• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.287-298
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• 2020

Ca²⁺ signaling of endothelial cells plays a critical role in controlling blood flow and pressure in small arteries and arterioles. As the impairment of endothelial function is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis, stroke, and hypertension), endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling mechanisms have received substantial attention. Increases in endothelial intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations promote the synthesis and release of endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs, e.g., nitric oxide, prostacyclin, or K⁺ efflux) or directly result in endothelial-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH). These physiological alterations modulate vascular contractility and cause marked vasodilation in resistance arteries. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are nonselective cation channels that are present in the endothelium, vascular smooth muscle cells, or perivascular/sensory nerves. TRP channels are activated by diverse stimuli and are considered key biological apparatuses for the Ca²⁺ influx-dependent regulation of vasomotor reactivity in resistance arteries. Ca²⁺-permeable TRP channels, which are primarily found at spatially restricted microdomains in endothelial cells (e.g., myoendothelial projections), have a large unitary or binary conductance and contribute to EDHFs or EDH-induced vasodilation in concert with the activation of intermediate/small conductance Ca²⁺-sensitive K⁺ channels. It is likely that endothelial TRP channel dysfunction is related to the dysregulation of endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling and in turn gives rise to vascular-related diseases such as hypertension. Thus, investigations on the role of Ca²⁺ dynamics via TRP channels in endothelial cells are required to further comprehend how vascular tone or perfusion pressure are regulated in normal and pathophysiological conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.95-101
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• 2014

Cardiovascular disease is the prime cause of morbidity and mortality and the population ages that may contribute to increase in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. Arginase upregulation is associated with impaired endothelial function in aged vascular system and thus may contribute to cardiovascular disease. According to recent research, Korean Red Ginseng water extract (KRGE) may reduce cardiovascular disease risk by improving vascular system health. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanisms contributing to age-related vascular endothelial dysfunction and to determine whether KRGE improves these functions in aged mice. Young ($10{\pm}3$ weeks) and aged ($55{\pm}5$ weeks) male mice (C57BL/6J) were orally administered 0, 10, or 20 mg/mouse/day of KRGE for 4 weeks. Animals were sacrificed and the aortas were removed. Endothelial arginase activity, nitric oxide (NO) generation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) coupling, vascular tension, and plasma peroxynitrite production were measured. KRGE attenuated arginase activity, restored nitric oxide (NO) generation, reduced ROS production, and enhanced eNOS coupling in aged mice. KRGE also improved vascular tension in aged vessels, as indicated by increased acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation and improved phenylephrine-stimulated vasoconstriction. Furthermore, KRGE prevented plasma peroxynitrite formation in aged mice, indicating reduced lipid peroxidation. These results suggest KRGE exerts vasoprotective effects by inhibiting arginase activity and augmenting NO signaling and may be a useful treatment for age-dependent vascular diseases.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.190-198
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a smoking cessation education on endothelial function and carboxyhemoglobin levels in smokers with variant angina. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 60 male smokers with variant angina admitted to one hospital: the control group (30) between September and December, 2009, and the experimental group (30) between February and May, 2010. Endothelial function, as defined by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, and serum carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) were determined at baseline and at 3 months after the initiation of education in both groups. Results: Three months after the program, smoking cessation was successful in 22 of the 30 smokers in the experimental group, but only in 4 of 30 smokers in the control group ($p$<.001). After the education, the experimental group showed a significant increase in FMD, and a significant decreased in serum COHb compared with the control group. Conclusion: The findings indicate that this smoking cessation education program is effective for hospitalized smokers with variant angina.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.504-510
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was to examine the proliferation and function of the adipose tissue-derived endothelial cells according to different culture medium conditions. Materials and Methods: Adipose tissue-derived CD146 positive endothelial cells were cultured in according to different culture mediums (DMEM culture medium with or without osteogenic inductive agents and EBM-2 culture medium with or without osteogenic inductive agents). The proliferation and function of the adipose tissue-derived endothelial cells was examined in different culture medium conditions. Results: Adipose tissue-derived endothelial cells formed tube-like structures on Matrigel in EBM-2 culture medium with or without osteogenic inductive agents. However, the cells did not form tube-like structures on Matrigel in DMEM medium with or without osteogenic inductive agents. After 24 hours of culture, among the culture medium using EBM-2, the proliferation of the cells were promoted in EBM-2 medium without osteogenic inductive agents than in EBM-2 medium with osteogenic inductive agents. However, 72 hours of culture, the proliferation of the cells were promoted in EBM-2 medium with osteogenic inductive agents than in EBM-2 medium without osteogenic inductive agents. Conclusion: These results suggest that the proliferation and function of the adipose tissue-derived CD146 positive endothelial cells could be maintained in EBM-2 with osteogenic inductive agents.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.273-278
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• 2015

The induction of angiogenesis is a crucial step in tumor progression, and therefore, efficient inhibition of angiogenesis is considered a powerful strategy for the treatment of cancer. In the present study, we report that the lipophilic antimicrobial peptides from EML-CAP3, a new endophytic bacterial strain isolated from red pepper leaf (Capsicum annuum L.), exhibit potent antiangiogenic activity both in vitro and in vivo. The newly obtained antimicrobial peptides effectively inhibited the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells at subtoxic doses. Furthermore, the peptides suppressed the in vitro characteristics of angiogenesis such as endothelial cell invasion and tube formation stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor, as well as neovascularization of the chorioallantoic membrane of growing chick embryos in vivo without showing cytotoxicity. Notably, the angiostatic peptides blocked tumor cell-induced angiogenesis by suppressing the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible $factor-1{\alpha}$ and its target gene, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). To our knowledge, our findings demonstrate for the first time that the antimicrobial peptides from EML-CAP3 possess antiangiogenic potential and may thus be used for the treatment of hypervascularized tumors.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.244-250
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• 2014

Background: Panax ginseng has distinct and impressive health benefits, such as improved blood pressure and immune system functioning. Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng (REKRG) isolated from Korean Red Ginseng contains a high percentage of Rg3. Methods: In this study, we examined the effects of REKRG on endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and vascular function in rats. Results: REKRG dose-dependently increased eNOS phosphorylation and nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells. In addition, REKRG markedly inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-mediated induction of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expressions in endothelial cells. REKRG improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) compared with controls. Furthermore, REKRG treatment for 6 weeks increased serum NO levels and reduced the mean aortic intima-media thickness compared with controls. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that REKRG increased vascular function and improved immune system functioning. Therefore, REKRG is a very useful food for preventing or improving various cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.64-73
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• 2013

Korean red ginseng water extract (KG-WE) has known beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system via inducting nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelium. Endothelial arginase inhibits the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by substrate depletion, thereby reducing NO bioavailability and contributing to vascular diseases including hypertension, aging, and atherosclerosis. In the present study, we demonstrate that KG-WE inhibits arginase activity and negatively regulates NO production and reactive oxygen species generation in endothelium. This is associated with increased dimerization of eNOS without affecting the protein expression levels of either arginase or eNOS. In a vascular tension assay, when aortas isolated from wild type mice were incubated with KG-WE, NO-dependent enhanced vasorelaxation was observed. Furthermore, KG-WE administered via by drinking water to atherogenic model mice being fed high cholesterol diet improved impaired vascular function. Taken together, these results suggest that KG-WE may exert vasoprotective effects through augmentation of NO signaling by inhibiting arginase. Therefore, KG-WE may be useful in the treatment of vascular diseases derived from endothelial dysfunction, such as atherosclerosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.35-42
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• 2015

In cardiovascular disorders, understanding of endothelial cell (EC) function is essential to elucidate the disease mechanism. Although the mouse model has many advantages for in vivo and in vitro research, efficient procedures for the isolation and propagation of primary mouse EC have been problematic. We describe a high yield process for isolation and in vitro culture of primary EC from mouse arteries (aorta, braches of superior mesenteric artery, and cerebral arteries from the circle of Willis). Mouse arteries were carefully dissected without damage under a light microscope, and small pieces of the vessels were transferred on/in a Matrigel matrix enriched with endothelial growth supplement. Primary cells that proliferated in Matrigel were propagated in advanced DMEM with fetal calf serum or platelet-derived serum, EC growth supplement, and heparin. To improve the purity of the cell culture, we applied shearing stress and anti-fibroblast antibody. EC were characterized by a monolayer cobble stone appearance, positive staining with acetylated low density lipoprotein labeled with 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanine perchlorate, RT-PCR using primers for von-Willebrand factor, and determination of the protein level endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Our simple, efficient method would facilitate in vitro functional investigations of EC from mouse vessels.

• 대한임상약리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한임상약리학회 2006년도 제15차 추계학술대회
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• pp.139-140
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• 2006

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.6-12
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• 2012

Objective: Coenzyme (CoQ10) is an enzymatic co factor used in normal cellular metabolism. Recent evidence shows that in people with heart disease it can reverse endothelial cell damage in the blood vessels. It is also a potent antioxidant. Design: One group pretest-posttest design. Methods: In the present study, endothelial function was evaluated using the response to occlusion and heat before and 2 weeks after administration of CoQ10, 300 mg/day. Thirty Eight subjects, who are physical therapy students, participated in a series of experiments to see if taking 300 mg of CoQ10 daily for 2 weeks would impact resting blood flow in the forearm skin and the blood flow response to 4 minutes of vascular occlusion and the response to local heat ($42^{\circ}C$) for 6 minutes. Results: The results showed that, for this population, there was no difference in the response to heat. However, the response to occlusion was improved after administration of CoQ10. Conclusions: It would appear that in a young population CoQ10 has no effect on the nitric oxide vasodilator pathway in skin but does influence other vasodilator pathways.