• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.179-186
• /
• 2008

Background: The adrenergic nervous system in the spinal cord contributes to the development of neuropathic pain after nerve injury. Brain derived neurotrophic factor may facilitate the sympathetic change in the spinal cord and influence the state of neuropathic pain. We probed the effect of chronic repetitive administration of systemic 4-methylcatechol, which is known to be a neurotrophic factor inducer, in a spinal nerve ligation model. Methods: We made the rat neuropathic pain model by the ligation of the L5 spinal nerve. Intraperitoneal 4-methylcatechol ($10{\mu}g/kg$) or the same volume of saline wasadministrated twice daily just after the operation for 7 days. The tactile allodynia was measured by using von Frey filaments and its change was followed up from 3 days after SNL. The lumbosacral enlargement of the spinal cord was taken out and the mRNA contents of the ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$ subtypes were measured by real time polymerase chain reaction and this was then compared with the control groups. The antiallodynic effect of intrathecal clonidine (3, 10, $30{\mu}g$) was evaluated and compared in the 4-methylcatechol treated rats and the control rats. Results: The expression of the ${\alpha}_{2A}$ and ${\alpha}_{2C}$ adrenoceptor subtypes did not change after 4-methylcatechol treatment. Intrathecal clonidine showed an earlier and better effect at the highest dose ($30{\mu}g$ intrathecal), but not with any other doses. Conclusions: Chronic intraperitoneal administration of 4-methylcatechol may improve the effect of intrathecal clonidine, but we could not prove the increase of ${\alpha}_{2A}$ and ${\alpha}_{2C}$ adrenoceptors in the spinal cord of 4-methylcatechol treated rats.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 1982

In an attempt to delineate the role of beta-adrenoceptors found to be existing in the brain tissue in the central regulation of renal function, isoproterenol, a ${\beta}-adrenergic$ agonist, was administered directly into a lateral ventricle of the rabbit brain and the changes of renal function were observed. Also, the effects of propranolol, a specific ${\beta}-adrenergic$ blocking agent, and its influence upon the isoproterenol action were studied. Isoproterenol, in doses ranging from 5 to $50\;{\mu}g/kg\;i.c.v.$, elicited antidiuresis which seemed to be related to the decreased renal hemodynamics brought about by the systemic hypotension. With moderate doaes of $15\;{\mu}g/kg$ the antidiuresis was less prominent and there was a tendency toward natriuresis, but with higher doses the natriuretic effect became less evident, overrun by the systemic hypotension. Propranolol, $500\;{\mu}g/kg\;i.c.v.$, produced little effect on the renal function, but it eliminated the antidiuretic action of $50\;{\mu}g/kg$ isoproterenol i.c.v. and reversed it to a diuretic and natriuretic one, along with increases in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. The systemic hypotension also was markedly attenuated by propranolol pretreatment. Thus, it was evident that the renal action of i.c.v. isoproterenol was not blocked by propranolol and became explicit only when the hypotensive action of isoproterenol which seems to he propranolol-sensitive is removed. Various possibilities to account for this disparity in sensitivity were discussed. It is suggested from these observations that the central ${\beta}-adrenoceptors$ might also be involved in the regulation of renal function along with ${\alpha}-adrenoceptors$, though less significant than the latter.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.2 no.1 s.2
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 1966

Dichloroisoproterenol(DCI) i; one of the well known ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor blocking agents. According to Moran and Perkins, DCI has sympathomimetic like action in relatively low concentrations. Fleming and Hawkins confirmed that DCI acts upon the receptors concerned with positive chronotropic and inotropic actions in the heart. Vogins reported that DCI, in concentration of $5{\times}10^{-8}$ to $5{\times}10^{-6}g/ml$, had properties of sympathomimetic amine causing positive inotropic and chronotropic actions in normal rat atria. And James and Nadeau found that DCI had not only adrenergic blocking effect in moderate and higher concentrations, but it also blocked the effect on the sinus node by vagal stimulation and of directly administered acetylcholine in higher concentrations. As stated above by many authors, DCI has complicated actions according to its concentrations. Our aim at the present experiments was to study the effects of DCI to the action of ouabain and acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit atria, as well as to the action of barium chloride and acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit intestine. In addition, Pan ax Ginseng is widely used as tonics in oriental nations, its pharmacological action, however, has not been clearly established. So we atempted to investigate the effects of the water extract of Panax Ginseng to the action of ouabain and DCI upon both atria and intestine. The results obtained were as follows. 1) DCI has a negative inotropic effect on the excised rabbit atria at concentration of $10^{-5}$ and a positive inotropic effect at concentration of $10^{-6}$. 2) DCI (at concentration of $10^{-6}$) potentiates the positive inotropic effect of ouabain upon the excised rabbit atria. 3) DCI antagonizes the action of acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit atria. 4) The water extract of Panax Ginseng, at concentration of $10^{-3}$, decreases the contractile force of rabbit atria, and tends to slightly increase that of rabbit atria at $10^{-4}$. 5) The water extract of Panax Ginseng exhibits a synergistic action with ouabain on the contractile force of rabbit atria. 6) DCI, in concentrations of $10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-6}$, depresses the tone and amplitude of contraction of the excised rabbit intestine. The depression of the intestinal tone markedly appears in pretreatment with reserpine 2mg/kg 24 hours. 7) DCI antagonizes the contractile effect of barium chloride on the excised rabbit atria. 8) DCI has no significant influence on the action of acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit intestine. 9) The series of those evidences indicates that DCI has a sympathomimetic-like action and more over a relaxing action directly on the excised rabbit intestine. 10) The water extract of Panax Ginseng in concentrations of $10^{-4}{\sim}10^{-3}$, has transient depression of the intestinal tone, but later gradually recovers its normal motility: 11) The water extract of Panax Ginseng has a synergistic action with ouabain on the intestinal contractility.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.16 no.1 s.26
• /
• pp.41-50
• /
• 1980

Chenodeoxycholic acid(CDCA) has been used as a gallstone dissolving agent since 1972. Recently, ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) has been reported to be effective in dissolving gallstones. Both bile acids increased bile flow. The increase in bile flow associated with an increase in cholesterol level in bile after CDCA or UDCA infusion was reported. In this study, using the smooth muscle strips of guinea pig and fowl, responses of the cholates were observed. In addition, the influence of adrenergic blocking agents on the response of the strips to cholates was investigated. Also the effects of cholates on cardiac function were examined by using isolated atria of rabbit and heart of anesthetized frog. The results are as follows: 1) All cholates, such as UDCA, CDCA, and CA produced a marked inhibitory effect on the motility in isolated duodenal strip of guinea pig and fowl, however, only UDCA showed the contraction in the isolated esophagus of fowl. These effects of cholates were blocked by propranolol. 2) In isolated guinea pig stomach strip and gall bladder, cholates exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on the motility and the effects due to UDCA and CA were blocked by phenoxybenzamine while CDCA was not affected. 3) The spontaneous and ouabain induced arrhythmia was partially abolished by cholates. However, concomitant administration of cholates with ouabain or epinephrine caused a marked prolongation in occurrence of atrial arrhythmia in comparison with ouabain or epinephrine alone in isolated rabbit atria. 4) In the heart of anesthetized frog, the epinephrine-induced arrhythmia was partially abolished by cholates. The combined treatment with cholates and ouabain or epinephrine produced a marked prolongation in occurrence of the arrhythmia in comparison with, ouabain or epinephrine alone. From the above results, it can be suggested that the effects of cholates on the smooth muscle of duodenum and esophagus are produced in response to adrenergic ${\beta}$-receptor and the effect or gall bladder and stomach is more likely due to the direct effect on the muscle. In addition, cholates exhibit a slight antiarrhythmic effect on heart, therefore, cholates can be classified as a nonselective antiarrhythmic drug, such as propranolol.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.207-213
• /
• 2007

This study was designed to characterize ureteral smooth muscle motility and also to study the effect of forskolin(FSK) and isoproterenol(ISO) on smooth muscle contractility in murine ureter. High $K^+$(50 mM) produced tonic contraction by $0.17{\pm}0.06mN$(n=19). Neuropeptide and neurotransmitters such as serotonin($5{\mu}M$), histamine($20{\mu}M$), and carbarchol(CCh, $10{\sim}50{\mu}M$) did not produce significant contraction. However, CCh($50{\mu}M$) produced slow phasic contraction in the presence of 25 mM $K^+$. Cyclopiazonic acid(CPA, $10{\mu}M$), SR $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase blocker, produced tonic contraction(0.07 mN). Meanwhile, inhibition of mitochondria by protonophore carbnylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone(CCCP) also produced weak tonic contraction(0.01 mN). The possible involvement of $K^+$ channels was also pursued. Tetraethyl ammonium chloride(TEA, 10 mM), glibenclamide($10{\mu}M$) and quinidine($20{\mu}M$) which are known to block $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels($K_{Ca}$ channel), ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels($K_{ATP}$) and nonselective $K^+$ channel, respectively, did not elicit any significant effect. However, $Ba^{2+}$($1{\sim}2mM$), blocker of inward rectifier $K^+$ channels($K_{IR}$ channel), produced phasic contraction in a reversible manner, which was blocked by $1{\mu}M$ nicardipine, a blocker of dehydropyridine-sensitive voltage-dependent L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels($VDCC_L$) in smooth muscle membrane. This $Ba^{2+}$-induced phasic contraction was significantly enhanced by $10{\mu}M$ cyclopiazonic acid(CPA) in the frequency and amplitude. Finally, regulation of $Ba^{2+}$-induced contraction was studied by FSK and ISO which are known as adenylyl cyclase activator and $\beta$-adrenergic receptor agonist, respectively. These drugs significantly suppressed the frequency and amplitude of $Ba^{2+}$-induced contraction(p<0.05). These results suggest that $Ba^{2+}$ produces phasic contraction in murine ureteral smooth muscle which can be regulated by FSK and $\beta$-adrenergic stimulation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.156-163
• /
• 2000

Background: Peripheral nerve injury sometimes leads to chronic neuropathic pain such as causalgia. A subset of patients with causalgia have a sympathetically maintained pain which is often evoked by cooling stimuli. However, our knowledge on adrenergic receptor types responsible for cold-evoked pain that is sympathetically dependent is lacking. The present study was conducted to investigate subtypes of adrenoceptors involved in mediating cold-evoked pain that developed following peripheral nerve injury. Methods: Neuropathic surgery was performed by a unilateral ligation of L5 and L6 spinal nerves of rats. Behavioral sign of cold-evoked pain was examined for 5 min by measuring cumulative duration of time that the rat lifted its foot off a metal plate held at cold temperature ($5^{\circ}C$). Whether cold-evoked pain behavior was affected by antagonists of various subtypes of adrenoceptors, which were administered intraperitoneally before and after the ligation, was investigated. Results: After ligation, duration of foot lifting on the ligated side at cold temperature increased as compared to the pre-operative period. This increase maintained for the entire 40-day test period. Pretreatment with alpha-antagonist phentolamine produced a suppression of cold-evoked pain behavior that was not affected by beta-antagonist propranolol pretreatment. Prazosin, alpha-1 antagonist, suppressed cold- evoked pain behavior when treated either before or after nerve ligation. On the other hand, alpha-2 antagonist yohimbine was without effect on cold-evoked pain behavior whether it was treated before or after the ligation. Conclusions: The results suggest that peripheral nerve injury develops cold-evoked pain that is sympathetically dependent, and that alpha-1 adrenoreceptor plays a critical role for the generation of this type of pain in its initiation as well as maintenance.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.606-612
• /
• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Several medicinal properties of Smilax china L. have been studied including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, the antiobesity activity and mechanism by which the water-soluble fraction of this plant mediates its effects are not clear. In the present study, we investigated the lipolytic actions of the water-soluble fraction of Smilax china L. leaf ethanol extract (wsSCLE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS: The wsSCLE was identified by measuring the total polyphenol and flavonoid content. The wsSCLE was evaluated for its effects on cell viability, lipid accumulation, glycerol, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) contents. In addition, western blot analysis was used to evaluate the effects on protein kinase A (PKA), PKA substrates (PKAs), and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). For the lipid accumulation assay, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with different doses of wsSCLE for 9 days starting 2 days post-confluence. In other cell experiments, mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated for 24 h with wsSCLE. RESULTS: Results showed that treatment with wsSCLE at 0.05, 0.1, and 0.25 mg/mL had no effect on cell morphology and viability. Without evidence of toxicity, wsSCLE treatment decreased lipid accumulation compared with the untreated adipocyte controls as shown by the lower absorbance of Oil Red O stain. The wsSCLE significantly induced glycerol release and cAMP production in mature 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, protein levels of phosphorylated PKA, PKAs, and HSL significantly increased following wsSCLE treatment. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the potential antiobesity activity of wsSCLE is at least in part due to the stimulation of cAMP-PKA-HSL signaling. In addition, the wsSCLE-stimulated lipolysis induced by the signaling is mediated via activation of the ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.115-126
• /
• 1995

The effects of energy-yielding substrates on coronary circulation, myocardial oxygen metabolism, and intramyocytic adenylates of perfused Wistar control rat(WC) and spontaneously hypertensive rat(SHR) hearts were examined under basal and $\beta$-adrenergic stimulation conditions. The perfusion medium (1.0mM Ca2+) contained 5mM glucose (+5U/l insulin) in combination with 5mM pyruvate, 5mM lacate, 5mM acetate, or 5mM octanoate as energy substrates. Hearts were perfused with each substrate buffer for 20min under basal conditions. Coronary functinal hyperemia was induced by infusing for 20min isoproterenol (ISO, 1uM), a $\beta$-receptor agonist. Cardiac adenylates, glycolytic intermediates, and coronary venous lactate were measured by using an enzymatic analysis technique. Under basal conditions, acetate and octanoate significantly increased coronary flow(CF) of WC in parallel with myocardial oxygen consumption. However, CF of SHR was partly attenuated by coronary vasoconstriction despite metabolic acidosis. In addition, pyruvate and lactate depressd ISO-induced coronary functional hyperemia in SHR. It should be noted that octanoate exhibited coronary dysfunction under ISO conditions. On the other hand, fat substrates depleted myocardial high energy phosphate pool and accumulated breakdown intermediates. In SHR with coronary vasoconstriction under basal conditions, and with depressed coronary functional hyperemia, high energy phosphates were greatly depleted. These results suggest that energy substrates in the myocardium and coronary smooth muscle alter remarkably coronary circulation, and that coronary circulatory function is associated with a reserve of high energy phosphates and a balance between breakdown and nono synthesis of energy phosphates. These findings could be explained by alterations in the cytosolic redox state manipulated by LDH and hence in the cytosolic phosphorylation potential, which might be involved in hypertension of SHR.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 1983

Prostaglandin(PG) is ubiquitously distributed in most mammalian tissue and their actions are complicated. Especially in autonomic nervous system, there are evidences indicating that PGs act as neuromodulators i.e., PGs, which are released in the vicinity of autonomic neuroeffector junctions, influence the release and the response of the neurotransmitter. Present study was undertaken to elucidate the interrelationship between $PGF_{2\alpha}$ and adrenergic ${\alpha}_2-receptor$ function in electrical field stimulation induced contractile response of vas deferens in rat. Male rat, weighing 150{\sim}200\;g, was sacrificed and vas deferens was obtained. The isolated vas deferens strip was placed between two platinum electrodes in temperature controlled $(37^{\circ}C)$ muscle chamber containing Tyrode's solution and the electrical field stimulation(EFS) induced contraction was recorded with Grass Polygraph(Model 7) via force displacement transducer (FT .03, Grass). The results are summarized as follows: 1) Electrical field stimulation for 1sec( 1 msec, 40 cps) induced contraction of vas deferens was completely blocked by tetrodotoxin. 2) Bretylium caused marked inhibition of the EFS-induced contraction, hut tyramine and cocaine augmented the contraction. 3) EFS-induced contraction was inhibited or little affected in distal portion of vas deferens by norepinephrine or methoxamine, but the contraction was rather augmented by the ${\alpha}-agonists$ in proximal portion. 4) Clonidine inhibited the EFS-induced contraction proportionally to the concentration in distal portion, which was blocked by yohimbine pretreatment, but in the presence of $PGF_{2\alpha}$ the blockade by yohimbine was reversed. 5) Indomethacin pretreatment reduced the effect of clonidine, but addition of $PGF_{2\alpha}$ after washing-out the indomethacin caused the contraction to the control level. From these results it is suggested that PG synthesis is a necessary step and the PG itself has a permissive role in ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$ action in rat vas deferens.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.11-23
• /
• 2003

Objective: In this study, the analgesic effect of gold injection aqua-acupuncture on CFA induced arthritis in rats was inverstigated. Furthermore, to determine the antinociceptive mechanism of gold injection aqua-acupuncture, naloxone and yohimbine were administrated intraperitoneally 15min prior to the gold injection aqua-acupuncture. Methods: The experimental groups were divided into 6 groups. Control group, NSI, AMI, AMI+SL : AMI+Nx, AMI+Yb. Thereafter we measured the chages of TFL between control and experimental groups. Results: 1. The tail flick latency induced by CFA was significantly increased on AMI as compared with the NSI group. 2. Effect of sodium aurothiomalate aqua-acupuncture in TFL on CFA was decreased after application of naloxone. The anti-nociceptive effect of AMI was completely antagonized by naloxone(an opioid receptor antagonist). 3. Effect of sodium aurothiomalate aqua-acupuncture in TFL on CFA was decreased after application of yohimbine. The anti-nociceptive effect of AMI was completely antagonized by yohimbine(${\alpha}2$-adrenoceptor antagonist). Conclusions: According to the results, gold injection aqua-acupuncture has significant analgesic effects on adjuvant induced arthritis in rats and the effect of anti-nociception was mediated by opiodergic system and ${\alpha}2$-adrenergic system.