• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.93-98
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• 2001

The precise mechanism of set-point regulation in hypothalamus was not elucidated. Nitric oxide synthases(NOS) were detected in hypothalamus, however, the roles of NO in hypothalamus was not fully studied. So, we tested the effects of NO on body temperature because preoptic-anterior hypothalamus was known as the presumptive primary fever-producing site. NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 4 nmol, i.c.v.) elicited marked febrile response, and this febrile response was completely blocked by indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor). But, ODQ (selective guanylate cyclase inhibitor, $50\;{\mu}g,$ i.c.v.) did not inhibit fever induced by SNP. The cyclic GMP analogue dibutyryl-cGMP $(100\;{\mu}g,\;i.c.v.)$ induced significant pyreses, which is blocked by indomethacin. $N^G-nitro-L-arginine$ methyl ester (L-NAME, non selective NOS inhibitor) inhibited fever induced by $interleukin-1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\bata},\;10\;ng,\;i.c.v.),$ one of endogenous pyrogens. These results indicate that NO may have an important role, not related to stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase, in the signal pathway of thermoregulation in hypothalamus.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.219-224
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• 2012

Understanding how the b-wave of the electroretinogram (ERG) is generated by full-field light stimulation is still a challenge in visual neuroscience. To understand more about the origin of the b-wave, we studied the contributions of gap junctions to the ERG b-wave. Many types of retinal neurons are connected to similar and different neighboring neurons through gap junctions. The photopic (cone-dominated) ERG, stimulated by a small light beam, was recorded from goldfish (Carassius auratus) using a corneal electrode. Data were obtained before and after intravitreal injection of agents into the eye under a photopic illumination level. Several agents were used to affect gap junctions, such as dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonists and antagonists, a nitric oxide (NO) donor, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, the gap junction blocker meclofenamic acid (MFA), and mixtures of these agents. The ERG b-waves, which were enhanced by MFA, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), SKF 38393, and sulpiride, remained following application of a further injection of a mixture with MFA. The ERG b-waves decreased following $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), SCH 23390, and quinpirole administration but were enhanced by further injection of a mixture with MFA. These results indicate that gap junction activity influences b-waves of the ERG related to NO and dopamine actions.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Background: Recent studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in persistent pain, including neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Since the data suggest that ROS are involved in central sensitization, the present study examines the levels of activated N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the dorsal horn after an exogenous supply of three antioxidants in rats with chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP). This serves as an animal model of complex regional pain syndrome type-I induced by hindpaw ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: The application of tight-fitting O-rings for a period of three hours produced CPIP in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Allopurinol 4 mg/kg, allopurinol 40 mg/kg, superoxide dismutase (SOD) 4,000 U/kg, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 10 mg/kg and SOD 4,000 U/kg plus L-NAME 10 mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally just after O-ring application and on the first and second days after reperfusion. Mechanical allodynia was measured, and activation of the NMDA receptor subunit 1 (pNR1) of the lumbar spinal cord (L4-L6) was analyzed by the Western blot three days after reperfusion. Results: Allopurinol reduced mechanical allodynia and attenuated the enhancement of spinal pNR1 expression in CPIP rats. SOD and L-NAME also blocked spinal pNR1 in accordance with the reduced mechanical allodynia in rats with CPIP. Conclusions: The present data suggest the contribution of superoxide, produced via xanthine oxidase, and the participation of superoxide and nitric oxide as a precursor of peroxynitrite in NMDA mediated central sensitization. Finally, the findings support a therapeutic potential for the manipulation of superoxide and nitric oxide in ischemia/reperfusion related pain conditions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제29권8호
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• pp.807-815
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• 1996

허혈전처치(ischemic preconditioniiIE)의 허혈심장 보호효과와 그 기전을 규명하기 위한 일환으로 citric oxide(HO)가 허혈전처치의 심보호 효과에 미치는 영향을 검토하였다. 흰쥐 적출심장의 Langendorrr관류표본에서 실험적인 허할(30분)-재관류(30분) 손상을 유도하였고, 허혈전처치는 재관류손상 유도 전에 5분 허혈 - 5분 재관류를 3회 반복하여 시행하였다. 허혈심근 손상의 지표로 심수축기능 세질효소 유출 및 미세형태학적 변화를, 그리고 HO 합성 억제제인 L-HAME 를 투여하여 허혈전처치와 비전처치 허혈-재관류 심장들에서 손상의 정도를 비교하였다. 그 결과 허혈- 재관류 심장에서 심기능의 저하및 세포질 유출이 현저하게 증가하였고 전자현미경상의 미세구조에서도 세포내 소기관 및 myofibril의 파괴가 관찰되 어 심근손상이 심함을 알 수 있었다. 허 혈-재관류에 의한 심 장손상은 허혈전처치를 시행한 허혈-재관류 심장에서는 현격하게 감소돼 심회복률이 77%로 증가하였 고 세포질유출도 현저하게 감소되었으며 미세소견에서도 세포구조가 비교적 잘 보존되었다. 허혈전처 치에 의한 심보호 효과에 NO가 관여하는지를 관찰하기 위하여 NO합성 억제제인 L-NAME를 투여하 여 허혈전처치를 시행하였다. 결과 L-UAME투여로 허혈전처치에 의하여 회복된 심기능 및 LDH유출 감소에 아무런 영향을 주지 않았고 허혈전처치에 의하여 비교적 잘 보존된 미세구조 역시 영향을 받지 않았다. 이상의 결과들로부터 허혈전처치는 세포수준에서 허혈심근의 재관류손상을 방지하며, NO합성의 증가가 횐쥐 적출 심장에서 허혈전처치에 의한 허혈심장 보호효과에 크게 기여하지 않을 것으로 사료되었다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.233-239
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• 1998

Stimulated alveolar macrophages and neutrophils produce nitric oxide, a free radical by an inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), which reacts with superoxide anion to form peroxynitrite, a more highly reactive toxic species. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate acute inflammatory lung injury and to determine iNOS mRNA induction and nitric oxide production by rat broncho-alveolar lavage cells following intratracheal treatment of silica. After 4 h exposure to silica, differential counts of broncho-alveolar lavage cells and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) activity as well as total protein in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid were determined. Broncho-alveolar lavage cells were also assayed for iNOS mRNA and the productions of nitrite and nitrate measured in the cells cultured. Differential analysis of broncho-alveolar lavage cells showed that the number of alveolar macrophages slightly decreased following silica treatment; however, red blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils significantly were increased by 9-, 14-, and 119-fold following silica treatment, respectively, compared with the saline control. It was also found significant increases in the LDH activity and total protein in the lavage fluid obtained from silica-treated rats, indicating silica-induced acute lung injury. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the steady state levels of iNOS mRNA in broncho-alveolar lavage cells were increased following silica treatment. The productions of nitrite and nitrate in the cultured cells were significantly increased by 2-fold following silica treatment, respectively, which were attenuated by the NOS inhibitor $N{\omega}-nitro-L-arginine-methyl$ ester(L-NAME) and partially reversed by L-arginine. These findings suggest that nitric oxide production in alveolar macrophages and recruited neutrophils is increased in response to silica. Nitric oxide may contribute in part to acute inflammatory lung injury.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권5호
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• pp.377-381
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• 2014

Propofol is a widely used anesthetic. Many studies have shown that propofol has direct effects on blood vessels, but the precise mechanism is not fully understood. Secondary intrapulmonary artery rings from male rats were prepared and mounted in a Multi Myograph System. The following constrictors were used to induce contractions in isolated artery rings: high $K^+$ solution (60 mmol/L); U46619 solution (100 nmol/L); 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; $3{\mu}mol/L$); or phenylephrine (Phe; $1{\mu}mol/L$). The relaxation effects of propofol were tested on high $K^+$ or U46619 precontracted rings. Propofol also was added to induce relaxation of rings preconstricted by U46619 after pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The effects of propofol on $Ca^{2+}$ influx via the L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels were evaluated by examining contraction-dependent responses to $CaCl_2$ in the absence or presence of propofol (10 to $300{\mu}mol/L$). High $K^+$ solution and U46619 induced remarkable contractions of the rings, whereas contractions induced by 5-HT and Phe were weak. Propofol induced dose-dependent relaxation of artery rings precontracted by the high $K^+$ solution. Propofol also induced relaxation of rings precontracted by U46619 in an endothelium-independent way. Propofol at different concentrations significantly inhibited the $Ca^{2+}$-induced contractions of pulmonary rings exposed to high $K^+$-containing and $Ca^{2+}$-free solution in a dose-dependent manner. Propofol relaxed vessels precontracted by the high $K^+$ solution and U46619 in an endothelium-independent way. The mechanism for this effect may involve inhibition of calcium influx through voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs) and receptor-operated calcium channels (ROCCs).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제24권9호
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• pp.1204-1210
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• 2011

Objective of this study was to examine the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor on steroid synthesis, growth and apoptosis of buffalo granulosa cells (GCs) in vitro. Follicular fluid of antral follicles (3-5 mm diameter) was aspirated and GCs were cultured in 0 (control), $10^{-3}$, $10^{-5}$, $10^{-7}$, $10^{-9}\;M$ of SNP for 48 h. To evaluate whether this effect was reversible, GCs were cultured in presence of $10^{-5}\;M$ SNP+1.0 mM $N^{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor or hemoglobin (Hb, $1.0{\mu}g$) as NO scavenger. Nitrate/nitrite concentration was evaluated by Griess method, progesterone and estradiol concentrations by RIA and apoptosis by TUNEL assay. SNP ($10^{-3}$, $10^{-5}$, $10^{-7}\;M$) significantly (p<0.05) inhibited estradiol and progesterone synthesis, growth, disorganized GCs aggregates and induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. However, $10^{-9}\;M$ SNP induced the progesterone synthesis and stimulated GCs to develop into a uniform monolayer. Combination of SNP $10^{-5}$ M+L-NAME strengthened the inhibitory effect while, SNP+Hb together reversed these inhibitory effects. In conclusion, SNP at greater concentrations ($10^{-3}$, $10^{-5}$ and $10^{-7}\;M$) has a cytotoxic effect and it may lead to cell death whereas, at a lower concentration ($10^{-9}\;M$) induced progesterone synthesis and growth of GCs. These findings have important implications that NOS derived NO are involved at physiological level during growth and development of buffalo GCs which regulates the steroidogenesis, growth and apoptosis.

• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.576-587
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• 2009

배경: Nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP 신호전달체계의 상향 조절(up-regulation)이 급성심근경색 3일 후 흰쥐의 혈관반응성의 변화에 관여한다고 알려져 있으나 그 기전에 대해서는 명확히 규명되지 않았다. 대상 및 방법: 좌전하행관상동맥을 30분간 폐쇄한 후 급성심근경색을 유도한 군을 AMI군으로, 동일한 모의 수술(sham operation)을 하였으나 관상동맥을 폐쇄하지 않은 군을 SHAM군으로 하였다 AMI 혹은 SHAM수술 3일 후 흰쥐의 대동맥 고리절편(내피를 보존한 대동맥 절편을 E(+), 내피를 제거한 대동맥 절편을 E(-))에서 phenylephrine (PE), KCl, acetylcholine (Ach) 및 sodium nitroprusside (SNP)에 대한 농도-반응 관계를 측정하였다 AMI군의 E(+) 대동맥 절편에서 PE의 농도-반응 관계를 NO synthase (NOS) 억제제인 $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)와 cyclooxygenase 억제제인 indomethacin으로 각각 전처치한 대동맥 절편과 비교하였다. 혈장 nitrite/nitrate 농도는 Griess reaction으로 측정하였고, 방사면역 분석법을 이용한 흉부 대동맥 절편의 cGMP정량과 real time PCR을 이용한 endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA 발현양상 측정을 하였다. 결과: AMI군에서의 심근경색의 평균 크기는 $21.3{\pm}0.62%$였다. AMI군에서 심박수와 수축기 및 이완기 혈압은 의미있는 변화가 없었다. E(+)와 E(-) 대동맥 절편에서 PE와 KCl에 대한 수축반응의 민감도는 AMI군 대동맥 절편에서 의미 있게 감소하였다(p<0.05). L-NAME은 이러한 수축반응을 완전하게 역전시켰으나 indomethacin은 효과가 없었다(p<0.05). 또한 AMI군에서 Ach에 대한 이완반응의 민감도가 의미 있게 감소하였다(p<0.05). AMI군에서 SHAM군에 비해 혈장 nitrite/nitrate 농도(p<0.05), 기저 cGMP 농도(p<0.05), 및 eNOS mRNA 발현양상(p=0.056)이 증가하였다. 결론: 이상의 결과들로 보아 eNOS의 발현 증가와 NO-cGMP 신호전달체계의 상향조절이 급성심근경색 3일 후 흰쥐 흉부대동맥에서의 수축 및 이완 반응성 감소의 원인으로 생각된다.