• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2001

These studies were investigated about influence of SKP 450, a $K^{+}$ channel opener, on the pressor actions induced by norepinephrine, angiotensin II and carotid artery occlusion in rats. Before these studies, effect of SKP 450 itself on blood pressure was examinated. SKP 450 produced the depressor action in proportionaly to dose of 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 $\mu$g/kg given intravenously and this depressor action was weakened by pretreatment of glibenclamide, a $K^{+}$ channel blocker. The pressor action induced by norepinephrine, an alpha-adrenergic agonist, was blocked 1 hr after administation of SKP 450 in a dose of 3.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.v. and directly after in a dose of 6.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.v.. The pressor action induced by angiotensin II was blocked immediatly after treatment of SKP 450 in a dose of 3.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.v.. The pressor action caused by carotid artery occlusion was not affected by SKP 450 of 3.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.v., whereas markedly blocked by SKP 450 of 6.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎦, i.v.. The potentiated-pressor actions of norepinephrine and angiotensin II by pretreatment of chlorisondamine, a autonomic ganglionic blocking agent, were also blocked by administration of SKP 450 in a dose of 6.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.v.. The weakened-pressor action of carotid artery occlusion by pretreatment of chlorisondamine was more weakened by SKP 450 6.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.v.. The results suggest that hyperpolarization formed through $K^{+}$ channel opening in cell membrane inhibits the pressor action induced norepinephrine ; angiotensin II ; and carotid artery occlusion.usion.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.172-184
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• 2021

Objective: Vanin1 (VNN1) is a pantetheinase that can catalyze the hydrolysis of pantetheine to produce pantothenic acid and cysteamine. Our previous studies showed that VNN1 is specifically expressed in chicken liver. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor α (PPARα) and miRNA-181a-5p in regulating VNN1 gene expression in chicken liver. Methods: 5'-RACE was performed to identify the transcription start site of chicken VNN1. JASPAR and TFSEARCH were used to analyze the potential transcription factor binding sites in the promoter region of chicken VNN1 and miRanda was used to search miRNA binding sites in 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of chicken VNN1. We used a knock-down strategy to manipulate PPARα (or miRNA-181a-5p) expression levels in vitro to further investigate its effect on VNN1 gene transcription. Luciferase reporter assays were used to explore the specific regions of VNN1 targeted by PPARα and miRNA-181a-5p. Results: Sequence analysis of the VNN1 promoter region revealed several transcription factor-binding sites, including hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α), PPARα, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α. GW7647 (a specific agonist of PPARα) increased the expression level of VNN1 mRNA in chicken primary hepatocytes, whereas knockdown of PPARα with siRNA increased VNN1 mRNA expression. Moreover, the predicted PPARα-binding site was confirmed to be necessary for PPARα regulation of VNN1 gene expression. In addition, the VNN1 3'UTR contains a sequence that is completely complementary to nucleotides 1 to 7 of miRNA-181a-5p. Overexpression of miR-181a-5p significantly decreased the expression level of VNN1 mRNA. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that PPARα is an important transcriptional activator of VNN1 gene expression and that miRNA-181a-5p acts as a negative regulator of VNN1 expression in chicken hepatocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 1985

The renal function is under regulatory influence of the central nervous system, mainly through activation of sympathetic nerve to the kidney, and it was recently reported that clonidine, an agonist to ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptors, induces diuresis and natriuresis when injected directly into a lateral ventricle of the rabbit brain (i.c.v.). This study was undertaken, therefore, to obtain further information as to the role of the central ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptors in regulating renal function, by observing the effects of i.c.v. yohimbine, a specific antagonist of adrenoceptors of ${\alpha}_2$-type, on the rabbit renal function, and to elucidate the mechanism involved in it. With 10 ${\mu}g/kg$ i.c.v. of yohimbine sodium excretion transiently increased along with increasing tendency of urine flow, renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. These responses decreased with increasing doses. With 100 and 300 ${\mu}g/kg$ i.c.v. marked antidiuresis and antinatriuresis as well as profound decreases of renal perfusion and glomerular filtration were noted. Systemic blood pressure transiently increased. In reserpinized rabbits, 100 ${\mu}g/kg$ yohimbine i.c.v. did not produce any significant changes in urine flow, sodium excretion as well as in renal hemodynamics. The pressor response was also abolished. In preparations in which one kidney was denervated and the other left intact as control, i.c.v. yohimbine elicited typical antidiuretic antinatriuretic response in the innervated control kidney, whereas the denervated experimental kidney responded with marked diuresis and increases in excretory rates of sodium and potassium and in osmolar clearance in spite of absence of increased filtration and perfusion . Systemic blood pressure responded as in the normal rabbits. These observations indicate that i.c.v. yohimbine affects renal function in dual ways in opposite directions, the first being the antidiuretic antinatriuretic effects which results from decreased renal perfusion and glomerular filtration due to sympathetic activation and which is predominantly expressed in the normal rabbits, and the second less apparent effect being the diuretic and natriuretic action which is not mediated by nerve pathway but brought about by some humoral mechanism and which is effected by decreased sodium reabsorption in the tubules, possibly of the proximal portion.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.178-186
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• 2002

The present study was attempted to investigate the effects of total ginseng saponin (G75), panaxadiol-type (PDS) and panaxatriol-type saponin (PTS) on contractile responses of vasoconstrictors in aortic smooth muscle stripes of normotensive (NR) and spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). Phenylephrine (an adrenergic $\alpha$$\_$1/-receptor agonist) and high potassium (a membrane depolarizing agent) caused greatly contractile responses in both NR and AHR aorta, respectively. Phenylephrine- and high potassium-induced contractile responses were greater in NA than those in SHR aortic smooth muscle stripes. In NR, the contractile responses of high potassium (5.6$\times$10$\^$-2/ M) were not affected in the presence of GTS (300 $\mu$g/ml), PDS (300 $\mu$g/ml), and PTS (300 $\mu$g/ml), respectively whereas phenylephrine (10$\^$-6/ M)-induced contractile responses were markedly inhibited. In SHR, the contractile responses of high potassium (5.6$\times$10$\^$-2/ M) were not affected in the presence of GTS (300 $\mu$g/ml), PDS (300 $\mu$g/ml), and moderate doses of PTS (150-300 $\mu$g/ml), respectively but greatly blocked by high concentration of PTS (600 $\mu$g/ml). Phenylephrine (10$\^$-6/ M)-induced contractile responses were inhibited in a dose dependent fashion (150-600 $\mu$g/ml) by the pretreatment with PTS while not altered in the presence of GTS (300 $\mu$g/ml) and PDS (300 $\mu$g/ml), respectively. Taken together, these experimental results suggest that ginseng saponins cause vascular relaxation through blockade of adrenergic $\alpha$$\_$1/-receptors and some unknown mechanisms, and that there is some difference in sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle between NR and SHR in responses to ginseng saponins. It seems that panaxatriol type of some ginseng saponins has the greatest potency in vascular relaxation.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2016

Background: Reactive oxygen species play critical roles in homeostasis and cell signaling. Dexmedetomidine, a specific agonist of the ${\alpha}2$-adrenoceptor, has been commonly used for sedation, and it has been reported to have a protective effect against oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated whether dexmedetomidine has a protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress and the mechanism of $H_2O_2$-induced cell death in normal human fetal osteoblast (hFOB) cells. Methods: Cells were divided into three groups: control group-cells were incubated in normoxia without dexmedetomidine, hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) group-cells were exposed to $H_2O_2$ ($200{\mu}M$) for 2 h, and Dex/$H_2O_2$ group-cells were pretreated with dexmedetomidine ($5{\mu}M$) for 2 h then exposed to $H_2O_2$ ($200{\mu}M$) for 2 h. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated. Osteoblast maturation was determined by assaying bone nodular mineralization. Expression levels of bone-related proteins were determined by western blot. Results: Cell viability was significantly decreased in the $H_2O_2$ group compared with the control group, and this effect was improved by dexmedetomidine. The Hoechst 33342 and Annexin-V FITC/PI staining revealed that dexmedetomidine effectively decreased $H_2O_2$-induced hFOB cell apoptosis. Dexmedetomidine enhanced the mineralization of hFOB cells when compared to the $H_2O_2$ group. In western blot analysis, bone-related protein was increased in the Dex/$H_2O_2$ group. Conclusions: We demonstrated the potential therapeutic value of dexmedetomidine in $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress by inhibiting apoptosis and enhancing osteoblast activity. Additionally, the current investigation could be evidence to support the antioxidant potential of dexmedetomidine in vitro.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.529-535
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• 2016

Atopic dermatitis (AD) results from gene and environment interactions that lead to a range of immunological abnormalities and breakdown of the skin barrier. Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) belongs to a family of G-protein coupled receptors and is expressed in suprabasal layers of the epidermis. PAR2 is activated by both trypsin and a specific agonist peptide, SLIGKV-$NH_2$ and is involved in both epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis and epithelial inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of lobaric acid on inflammation, keratinocyte differentiation, and recovery of the skin barrier in hairless mice. Lobaric acid blocked trypsin-induced and SLIGKV-$NH_2$-induced PAR2 activation resulting in decreased mobilization of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in HaCaT keratinocytes. Lobaric acid reduced expression of interleukin-8 induced by SLIGKV-$NH_2$ and thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) induced by tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-${\alpha}$) and IFN-${\gamma}$ in HaCaT keratinocytes. Lobaric acid also blocked SLIGKV-$NH_2$-induced activation of ERK, which is a downstream signal of PAR2 in normal human keratinocytes (NHEKs). Treatment with SLIGKV-$NH_2$ downregulated expression of involucrin, a differentiation marker protein in HaCaT keratinocytes, and upregulated expression of involucrin, transglutamase1 and filaggrin in NHEKs. However, lobaric acid antagonized the effect of SLIGKV-$NH_2$ in HaCaT keratinocytes and NHEKs. Topical application of lobaric acid accelerated barrier recovery kinetics in a SKH-1 hairless mouse model. These results suggested that lobaric acid is a PAR2 antagonist and could be a possible therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2008

Flavonoids have been shown to affect calcium signaling in neurons. However, there are no reports on the effect of apigenin on glutamate-induced calcium signaling in neurons. We investigated whether apigenin affects glutamate-induced increase of free intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, using fura-2-based digital calcium imaging and microfluorimetry. The hippocampal neurons were used between 10 and 13 days in culture from embryonic day 18 rats. Pretreatment of the cells with apigenin ($1{\mu}M$ to $100{\mu}M$) for 5 min inhibited glutamate ($100{\mu}M$, 1 min) induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase, concentration-dependently. Pretreatment with apigenin ($30{\mu}M$) for 5 min significantly decreased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ responses induced by two ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic (AMPA, $10{\mu}M$, 1 min) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, $100{\mu}M$, 1 min), and significantly inhibited the AMPA-induced peak currents. Treatment with apigenin also significantly inhibited the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ response induced by 50 mM KCl solution, decreased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ responses induced by the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, (S)-3,5-dihydroxy-phenylglycine (DHPG, 100 $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, 90 s), and inhibited the caffeine (10 mM, 2 min)-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ responses. Furthermore, treatment with apigenin ($30{\mu}M$) significantly inhibited the amplitude and frequency of 0.1 mM $[Mg^{2+}]_o$-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ spikes. These data together suggest that apigenin inhibits glutamate-induced calcium signaling in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2015

Background: Varenicline, a selective partial agonist/antagonist of the ${\alpha}4{\beta}2$ nicotinic receptor, has proven effectiveness for smoking cessation by several randomized, controlled trials. Because few studies have evaluated the long-term efficacy of varenicline, we tried to evaluate the smoking status of varenicline users up to 3 years after the initial prescription of the drug. Methods: We interviewed varenicline users who were prescribed the drug from June 2007 to May 2010 by telephone, from June 2010 to May 2011. Results: One-hundred and thirty-three of 250 varenicline users (53.2%) were available for the survey. Seven-day continuous abstinence from smoking was adhered to by 17 of 39 respondents (43.6%) at 1 year, and 11 of 36 (30.6%) and 19 of 58 (32.8%) at 2 and 3 years since the first use of varenicline, respectively. Compared to current smokers, successful quitters were older (55.0 years vs. 49.9 years, p=0.01), had better compliance to the 12-week course (27.7 vs. 9.3%, p=0.01), and had taken varenicline longer (10.1 vs. 5.9 weeks, p=0.01). Fifty-four of 71 current smokers (76.1%) were willing to stop smoking in the near future. The preferred ways to cease smoking were will-power (48.1%), varenicline (25.9%), nicotine replacement therapy (11.1%), and others (14.9%). Conclusion: Smokers should be encouraged to stick to the proven way for recommended period of time for successful cessation of smoking.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 1986

Recently it has been shown that central dopaminergic system regulates the renal function and that intracerebroventricularly (icv) administered dopamine (DA) produces antidiuresis and antinaturiuresis, resembling icv norepinephrine, and evidence has been accumulated which would suggest the involvement of adrenergic system in the DA effects. It was attempted therefore in this study to see whether the DA effect is influenced by pretreatment of yohimbine which is known as a specific ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$ antagonist. Yohimbine produced, when given icv in doses of $100\;{\mu}g/kg$, marked antidiuresis and antinatriuresis along with decreases in renal perfusion and glomerular filtration. DA, in doses of $15\;{\mu}g/kg$, also produced antidiuresis and antinaturiuresis. However, after yohimbine-pretreatment DA $15\;{\mu}g/kg$ improved renal hemodynamics, and electrolyte excretion and urine flow rate transiently increased. With $150\;{\mu}g/kg$ DA, the antidiuresis was more marked in the control group. But the yohimbine-pretreated animals responded with marked diuresis and natriuresis, sodium excretion increasing more than three-fold, which lasted for 20 minutes. $K^+-excretion$, osmolar clearance as well as free-water reabsorption increased. Renal hemodynamics improved partly. Apomorphine, a DA agonist, when given icv in doses of $150\;{\mu}g/kg$, produced diuresis and naturiuresis, concomitant with increased renal hemodynamics. Yohimbine-pretreatment however did not abolish the apomorphine-induced diuresis and naturiuresis. Antidiuresis and antinatriuresis elicited by norepinephrine, $10\;{\mu}g/kg$, was not affected by yohimbine-pretreatment. These results indicate that the renal effects of icv DA is not so simple as those of norepinephrine, and the diuretic natriuretic cffect which had been masked by the hemodynamic effect becomes manifest only when the decreases in hemodynamics were removed by the pretreatment of yohimbine. It was further suggested that those DA receptors which mediate the natriuretic response to icv DA is not affected by yohimbine, whereas those receptors involved in the decrease in renal hemodvnamics are blocked by yohimbine. And the possibility of involvement of adrcnergic system in the DA action is not substantiated.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.934-953
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• 2021

Ciglitazone is a member of the thiazolidinedione family, and specifically binds to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), thereby promoting adipocyte differentiation. We hypothesized that ciglitazone as a PPARγ ligand in the absence of an adipocyte differentiation cocktail would increase adiponectin and adipogenic gene expression in bovine satellite cells (BSC). Muscle-derived BSCs were isolated from six, 18-month-old Yanbian Yellow Cattle. The BSC were cultured for 96 h in differentiation medium containing 5 µM ciglitazone (CL), 10 µM ciglitazone (CM), or 20 µM ciglitazone (CH). Control (CON) BSC were cultured only in a differentiation medium (containing 2% horse serum). The presence of myogenin, desmin, and paired box 7 (Pax7) proteins was confirmed in the BSC by immunofluorescence staining. The CL, CM, and CH treatments produced higher concentrations of triacylglycerol and lipid droplet accumulation in myotubes than those of the CON treatment. Ciglitazone treatments significantly increased the relative expression of PPARγ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), C/EBPβ, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, and perilipin 2. Ciglitazone treatments increased gene expression of Pax3 and Pax7 and decreased expression of myogenic differentiation-1, myogenin, myogenic regulatory factor-5, and myogenin-4 (p < 0.01). Adiponectin concentration caused by ciglitazone treatments was significantly greater than CON (p < 0.01). RNA sequencing showed that 281 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in the treatments of ciglitazone. DEGs gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that the top 10 GO enrichment significantly changed the biological processes such as protein trimerization, negative regulation of cell proliferation, adipocytes differentiation, and cellular response to external stimulus. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that DEGs were involved in the p53 signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, biosynthesis of amino acids, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway. These results indicate that ciglitazone acts as PPARγ agonist, effectively increases the adiponectin concentration and adipogenic gene expression, and stimulates the conversion of BSC to adipocyte-like cells in the absence of adipocyte differentiation cocktail.