• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.269-280
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• 2003

Objective: We reported the overcoming effect of $Ni^{2+}$ on the in vitro 2-cell block of mouse embryos. In this study, we aim to investigate whether $Ni^{2+}$ should induce intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ transient in the mouse embryos. Materials and Methods: Embryos were collected at post hCG 32hr from the oviduct of the ICR mouse and cultured in M2 medium omitted phenol red. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ was checked by using a confocal laser scanning microscope and fluo-3AM by using various intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ antagonists. Results: In 1mM $Ni^{2+}$ treated medium which contained $Ca^{2+}$(1.71mM), 75.7% of the embryos showed $[Ca^{2+}]i$ transient about 200 sec later. In the $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, 69.8% of the embryos showed $[Ca^{2+}]i$ transient. In U73122, phospholipaseC(PLC) inhibitor (5uM, 10min) pretreated group, 33.3% of the embryos showed $[Ca^{2+}]i$ transient. Heparine, inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate receptor(IP3R) antagonist preinjected embryos showed no response with 1mM $Ni^{2+}$. In danthrolene treatment, ryanodine receptor(RyR)-antagonist, 43% embryos showed $[Ca^{2+}]i$ transient but they showed delayed response about 340sec in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$. Conclusions: Summing up the above results, $Ni^{2+}$ seems to induce $Ca^{2+}$-release from the $Ca^{2+}$-store even in the $Ca^{2+}$-free medium. IP3 receptors of the mouse 2-cell embryos might have an essential role for the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase by $Ni^{2+}$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.531-540
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• 2022

Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) can positively affect postsynaptic neuronal excitability and epileptogenesis. The objective of the present study was to determine whether group 1 mGluRs might be involved in synaptically-induced intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) spikes and neuronal cell death induced by 0.1 mM Mg²⁺ and 10 µM glycine in cultured rat hippocampal neurons from embryonic day 17 fetal Sprague-Dawley rats using imaging methods for Ca²⁺ and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays for cell survival. Reduction of extracellular Mg²⁺ concentration ([Mg²⁺]_o) to 0.1 mM induced repetitive [Ca²⁺]_i spikes within 30 sec at day 11.5. The mGluR5 antagonist 6-Methyl2-(phenylethynyl) pyridine (MPEP) almost completely inhibited the [Ca²⁺]_i spikes, but the mGluR1 antagonist LY367385 did not. The group 1 mGluRs agonist, 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), significantly increased the [Ca²⁺]_i spikes. The phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 significantly inhibited the [Ca²⁺]_i spikes in the absence or presence of DHPG. The IP₃ receptor antagonist 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate or the ryanodine receptor antagonist 8-(diethylamino)octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate also significantly inhibited the [Ca²⁺]_i spikes in the absence or presence of DHPG. The TRPC channel inhibitors SKF96365 and flufenamic acid significantly inhibited the [Ca²⁺]_i spikes in the absence or presence of DHPG. The mGluR5 antagonist MPEP significantly increased the neuronal cell survival, but mGluR1 antagonist LY367385 did not. These results suggest a possibility that mGluR5 is involved in synaptically-induced [Ca²⁺]_i spikes and neuronal cell death in cultured rat hippocampal neurons by releasing Ca²⁺ from IP₃ and ryanodine-sensitive intracellular stores and activating TRPC channels.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 1995

The levels of extracellualr glutamate, intracellular $Ca^{2+}\;([Ca2+]_i)$ and cGMP were determined for 1 h with the excitatory amino acids, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or kainate in cultured cerebellar granule cells. Both NMDA and kainate produced a time-dependent release of glutamate, and kainate was more potent than NMDA in glutamate elevation. The elevation of extracellular glutamate was not purely governed by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. However, in opposite to the time-dependent elevation of glutamate, the elevation of cGMP by NMDA and kainate were at maximum level in short-time (1 min) incubation then remarkably decreased with longer incubation times. Post-applications (30 min after agonist) of EAA antagonist did not block EAAs-induced glutamate elevation. However, NMDA antagonist, phencyclidine (PCP), blocked NMDA-induced cGMP elevation at pre- or post-application, but kainate antagonist, 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), paradoxically augmented kainate-induced cGMP elevation for 1 h incubation. These results show that NMDA or kainate induces time-dependent elevations of extracellular glutamate, while the elevations of cGMP by these EAAs are remarkably decreased with longer incubation times. However, NMDA- arid kainate-indcued glutamate release was blocked by pre-application of each receptor antagonist but not by post-application while EAA-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was blocked by post-application of antagonist. These observations suggest that EAA-induced elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ is not parallel with elevation of glutamate release or cGMP.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.5
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• pp.485-493
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• 1997

We investigated the effect of ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ and cholinergic receptor agonists on $Ca^{2+}$ current in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons using whole-cell patch clamp methods. The application of acetylcholine, carbachol, and oxotremorine ($50\;{\mu}M\;each$) produced a rapid and reversible reduction of the $Ca^{2+}$ current by $17{\pm}6%,\;19{\pm}3%,\;and\;18{\pm}4%$, respectively. Atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, blocked carbachol- induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition to $3{\pm}1%$. Norepinephrine ($50\;{\mu}M$) reduced $Ca^{2+}$ current by $18{\pm}2%$, while clonidine ($50\;{\mu}M$), an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor agonist, inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ current by only $4{\pm}1%$. Yohimbine, an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, did not block the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current, whereas prazosin, an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, attenuated the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current to $6{\pm}1%$. This pharmacology contrasts with ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in rat sympathetic neurons, which is sensitive to clonidine and blocked by yohimbine. Our data suggest that the modulation of voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel by norepinephrine is mediated via an α1-adrenergic receptor. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (250 ng/ml) for 16 h greatly reduced norepinephrine- and carbachol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition from $17{\pm}3%\;and\;18{\pm}3%\;to\;2{\pm}1%\;and\;2{\pm}1%$, respectively. These results demonstrate that norepinephrine, through an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor, and carbachol, through a muscarinic receptor, inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ currents in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons via pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.363-369
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• 2005

It is imperative to analyse brain injuries directly in real time, so as to find effective therapeutic compounds to protect brain injuries by stress. We established a system which could elucidate the real time $Ca^{2+}$ dynamics in an organotypic cultured hippocampal slice by the insults of artificial stress hormone, dexamethasone. The real time $Ca^{2+}$ dynamics could continuously be detected in cornus ammonis 3 (CA3) of the organotypic hippocampus for 8 hours under confocal microscopy. When dexamethasone concentration was increased, the $Ca^{2+}$ was also increased in a dose dependent manner at $1{\sim}100{\mu}M$ concentrations. Moreover, when the organotypic cultured hippocampal slice was treated with a glutamate receptor antagonist together with dexamethasone, the real time $Ca^{2+}$ dynamics were decreased. Furthermore, we confirmed by PI uptake study that glutamate receptor antagonist reduced the hippocampal tissue damage caused by dexamethasone treatment. Therefore, our new calcium ion dynamics system in organotypic cultured hippocampal slice after dexamethasone treatment could provide real time analysis method for investigation of brain injuries by stress.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.349-356
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• 2002

The present study was performed to examine the effect of fangchinoline, a bis- benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, which exhibits the characteristics of a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, on cyanide-induced neurotoxicity using cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons. NaCN produced a concentration-dependent reduction of cell viability, which was blocked by MK-801, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, verapamil, L-type$Ca^{2+}$channel blocker, and L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Pretreatment with fangchinoline over a concentration range of 0.1 to 10 $\mu$M significantly decreased the NaCN-induced neuronal cell death, glutamate release into medium, and elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and oxidants generation. These results suggest that fangchinoline may mitigate the harmful effects of cyanide-induced neuronal cell death by interfering with $[Ca^{2+}]_i$influx, due to its function as a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, and then by inhibiting glutamate release and oxidants generation.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 1986

There are some evidence for the presence of more than one type of calcium channels. To investigate whether organic calcium antagonist sensitive calcium channels exist in the isolated sarcolemmal membrane, we prepared high KCl-loaded sarcolemmal vesicle from the procine small instine, and induced calcium transport by high $K^+$ concentration or by electrical stimulation after preincubation of KCl-loaded vesicle in the low potassium solution. Calcium transport induced by high $K^+$ concentration (84.7mM) was significantly increased (p<0.05), compared with that by low $K^+$ concentration (2.08 mM), and not inhibited by diltiazem $(10^{-6}\;M)$. Calcium transport was inactivated with time. By continuous electrical stimulation (3V, 15Hz, 25m see), calcium transport was markedly increased, and inhibited significantly by dilltiazem $(10^{-6}\;M)$ and nifedipine $(10^{-6}\;M)$ (p<0.005), compared with the value of control without electrical stimulation. Calcium transport by electrical stimulation was not inactivated with time for at least 2 min. From these results, it was concluded that there was organic calcium antagonist sensitive channel in the isolated intestinal sarcolemma membrane, which was activated by electrical stimulation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 1998

The present study was undertaken to characterize homocysteic acid (HCA)-and cysteic acid (CA)-mediated formation of inositol phosphates (InsP) in primary culture of rat cerebellar granule cells. HCA and CA stimulated InsP formation in a dose-dependent manner, which was prevented by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist D,L-2-amino-5-phosphopentanoic acid (APV). CA-, but not HCA-, mediated InsP formation was in part prevented by the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist ?${\alpha}$-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine ($({\pm})$-MCPG). Both HCA- and CA-mediated increases in intracellular calcium concentration were completely blocked by APV, but were not altered by $({\pm})$-MCPG. CA-mediated InsP formation was in part prevented by removal of endogenous glutamate. In contrast, the glutamate transport blocker L-aspartic acid-${\beta}$-hydroxamate synergistically increased CA responses. These data indicate that in cerebellar granule cells HCA mediates InsP formation wholly by activating NMDA receptor. In contrast, CA stimulates InsP formation by activating both NMDA receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor, and in part by releasing endogenous glutamate into extracellular milieu.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.251-254
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• 2003

The present study was designed to examine whether the co-application of morphine with $Ca^{2+}$ channel antagonist $(Mn^{2+},\;verapamil)$, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid$[AP_5]$, $Mg^{2+}$) or protein kinase C inhibitor (H-7) causes the potentiation of morphine-induced antinociceptive action by using an in vivo electrophysiological technique. A single iontophoretic application of morphine or an antagonist alone induced weak inhibition of wide dynamic range (WDR) cell responses to iontophoretically applied NMDA and C-fiber stimulation. Although there was a little difference in the potentiating effects, the antinociceptive action of morphine was potentiated when morphine was iontophoretically applied together with $Mn^{2+}$, verapamil, $AP_5$, $Mg^{2+}$ or H-7. However, the potentiating action between morphine and each antagonist was not apparent, when the antinociceptive action evoked by morphine or the antagonist alone was too strong. These results suggest that the potentiating effect can be caused by the interaction between morphine and each antagonist in the spinal dorsal horn.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.629-639
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• 2016

The present study was designed to investigate the characteristics of gintonin, one of components isolated from Korean Ginseng on secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the isolated perfused model of rat adrenal gland and to clarify its mechanism of action. Gintonin (1 to $30{\mu}g/ml$), perfused into an adrenal vein, markedly increased the CA secretion from the perfused rat adrenal medulla in a dose-dependent fashion. The gintonin-evoked CA secretion was greatly inhibited in the presence of chlorisondamine ($1{\mu}M$, an autonomic ganglionic bloker), pirenzepine ($2{\mu}M$, a muscarinic $M_1$ receptor antagonist), Ki14625 ($10{\mu}M$, an $LPA_{1/3}$ receptor antagonist), amiloride (1 mM, an inhibitor of $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchanger), a nicardipine ($1{\mu}M$, a voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker), TMB-8 ($1{\mu}M$, an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ antagonist), and perfusion of $Ca^{2+}$-free Krebs solution with 5mM EGTA (a $Ca^{2+}$chelater), while was not affected by sodium nitroprusside ($100{\mu}M$, a nitrosovasodialtor). Interestingly, LPA ($0.3{\sim}3{\mu}M$, an LPA receptor agonist) also dose-dependently enhanced the CA secretion from the adrenal medulla, but this facilitatory effect of LPA was greatly inhibited in the presence of Ki 14625 ($10{\mu}M$). Moreover, acetylcholine (AC)-evoked CA secretion was greatly potentiated during the perfusion of gintonin ($3{\mu}g/ml$). Taken together, these results demonstrate the first evidence that gintonin increases the CA secretion from the perfused rat adrenal medulla in a dose-dependent fashion. This facilitatory effect of gintonin seems to be associated with activation of LPA- and cholinergic-receptors, which are relevant to the cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ increase by stimulation of the $Ca^{2+}$ influx as well as by the inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake into the cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ stores, without the increased nitric oxide (NO). Based on these results, it is thought that gintonin, one of ginseng components, can elevate the CA secretion from adrenal medulla by regulating the $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization for exocytosis, suggesting facilitation of cardiovascular system. Also, these findings show that gintonin might be at least one of ginseng-induced hypertensive components.