• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.287-297
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• 2001

Contraction of smooth muscle is initiated by an increase in cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ leading to activation of $Ca^{2+}$/ calmodulin-dependnet myosin light chain (MLC) kinase and phosphorylation of MLC. The types of contraction and signaling mechanisms mediating contraction differ depending on the region. The involvement of these different mechanisms varies depending on the source of $Ca^{2+}$ and the kinetic of $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization. $Ca^{2+}$ mobilizing agonists stimulate different phospholipases $(PLC-{\beta},\;PLD\;and\;PLA_2)$ to generate one or more $Ca^{2+}$ mobilizing messengers $(IP_3\;and\;AA),$ and diacylglycerol (DAG), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC). The relative contributions of $PLC-{\beta},\;PLA_2$ and PLD to generate second messengers vary greatly between cells and types of contraction. In smooth muscle cell derived form the circular muscle layer of the intestine, preferential hydrolysis of $PIP_2$ and generation of $IP_3$ and $IP_3-dependent\;Ca^{2+}$ release initiate the contraction. In smooth muscle cells derived from longitudinal muscle layer of the intestine, preferential hydrolysis of PC by PLA2, generation of AA and AA-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ influx, cADP ribose formation and $Ca^{2+}-induced\;Ca^{2+}$ release initiate the contraction. Sustained contraction, however, in both cell types is mediated by $Ca^{2+}-independent$ mechanism involving activation of $PKC-{\varepsilon}$ by DAG derived form PLD. A functional linkage between $G_{13},$ RhoA, ROCK, $PKC-{\varepsilon},$ CPI-17 and MLC phosphorylation in sustained contraction has been implicated. Contraction of normal esophageal circular muscle (ESO) in response to acetylcholine (ACh) is linked to $M_2$ muscarinic receptors activating at least three intracellular phospholipases, i.e. phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC), phospholipase D (PLD) and the high molecular weight (85 kDa) cytosolic phospholipase $A_2\;(cPLA_2)$ to induce phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolism, production of diacylglycerol (DAG) and arachidonic acid (AA), resulting in activation of a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. In contrast, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) contraction induced by maximally effective doses of ACh is mediated by muscarinic $M_3$ receptors, linked to pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding proteins of the $G_{q/11}$ type. They activate phospholipase C, which hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate $(PIP_2),$ producing inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate $(IP_3)$ and DAG. $IP_3$ causes release of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and formation of a $Ca^{2+}$-calmodulin complex, resulting in activation of myosin light chain kinase and contraction through a calmodulin-dependent pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.273-282
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• 2006

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of R-(-)-2,10,11-trihydroxy-N-propylnoraporphine [R-(-)-TNPA], a selective agonist of dopaminergic $D_2$ receptor and S(-)-raclopride, a selective antagonist of dopaminergic $D_2$ receptor, on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by cholinergic stimulation and membrane-depolarization in the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal gland, and also to establish its mechanism of action. R-(-)-TNPA $(10{\sim}100\;{\mu}M)$ perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition in CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (56 mM), DMPP $(100\;{\mu}M)$ and McN-A-343 $(100\;{\mu}M)$. R-(-)-TNPA itself did also fail to affect basal CA output. Also, in adrenal glands loaded with R-(-)-TNPA $(30\;{\mu}M)$, the CA secretory responses evoked by Bay-K-8644 $(10\;{\mu}M)$, an activator of L-type $Ca^2+$ channels and cyclopiazonic acid $(10\;{\mu}M)$, an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ were also inhibited. However, S(-)-raclopride $(1{\sim}10\;{\mu}M)$, given into an adrenal vein for 60 min, enhanced the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP and McN-A-343 only for the first period (4 min), although it alone has weak effect on CA secretion. Moreover, S(-)-raclopride $(3.0\;{\mu}M)$ in to an adrenal vein for 60 min also augmented the CA release evoked by BAY-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid only for the first period (4 min). However, after simultaneous perfusion of R-(-)-TNP A $(30\;{\mu}M)$ and S(-)-raclopride $(3.0\;{\mu}M)$, the inhibitory responses of R(-)-TNPA $(30\;{\mu}M)$ on the CA secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644, and cyclopiazonic acid were significantly reduced. Taken together, these experimental results suggest that R-(-)-TNPA greatly inhibits the CA secretion from the perfused rat adrenal medulla evoked by cholinergic stimulation (both nicotininc and muscarinic receptors) and membrane depolarization, but S(-)-raclopride rather enhances the CA release by them. It seems that this inhibitory of R-(-)-TNPA may be mediated by stimulation of inhibitory dopaminergic $D_2$ receptors located on the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells, while the facilitatory effect of S(-)-raclopride is due to the blockade of dopaminergic $D_2$ receptors, which are relevant to extra- and intracellular calcium mobilization. Therefore, it is thought that dopaminergic $D_2$ receptors may be involved in regulation of CA release in the rat adrenal medulla.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1993

It has been known that calcium antagonists also inhibit the radioligand binding to muscarinic and $\alpha$-adrenergic receptors and, in case of verapamil, these inhibitions may play a role in the effects of verapamil on the heart. In this study, the effects of nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, diltiazem and verapamil on the binding of [$^3H$]dihydroalprenolol (DHA) to dog cardiac ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptors were examined. A single uniform [$^3H$]DHA binding site ($K_D/= 5nM\;and\;B_{max}=2600$ fmol/mg protein) was identified in dog cardiac sarcolemma. [$^3H$]DHA binding was not affected by the usual therapeutic concentrations of these calcium antagonists (nanomolar range) but in the "nonspecific"concentration ranges ($28-180{\mu}m$) these drugs inhibited [$^3H$]DHA binding to $\beta$-adrenergic receptors. Nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine and diltiazem competed for [$^3H$]DHA binding to ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptors with dissociation constants ($K_i$) of $28{\mu}m,\' 74{\mu}m, 39{\mu}m \;and \;35{\mu}m,$ respectively. Verapamil ($K_i=176.5 {\mu}m$) was less potent inhibitor than other drugs and this inhibition was noncompetitive; the maximal binding capacity ($B_{max}$) $300 {\mu}m$ verapamil without change in the apparent dissociation constant (4K_D$) for DHA. These results indicate that the inhibitory action of calcium antagonists at high concentrations on ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptors is not involved in the therapeutic effects of these drugs by the calcium channel blocking action.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.101-106
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• 2019

Most diabetic patients experience diabetic mellitus (DM) urinary bladder dysfunction. A number of studies evaluate bladder smooth muscle contraction in DM. In this study, we evaluated the change of bladder smooth muscle contraction between normal rats and DM rats. Furthermore, we used pharmacological inhibitors to determine the differences in the signaling pathways between normal and DM rats. Rats in the DM group received an intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin and measured blood glucose level after 14 days to confirm DM. Bladder smooth muscle contraction was induced using acetylcholine (ACh, $10^{-4}M$). The materials such as, atropine (a muscarinic receptor antagonist), U73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor), DPCPX (an adenosine $A_1$ receptor antagonist), udenafil (a PDE5 inhibitor), prazosin (an ${\alpha}_1$-receptor antagonist), papaverine (a smooth muscle relaxant), verapamil (a calcium channel blocker), and chelerythrine (a protein kinase C inhibitor) were pre-treated in bladder smooth muscle. We found that the DM rats had lower bladder smooth muscle contractility than normal rats. When prazosin, udenafil, verapamil, and U73122 were pre-treated, there were significant differences between normal and DM rats. Taken together, it was concluded that the change of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release mediated by PLC/IP3 and PDE5 activity were responsible for decreased bladder smooth muscle contractility in DM rats.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2005

The present study was designed to examine the effect of d-amphetamine on CA release from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal gland, and to establish its mechanism of action. Damphetamine $(10{\sim}100{\mu}M$), when perfused into an adrenal vein of the rat adrenal gland for 60 min, enhanced the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh ($5.32{\times}10^{-3}$ M), excess $K^+$ ($5.6{\times}10^{-2}$ M, a membrane depolarizer), DMPP ($10^{-4}$ M, a selective neuronal nicotinic $N_n-receptor$ agonist) and McN-A-343 ($10^{-4}$ M, a selective $M_1-muscarinic$ agonist) only for the first period (4 min), although it alone has weak effect on CA secretion. Moreover, d-amphetamine ($30{\mu}M$) 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 only for the first period (4 min). However, in the presence of high concentration ($500{\mu}M$), d-amphetamine rather inhibited the CA secretory responses evoked by the above all of secretagogues. Collectively, these experimental results suggest that d-amphetamine at low concentrations enhances the CA secretion from the rat adrenal medulla evoked by cholinergic stimulation (both nicotininc and muscarinic receptors) as well as by membrane depolarization, but at high concentration it rather inhibits them. It seems that d-amphetamine has dual effects as both agonist and antagonist at nicotinic receptors of the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla, which might be dependent on the concentration. It is also thought that these actions of d-amphetamine are probably relevant to the $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization through the dihydropyridine L-type $Ca^{2+}$ cha$N_n$els located on the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cell membrane and the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from the cytoplasmic store.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2008

The aim of the present study was designed to establish comparatively the inhibitory effects of $D_1$-like and $D_2$-like dopaminergic receptor agonists, SKF81297 and R(-)-TNPA on the release of catecholamines (CA) evoked by cholinergic stimulation and membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla. SKF81297 $(30{\mu}M)$ and R-(-)-TNPA $(30{\mu}M)$ perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min, produced great inhibition in the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh $(5.32{\times}10^{-3}\;M)$, DMPP $(10^{-4}\;M)$, McN-A-343 $(10^{-4}\;M)$, high $K^+$ $(5.6{\times}10^{-2}\;M)$, Bay-K-8644 $(10{\mu}M)$, and cyclopiazonic acid $(10{\mu}M)$, respectively. For the release of CA evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid, the following rank order of inhibitory potency was obtained: SKF81297>R-(-)-TNPA. However, R(+)-SCH23390, a selectve $D_1$-like dopaminergic receptor antagonist, and S(-)-raclopride, a selectve $D_2$-like dopaminergic receptor antagonist, enhanced the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid only for $0{\sim}4$ min. The rank order for the enhancement of CA release evoked by high $K^+$, McN-A-343 and cyclopiazonic acid was R(+)-SCH23390>S(-)-raclopride. Also, the rank order for ACh, DMPP and Bay-K-8644 was S(-)-raclopride > R(+)-SCH23390. Taken together, these results demonstrate that both SKF81297 and R-(-)-TNPA inhibit the CA release evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors and the membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland without affecting the basal release, respectively, but both R(+)-SCH23390 and S(-)-raclopride facilitate the CA release evoked by them. It seems likely that the inhibitory effects of SKF81297 and R-(-)-TNPA are mediated by the activation of $D_1$-like and $D_2$-like dopaminergic receptors located on the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells, respectively, whereas the facilitatory effects of R(+)-SCH23390 and S(-)-raclopride are mediated by the blockade of $D_1$-like and $D_2$-like dopaminergic receptors, respectively: this action is possibly associated with extra- and intracellular calcium mobilization. Based on these results, it is thought that the presence of dopaminergic $D_1$ receptors may play an important role in regulation of the rat adrenomedullary CA secretion, in addition to well-known dopaminergic $D_2$ receptors.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.702-709
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• 1999

The present study was performed to elucidate the effects of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ on contractile responses in isolated porcine coronary artery ring using by perivascular nerve stimulation (PNS). Especially, the study was focused on the source of $Ca^{2+}$ on $P_{2X}$-purinoceptor mediated muscle contraction which one of $P_2$-purinoceptor subtypes. The following results can be drawn from these studies : 1. The phasic contractions induced by PNS were inhibited with muscarinic receptor antagonist, atropine ($10^{-6}M$). 2. The phasic contractions induced by PNS were significantly inhibited by sequential treatment with atropine and adrenergic neural blocker, guanethidine ($10^{-6}M$). 3. The phasic contractions induced by PNS were inhibited with $P_{2X}$-purinoceptor desensitization by repetitive application of $\alpha$,$\beta$-Me ATP ($10^{-4}M$). 4. The phasic contractions induced by PNS were so weakened in calcium-free medium. 5. The phasic contractions induced by PNS were inhibited with calcium channel blocker, verapamil ($10^{-6}{\sim}5{\times}10^{-6}M$). 6. The phasic contractions induced by PNS on pretreated with verapamil ($10^{-6}{\sim}5{\times}10^{-6}M$) were not changed by $\alpha$,$\beta$-Me ATP ($10^{-4}M$). These results demonstrate that the neurogenic phasic contractions induced by PNS are due to adrenergic-, cholinergic- and $P_{2X}$-purinergic receptors and the origin of $Ca^{2+}$ on $P_{2X}$-purinoceptor mediated muscle contraction is extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through plasmalemmal $Ca^{2+}$ channels.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.101-111
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• 1987

We investigated the binding properties of $(^3H)$ QNB and $(^3H)$ NMS to mAchR to elucidate the characterstics of mAchR in rat brain by using two different preparations (homogemates & intact brain cell aggregates). The binding properties of both ligands demonstrated high affinity and saturability in both experiments, however $(^3H)$ QNB showed a significantly higher maximal binding capacity than tha ot $(^3H)$ NMS 1. In rat brain homogenates; Displacement of both lignands with several mAchR antagonists resulted in competition curves in accoradnce with the law of massaction for QNB, atropine & scopolamine in thie preparation, also a similar profile was found for the quaternary ammonium analogs of atropine & scopolamine (methyl atropine & methylscopolamine) when $(^3H)$ NMS was used to label the receptors in rat brain. But when these hydrophillic antagonists were used to displace $(^3H)$ QNB, they showed interaction with high- and low-affinity binding sites in brain homogenates. Pirenzepine, the nonclassical mAchR antagonist, was able to displace both ligands from binding sites in this preparation. 2. In intact rat brain cell aggregates; Intact bain cell aggregates were used to elucidate the binding characteristics of $(^3H)$ NMS to mAchR in rat. The magnitude of binding of this ligand was related linearly to the amount of cell protein in the binding assay with a high ratio of total to nonspecific binding. mAchR antagonists displaced specific $(^3H)$ NMS binding according to the law of mass-action, while it was possible to resolve displacement curves using mAchR agonist into high-& low-affinity component. 3. Our results indicate that more hydrophilic receptor ligand $(^3H)$ QNB, displacement experiments in both tissues demonstrated that the lipid solubility of a particulr mAchR ligand might play an important role in determining its profile of binding to the mAchR, and the concentrations of mAchR in rat brain are both on the cell surface (membrane-bound receptor) and in the intracelluar membrane (intermembrane-bound receptor). 4. The results are discussed in terms of the usefulness of dissociated intact rat brain cells in studying mAchR in central nervous system.