• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.210-219
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• 2004

Extracellular $K^{+}$ concentration ([ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ ) can be increased within several mM by the efflux of intracellular $K^{+}$. To investigate the effect of an increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ on vascular contractility, we attempted to examine whether extracellular $K^{+}$ might modulate vascular contractility, endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) and intracellular $Ca^2$$^{+}$ concentration ([C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ ) in endothelial cells (EC). We observed isometric contractions in rabbit carotid, superior mesenteric, basilar arteries and movse aorta. [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ was recorded by microfluorimeter using Fura-2/AM in EC. No change in contractility was recorded by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 6 to 12 mM in conduit artery such as rabbit carotid artery. whereas resistant vessels, such as basilar and branches of superior mesenteric arteries (SMA), were relaxed by the increase. In basilar artery, the relaxation by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ to from 1 to 3 mM was bigger than that by the increase from 6 to 12 mM. In contrast, in branches of SMA, the relaxation by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ to from 6 to 12 mM is bigger than that by the increase from 1 to 3 mM. $Ba^2$$^{+}$ (30 $\mu$M) did not inhibit the relaxation by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 1 to 3 mM but did inhibit the relaxation by the increase from 6 to 12 mM. In the mouse aorta without the endothelium or treated with $N^{G}$_nitro-L-arginine (30 $\mu$M), nitric oxide synthesis blocker, the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 6 to 12 mM did not change the magnitude of contraction induced either norepinephrine or prostaglandin $F_2$$_{\alpha}$. The increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ up to 12 mM did not induce contraction of mouse aorta but the increase more than 12 mM induced contraction. In the mouse aorta, EDR was completely inhibited on increasing [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ from 6 to 12 mM. In cultured mouse aorta EC, [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ , was increased by acetylcholine or ATP application and the increased [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ , was reduced by the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ reversibly and concentration-dependently. In human umbilical vein EC, similar effect of extracellular $K^{+}$ was observed. Ouabain, a N $a^{+}$ - $K^{+}$ pump blocker, and N $i^2$$^{+}$, a N $a^{+}$ - $Ca^2$$^{+}$ exchanger blocker, reversed the inhibitory effect of extracellular $K^{+}$. In resistant arteries, the increase in [ $K^{+}$]$_{0}$ relaxes vascular smooth muscle and the underlying mechanisms differ according to the kinds of the arteries; $Ba^2$$^{+}$-insensitive mechanism in basilar artery and $Ba^2$$^{+}$ -sensitive one in branches of SMA. It also inhibits [C $a^2$$^{+}$]$_{i}$ , increase in EC and thereby EDR. The initial mechanism of the inhibition may be due to the activation of N $a^{+}$ - $K^{+}$pump. activation of N $a^{+}$ - $K^{+}$pump.p.p.p.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 2005

Purpose: The maximal elastance ($E_{max}$) of myocardium has been established as a reliable load-independent contractility index. Recently, we developed a noninvasive method to measure the regional contractility using gated myocardial SPECT and arterial tonometry data. In this study, we measured regional $E_{max}(rE_{max}$ in the patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), and assessed its relationship with other variables. Materials and Methods: 21 patients (M:F=17:4, $58{\pm}12$ y) who underwent CABG were enrolled. $^{201}TI$ rest/dipyridamole stress $^{99m}Tc$-sestamibi gated SPECT were performed before and 3 months after CABG. For 15 myocardial regions, regional time-elastance curve was obtained using the pressure data of tonometry and the volume data of gated SPECT. To investigate the coupling with myocardial function, preoperative regional $E_{max}$ was compared with regional perfusion and systolic thickening. In addition, the correlation between $E_{max}$ and viability was assessed in dysfunctional segments (thickening <20% before CABG). The viability was defined as improvement of postoperative systolic thickening more than 10%. Results: Regional $E_{max}$ was slightly increased after CABG from $2.41{\pm}1.64 (pre)\;to\;2.78{\pm}1.83 (post)$ mmHg/ml. $E_{max}$ had weak correlation with perfusion and thickening (r=0.35, p<0.001). In the regions of preserved perfusion (${\geq}60%$), $E_{max}$ was $2.65{\pm}1.67$, while it was $1.30{\pm}1.24$ in the segments of decreased perfusion. With regard to thickening, $E_{max}$ was $3.01{\pm}1.92$ mmHg/ml for normal regions (thickening ${geq}40%$), $2.40{\pm}1.19$ mmHg/ml for mildly dysfunctional regions (<40% and ${\geq}20%$), and $1.13{\pm}0.89$ mmHg/ml for severely dysfunctional regions (<20%). $E_{max}$ was improved after CABG in both the viable (from $1.27{\pm}1.07\;to\;1.79{\pm}1.48$ mmHg/ml) and non-viable segments (from $0.97 {\pm}0.59\;to\;1.22{\pm}0.71$ mmHg/ml), but there was no correlation between $E_{max}$ and thickening improvements (r=0.007). Conclusions: Preoperative regional $E_{max}$ was relatively concordant with regional perfusion and systolic thickening on gated myocardial SPECT. In dysfunctional but viable segments, $E_{max}$ was improved after CABG, but showed no correlation with thickening improvement. As a load-independent contractility index of dysfunctional myocardial segments, we suggest that the regional $E_{max}$ could be an independent parameter in the assessment of myocardial function.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1041-1048
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• 2007

Not a few patients in children and adolescents are suffering from right ventricular (RV) dysfunction resulting from various conditions such as chronic lung disease, left ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, or congenital heart defect. The RV is different from the left ventricle in terms of ventricular morphology, myocardial contractile pattern and special vulnerability to the pressure overload. Right ventricular failure (RVF) can be evaluated in terms of decreased RV contractility, RV volume overload, and/or RV pressure overload. The management for RVF starts from clear understanding of the pathophysiology of RVF. In addition to correction of the underlying disease, management of RVF per se is very important. Meticulous control of volume status, inotropic agents, vasopressors, and pulmonary selective vasodilators are the main tools in the management of RVF. The relative importance of each tool depends on the individual clinical status. Medical assist device and surgery can be considered selectively in case of refractory RVF to optimal medical treatment.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2014

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of sulforaphane on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. We hypothesized that sulforaphane, the primary ingredient of broccoli of cruciferous vegetables, plays a role in vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae. Intact of denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric tensions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Interestingly, sulforaphane significantly inhibited fluoride, phorbol ester or thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic-induced contraction in denuded muscles suggesting that additional pathways different from endothelial nitric oxide synthesis such as inhibition of Rho-kinase or MEK might be involved in the vasorelaxation. Furthermore, sulforaphane inhibited thromboxane $A_2$-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism including inhibition of thromboxane $A_2$-induced increases in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. This study provides evidence that sulforaphane induces vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase or MEK in rat aortae.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.376-381
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• 2013

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of curcumin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. We hypothesized that curcumin, the primary ingredient of Curcuma longa, plays a role in vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae. Denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric tensions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Interestingly, curcumin inhibited fluoride-induced contraction but didn't inhibit phorbol ester-induced contraction suggesting that additional pathways different from endothelial nitric oxide synthesis might be involved in the vasorelaxation. Furthermore, curcumin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels. On the other hand, it didn't significantly inhibit phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism involving inhibition of fluoride-induced MYPT1 phosphorylation. This study provides evidence that curcumin induces vascular relaxation through inhibition of Rho-kinase in rat aortae.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1746-1751
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• 2004

This study was done to investigate the effects of Gamichihyo-san and Gamiijung-tang on airway mucus secretion. After administer Gamichihyo-san(GCHS) and Gamiijung-tang(GIJT) extract to Golden Syrian Hamster for 8-10 weeks, we examined mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial(HTSE) cells. Following results were obtained; GCHG significantly stimulated mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, with minute cytotoxicity GIJT did not affect mucin release and have no cytotoxicity; GCHG and GIJT did not affect contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. These results suggest that Gamichihyo-san might be usefully applied for airway mucus secretion.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1463-1467
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• 2003

In the present study, the effects of Ginseng radix and Ophiopogonis tuber on field potentials in rat hippocampal slices and cardiac muscle slices were investigated by multi-channel extracellular recording using MED64 system. The field potentials in the brain slices represent synaptic transmission and nerve excitability, and the field potentials in heart muscles represent muscle contractility. The present results show that the aqueous extract of Ginseng radix enhanced field potentials in the both hippocampal slices and cardiac muscle slices. In contrast, the aqueous extract Ophiopogonis tuber exerted no significant effect on the field potentials in the hippocampal slices and cardiac muscle slices. These results suggest the possibility that Yin-Yang theory could be studied in relation with excitability in neurons and muscles.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 1997

DA-5018(N-(3-(3, 4-dimethylphenyl)propyl)-4-(2-aminoethoxy)-3-methoxyphenylacetamide) is a new capsaicin derivative under development as topical analgesic agent. The general pharmacological properties of DA-5018 on central nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and other organ systems were studied in experimental animals. DA-5018 cream (0.3%) had no effects on behavior, hexobarbital-induced sleeping time, body temperature, spontaneous activity, blood pressure, heart rate, intestinal charcoal propulsion, urine volume and electrolyte excretion even at a high dose of 2000 mg/kg in rats. In addition, DA-5Ol8 cream had little skin irritation compared to Zostrix-HP (capsaicin, 0.075%) cream in rabbits. In isolated guinea pig tissue studies, DA-5018 increased the contractility of trachea and ileum and also increased sinus rate of atrium in a range of 10^{-8}-10^{-5}$$ M, but its efficacy as a agonist was weak. These results suggest that DA-5018 cream might be used topically without serious side effects.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1990

This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of chlorpromazine against the reperfusion injury of myocardium after high potassium cardioplegic arrest. Langendorff`s preparations of rat heart were infused with high potassium cardioplegic solution[St. Thomas Hospital Solution] at 25oC. Chlorpromazine [10-7Ｍ] increased the recovery of myocardial contractility[dp/dt], left ventricular pressure[LVP], and coronary flow rate of the reperfused heart. Both in control and experimental groups, the restoration of myocardial activity could not reach to the level of preplegic control. These results suggest that the etiologic factors of the reperfusion injury include the influence of high potassium cardioplegic solution and/or reperfusion itself, and that chlorpromazine protects myocardium from the reperfusion injury.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.256-261
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• 1988

The present studies were investigated to find out the uterus contractive components and action mechanism of contractive components. We observed that the contractive components of Dianthi Herba were extracted with methanol and dissolved in butanol. The butanol extracts of Dianthi Herba increased uterus contractility, and fraction 2 obtained from butanol extract was more powerful than other fractions. This action was not blocked by atropine, papaverine, prazosin, propranolol, chlorpheniramine, methysergide and diltiazem in vitro.