• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.65-76
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• 2007

Purpose: It is generally accepted that smooth muscle contraction is triggered by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic teticulum (SR) and from the extracellular space. The increased $[Ca^{2+}]^i$ can phosphorylate the 20,000 dalton myosin light chain $(MLC_{20})$ by activating MLC kinase (MLCK), and this initiates smooth muscle contraction. In addition to the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$MACK-tension pathway, a number of intracellular signal molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C (PKC) and others, play important roles in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, the mechanisms regulating contraction of depletion of SR $Ca^{2+}$ in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips is not still clear. Methods: To investigate the rotes of $Ca^{2+}$ influx and SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel on gastric motility, isometric contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were examined in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips. Results: High KCl, ryanodine, an activator of $Ca^{2+-}$induced $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an inhibitor of SR $Ca^{2+-}$ATPase evoked a sustained increase in muscle contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. These increases induced by high KCl, ryanodine, and CPA were partially blocked by application of verapamil ($10{\mu}M$), a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel inhibitor. Additionally, in $Ca^{2+-}$free solution (1 mM EGTA), ryanodine and CPA had no effect contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in fundic muscle strips. Conclusion: These results that extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx and depletion of SR trigger $Ca^{2+}$ influx through verapamil-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ channel, and extracellular and SR $Ca^{2+}$ store may functionally involve in the subcellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in mouse gastric muscle.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.374-379
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the effects of pelargonidin, an anthocyanidin found in many fruits and vegetables, on endothelium-independent vascular contractility to determine the underlying mechanism of relaxation. Isometric contractions of denuded aortic muscles from male rats were recorded, and the data were combined with those obtained in western blot analysis. Pelargonidin significantly inhibited fluoride-, thromboxane A2-, and phorbol ester-induced vascular contractions, regardless of the presence or absence of endothelium, suggesting a direct effect of the compound on vascular smooth muscles via a different pathway. Pelargonidin significantly inhibited the fluoride-dependent increase in the level of myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) phosphorylation at Thr-855 and the phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-dependent increase in the level of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation at Thr202/Tyr204, suggesting the inhibition of Rho-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) activities and subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1 and ERK1/2. These results suggest that the relaxation effect of pelargonidin on agonist-dependent vascular contractions includes inhibition of Rho-kinase and MEK activities, independent of the endothelial function.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.99-117
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• 2009

당뇨병성 신병증은 최근 우리나라를 포함한 서구 사회에서는 만성 신부전의 가장 많은 원인 중 하나이며, 꾸준히 증가추세이다. 조직학적으로는, 사구체, 세뇨간질, 소동맥 등 신장의 주요 부위에 병변이 나타나는데, 특징적으로 사구체 기저막의 비후와 족세포의 변화와 함께 사구체 경화, 소동맥의 유리질 경화와 세뇨간질 부위에 섬유화 등이 나타난다. 당뇨병성 신병증은 혈역학적 인자들과 대사성 인자들 간의 복잡한 상호작용의 결과로 일어난다. 고혈당은 혈류역학적 요소로 고혈압과 함께 사구체내압의 증가와 혈관활성물질의 활성화에 함께, 비혈역학적 경로들, 예를 들면, 후기 당화합 최종생성물 생성, 세포 내 신호전달체계와 물질, 시토카인, 산화 스트레스 등 다양한 원인들을 활성화시킨다. 이러한 대사적, 혈류역학적인 인자들은 신장의 알부민 투과성을 증가시키고 세포 외 기질의 축적을 일으키며 결과적으로 증가된 단백뇨, 사구체경화와 세뇨관간질의 섬유화를 일으키게 된다.

• 한국토양비료학회지
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.910-919
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• 2012

The role of inorganic nitrogen assimilation in the production of amino acids, organic acids and soluble sugars is one of the most important biochemical processes in plants, and, in order to achieve normally, nitrate uptake and assimilation is essential. For this reason, the characterization of nitrate assimilation and metabolite composition from leaves, roots and xylem sap of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was investigated under different nitrate levels in media. Tomato plants were grown hydroponically in liquid culture under five different nitrate regimes: deficient (0.25 and 0.75 mM $NO_3{^-}$), normal (2.5 mM $NO_3{^-}$) and excessive (5.0 and 10.0 mM $NO_3{^-}$). All samples, leaves, roots and xylem sap, were collected after 7 and 14 days after treatment. The levels of amino acids, soluble sugars and organic acids were significantly decreased by N-deficiency whereas, interestingly, they remained higher in xylem sap as compared with N-normal and -surplus. The N-excessive condition did not exert any significant changes in metabolites composition, and thus their levels were similar with N-normal. The gene expression and enzyme activity of nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NIR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) were greatly influenced by nitrate. The data presented here suggest that metabolites, as a signal messenger, existed in xylem sap seem to play a crucial role to acquire nitrate, and, in addition, an increase in ${\alpha}$-ketoglutarate pathway-derived amino acids under N-deficiency may help to better understand plant C/N metabolism.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.133-141
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• 2018

Anti-cancer drugs such as cisplatin and doxorubicin are effectively used more than radiotherapy. Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug, used for treatment of various forms of cancer. However, it has side effects such as ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity increases tubular damage and renal dysfunction. Consequently, we investigated the beneficial effect of cynaroside on cisplatin-induced kidney injury using HK-2 cell (human proximal tubule cell line) and an animal model. Results indicated that $10{\mu}M$ cynaroside diminished cisplatin-induced apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase-3 activation, cisplatin-induced upregulation of caspase-3/MST-1 pathway decreased by treatment of cynaroside in HK-2 cells. To confirm the effect of cynaroside on cisplatin-induced kidney injury in vivo, we used cisplatin exposure animal model (20 mg/kg, balb/c mice, i.p., once a day for 3 days). Renal dysfunction, tubular damage and neutrophilia induced by cisplatin injection were decreased by cynaroside (10 mg/kg, i.p., once a day for 3 days). Results indicated that cynaroside decreased cisplatin-induced kidney injury in vitro and in vivo, and it could be used for improving cisplatin-induced side effects. However, further experiments are required regarding toxicity by high dose cynaroside and caspase-3/MST-1-linked signal transduction in the animal model.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.411-417
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• 2005

마우스 대식세포주인 RAW264.7 세포에서 곽향(Agastache rugosa)을 포함한 21종의 한약재에서 제조한 열수추출물의 NO생산에 대한 조절효과를 조사하였다. 모든 한약재 추출물은 LPS자극으로 생산된 NO에 대하여 뚜렷한 소거활성을 보이지 않았으나, LPS 무처리 조건에서 곽향이 RAW264.7 세포의 NO생산을 강력하게 유도하였다. $200{\mu}M$의 NOS2의 저해제인 $N^G-monomethyl-L-arginine(N^GMMA$)의 처리에 의하여 곽향이 유도하는 NO 생산은 유의적으로 감소되었다. 또한 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 저해제인 pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC)의 처리로 NO 생산이 $100{\mu}M$에서 약 79%까지 감소하였다. 이상의 실험 결과는 곽향 열수추출물이 RAW264.7 세포의 NOS2 발현의 이차적인 세포 내 신호를 발생시킬 수 있으며, NO는 L-arginine 의존적 경로에 의하여 생성된다는 사실을 시사하였다.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.69-80
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• 2000

ADP-rubosylation may be involved in the process of macrophage activation. Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as an important intracellular and interacellular regulatory molecule with function as diverse as vasodilation, neural communication or host defense. NO is derived from the oxidation of the terminal guanidino nitrogen atom of L-arginine by the NADPH -dependent enzyme, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) which is one of the three different isomers in mammalian tissues. Since NO can exert protective or regulatory functions in the cell at a low concentration while toxic effects at higher concentrations, its role may be tightly regulated in the cell. Therefore, this paper was focused on signal transduction pathway of NO synthesis, role of endogenous TGF-$\beta$ in NO production. effect of NO on superoxide formation. Costimulation of murine peritoneal macrophages with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increased both NO secretion and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) when PMA abolished costimulation. Pretreatmnet of the cells with PMA abolished costimuation effects due to the depletion of protein kinase C (PKC) activities . The involvement of PKC in NO secretion could be further confirmed by PKC inhibitor, stauroprine, and phorbol ester derivative, phorbol 12,13-didecanoate. Addition of actinomycine D in IFN-γ plus PMA stimulated cells inhibited both NO secretion and mRNA expression of iNOS indication that PMA stabilizes mRNA of iNOS . Exogenous TGF-$\beta$ reduced NO secretion in IFN -γ stimulated murine macrophages. However addition of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) to TGF-$\beta$ to this system recovered the ability of NO production and inhibited mRNA expression of TGF-$\beta$. ACAS interactive laser cytometry analysis showed that transportation of FITC -labeled antisense ODN complementary to TGF-$\beta$ mRNA could be observed within 5 min and reached maximal intensity in 30 min in the murine macrophage cells. NO released by activated macrophages inhibits superoxide formation in the same cells . This inhibition nay be related on NO-induced auto -adenosine diphosphate (ADP) -ribosylation . In addition, ADP-ribosylation may be involved in the process of macrophage activation .

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.131-135
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• 2005

Potassium channels in human skin fibroblast have been studied as a possible site of Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. Fibroblasts in Alzheimer disease show alterations in signal transduction pathway such as changes in $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and/or $Ca^{2+}-activated$ kinases, phosphatidylinositol cascade, protein kinase C activity, cAMP levels and absence of specific $K^+$ channel. However, little is known so far about electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of large-conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ ($BK_{Ca}$) channel in human fibroblast (CRL-1474). In the present study, we found Iberiotoxin- and TEA-sensitive outward rectifying oscillatory current with whole-cell recordings. Single channel analysis showed large conductance $K^{+}$ channels (106 pS of chord conductance at +40 mV in physiological $K^+$ gradient). The 106 pS channels were activated by membrane potential and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, consistent with the known properties of $BK_{Ca}$ channels. $BK_{Ca}$ channels in CRL-1474 were positively regulated by adenylate cyclase activator ($10{\mu}M$ forskolin), 8-Br-cyclic AMP ($300{\mu}M$) or 8-Br-cyclic GMP ($300{\mu}M$). These results suggest that human skin fibroblasts (CR-1474) have typical $BK_{Ca}$ channel and this channel could be modulated by c-AMP and c-GMP. The electrophysiological characteristics of fibroblasts might be used as the diagnostic clues for Alzheimer disease.

• 대한방사선치료학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.165-174
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• 2002

혈관내피세포 성장 인자(Vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF)는 혈관내피세포 특이하게 성장요인으로 작용하는 물질로 알려져 있다. 전리방사선에 대한 혈관내피세포의 효과는 정상조직에 대한 반응에 있어 아주 중요한 요소일 것으로 생각된다. 본 연구는 방사선 조사에 의해 배양시킨 혈관내피세포에서 apoptosis가 유도되는지, 유도가 된다면 VEGF에 의해 apoptosis가 억제되는지 그리고 apoptosis의 억제가 어떤 경로를 경유하는지를 실험하였다. 혈관내피세포에 방사선를 조사한 결과, 대조군에 비하여 선량이 증가함에 따라 apoptosis가 증가하였다. 같은 조건하에서 VEGF는 농도 의존적으로 apoptosis를 억제하였다. Antiapoptotic factor로서 VEGF가 어떤 신호 과정을 경유하는지를 밝히고자, 혈관내피세포에 방사선을 조사하여 apoptosis를 유도하면서 Flt-1과 Flk-1/KDR receptor를 처리하였다. 그결과 VEGF에 유도된 apoptosis 억제효과가 차단되었다. Phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase(PI3-kinase) 특정 억제 물질인 Wortmanin과 LY294002를 방사선 조사한 혈관내피에 VEGF와 함께 처리했을 때 VEGF에 의해 유도된 apoptosis를 억제하였다. 이같은 결과는 VEGF가 방사선 조사로 일어나는 세포 치사를 억제하는 중요한 역할을 담당하며, In Vivo의 실험이 더 이루어져야 할 것으로 생각된다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.84-88
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• 2009

In our previous study, we have shown that berberine has both anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory effects on 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and the anti-adipogenic effect is due to the down-regulation of adipogenic enzymes and transcription factors. Here we focused more on anti-inflammatory effect of berberine using real time RT-PCR and found it changes expressions of adipokines. We hypothesized that anti-adipogenicity of berberine mediates anti-inflammtory effect and explored leptin as a candidate mediator of this signaling. We studied this hypothesis by western blot analysis, but our results showed that berberine has no effect on the phosphorylations of STAT-3 and ERK which have important roles on leptin signaling. These results led us to conclude that the anti-inflammatory effect of berberine is not mediated by the inhibition of leptin signal transduction. Moreover, we have found that berberine down-regulates NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling, one of the inflammation-related signaling pathway, through western blot analysis. Taken together, the anti-inflammatory effect of berberine is not mediated by leptin, and berberine induces anti-inflammatory effect independent of leptin signaling.