• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.199-205
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• 1985

It was previously reported that the deterioration rate of contractile force of the isolated heart from ginseng extract treated rat was slower than that from control. Present study was carried out to investigate the mechanism of the action of ginseng on the contractile force of the papillary muscle in terms of calcium metabolism. Rats weighing 200-300g were administered orally with ginseng ethanol extract (100mg/kg/day) for more than 10 days. The isolated papillary muscles from rat hearts were suspended in bath containing Krebs-Henseleit solution. When equilibration of contractile force of papillary muscle was reached, the rates of deterioration of contractile forces of papillary muscle from ginseng component treated rats were determined by washing with Ca-free Krebs-Henseleit solution and compared with that of normal hearts. At the beginning of washing, the rate of deterioration of contractile force of the papillary muscle was slower significantly in ginseng treated rats than in control rats, suggesting that calcium may be somehow involved in sustaining the contractility in ginseng treated hearts. Anoxia of papillary muscle with nitrogen gas to muscles inhibited the contractility, but differences between control and ginseng treated groups in the rate of deterioration were not observed. Influence of diltiazem, calcium blocker, on the contractility of papillary muscle from ginseng treated and control hearts was studied. Contractility of papillary muscle from control and ginseng treated hearts was inhibited by diltiazem in dose dependent manner but the inhibition of the ginseng treated muscles was much weak. The effect was significantly different. From the results, it seemed that slowing in deterioration rate of papillary muscle from ginseng treated hearts might be related to calcium which was mobilized from plasma membrane of internal organelle by ginseng.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2004

In a continuation of our previous studies on blood compatibility profiles of anion-substituted poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes, in which hydroxyl groups have been replaced with carboxymethyl (C-PVA) and sulfonyl groups (S-PVA), we have studied the activation of complement components and the changes in white cell and platelet count in vitro and compared them with those of unmodified PVA, Cuprophane, and low-density polyethylene. Complement activation of fluid phase components, C3a, Bb, iC3b, and SC5b-9, and of bound phases, C3c, C3d, and SC5b-9, were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot, respectively. The changes in the number of white cells and platelets following complement activation were counted using a Coulter counter. C-PVA and S-PVA activated C3 to a lesser extent than did PVA, which we attribute to the diminished level of surface nucleophiles of the samples. In addition, C- and S-PVA exhibit increased inhibition of Bb production, resulting in a decrease in the extent of C5 activation. Consequently, because of the reduced activation of C3 and C5, C- and S-PVA samples cause marked decreases in the SC5b-9 levels in plasma. We also found that the negatively charged sulfonate and carboxylate groups of the samples cause a greater extent of adsorbtion of the positively charged anaphylatoxins, C3a and C5a, because of strong electrostatic attraction, which in turn provides an inhibition of chemotaxis and activation of leukocytes. The ability to inhibit complement production, together with the binding ability of anaphylatoxins of the C- and S-PVA samples, leads to a prominent decrease in lysis of leukocytes as well as activation of platelets.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2002

A high molecular ar weight water-soluble chitosan (WSC) with an average molecular weight of 300 kD and a deacethylation level of over 90% was produced using a simple multi-step-membrane separation process. It is known that WSC prevents obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Consequently, this study investigated whether or not WSC improved the ovarian dysfunction caused by obesity in mice. The mice were fed a high density protein and lipid diet for weeks, followed by the administration of WSC at 480 mg/kg body weight per day for 4 days. Thereafter, the changes in body weight, ovulation rate, in vivo and in vitro fertilization and emboryonic development were measured . WSC markedly reduced the body weight of obese mice fed with a high-fat diet, but not in mice fed with a normal diet. WSC had siginificant effects on the ovulation rate, both the in vivo and in vitro fertilization rates and embryonic development. These results indicate an improvement in the ovarian and oviduct dysfunction caused by obesity, and suggest an adjustment in the internal secretions and metabolic functions.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2001

Objectives : To investigate the effects of particulate matter (PM), a marker of environmental pollution derived from combustion sources, on lung epithelial cells (A549) and macrophage (RAW 264.7). Methods : The production of reactive radicals from lung cells, the lipid peroxidation of cell membrane, and the cytotoxicity of PM were measured using an in vitro model. The results were compared with a control group. Results : The presence of PM significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species with time and in a dose dependent pattern and also increased the malondialdehyde concentration in lung epithelial cells. The cytotoxicity of PM was increased with increasing concentration of PM. Conclusions : It has been suggested that urban particulate matter causes an inflammatory reaction in lung tissue through the production of hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxides and numerous cytokines. The causal chemical determinant responsible for these biologic effects are not well understood, but the bioavailable metal in PM seems to determine the tonicity of inhaled PM.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.1010-1016
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• 2007

Sagunjatang (Sagunja), containing Radix Astragali, Radix Ginseng, Fructus Schizandrae, Radix Ophiopogonis and Radix Glycyrrhizae, has been used as a prescription for ischemic heart and brain diseases in Korean traditional medicine. This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of Sagunja on $H_2O_2$-induced cytotoxicity of H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Treatment with $H_2O_2$ resulted in death of H9c2 cells, characterized by apparent apoptotic features, including the fragmentation of nucleus and increase in sub-GO/G1fraction of cell cycle. However, Sagunja markedly suppressed the apoptotic characteristics of H9c2 cells induced by $H_2O_2$ with decrease of intracellular peroxide level. In addition, Sagunja suppressed the features of mitochondrial dysfunction, including change of mitochondrial membrane potential, in $H_2O_2$- treated cells. Additionally, Sagunja induced the expression of HO-1 protein in both time-and dose-dependent manner. The role of HO-1 in ROS-scavenging activity of Sagunja is proposed.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.437-449
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• 2001

The socket preservation procedure was a simple and effective technique, and has better prognosis for implantation. The socket preservation usually used barrier membrane in combination with/without alloplastic bone materials. A recently study had shown that a regenerative therapy to tooth extraction utilizing growth factors made better results. Platelet-rich plasma was clinically easy method that acquired the growth factors, and is known that accelerated new bone formation and mineralization of bone graft materials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and histopathologic results which occur following socket preservations using platelet-rich plasma and bovine bone powder. Twelve patients who required extraction of one or more teeth for implantation at the department of periodontics in Dankook University Dental Hospital were selected. Extraction sockets were treated by using platelet-rich plasma and bovine bone powder. 3 months later, we observed clinical and histopathological results as follows: 1. Internal vertical measurement was an average of 7.33mm preoperatively and statistically significantly decreased to an average of 1.42mm postoperatively(p<0.05). 2. External vertical measurement was an average of 3.33mm preoperatively and decreased to an average of 2.75mm postoperatively; therefore there was no significant difference. 3. Horizontal measurement was an average of 7.75mm preoperatively and statistically decreased to an average of 6.08mm postoperatively(p<0.05). 4. Osteocyte-like cells and new bone formation connected with bovine bone grafts were observed in histopathologic examination. This study implied that platelet-rich plasma and bovine bone powder grafts were effective treatment for socket preservation and regeneration of severe bony defect made by implantation failure.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2006

Spikelet proteins expressed at the young microspore stage in rice were separated and analysed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2DE). The separated proteins were electro blotted onto a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane, and 50 proteins were analyzed by a gas-phase protein sequencer. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of 20 out of 50 proteins were determined. N-terminal regions of the remaining proteins could not be sequenced because of blocking. The internal amino acid sequences of proteins were determined by sequence analysis of peptides obtained by the Cleveland peptide mapping method. Results revealed the presence of the photosynthetic apparatus at rice young microspore stage. Major proteins identified in this study could be used as a marker for various studies on physiological stresses.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2001

The present study was attempted to investigate the effect of strychnine on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+,$ DMPP and McN-A-343 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of strychnine $(10^{-4}\;M)$ into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced great inhibition in CA secretory responses evoked by ACh $(5.32{\times}10^{-3}\;M),$ DMPP $(10^{-4}\;M\;for\;2\;min)$ and McN-A-343 $(10^{-4}\;M\;for\;2\;min),$ but did not alter CA secretion by high $K^+\;(5.6{\times}10^{-2}\;M).$ Strychnine itself did also fail to affect basal catecholamine output. Furthermore, in adrenal glands preloaded simultaneously with strychnine $(10^{-4}\;M)$ and glycine (an agonist of glycinergic receptor, $10^{-4}\;M),$ CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, DMPP and McN-A-343 were considerably recovered to some extent when compared with those evoked by treatment with strychnine only. However, CA secretion by high $K^+\;(5.6{\times}10^{-2}\;M)$ was not affected. Taken together, these results demonstrate that strychnine inhibits greatly the CA secretory responses evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors, but does not affect that by membrane depolarization. It is suggested that strychnine-sensitive glycinergic receptors are localized in rat adrenal medullary chromaffin cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.403-412
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• 2020

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a hyperglycemia-induced progressive development of renal insufficiency. Excessive glucose can increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce cell damage, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous study indicated that cilostazol (CTZ) can reduce ROS levels and decelerate DN progression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the potential mechanisms of CTZ in rats with DN and in high glucose-treated mesangial cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 5 mg/kg/day of CTZ after developing STZ-induced diabetes mellitus. Electron microscopy revealed that CTZ reduced the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane and improved mitochondrial morphology in mesangial cells of diabetic kidney. CTZ treatment reduced excessive kidney mitochondrial DNA copy numbers induced by hyperglycemia and interacted with the intrinsic pathway for regulating cell apoptosis as an antiapoptotic mechanism. In high-glucose-treated mesangial cells, CTZ reduced ROS production, altered the apoptotic status, and down-regulated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Base on the results of our previous and current studies, CTZ deceleration of hyperglycemia-induced DN is attributable to ROS reduction and thereby maintenance of the mitochondrial function and reduction in TGF-β and NF-κB levels.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

Background: It is generally accepted that skeletal muscle contraction is triggered by nerve impulse and intracellular $Ca^{2+}\;([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Specifically, this process, called excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, takes place at intracellular junctions between the plasma membrane, the transverse (T) tubule L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel (dihydropyridine-sensitive L-rype $Ca^{2+}$ channel, DHPR, also called tetrads), and the SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel (ryanodine-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, RyR, also called feet) of internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores in skeletal muscle cells. Furthermore, it has been reported that the $Ca^{2+-}$ dependent and -independent contraction determine the expression of skeletal muscle genes, thus providing a mechanism for tightly coupling the extent of muscle contraction to regulation of muscle plasticity-related excitation-transcription (E-T) coupling. Purpose: Expression and activity of plasticity-associated enzymes in gastrocnemius muscle strips have not been well studied, however. Methods: Therefore, in this study the expression and phosphorylation of E-C and E-T coupling-related mediators such as protein kinases, ROS(reactive oxygen species)- and apoptosis-related substances, and others in gastrocnemius muscles from rats was examined. Results: I found that expression and activity of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and SAPK/JNK), apoptotic proteins (cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome c, Ref-1, Bad), small GTP-binding proteins (RhoA and Cdc42), actin-binding protein (cofilin), PKC (protein kinase C) and $Ca^{2+}$ channel (transient receptor potential channel 6, TRPC6) was observed in rat gastrocnemius muscle strips. Conclusion: These results suggest that MAPKs, ROS- and apoptosis-related enzymes, cytoskeleton-regulated proteins, and $Ca^{2+}$ channel may in part functionally import in E-C and E-T coupling from rat skeletal muscles.