• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.797-801
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• 1997

Recently we reported that water extracts of Coptidis Rhizomas showed calcium antagonistic action and alpha-adrenoceptor inhibitory action in the vascular smooth muscle. Since ca lcium antagonistic properties are important in the treatment of various diseases including asthma. In the present study, the bronchodilatory effects of crude extract of three kinds of Coptidis Rhizoma (Coptidis chinensis, Coptis japonica and root hair of Coptis japonica) was investigated using rat isolated trachea. The result showed that all extracts relaxed carbachol-contracted tracheal smooth muscle. Concentration-dependently, in which the root hair of Coptis japonica was the least potent. The inhibitory potency expressed in terms of $IC_{50}$ against carbachol contraction was 1.8${\mu}$g/ml and 2.7${\mu}$g/ml for Coptidis chinensis and Coptis japonica, respectively. These extracts also inhibited KCI-contracted tracheal smooth muscle. But the relative potency ($IC_{50}$) was 3.5 and 4.1 folds weaker than carbachol-induced contraction for Coptidics chinenesis and Coptis japonica, respectively. Pretreatment of crude extracts also inhibited carbachol- or KCI-induced contraction, non-competitively. These findings indicate that the extracts have muscarinic blocking as well as $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocking action. When provoked intracellular stored $Ca^{2+}$ release by carbachol in $Ca^{2+}$-free conditions, initial phasic contraction due to $Ca^{2+}$ release was significantly inhibited by the extracts. As taken together, we conclude that water extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma may be beneficial in bronchospasm or other broncheal tube narrowing conditions such as asthma.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.616-623
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• 2015

P2 receptors are membrane-bound receptors for extracellular nucleotides such as ATP and UTP. P2 receptors have been classified as ligand-gated ion channels or P2X receptors and G protein-coupled P2Y receptors. Recently, purinergic signaling has begun to attract attention as a potential therapeutic target for a variety of diseases especially associated with gastroenterology. This study determined the ATP and UTP-induced receptor signaling mechanism in feline esophageal contraction. Contraction of dispersed feline esophageal smooth muscle cells was measured by scanning micrometry. Phosphorylation of $MLC_{20}$ was determined by western blot analysis. ATP and UTP elicited maximum esophageal contraction at 30 s and $10{\mu}M$ concentration. Contraction of dispersed cells treated with $10{\mu}M$ ATP was inhibited by nifedipine. However, contraction induced by $0.1{\mu}M$ ATP, $0.1{\mu}M$ UTP and $10{\mu}M$ UTP was decreased by U73122, chelerythrine, ML-9, PTX and $GDP{\beta}S$. Contraction induced by $0.1{\mu}M$ ATP and UTP was inhibited by $G{\alpha}i_3$ or $G{\alpha}q$ antibodies and by $PLC{\beta}_1$ or $PLC{\beta}_3$ antibodies. Phosphorylated $MLC_{20}$ was increased by ATP and UTP treatment. In conclusion, esophageal contraction induced by ATP and UTP was preferentially mediated by P2Y receptors coupled to $G{\alpha}i_3$ and $G{\alpha}q$ proteins, which activate $PLC{\beta}_1$ and $PLC{\beta}_3$. Subsequently, increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and activated PKC triggered stimulation of MLC kinase and inhibition of MLC phosphatase. Finally, increased $pMLC_{20}$ generated esophageal contraction.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.318-325
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• 1999

Background: Anticholinesterase drug inhibits acetylcholinesterase(AChE), induce accumulation of acetylcholine(ACh) near cholinergic receptors and cholinergic stimulation. This experiment was performed to study the effects of anticholinesterase drugs on gastric motility and the effect of ethanol on anticholinesterase drug-induced motility change. Materials and Methods: After excision of stomach, $2{\times}10mm$ circular muscle strips were made, which were then fixed to the isolated muscle chamber. An isometric tension transducer was used to measure the contraction change of the gastric smooth muscle strips after drug addition. Results: Fenthion, an irreversible anticholinesterase drug, increased ACh induced contraction of gastric smooth muscle strips and PAM, a cholinesterase activator, antagonized this action. Physostigmine, a reversible anticholinesterase drug, also increased the ACh induced contraction. The gastric motility was decreased by PAM. Ethanol, which is known to induce smooth muscle relaxation, inhibited the increase of contraction by fenthion. Conclusion: These results indicate that irreversible and reversible anticholinesterase drugs increase gastric motility and antagonized by cholinesterase activating drugs. And when exposed to both ethanol and anticholinesterase drug, gastric motility was decreased by the smooth muscle relaxation effect by ethanol.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.30-43
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• 1991

Mahwangsan is used in the treatment of asthma due to wind and cold(風寒喘). This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Mahwangsan extract and each drug composing it on the contractile force of the isolated guinea pig trachea muscle and elucidate its mechanism. The results were obtained as follows; 1. The isolated trachea smooth muscle of guinea pig was signifi-cantly relaxed by the administration of Mahwangsan extract. 2. The contractile response of the isolated trachea smooth muscle of guinea pig to histamine was significantly inhibited by the administration of Mahwangsan extract. 3. The contractile response of the isolated trachea smooth muscle of guinea pig to histamine was significantly inhibited by the administraction of Herba Ephedrae, Cortex Cinnamoni, Flos Farfarae, Fructus Chebulae and Semen Armeniacae extract. 4. The contractile response of the isolated trachea smooth muscle of guinea pig to acetylcholine was significantly inhibited by the administration of Mahwangsan extract. 5. The contractile response of the isolated trachea smooth muscle of guinea pig to acetylcholine was significantly inhibited by the administration of Herba Ephedrae, Flos Farfarae, Fructus Chebulae and Semen Armeniacae extract. 6. The contractile response of the isolated trachea smooth muscle of guinea pig to 5-hydroxytryptamine was significantly inhibited by the administration of Mahwangsan extract. 7. The contractile response of the isolated trachea smooth muscle of guinea pig to 5-hydroxytryptamine was significantly inhibited by the administration of Herba Ephedrae, Flos Farfarae, Fructus Chebulae and Semen Armeniacae extract.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.92-101
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was done with intend to investigate whether two oriental medical prescriptions, daecheongryong-tang (DCRT) and prescription A (P-A) significantly affect mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells. Methods : Confluent HTSE cells were metabolically radiolabeled with $^3H$-glucosamine for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of DCRT or P-A to assess the effect of each agent on $^3H$-mucin release. Possible cytotoxicities of each agent were assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Also, the effects of DCRT and P-A on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle were investigated. Results were as follows : 1. DCRT significantly inhibited mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, with significant cytotoxicity. 2. P-A significantly increased mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, with significant cytotoxicity. 3. DCRT inhibited Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. 4. P-A also inhibited Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. Conclusion: Results suggest that DCRT and P-A have regulating effects on mucin secretion from goblet cells. Further investigation is needed, because of the value in finding novel agents to this purpose, and these oriental medical prescriptions have potential for this role.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.895-904
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• 2006

Objectives : In the present study, the author intended to investigate whether two oriental medical prescriptions named Socheongryongtang-ga-seoggo (SCTS) and Prescription D (P-D) significantly affect mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells. Materials and Methods : Confluent HTSE cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of SCTS or P-D to assess the effect of each agent on 3H-mucin release. Possible cytotoxicities of each agent were assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Also, the effects of SCTS and P-D on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle were investigated. Results : SCTS did not affect mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, without cytotoxicity. However, P-D significantly increased mucin release from cultured HTSE cells. with significant cytotoxicity. SCTS inhibited Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. P-D also inhibited Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. Conclusions : The author suggests that the effects of SCTS and P-D with their components should be further investigated and it is valuable to find, from oriental medical prescriptions, novel agents which might regulate mucin secretion from airway goblet cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.156-160
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• 2009

The present study was undertaken to determine whether transgelin participates in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle contraction and, if so, to investigate the mechanism. By PCR homology cloning, the cDNA sequence of ferret transgelin was determined and phosphorothioate antisense and random oligonucleotides were synthesized and introduced into strips of ferret aorta by a chemical loading procedure. Treatment of ferret aorta with transgelin antisense oligonucleotides resulted in a significant decrease in protein levels of transgelin to sham- or random sequence-loaded muscles, but no change in the protein levels of actin. Contraction in response to a phorbol ester was significantly decreased in antisense-treated muscles compared to sham- or random sequence-loaded controls. Neither basal intrinsic tone nor the contraction in response to phenylephrine was significantly affected by the antisense treatment. The data indicate that transgelin plays a significant role in the regulation of contraction and suggest that in a tonically active smooth muscle transgelin may function as a signalling protein to facilitate PKC or ERK-dependent signalling rather than thick filament regulation including $Ca^{2+}$ or calmodulin dependent regulation of myosin light chain kinase.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 1984

The effects of external $Ca^{2+}$ ana the inhibition of Na-pump on vanadate-induced contraction in isolated human and rat uterine smooth muscle were studied and the following results were observed. 1) Vanadate induced contraction in rat uterine muscle and showed maximal contraction at concentration of $5{\times}10^{-4}$M, and the contractile response to vanadate was more sensitive in human than rat uterine muscle. 2) Vanadate-induced contraction was not completely inhibited by $Ca^{2+}$ removal from PSS and the response to $Ca^{2+}$ removal was more sensitive in human than rat uterine muscle. 3) Vanadate-induced contraction decreased with increasing concentration of verapamil, but even in the presence of $3{\times}10^{-5}M$ verapamil which inhibited 100 K-induced contraction completely. about 40% of maximal contraction remained, and its amplitude was similar to that of contraction in $Ca^{2+}$-free solution. 4) Vanadate-induced contraction was increased by the inhibition of Na-pump and this increase also could be observed in the presence of $3{\times}10^{-5}M$ verapamil. 5) After pretreatment with $Ca^{2+}$-free PSS containing ouabain Vanadate-induced contraction was not increased, but the contractile response of these tissues to the addition of external $Ca^{2+}$ was remarkably increased in the presence of vanadate. 6) $3{\times}10^{-5}$M verapamil inhibited vanadate-induced $Ca^{45}$ influx completely, but after pretreatment with ouabain vanadate could induce remarkable $Ca^{45}$ influx even in the presence of verapmil. 7) With increasing the time of pretreatment with ouabain or $K^+$-free solution, the degree of increase in contraction by vanadate was more remarkable. 8) $10^{-4}M$ papaverine stowed a considerable inhibition of the increase in the vanadate-induced contraction by pretreatment with ouabain. 9) Acetylcholine-induced contraction increased with lengthening the duration of Na-pump inhibition even in the presence of verapamil. Considering above results it seems that the uterine muscle of human is more sensitive to vanadate than that of rat, and both internal and external $Ca^{2+}$ is utilized in vanadate·induced contraction. In the case of Na-pump inhibition several smooth muscle contracting agents seems to induce $Ca^{2+}$ influx which is not inhibited by verapamil. This $Ca^{2+}$ influx seems to be inhibited by papaverine and to be associated with membrane potential, although its precise characteristics is not certain.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.143-155
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• 1992

The following results were obtained from the observation on the change of plasma cortisol concentration in the experiment of intravenous administration of Haengsoyeum Water Extract in the rabbit. And the effects of Haengsoyeum extract on the contractile force of the isolated guinea pig trachea smooth muscle. 1. In intravenous administration the plasma cortisol concentration increased significantly about 1 hours after with a does of 0.2 ml/kg. 2. In intravenous administration the plasma cortisol concentration increased significantly about from 1 to 3 hours after with a does of 0.4 ml/kg. 3. The contractile response of the trachea smooth muscle of isolated guinea pig to histamine $10^{-4}\;M$ was significantly inhibited by Haengsoyeum extract. 4. The contractile response of the trachea smooth muscle of isolated guinea pig to acetylcholine $10^{-4}\;M$ was considerably inhibited by Haengsoyeum extract. 5. The contractile response of the trachea smooth muscle of isolated guinea pig to 5-hydroxytryptamine $10^{-4}\;M$ was inhibited by Haengsoyeum extract.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2001

This study was aimed to investigate the effect Chukdamtanggamibang on the vascular systems including changes in blood pressure and regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) of male Sprague-Dawely rats, contractile force of guinea pig`s tracheal smooth muscle and abdominal aorta and femoral artery in rabbits. Blood pressure was not affected by Chukdamtanggamibang in rats. rCBF was significantly increased by Chukdamtanggamibang in a dose-dependent manner. Contractile force of isolated guinea pig`s tracheal smooth muscle evoked by His ({TEX}$ED_{50}${/TEX}) were inhibited significantly by Chukdamtanggamibang. Propranolol, indomethacin and methylene blue did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Chukdamtanggamibang. Contractile force of isolated rabbit`s abdominal aorta and femoral artery evoked by NE ({TEX}$ED_{50}${/TEX}) were inhibited significantly by Chukdamtanggamibang. ODQ and L-NNA significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Chukdamtanggamibang in abdominal aorta, whereas propranolol did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Chukdamtanggamibang. These results indicate that Chukdamtanggamibang can relax hitamine-induced contraction of guinea pig`s tracheal smooth muscle and that this inhibition involves, in part, the relation to the soluble guanylyl cyclase synthesis and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis.