acid and Bay-K-8644 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland and to establish the mechanism of its action. The perfusion of quinidine (15-150 $\mu$M) into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced relatively dose- and time-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32$\times$10$^{-3}$ M), high $K^{+}$ (5.6$\times$10$^{-2}$ M), DMPP (10$^{-4}$ M for 2 min), McN-A-343 (10$^{-4}$ M for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid (10$^{-5}$ M for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 (10$^{-5}$ M for 4 min). Furthermore, in adrenal glands pre-loaded with quinine (5$\times$10$^{-5}$ M), CA secretory responses evoked by veratridine (10$^{-4}$ M) was time-dependently inhibited. Also, in the presence of lidocaine (10$^{-4}$ M), which is also known to be a sodium channel blocker, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclo-piazonic acid were also greatly reduced in similar fashion to that of quinidine-treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that quinidine causes greatly the inhibition of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization, indicating strongly that this effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. Furthermore, these findings indicate strongly that this inhibitory action of quinidine appears to be associated to the blocking action of sodium channels at least in CA secretion from the rat adrenal gland.and.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.148-149
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• 1998

It has been known that potassium channel openers are a new class of molecules that have attracted general interest because of their potent antihypertensive activity in vivo and vasorelaxant activity in vitro (Hamilton and Weston, 1989). In the present study, it was attempted to examine the effect of the potassium channel opener on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by cholinergic stimulation, membrane depolarization and calcium mobilization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of pinacidil (30-300 uM) into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced relatively dose-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^{+}$ (56 mM), DMPP (100 uM for 2 min), McN-A-343 (100 uM for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid (10 uM for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 (10 uM for 4 min). Also, under the presence of minoxidil (100 uM), which is also known to be a potassium channel activator, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also significantly depressed. However, in adrenal glands preloaded with pinacidil (100 uM) under the presence of glibenclamide (1 uM), an antidiabetic sulfonylurea that has been shown to be a specific blocker of ATP-regulated potassium channels (for 20 min), CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were considerably recovered to a considerable extent of the normal release as compared to that of pinacidil only. These results, taken together, suggest that pinacidil cause the marked inhibition of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization, indicating strongly that this effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. Furthermore, these findings suggest strongly that these potassium channel openers-sensitive membrane potassium channels also play an important role in regulating CA secretion.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.338-348
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• 2000

The present study was attempted to determine the effect of 5'-(N'-ethylcarboxamido) adenosine (NECA), which is an potent $A_2$-adenosine receptor agonist, on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by cholinergic stimulation, membrane depolarization and calcium mobilization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. NECA (20 nM) perfused into the adrenal vein for 60 min produced a time-related inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32x10$^{-3}$ M), high $K^{+}$(5.6x10$^{-2}$ M), DMPP (10$^{-4}$ M for 2 min), McN-A-343 (10$^{-4}$ M for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid (10$^{-5}$ M for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 (10$^{-5}$ M for 4 min). Also, in the presence of $\beta$,${\gamma}$-methylene adenosine-5'-triphosphate (MATP), which is also known to be a selective $P_{2x}$-purinergic receptor agonist, showed a similar inhibition elf CA release evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid. However, in adrenal glands preloaded with 20$\mu$M NECA for 20 min under the presence of 20$\mu$M 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX), an adenosine receptors antagonist, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were much recovered in comparison to the case of NECA-treatment only. Taken together, these results indicate that NECA causes the marked inhibition of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization. This inhibitory effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells through the adenosine receptor stimulation. Therefore, it is suggested that the inhibitory mechanism of adenosine receptor stimulation may play a modulatory role in regulating CA secretion.n.n.