Publications (2)7.57 Total impact
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Article: Endothelium-Independent Relaxant Effect of Rubus Coreanus Extracts in Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle.
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ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Rubus coreanus is a perennial shrub native to the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Although it is known that R. coreanus has a dose-dependent relaxation effect on rabbit corpus cavernosum (CC), the exact mechanism of action by which R. coreanus work is not fully known. AIMS: To elucidate the direct effects of unripe R. coreanus extract (RCE) on CC smooth muscle cells. METHODS: Dried unripe R. coreanus fruits were pulverized and extracted with 95% ethanol. Isolated rabbit CC strips were mounted in an organ-bath system, and the effects of RCE were evaluated. To estimate [Ca(2+) ]i , we used a Fura-2 fluorescent technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The effects of unripe RCE on ion channels and the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+) ]i ) of CC. RESULTS: RCE effectively relaxed phenylephrine (PE)-induced tone in rabbit CC, and removal of the endothelium did not completely abolish the relaxation effect of RCE. Tetraethylammonium (1 mM) did not inhibit RCE-induced relaxation in strips precontracted by PE in the organ bath. However, CaCl2 -induced constriction of CC strips, bathed in Ca(2+) -free buffer and primed with PE, was abolished by RCE. In addition, RCE decreased basal [Ca(2+) ]i in corporal smooth muscle cells. The increases of [Ca(2+) ]i evoked by 60 mM K(+) -containing solution in A7r5 cells were suppressed by RCE, and RCE relaxed KCl-induced tone in endothelium-free CC, which indicated that RCE blocked the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs). RCE decreased basal [Ca(2+) ]i and the [Arg8]-vasopressin-induced [Ca(2+) ]i increases in A7r5 cells, and RCE inhibited the contraction of endothelium-free CC induced by PE in Ca(2+) -free solution, which suggested that RCE might act as a modulator of corporal smooth muscle cell tone by inhibiting Ca(2+) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. CONCLUSION: RCE acts through endothelium-independent and endothelium-dependent pathways to relax CC. RCE may inhibit VDCCs and Ca(2+) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Lee JH, Chae MR, Sung HH, Ko M, Kang SJ, and Lee SW. Endothelium-independent relaxant effect of Rubus coreanus extracts in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. J Sex Med **;**:**-**.Journal of Sexual Medicine 05/2013; · 3.55 Impact Factor -
Article: Molecular and functional characterization of ORAI and STIM in human corporeal smooth muscle cells and effects of the transfer of their dominant-negative mutant genes into diabetic rats.
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the molecular identity and functional activity of STIM1 and ORAI in human cavernous smooth muscle. We also determined whether transferring dominant negative mutants of the STIM1 or ORAI gene would correct diabetes related erectile dysfunction in a rat model. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was done to identify ORAI and STIM in human cavernous smooth muscle. For the in vivo study intracavernous pressure, blood pressure and their ratio were assessed after cavernous nerve stimulation to diabetic rats transfected with pcDNA encoding the ORAI1(DN) or the STIM1(DN) gene. ORAI (1, 2 and 3) and STIM (1 and 2) were identified in human cavernous smooth muscle cells. After [Ca(2+)] depletion by thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid we recorded store operated Ca(2+) entry in human cavernous smooth muscle cells. Entry was decreased by the store operated Ca(2+) channel blockers La(3+) and SKF96365. Mean ± SE intracavernous pressure/blood pressure in rats with ORAI1(DN) or STIM1(DN) gene transfer was 78.8% ± 2.2% and 77.1% ± 1.2% in 11 and 10, respectively. This result was significantly higher than that in 10 diabetic controls (51.0% ± 3.7%) and similar to that in 9 normal controls (85.8% ± 2.6%). Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction we confirmed transgene expression in rat cavernous tissue. Transfer of ORAI(DN) or STIM1(DN) genes restored erectile function in diabetic rats. It might be applicable to develop new therapy for erectile dysfunction.The Journal of urology 03/2012; 187(5):1903-10. · 4.02 Impact Factor
