This study was designed to determine the effect of electrical field stimulation (EFS) and adrenergic agonist on the contractility of vasectomized prostatic and epididymal segments at postvasectomized 2, 5 and 10 weeks, and to observe innervation changes of the vas deferens after vasectomy. The contractile response was recorded on a polygraph via force transducer and expressed as the g tension per 100 mg tissue. And we reviewed histopathologic sections stained with S-100 protein by light microscopy. The results were as follows: 1. In control groups, contractile responses of prostatic and epididymal segments to EFS (4, 8, 16, 32 &64 Hz) were gradually increased by increasing frequencies. But contractile responses of vasectomized epididymal segments to all frequencies of EFS declined. Contractile responses of vasectomized prostatic segments were significantly greater than that of vasectomized epididymal segments (p<0.05). 2. Contractile responses of epididymal segments to phenylephrine hydrochloride 0.00001M were significantly greater than that of prostatic segments (p<0.05). Contractile responses of prostatic segments were tend to decline. In epididymal segments, contractile response of post-vasectomized 5 weeks group was significantly greater than that of control and post-vasectomized 2 weeks groups (p<0.05). 3. In control and vasectomized prostatic segment, nerve bundles were strongly positive and intact histopathologically for the S-100 protein immunohistochemical stain. In epididymal segment, nerve bundles were intact in control group. However, vacuolar degeneration tend to be gradually increased and stained weakly by increasing duration in vasectomized epididymal segment. These results suggest that the progression of degenerative change of adrenergic innervation after vasectomy may play an important role in progressively decreasing contractility of the vas deferens after vasectomy.
Adrenergic Agonists ; Adrenergic alpha-Agonists* ; Animals ; Microscopy ; Phenylephrine ; Rats* ; S100 Proteins ; Transducers ; Vas Deferens* ; Vasectomy*

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of beta-adrenergic receptors, and the relevance of NO-mediated & calcium channel-mediated signal transduction in seminal vesicle contractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rabbit seminal vesicle strip preparations were applied to an organ bath system under standard condition. Smooth muscle contractions were induced by alpha and/or beta-adrenergic agonists (norepinephrine, phenylephrine, isoproterenol), and blocked by alpha (prazosin) and/or beta (propranolol)-blocker, an NO donor (sodium nitroprusside) and calcium channel blocker (verapamil). The contractility of the smooth muscle was measured by EC50. RESULTS: Norepinephrine, phenylephrine and isoproterenol produced a sudden increase in the contractions of the smooth muscle. The order of the adrenergic agonists in relation to increases in the contractility was norepinephrine>phenylephrine>isoproterenol. The contractions induced by norepinephrine and phenylephrine were partially blocked by prazosin, and those by isoproterenol were completely blocked by propranolol. The contraction induced by norepinephrine was partially blocked by sodium nitroprusside and verapamil, in dose dependant manners. CONCLUSIONS: Seminal vesicle contractions are mediated mostly by alpha-adrenergic receptors, and seem to be partly mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors. The contractility of seminal vesicle seems to be partly regulated by the NO-cGMP-cascade and calcium channel mediated signal transduction.
Adrenergic Agonists ; Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; Baths ; Calcium ; Calcium Channels ; Humans ; Isoproterenol ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nitroprusside ; Norepinephrine ; Phenylephrine ; Prazosin ; Propranolol ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta ; Seminal Vesicles* ; Signal Transduction ; Tissue Donors ; Verapamil

To evaluate the effect of Morphine during spinal anesthesia with alpha-adrenergic agonist, we used 0.18 mg of epinephrine, 90 ug of clonidine and 0.3 mg of morphine with 12 mg of T-cain respectively and compared hemodynamic and analgesic effects of each drug. Eighty patients were divided into four groups as follows; Group I (n=20); T-cain with clonidine, Group II (n=20); T-cain with epinephrine, Group III (n=20); T-cain with clonidine and morphine, and Group IV (n=20); T-cain with epinephrine and morphine. The results were as follows; 1) The onset time of analgesia and the time reached to the highest level of sensory loss were most rapid in the epinephrine and morphine group. 2) The duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in the group of epinephrine and morphine than the group of epinephrine and clonidine. 3) It was more likely complicated in the morphine groups than others but there was no significance. 4) Although the heart rate was gradually decreased over 60 min. after anesthesia, there was no significance between the groups. 5) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were decreased mainly over 30~45 min. after anesthesia, but there was no significance. In conclusion, epinephrine can be sustituted for clonidine because analgesic duration was not significantly changed, and the duration of analgesia was prolonged by morphine.
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists ; Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Blood Pressure ; Clonidine* ; Epinephrine* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Morphine*

The objective of this review is to propose the Korean practice guideline for pharmacological treatment of attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). For making the guideline, the authors used the evidence-base approaches derived from a detailed review of literature including wide range of controlled clinical trials, studies of side effects of drugs, toxicological reports, and meta-analyses published in United States and Europe, as well as inside Korea. The review committee composed of experts in ADHD in Korea has reviewed the parameter. The practice parameter for pharmacological treatment describes the use of stimulants, atomoxetine, modafinil, bupropion, tricyclic antidepressants, and alpha-adrenergic agonists and their side effects. The recommendations of pharmacological treatment are proposed at the end of the article.
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists ; Advisory Committees ; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic ; Bupropion ; Europe ; Korea ; United States ; Atomoxetine Hydrochloride

No abstract available.
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists/*adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Synephrine/*adverse effects ; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy/*chemically induced

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effect of decrease in loading dose administration rate of dexmedetomidine (DMT) on sedation and DMT requirement in elderly patients. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients over 65 years old with ASA I–II who were planned to receive DMT sedation during spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to two groups. Group S (n = 29) received a 0.5 µg/kg DMT loading dose over 20 minutes, while group C (n = 29) received the DMT loading dose over 10 minutes. Then, both groups received a continuous infusion of 0.4 µg/kg/h. The sedative status was recorded before and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after administration of DMT and at the end of the anesthesia according to the Ramsay sedation scale (RSS). Also, the time to reach RSS-3 (patients asleep, responsive to commands) and the dose of DMT until reaching RSS-3 were recorded. RESULTS: The time to reach RSS-3 was similar between the two groups (group S = 16.0 ± 4.3 minutes vs. group C = 15.5 ± 4.2 minutes, P = 0.673). However, the DMT required to reach RSS-3 in group S was significantly lower than that in group C (23.3 ± 7.1 vs. 32.5 ± 6.0 µg, P < 0.001). There was no difference in RSS between the two groups from the administration of DMT to the end of the anesthesia (P = 0.927). CONCLUSIONS: Decreasing the administration rate of the DMT loading dose did not delay the onset of RSS-3 sedation and reduced the DMT requirement in elderly patients.
Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists ; Aged* ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Dexmedetomidine* ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Knowing the ototoxic potential of the agents used in medical treatments is important for the protection of hearing. Although we have knowledge regarding some effects of dexmedetomidine, which is an anesthetic-sparing drug, its influence over the hearing system has never been studied and is obscure yet. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine application during sevoflurane anesthesia on otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective randomized study was performed on 60 patients (34 male, 26 female, mean age: 30.6±9.2 years) who were scheduled for an elective surgery under general anesthesia and the patients were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups. They received dexmedetomidine (Group D) or Saline (Group S) infusion during a standardized Sevoflurane anesthesia. Transient and distortion product OAEs were measured preoperatively and postoperatively (24th hour). OAE results were compared within and between groups. RESULTS: In group D postoperative OAEs were lower than preoperative OAEs and postoperative levels of group S, especially at low frequencies (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine infusion affects the micromechanical function of cochlea especially in the low-frequency region. Dexmedetomidine should be carefully used during general anesthesia to avoid its probable harmful effects on cochlear micromechanics.
Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Cochlea ; Dexmedetomidine ; Female ; Hearing ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies

PURPOSE: The lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct are surrounded by a wide cavernous system of veins and arteries, and the blood vessels of the cavernous body are innnervated by the autonomic nervous system. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an adrenergic agonist on the lumen width of the nasolacrimal drainage system. METHODS: Dacryocystography was performed on 35 patients with only epiphora and not nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The anteroposterior (AP) diameters and the oblque diameters of the nasolacrimal ducts were measured. Next, 18 patients were infused with 0.5 ml Alphagan-P(R) (alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist), 17 patients were infused with 0.5 ml DL methylephedrine hydrochloride (alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist), and dacryocystography was performed again to determine the change in the lumen width of the nasolacrimal drainage system. RESULTS: The alpha-adrenergics caused a significant increase in the lumen width of the nasolacrimal drainage system, and the changes were more pronounced in the nasolacrimal duct than in the lacrimal sac. Although the nasolacrimal duct widening was more notable in the Alphagan-P(R) infusion group than the DL methylephedrine hydrochloride infusion group, there was no significant statistical difference. Patients' subjective symptoms improved in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The alpha-adrenergics constrict the blood vessels of the cavernous body, leading to the increase in the lumen width of the nasolacrimal drainage system. This effect was more significant in the Alphagan-P(R) infusion group. In conclusion, infusion of alpha-adrenergics in patients with functional nasolacrimal duct obstruction can be considered as an alternative to surgical management.
Adrenergic Agonists ; Arteries ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Blood Vessels ; Caves ; Drainage ; Ephedrine ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 ; Veins

OBJECTIVETo study the interactions between Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort extract and cardiac muscle membrane receptors.

METHODThe cell membrane of rabbit cardiac muscle was fixed on silicon to make cell membrane stationary phase (CMSP), and then the interactions were studied by comparing the retention characteristics of the extracts from different solvents with those of the antagonists or activators corresponding to known receptors in cardiac muscle membrane, and by competition effect on the retention characteristics of extracts when adding the antagonists or activators into the mobile phase.

RESULTWater extract and ethanol extract both had retentions on CMSP; the retention characteristics of water extract could be affected when water extract was in competition with the antagonists for alpha receptor, and could not be affected when with the activator beta1 receptor.

CONCLUSIONIt is possible that some components in water extract may combine with alpha receptor and no component with beta1 receptor, and that some components in ethanol extract may combine with cardiac muscle cell membrane. The process between active components and receptors in vivo can be imitated through the interactions between drugs and CMSP. The method provides references for the resolution of two applications: to screen the active components from Chinese medicine, and to figure out the type of receptors involved.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists ; metabolism ; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; metabolism ; Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; metabolism ; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protein Binding ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha ; metabolism ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta ; metabolism

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of brimonidine, an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, on barrier function in ARPE-19 cells by measuring transepithelial resistance (TER). METHODS: ARPE-19 cells were cultured into a confluent monolayer on a microporous filter. Brimonidine was added to the apical medium, and the barrier function of the cells was evaluated by measuring TER. A subset of cells was treated under hypoxic conditions, and the TER changes observed upon administration of brimonidine were compared to those observed in cells in normoxic conditions. RESULTS: The ARPE cell membrane reached a peak resistance of 29.1+/-7.97 Omega cm2 after four weeks of culture. The TER of the cells treated under normoxic conditions increased with brimonidine treatment; however, the TER of the cells treated under hypoxic conditions did not change following the administration of brimonidine. CONCLUSIONS: Barrier function in ARPE-19 cells increased with brimonidine treatment. Understanding the exact mechanism of this barrier function change requires further investigation.
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists/*pharmacology ; Cell Hypoxia/drug effects/physiology ; Cell Line ; Electric Impedance ; Humans ; Quinoxalines/*pharmacology ; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2/*drug effects ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium/*drug effects/*physiology