• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제6권6호
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• pp.293-297
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• 2002

The role of 5-hydroxytryptamine $(5-HT)_1A$ receptor activity in prenatal ischemia was studied, by injecting 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetraline (8-OH-DPAT; $50{\mu}g/kg,$ s.c.), a $5-HT_1A$ agonist on gestation day 17, and 30 min later inducing transient ischemia by ligating the uterine vessels for 30 min. On postnatal day 95, rats that had experienced prenatal ischemia showed impaired motor coordination and reduced concentration of 5-HT in the cerebellum compared with Sham-operated controls. In addition, they showed increased $5-HT_1A$ receptor densities in the cerebral cortex. Pretreatment with 8-OH-DPAT ameliorated the behavioral and neurochemical sequelae measured in the present study. The results suggest that $5-HT_1A$ receptors protect the brain from ischemic insult and/or facilitate recovery after prenatally experienced ischemia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.489-495
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• 2014

Protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 is expressed in endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. It plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure via the modulation of peripheral vascular tone. Although some reports have suggested involvement of a neurogenic mechanism in PAR-2-induced hypotension, the accurate mechanism remains to be elucidated. To examine this possibility, we investigated the effect of PAR-2 activation on smooth muscle contraction evoked by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in the superior mesenteric artery. In the present study, PAR-2 agonists suppressed neurogenic contractions evoked by EFS in endothelium-denuded superior mesenteric arterial strips but did not affect contraction elicited by the external application of noradrenaline (NA). However, thrombin, a potent PAR-1 agonist, had no effect on EFS-evoked contraction. Additionally, ${\omega}$-conotoxin GVIA (CgTx), a selective N-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel ($I_{Ca-N}$) blocker, significantly inhibited EFS-evoked contraction, and this blockade almost completely occluded the suppression of EFS-evoked contraction by PAR-2 agonists. Finally, PAR-2 agonists suppressed the EFS-evoked overflow of NA in endothelium-denuded rat superior mesenteric arterial strips and this suppression was nearly completely occluded by ${\omega}$-CgTx. These results suggest that activation of PAR-2 may suppress peripheral sympathetic outflow by modulating activity of $I_{Ca-N}$ which are located in peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals, which results in PAR-2-induced hypotension.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.193-198
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• 2005

Background: Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) belongs to a family of G protein coupled receptors activated by proteolytic cleavage. Trypsin-like serine proteases interact with PAR2 expressed by a variety of tissues and immune cells. The aim of our study was to investigate whether PAR2 stimulation can lead to the activation of human mac rophages. Methods: PAR2-mediated proliferation of human macrophage cell line THP-1 was measured with MTT assay. We also examined the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and cytokine production induced by trypsin and PAR2-agonist using western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Results: Treatment of trypsin or PAR2-activating peptide increased cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, and induced the activation of ERK1/2 in THP-1 cells. In addition, trypsin-induced cell proliferation was inhibited by pretreatment of an ERK inhibitor (pD98059) or trypsin inhibitor (SBTI). Moreover, PAR2 activation by trypsin increased the secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ in THP-1 cells. Conclusion: There results suggest that P AR2 activation by trypsin-like serine proteases can induce cell proliferation through the activation of ERK in human macrophage and that PAR2 may playa crucial role in the cell proliferation and cytokine secretion induced by trypsin-like serine proteases.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.181-187
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• 1991

The muscarinic antagonist 1-[benzilic 4, 4'-$[^3H]$ QUINUCLIDINYL BENZILATE $([^3H]$ QNB) bound to a single class of muscarinic receptors with high affinity in rabbit ileal membranes. The $K_D\;and\;B_{ max}$ values for $([^3H]$ QNB calculated from analysis of saturation isotherms were 52.5 pM AND 154 fmol/mg, respectively. Chlopheniramine (CHP), histamine $H_1$ blocker, increased $K_D$ vlue for $([^3H]$QNB without affecting the binding site concentrations and Hill coefficient. The $K_i$ value of CHP for inhibition of $([^3H]$QNB binding in ileal membranes was 1.44\mu{M}$ and the pseudo-Hill coefficient for CHP was close to unit. In the functional assay carbachol, muscarinic agonist, increased the contractile force of ileum with $ED_{50}$ value of $0.11\mu{M}$. CHP caused the rightward shift of the dose-response curve to carbachol. The $pA_2$ value of CHP determined from Schild analysis of carbacholinduced contraction was 5.77 and the slope was unity indicating competitive antagonism with carbachol. The dissociation constant $(K_i)$ of CHP obtained in competitive experiments with $([^3H]$ QNB was similar to the $K_A$ value (1.69 \mu{M)}$ of CHP as inhibitor of carbachol induced contraction in rabbit ileum. This result suggest that the binding of $H_i$ blocker. CHP, vs $([^3H]$QNB to muscarinic receptors in ileal membranes represents an interaction with a receptor of physiological relevance.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.115-122
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• 2016

Sleep, which is an essential part of human life, is modulated by neurotransmitter systems, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine signaling. However, the mechanisms that initiate and maintain sleep remain obscure. In this study, we investigated the relationship between melatonin (MT) and dopamine D2-like receptor signaling in pentobarbital-induced sleep and the intracellular mechanisms of sleep maintenance in the cerebral cortex. In mice, pentobarbital-induced sleep was augmented by intraperitoneal administration of 30 mg/kg MT. To investigate the relationship between MT and D2-like receptors, we administered quinpirole, a D2-like receptor agonist, to MT- and pentobarbital-treated mice. Quinpirole (1 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the duration of MT-augmented sleep in mice. In addition, locomotor activity analysis showed that neither MT nor quinpirole produced sedative effects when administered alone. In order to understand the mechanisms underlying quinpirole-augmented sleep, we measured protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and cortical protein kinases related to MT signaling. Treatment with quinpirole or MT activated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), p38 MAPK, and protein kinase C (PKC) in the cerebral cortex, while protein kinase A (PKA) activation was not altered significantly. Taken together, our results show that quinpirole increases the duration of MT-augmented sleep through ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and PKC signaling. These findings suggest that modulation of D2-like receptors might enhance the effect of MT on sleep.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.315-321
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• 2008

Eugenol is widely used in dentistry to relieve pain. We have recently demonstrated voltage-gated $Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$ channels as molecular targets for its analgesic effects, and hypothesized that eugenol acts on $P2X_3$, another pain receptor expressed in trigeminal ganglion (TG), and tested the effects of eugenol by whole-cell patch clamp and $Ca^{2+}$ imaging techniques. In the present study, we investigated whether eugenol would modulate 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced currents in rat TG neurons and $P2X_3$-expressing human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. ATP-induced currents in TG neurons exhibited electrophysiological properties similar to those in HEK293 cells, and both ATP- and $\alpha$, $\beta$-meATP-induced currents in TG neurons were effectively blocked by TNP-ATP, suggesting that $P2X_3$ mediates the majority of ATP-induced currents in TG neurons. Eugenol inhibited ATP-induced currents in both capsaicin-sensitive and capsaicin-insensitive TG neurons with similar extent, and most ATP-responsive neurons were IB4-positive. Eugenol inhibited not only $Ca^{2+}$ transients evoked by $\alpha$, $\beta$-meATP, the selective $P2X_3$ agonist, in capsaicin-insensitive TG neurons, but also ATP-induced currents in $P2X_3$-expressing HEK293 cells without co-expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). We suggest, therefore, that eugenol inhibits $P2X_3$ currents in a TRPV1-independent manner, which contributes to its analgesic effect.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권10호
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• pp.752-760
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• 2017

A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR) is known to be the regulator of bone homeostasis, but its regulatory mechanisms in osteoclast formation are less well-defined. Here, we demonstrate the effect of A2BAR stimulation on osteoclast differentiation and activity by RANKL. A2BAR was expressed in bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophage (BMM) and RANKL increased A2BAR expression during osteoclastogenesis. A2BAR stimulation with its specific agonist BAY 60-6583 was sufficient to inhibit the activation of ERK1/2, p38 MAP kinases and $NF-{\kappa}B$ by RANKL as well as it abrogated cell-cell fusion in the late stage of osteoclast differentiation. Stimulation of A2BAR suppressed the expression of osteoclast marker genes, such as c-Fos, TRAP, Cathepsin-K and NFATc1, induced by RANKL, and transcriptional activity of NFATc1 was also inhibited by stimulation of A2BAR. A2BAR stimulation caused a notable reduction in the expression of Atp6v0d2 and DC-STAMP related to cell-cell fusion of osteoclasts. Especially, a decrease in bone resorption activity through suppression of actin ring formation by A2BAR stimulation was observed. Taken together, these results suggest that A2BAR stimulation inhibits the activation of ERK1/2, p38 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ by RANKL, which suppresses the induction of osteoclast marker genes, thus contributing to the decrease in osteoclast cell-cell fusion and bone resorption activity.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.48-54
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• 1999

These studies were designed to examine the differential effect of nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP on glutamate neurotransmission. In primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells, the glutamate receptor agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) stimulates the elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$), the release of glutamate, the synthesis of NO and an increase of cGMP. Although NO has been shown to stimulate guanylyl cyclase, it is unclear yet whether NO alters the NMDA-induced glutamate release and ${[Ca^{2+}]}_i$ elevation. We showed that the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), partially prevented the NMDA-induced release of glutamate and elevation of ${[Ca^{2+}]}_i$ and completely blocked the elevation of cGMP. These effects of NO on glutamate release and [Ca2+]i elevation were unlikely to be secondary to cGMP as the cGMP analogue, dibutyryl cGMP (dBcGMP), did not suppress the effects of NMDA. Rather, dBcGMP slightly augmented the NMDA-induced elevation of ${[Ca^{2+}]}_i$ with no change in the basal level of glutamate or ${[Ca^{2+}]}_i$. The extracellular NO scavenger hydroxocobalamine prevented the NMDA-induced release of glutamate providing indirect evidence that the effect of NO may act on the NMDA receptor. These results suggest that low concentration of NO has a role in maintaining the NMDA receptor activation in a cGMP-independent manner.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.343-350
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• 2008

Oroxylin A is a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, which is one of the most important medicinal herbs in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated the psychopharmacological activities of oroxylin A using the open field, rota-rod, balanced wire and plus-maze tests in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto Rats (WKY). Oroxylin A reduced hyperactivity in SHR (ADHD animal model) although it tended to increase locomotor activity in WKY. Methylphenidate did not reduce hyperactivity. Oroxylin A alleviated impulsive behaviors such as rearing, the percentage of moving time to the central area and the tendency to move into an unstable condition (open area in elevated plus-maze). Methylphenidate also reduced the percentage of staying time in the central area and the tendency to move into an unstable condition. Both oroxylin A and methylphenidate enhanced motor attention in SHR and WKY. Oroxylin A antagonized the muscimol ($GABA_A$ receptor agonist)-induced $Cl^-$current and its action was similar to that of bicuculline ($GABA_A$ receptor antagonist). The effects of oroxylin A may be caused by the antagonism at the $GABA_A$ receptor. Thus, oroxylin A may be a candidate of drug for treatment of ADHD.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.291-299
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• 2000

Magnesium ($Mg^{2+}$) transport across the plasma membrane of cardiac myocytes appears to be under hormonal control. Repeated stimulations with adrenergic or histaminergic agonist produced a progressive decrease in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux from hearts. Thus we hypothesized that the $Mg^{2+}$ efflux may be resulted from a down-regulation of receptors or from a depletion of $Mg^{2+}$ from intracellular pool(s) in the hearts. In the present study, the regulation of $Mg^{2+}$ homeostasis by receptor stimulation was studied in perfused rat and guinea pig hearts. The successive short addition of norepinephrine (NE) to rat and guinea pig, and of histamine (HT) to perfused guinea pig hearts induced a progressive decrease in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux. These $Mg^{2+}$ effluxes were blocked by propranolol or ranitidine, respectively. These decrease in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux were inhibited by sodium cyanide (NaCN), which increases intracellular $Mg^{2+}$ ($[Mg^{2+}]_i$) levels. When NE (or HT) was added after HT (or NE), this efflux was also decreased in the guinea pig hearts. In the rat hearts and myocytes, HT did not stimulate $Mg^{2+}$ efflux. But NE produced a large $Mg^{2+}$ efflux after stimulation with HT. 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)-adenosine cAMP (cAMP), like NE and HT, also induced a progressive decrease in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux in guinea pig hearts. This effect was inhibited by NaCN. These data provide evidence that the progressive decrease in receptor-stimulated $Mg^{2+}$ efflux is considered to be due to a decrease in $[Mg^{2+}]_i$ levels rather than receptor down-regulation.