ABSTRACT
We have shown that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) was required for the off-contraction in response to the electrical field stimulation (EFS) of feline esophageal smooth muscle. In this study, we investigated whether protein kinase C (PKC) may require the on-contraction in response to EFS using feline esophageal smooth muscle. The contractions were recorded using an isometric force transducer. On-contraction occurred in the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), suggesting that nitric oxide acts as an inhibitory mediator in smooth muscle. The excitatory composition of both contractions was cholinergic dependent which was blocked by tetrodotoxin or atropine. The on-contraction was abolished in Ca2+-free buffer but reappeared in normal Ca2+-containing buffer indicating that the contraction was Ca2+ dependent. 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), voltage-dependent K+ channel blocker, significantly enhanced on-contraction. Aluminum fluoride (a G-protein activator) increased on-contraction. Pertussis toxin (a Gi inactivator) and C3 exoenzyme (a rhoA inactivator) significantly decreased on-contraction suggesting that Gi or rhoA protein may be related with Ca2+ and K+ channel. ML-9, a MLCK inhibitor, significantly inhibited on-contraction, and chelerythrine (PKC inhibitor) affected on the contraction. These results suggest that endogenous cholinergic contractions activated directly by low-frequency EFS may be mediated by Ca2+, and G proteins, such as Gi and rhoA, which resulted in the activation of MLCK, and PKC to produce the contraction in feline distal esophageal smooth muscle.
Subject(s)
4-Aminopyridine , Aluminum , Aluminum Compounds , Atropine , Azepines , Benzophenanthridines , Contracts , Esophagus , Fluorides , GTP-Binding Proteins , Muscle, Smooth , Myosin-Light-Chain Kinase , NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester , Nitric Oxide , Pertussis Toxin , Protein Kinase C , rhoA GTP-Binding Protein , Tetrodotoxin , TransducersABSTRACT
It was evaluated the inhibitory action of quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (QGC) on reflux esophagitis and gastritis in rats. QGC was isolated from the herba of Rumex Aquaticus. Reflux esophagitis or gastritis was induced surgically or by administering indomethacin, respectively. Oral QGC decreased ulcer index, injury area, gastric volume, and acid output and increased gastric pH as compared with quercetin. Furthermore, QGC significantly decreased gastric lesion sizes induced by exposing the gastric mucosa to indomethacin. Malondialdehyde levels were found to increase significantly after inducing reflux esophagitis, and were reduced by QGC, but not by quercetin or omeprazole. These results show that QGC can inhibit reflux esophagitis and gastritis in rats.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Esophagitis, Peptic , Gastric Mucosa , Gastritis , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Indomethacin , Lipid Peroxidation , Malondialdehyde , Omeprazole , Quercetin , Rumex , UlcerABSTRACT
This study was carried out to investigate the wound healing effect of caffeic acid in skin-incised mice. Caffeic acid showed significant effects on anti-inflammatory activity and wound healing, such as myeloperoxidase activity, lipid peroxidation, phospholipase A2 activity and collagen-like polymer synthesis, in incised-wound tissue. On the other hand, it significantly stimulated collagen-like polymer synthesis in NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells, while inhibited both silica-induced reactive oxygen species generation and melittin-induced arachidonic acid release and PGE2 production in Raw 264.7 cells, and histamine release in RBL 2H3 cells stimulated by melittin or arachidonic acid. Therefore, caffeic acid appears to have a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect in cell culture system, which may be related to wound healing in skin-incised mice.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Arachidonic Acid , Caffeic Acids , Cell Culture Techniques , Collagen , Dinoprostone , Fibroblasts , Hand , Histamine , Histamine Release , Lipid Peroxidation , Melitten , Peroxidase , Phospholipases A2 , Polymers , Reactive Oxygen Species , Wound HealingABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was to develop a screening model for identifying a high risk group of dementia and to develop and evaluate the web-based prevention program. METHOD: It was conducted in 5 phases. 1) Data were collected from dementia patients and non-dementia patients in a community. 2) A screening model of the high risk population was constructed. 3) The validity test was performed and the model was confirmed. 4) Four weeks-prevention program was developed. 5) The program was administered, and evaluated the effects. RESULT: The model consisted of age, illiteracy, history of stroke and hypercholesterolemia. The program was designed with 12 sessions, group health education using web-based individual instruction program, and 12 sessions of low-intensity physical exercise program. After the completion, their self-efficacy, and health behaviors in experimental group were significantly improved over those in the control group. The perceived barrier in the treatment group is significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: The screening model developed is very simple and can be utilized in diverse community settings. And the web based prevention program will encourage individual learning and timely feedback, therefore it can facilitate their active participation and promote health management behaviors at home.
ABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced , Pregnancy Trimester, SecondABSTRACT
This retrospective study was undertaken to provide information when considering aspects of future prevention and quantifying demand fir medical services. And it comprised 835 patients with facial bone fractures in various accidents and treated in the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Yeungnam University Hospital during the past five years from January 1991 to December 1996. The medical records of this 835 patients(1,210 fractures) were reviewed and analyzed in order to obtain the clinical pattern and understand the therapeutic tendency. The following results were obtained; 1. The greatest number of patients were sustained facial bone injuries between midnight and 3:00. The monthly incidence showed in September at the most and at the least in December. The increase of facial bone injuries of 11.3% per year was shown. 2. The mean age of patients was 30 years. The most prevalent age group was at third decade(31.9%). Males were predominated more than female(3.6 : 1). 3. The most common cause was traffic accidents(41.6%) followed by violence, fall, industrial accidents and others. 4. The most common fracture was found in the nose(35.1%) followed by mandible(22.6%), zygoma(21.1%), and maxilla(11.2%). 5. Associated injuries were as following order of frequency; ophthalmologic injury(21.0%), other facial bone fractures(18.2%), head injury(10.2%). 6. Open reduction was used for 53.9% of total cases while 40.6% of total cases required closed reduction, and 5.5% of total cases treated conservatively. The complication rate was 18.5% and complications were as following order of frequency; facial asymmetry(37.2%), diplopia and enophthalmos(19.4%), and local infection(12.8%).