• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.339-350
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• 1989

Electrophysiological effects of ammonia was studied in the isolated superfused sinus node and atrial muscle cells of the rabbit heart. No significant changes were observed in the overshoot potential (05), maximum diastolic potential (MDP), and action potential amplitude (APA) of the sinus node cells following superfusion with 3.0 mM ammonia, fifty times upper limit of the normal human plasma level. However the action potential duration (APD) of sinus node cells were significantly prolonged after superfusion with 0.6 mM ammonia for 20 min or with 1.2 and 3.0 mM ammonia for 5 minutes. Ammonia in all the concentrations tested decreased the rate of spontaneous firing (RSF) from the sinus node cells. After superfusion of sinus node cells with 0.3 mM ammonia for 20 min, the RSF significantly decreased from 20 min to 25 min after onset of superfusion while a significant decrement in the RSF was observed from 7 min to 30 min following superfusion with 3.0 mM ammonia for S min. On the other hand, the effects of ammonia on the action potential of the rabbit atrial muscle cell were much similar to those on pacemaker cells except that the atrial cell was generally less sensitive to ammonia. The results suggest that ammonia may cause changes in the action potential of the rabbit cardiac cells by the direct action, and that the cardiac effects of ammonia are generally opposite to those of glycine.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 2005

Objective : Reactive oxygen metabolites and polymorphonuclear leukocytes have been implicated in the pathophysiology of reperfusion injury. The mechanisms involved in superoxide-mediated leukocyte adherence remain unclear, however, nitric oxide[NO] may contribute to this response. The present study is undertaken to elucidate mechamisms controlling NO based mechanisms that regulated leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the cerebral vasculature after global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Methods : Pial venular leukocyte adherence of anesthetized newborn piglets was quantified by in situ fluorescence videomicroscopy through closed cranial windows during basal conditions and during 2hours of reperfusion after global ischemia induced by 9minutes of asphyxia. Nitric oxide synthase[NOS] was inhibited by local window superfusion of L-nitroarginine[NA]; superfusion of sodium nitroprusside[SNP] was used to donate NO. Results : The mean number of adherent leukocytes to cerebral venules in the 9minutes asphyxia and 2hours reperfusion group were $161{\pm}19$ compared with $13{\pm}4$ in the nonasphyxial group. Superfusion of L-NA through the cranial window for 2hours resulted in leukocyte adherence similar to that observed during the initial 2hours of reperfusion after asphyxia. Leukocyte adherence was not additionally increased in asphyxic animal treated with L-NA. SNP inhibited asphyxia induced leukocyte adherence back to control levels. Conclusions : Nitric oxide inhibits leukocyte adherence to cerebral venules during the initial hours of reperfusion after asphyxia, and that NO supplementation inhibit asphyxia induced leukocyte adherence back to control levels. These results indicate that NO is an important factor in ischemia-reperfusion induced leukocyte adherence.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.275-280
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• 1989

Present study examined the endogenous release of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) from superiused hypothalamic sBces derived from Korean native cattie (KNC). In addition, the in vitro secretory pattern of LHRH release in '(NC was compared with that in imported cattle such as Holstein cow. The median eminences (ME) of hypothalamic tissues were disseded out, sliced and quici'ly placed in ice-cold superfilsion chamber. Superhision chambers containing ME slices were maintained in a constant temperature water-bath at 37$^{\circ}C$. Effluents were colleded on ice at 10 min intervals for a 4 hr superfusion period, and kept -2$0^{\circ}C$ prior to LHRH radloimmunoassay. LHRH release was analyzed by the PULSAR algorithm. The spontaneous release of LHRH from both cows was episodic during a 4 hr superhision period. The mean LHRH release, pulse amplitude and pulse interval m KNC were 11.08 $\pm$ 1.50 pg/min/mg x 10-$^2$, 21.43 1 7.28 pg/mg x 10-$^2$, and 39.42 $\pm$ 3.08 min, which were quite similar to those observed in Holstein cows. The basic charaderistics of the LHRH pulse generator of '(NC appears important for a better understanding about the endocrine function of KNC.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.374-381
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• 1986

The effects of the hormonal factor (CCK) a and neural factor(carbachol) on the exocrine function of the pancreas were studied in th is experiment. A superfusion technique was used for in vitro study of stimulus-secreti- o on coupling in isolated pancreatic acinarce 11s frQm the rats fed heated or raw soybean diet. Chymotrypsin secretion was higher in cells from the raw soybean group than in those from the heated soybean group with both kinds of stimulants(CCK and carbachol), whereas, amylase secretion was higher inthe h heated soybean group than in the raw soy­b bean group. This indicated that chymotrvpsin a and amylase secretion from the acinar cells are not parallel with CCK and carbachol st­i imulation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.219-230
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• 1988

The effect of glycine, structurally the most simple amino acid was investigated on the electrophysiological characteristics of the isolated superfused atrial muscle and sinus node cells of the rabbit heart. Superfusion of the sinus node cell with glycine solution (3, 5 and 8 mM) produced concentration-dependent increments of OS (overshoot potential) and MDP (maximum diastolic potential). Generally action potential amplitude increased as a result of greater increment of OS than that of MDP. The changes in action potential of the sinus node cell peaked in $7{\sim}10{\;}minutes$ after onset of superfusioin. On the contrary to the response to intravenously administered glycine, the rate of spontaneous firing of sinus node cell was invariably increased following superfusion with glycine. Action potential duration manifested as $APD_{60}$ (time to 60% repolarization) was significantly shortened by glycine. And the electrophysiological effects of glycine on the atrial muscle cell were similar to that on the sinus node cells. The results of present study suggest that glycine can exert direct effects on the atrial muscle and sinus node cells of the rabbit heart.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.91-98
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• 2005

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is known as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the neurons of the central nervous system. However, its detailed action mechanisms in the rostral gustatory zone of the nucleus tractus solitarius (rNTS) have not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the distribution, role and action mechanisms of GABA in rNTS. Membrane potentials were recorded by whole cell recordings in isolated brain slices of the rat medulla. Superfusion of GABA resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in input resistance in the neurons in rNTS. The change in input resistance ws accompanied by response to a depolarizing pulse were diminished by GABA. Superfusion of the slices with either $GABA_A$ agonist, muscimol, $GABA_B$ agonist, baclofen or $GABA_C$ agonist, TACA, decreased input resistance and reduced the nerve activity in association with membrane hyperpolarization. It is suggested that inhibitory signals playa role in sensory processing by the rNTS, in that GABA actions occur through activation of $GABA_A,\;GABA_B\;and\;GABA_C$ receptor. These results suggest that GABA has an inhibitory effect on the rNTS through an activation of $GABA_A,\;GABA_B\;and\;GABA_C$ receptors and that the GABAergic inhibition probably plays an important role in sensory processing by the rNTS.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.103-111
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• 1995

Intracellular recordings were obtained from Purkinje cells in rat cerebellar slices maintained in vitro. Adding tetrodotoxin to the superfusion solution produced a typical pattern of repetitive burst firing consisting of a cluster of action potentials followed by a long hyperpolarization. TTX-induced oscillatory activity was not due to modulation of membrane potential although underlying mechanisms for maintenance of oscillatory activity were influenced by membrane voltage. The mechanism of TTX-induced oscillation was not related to the presence or amplitude of $I_h$ and could still induce the oscillatory activity after blockade of $I_h$ by cesium. The result from an experiment in which QX-314 was injected intracellularly strongly suggested that TTX-induced oscillatory firing activity was due to blockade of post-synaptic $Na^{+}$ currents intrinsic to PCs.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-41
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• 1999

Physiological activity of osteoblast including bone formation is known to be closely related to the increase of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ activity($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in osteoblast. $Ca^{2+}$ is an important intracellular messenger in diverse cellular functions, and regulation of its level is mediated by the transmembrane $Ca^{2+}$ movement via $Ca^{2+}$ channels, $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange, and by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ movement through the intracellular stores. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ is regulated in osteoblast-like cells(OLCs) by measuring $Ca^{2+}$ activity with cell imaging technique. OLCs were isolated from femur and tibia of neonatal rats, and cultured for 7 days. Cultured OLCs were loaded with a $Ca^{2+}$-sensitive fluorescent dye, Fura-2, and fluorescence images were monitored with a cooled CCD camera. The images were processed and analyzed with an image analyzing software. The results were as follows. (1) $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ of OLC decreased as the $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the superfusing Tyrode solution was lowered. When $Na^+$ concentration in the superfusing solution was decreased, $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increased.. These suggest that $Ca^{2+}$ flux occurs via the $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange mechanism. (2) When $Na^+$ in the superfusing solution was removed. a transient $Ca^{2+}$, increase($Ca^{2+}$ spike) was occasionally observed. However, $Ca^{2+}$ spike was not observed after adding 1 ${\mu}M$ thapsigargin. This implies that the generation of $Ca^{2+}$ spike is mediated by the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from endoplasmic reticulum(ER). (3) As the $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the superfusing solution was raised, the frequency of 0mM $Na^+$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ spike increased, suggesting that $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release(CICR) mechanism exists. (4) After $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was decreased with the superfusion of $Ca^{2+}$-free solution containing thapsigargin, the recovery of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ with reperfusion of 2.5mM $Ca^{2+}$ solution transiently exceeded the control level, suggesting that the depletion of $Ca^{2+}$ in ER induces $Ca^{2+}$ influx from extracellular medium via store-operated $Ca^{2+}$ influx(SOCI) mechanism. (5) $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was not affected by the superfusion of 25mM $K^+$ Tyrode solution. These results suggest that intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ activity in osteoblast is regulated by transmembrane $Ca^{2+}$ flux via $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange, $Ca^{2+}$ release from the internal store (ER) via $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release, and store-operated $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the cell membrane.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2004

Nitric oxide (NO) system has been implicated in a wide range of physiological functions in the nervous system. However, the role of NO in regulating the neural activity in the gustatory zone of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) has not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the role of NO in the gustatory NTS neurons. Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing about 50 g, were used. Whole cell patch recording and immunohistochemistry were done to determine the electrophysiological characteristics of the rostral gustatory nucleus of the tractus solitaries and distribution of NO synthases (NOS). Neuronal NOS (nNOS) immunoreactivity was strongly detected along the solitary tract extending from rostral to caudal medulla. Resting membrane potentials of NTS neurons were $-49.2{\pm}2\;mV$ and action potential amplitudes were $68.5{\pm}2\;mV$ with a mean duration measured at half amplitude of $1.7{\pm}0.3\;ms$. Input resistance, determined from the response to a 150 ms, -100 pA hyperpolarizing current pulse, was $385{\pm}15\;M{\Omega}$, Superfusion of SNAP or SNP, NO donors, produced either hyperpolarization (68%), depolarization (5%), or no effect (27%). The hyperpolarization was mostly accompanied by a decrease in input resistance. The hyperpolarization caused by SNAP or SNP increased the time to initiate the first action potential, and decreased the number of action potentials elicited by current injection. SNP or SNAP also markedly decreased the number of firing neural discharges of the spontaneous NTS neural activity under zero current. Superfusion of L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor, slightly depolarized the membrane potential and increased the firing rate of NTS neurons induced by current injection. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ameliorated the SNAP-induced changes in membrane potential, input resistance and firing rates. 8-Br-cGMP, a non-degradable cell-permeable cGMP, hyperpolarized the membrane potential and decreased the number of action potentials. It is suggested that NO in the gustatory NTS has an inhibitory role on the neural activity of NTS through activating soluble guanylate cyclase.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.426-431
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• 1991

The present study examines the effect of naloxone, mu-opioid receptor antagonist, on prolactin (PRL) gene expression and secretion induced by estradiol (I) treahent in vivo. Adult rats were ovariectomized (OW) and implanted with Silastic capsules containing either vehicle (oil) or E. Three days later, NAL (2 mg/kg BW) or saline urere injected 30 min prior to sacrifice. To examine PRL secretion in vitro, the pituitaries were incubated in the superfusion system for 3 hrs. Superfusates were collected at 10 min intenrals on ice and subjected to PRL radioimmunoassay. Endogenous release of PRL in OU( + I rats was signifcantlv higher than that in OVX rats (mean $\pm$ SE; 24.5 $\pm$ 3.1 vs 14.5 $\pm$ 2.9 ns/10 min). A single injection of NAL clearly inhibited PRL release in Nitro from pituitaries derived from OW + I rats, but not from OW group. PRL myNA was determined by RNA-blot hybridisation assay with nicktranslated PRL CDNA. E stimulated PRL mRNA about 3 fold over that shown in OW group. Treahent of NAL suppressed the I-stimulated PRL myNA in OVX + I group, but not in OVX group. These data clearly showed that the NAL-induced inhibition of PRL secretion was well correlated with changes in PRL mRNA level and this inhibitory process appears to be mediated in I-dependent manner.