• 대한수의학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.515-522
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• 2004

The vasorelaxant effect of serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine was investigated in rat isolated thoracic aorta. Fluoxetine induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in aorta precontracted with phenylephrine (PE) and KCl. These relaxations were suppressed by removal of the endothelium (-E) or pretreatment of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and N(omega)-nitro-Larginine methyl ester (L-NAME), guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue (MB) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, in PE-precontracted +E rings. However, fluoxetine-induced relaxations were not suppressed by pretreatment of $K^{+}$ channel blockers, tetrabutylammonium and glibenclamide, in PE-precontracted endothelium intact (+E) rings. The fluoxetine-induced relaxations were not suppressed by removal of the endothelium or pretreatment of LNNA and MB in KCl-precontracted +E rings. Also, fluoxetine inhibited PE-induced sustained contraction in +E rings. These inhibitory effects of fluoxetine on contractions could be reversed by removal of the endothelium or pretreatment of L-NNA, L-NAME, MB, ODQ, nifedipine and verapamil, but not by pretreatment of etrabutylammonium and glibenclamide. These findings suggest that the vasorelaxant effect of fluoxetine is modulated by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ with an involvement of endothelial NO-cGMP pathway and also may be related to the inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.507-515
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• 2005

Melatonin, the principal hormone of the vertebral pineal gland, participates in the regulation of cardiovascular system in vitro and in vivo. However, the effects of melatonin on vascular tissues are still vague. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between phospholipase C (PLC) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)/cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) signaling cascade in the relaxatory action of melatonin in isolated rat aorta. Melatonin induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in phenylephrine (PE)- and KCl-precontracted endothelium intact (+E) aortic rings. In KCl-precontracted +E aortic rings, the melatonin-induced vasorelaxation was not inhibited by endothelium removal or by pretreatment with NOS inhibitors, L-$N^G$-nitor-arginine (L-NNA) and L-$N^G$-nitor-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitors, methylene blue (MB) and 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo-[4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). In PE-precontracted +E aortic rings, the melatonin-induced vasorelaxation was inhibited by endothelium removal or by pretreatment with L-NNA, L-NAME, MB, ODQ and 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n,n-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC). Moreover, in without endothelium (-E) aortic rings and in the presence of L-NNA, L-NAME, MB and ODQ in +E aortic rings, the melatonin-induced residual relaxations and residual contractile responses to PE were not affected by NCDC, a PLC inhibitor. It is concluded that melatonin can evoke vasorelaxation due to inhibition of PLC pathway through the protein kinase G activation of endothelial NOS/cGMP signaling cascade.

• 약학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.347-354
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• 2005

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces synthesis of several inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). NO in brain is involved not only in the regulation of important metabolic pathways via intracellular cyclic GMP-dependent path­ways, but also in neurotoxic damage by reacting with superoxide ion leading to form peroxynitrite radical. Oxidative stress has suggested to be related to the inhibition of NO synthase/cyclic GMP pathway. OQ21 is a new fluorinated quinone compound that is recently known to have inhibitory effects on both NO synthase (NOS) and guanylyl cyclase (GC). In this study, we examined effects of OQ21, other known NOS or GC inhibitors, or an antioxidant, melatonin, on the oxidative stress produced by LPS in rat brain. Oxidative stress was observed by using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate to measure intra-cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and by measuring the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances to measure lipid peroxidation. LPS induced significant increase in both ROS produdction and lipid peroxidation in all brain regions tested (striatum, hippocampus and cortex), which were dissected 6hr after intraperitoneal administration of LPS to rats. Direct striatal injection of two NOS inhibitors, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and diphenyleneiodonium, or a GC inhibitor, IH-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-l-one, produced no significant ROS increase. However, OQ21 enhanced ROS formation in striatal tissues from LPS-treated rats. Melatonin decreased LPS-induced ROS formation and decreased ROS formation increased by OQ21 in striatum of LPS-treated rats.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.169-174
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and action mechanism of quercetin on penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (PCCSM). PCCSM precontracted with phenylephrine (Phe) was treated with four different concentrations of quercetin ($10^{-7}$, $10^{-6}$, $10^{-5}$ and $10^{-4}M$). PCCSM were preincubated with N-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) to block nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase, respectively. The changes in PCCSM tension were recorded, and cyclic nucleotides in the perfusate were measured by radioimmunoassay. The interactions of quercetin with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) such as sildenafil, udenafil and mirodenafil, were also evaluated. PCCSM relaxation induced by quercetin occurred in a concentrationdependent manner. The application of quercetin to PCCSM pre-treated with L-NAME and ODQ significantly inhibited the relaxation. Quercetin significantly increased cGMP in the perfusate. Furthermore, quercetin enhanced PDE5-Is-induced relaxation of PCCSM. Quercetin relaxed the PCCSM by activating the NO-cGMP signaling pathway, and it may be a therapeutic candidate or an alternative treatment for patients with erectile dysfunction who do not completely respond to PDE5-Is.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.85-93
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• 1999

마우스 간 세포주인 BNL CL.2의 시험관내 배양에서 혈청과 IFN-$\gamma$가 세포주의 nitric oxide (NO)생성과 세포 손상에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위한 실험을 하였다. 혈청이 공급된 배양에서 IFN-$\gamma$에 의한 세포 생존율은 거의 변동이 없었으나, 혈청을 제거한 배양에서는 약 65%의 생존율이 유지되었으며, NO생성 억제제인 N$^{G}$-monomethy-L-arginine (NMA)의 첨가는 농도 의존적으로 세포의 생존율을 감소시켰다. 혈청이 제거된 BNL CL.2 세포주는 IFN-$\gamma$ 단독 처리에서도 NO를 생성할수 있었으며, IFN-$\gamma$와 lipopolysaccharide (LPS)의 복합 처리는 세포주의 NO 생성을 상승적으로 증가시 켰다. 또한 protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor인 herbimycin A와 genistein에 의해서 NO 생성이 억제되어 PTK의 활성이 혈청이 고갈된 BNL CL.2세포에서 NO의 생성에 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있기 때문으로 판단된다. IFN-$\gamma$의 독성은 혈청을 제거시킬 때 NO 생성 억제제에 상승적으로 간세포를 손상시키며, 이때 NO가 IFN-$\gamma$에 의해 유도된 손상을 어느 정도 억제시키는 것을 알 수 있었다.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.389-397
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• 2004

The therapeutic efficacy of xylamine in the field of psychological medicine has been recognized for years and the drug is used to treat depression and some other conditions, but little is known about its mechanism of action on vascular system. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the influence of xylamine on the contractile responses of isolated rat thoracic arteries to phenylephrine(PE) and potassium chloride(KCl). Xylamine produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in PE-precontracted endothelium intact(+E) rat aortic rings, but not in a KCl-precontracted aortic rings. Also, xylamine inhibited the PE-induced contraction in concentration-dependent manner, but not in the high KCl-induced contraction in +E rings. This concentration-dependent inhibition was suppressed by the removal of the endothelium (-E). The inhibitory effects of xylamine($0.3{\mu}M$) on the PE-induced contractions were suppressed by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME), aminoguanidine, dexamethasone, methylene blue, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one(ODQ), indomethacin, ryanodine, tetrabutylammonium(TBA), lidocaine, procaine and 0 mM extracellular $Na^+$, but not by 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n,n-diphenylcarbamate(NCDC), lithium, nifedipine, verapamil, 0 mM extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, glibenclamide and clotrimazole. These findings suggest that xylamine could act as a vasorelaxant and direct inhibitor of arterial contraction. This vasorelaxation involves an endothelial nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP (guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) pathway or cyclooxygenase system, and an interference with $Ca^{2+}$ release, TBA-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels and $Na^+$$ channels.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.177-183
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• 2010

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, is known to play important roles in modulating both NO and superoxide production during vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. However, the role of BH4 in functions of vascular smooth muscle cells is not fully known. In this study, we tested the effects of BH4 and dihydrobiopterin (BH2), a BH4 precursor, on migration and proliferation in response to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). Cell migration and proliferation were measured using a Boyden chamber and a 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay, respectively, and these results were confirmed with an ex vivo aortic sprout assay. Cell viability was examined by 2,3-bis [2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide assays. BH4 and BH2 decreased PDGF-BBinduced cell migration and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of cell migration and proliferation by BH4 and BH2 was not affected by pretreatment with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a NOS inhibitor. Moreover, the sprout outgrowth formation of aortic rings induced by PDGF-BB was inhibited by BH4 and BH2. Cell viability was not inhibited by BH4 and BH2 treatment. The present results suggest that BH4 and BH2 may inhibit PDGF-stimulated RASMC migration and proliferation via the NOS-independent pathway. Therefore, BH4 and its derivative could be useful for the development of a candidate molecule with an NO-independent anti-atherosclerotic function.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제16권5호
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• pp.297-303
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• 2012

This study was designed to elucidate high $K^+$-induced relaxation in the human gastric fundus. Circular smooth muscle from the human gastric fundus greater curvature showed stretch-dependent high $K^+$ (50 mM)-induced contractions. However, longitudinal smooth muscle produced stretch-dependent high $K^+$-induced relaxation. We investigated several relaxation mechanisms to understand the reason for the discrepancy. Protein kinase inhibitors such as KT 5823 (1 ${\mu}M$) and KT 5720 (1 ${\mu}M$) which block protein kinases (PKG and PKA) had no effect on high $K^+$-induced relaxation. $K^+$ channel blockers except 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), a voltage-dependent $K^+$ channel ($K_V$) blocker, did not affect high $K^+$ -induced relaxation. However, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine and 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo (4,3-A)quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitors of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and 4-AP inhibited relaxation and reversed relaxation to contraction. High $K^+$-induced relaxation of the human gastric fundus was observed only in the longitudinal muscles from the greater curvature. These data suggest that the longitudinal muscle of the human gastric fundus greater curvature produced high $K^+$-induced relaxation that was activated by the nitric oxide/sGC pathway through a $K_V$ channel-dependent mechanism.

• 생약학회지
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• 제37권2호통권145호
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• pp.67-73
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• 2006

The butanol extracts of Agrimonia pilosa (BAP) induced dose-dependent vascular relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted aorta, which was abolished by removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact aortic tissues with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[$4,3-{\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one(ODQ) inhibited the relaxation induced by BAP. BAP-induced vascular relaxation was also markedly attenuated by addition of verapamiI, while the relaxant effect of BAP was not blocked by indomethacine, glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium (TEA), atropine, or propranolo. In addition, incubation of endothelium-intact aortic rings with BAP increased the vascular production of cGMP. These results suggest that BAP relaxes vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide/cGMP signaling pathway, which may be causally related with L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.175-186
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• 2009

The vasorelaxant effect of an extract of Lophatherum gracile Brongn (ELB) and its possible action mechanism were ascertained in aortic tissues isolated from rats. ELB relaxed endothelium-intact thoracic aorta in a dose-dependent manner. However, the induced vascular relaxation was abolished by removal in endothelium of the thoracic aorta. Pretreatment of endothelium-intact vascular tissues with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-$\alpha$]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) significantly inhibited vascular relaxation induced by ELB. Moreover, ELB significantly increased cGMP production in aortic tissues, which was blocked by pretreatment with L-NAME or ODQ. The vasorelaxant effect of ELB was attenuated by tetraethylammonium (TEA), and glibenclamide. ELB-induced vasorelaxation was not blocked by atropine, propranolol, indomethacin, verapamil, and diltiazem. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that ELB dilates vascular smooth muscle via an endothelium-dependent NO-cGMP signaling pathway, which may be at least in part related with the function of $K^+$ channels.