PURPOSE: Angiotensin(ANG) II regulates tone of penile smooth muscle for erection. ANG III is a product converted from ANG II by aminopeptidase A. The effects of ANG III have not been clarified in the penile corpus cavernosum. The purpose of the present experiment was to determine whether the ANG III has regulatory function in the control of rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A strip of rabbit corpus cavernosum was mounted in an organ chamber to measure the isometric tension. We compared the effects of ANG III(10-7M to 10-5M), ANG II(10-8M to 10-6M) and ANG I(10-7M to 10-5M) on the contractility of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. RESULTS: ANG III, ANG II, and ANG I contracted corpus cavernosum smooth muscle strips dose-dependently. The contraction of smooth muscle induced by ANG III was 10 fold less by ANG II. Contractile response to ANG III was not attenuated by captopril(angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor). Contractile response to ANG III was significantly inhibited by Dup 753 of 10-7M(type 1 specific ANG II receptor inhibitor) but not inhibited by PD 123,319 of 10-6M(type 2 specific ANG II inhibitor). CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that ANG III is involved in the regulation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tone, and contractile effect to ANG III produced via activation of type 1 ANG II (AT1) receptor. The rank order of potency of contraction was as follows, ANG II>ANG IIIANG I.
Angiotensin I* ; Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensin III* ; Angiotensins* ; Glutamyl Aminopeptidase ; Losartan ; Muscle, Smooth*

No abstract available.
Angiotensin I ; Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensins* ; Autoradiography ; Receptors, Angiotensin* ; Renin* ; Renin-Angiotensin System*

No abstract available.
Angiotensin I ; Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensins* ; Autoradiography ; Receptors, Angiotensin* ; Renin* ; Renin-Angiotensin System*

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is heavily expressed in the lung and plays a role in the metabolism of angiotensin II, bradykinin and substance P. Nitric oxides, including those produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS), may regulate vascular and airway tone in the lung and influence various aspects of airway homeostasis. They are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of asthma, but the role of ACE and ecNOS gene in bronchial asthma is not completely understood. OBJECTIVE: To examine the possible involvement of ACE and ecNOS genes in the genetic basis for bronchial asthma, we investigated the association between genetic polymorphism and bronchial asthma, and its severity. METHOD: We determined the ACE and ecNOS genotypes by the polymerase chain reaction in 160 patients with bronchial asthma and 121 healthy subjects. Severity of asthma was classified by the guideline of NHLBI/WHO workshop. RESULTS: The frequency of the ID genotypes of ACE and bb genotype of ecNOS was highest in both groups, respectively. The distribution of ACE genotypes did not differ between the two groups (p=0.27). There was a higher frequency of the bb genotype of ecNOS in the asthma group than in the control population (p=0.004). In asthmatic patients, there were no differences in the distribution of ACE and ecNOS genotypes in different severity groups (p= 0.17, 0.06). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the polymorphism of the ecNOS gene, not ACE gene, may be associated with development of asthma. But, the severity of asthma may not be influenced by polymorphisms of the ecNOS and ACE genes.
Angiotensin II ; Angiotensins* ; Asthma* ; Bradykinin ; Education ; Genotype ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Lung ; Metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III* ; Oxides ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Substance P

BACKGROUND: Rapid adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) stimulation test using 250ug of ACTH (1-24) has been used as a standard test in the initial assessment of adrenal function. However, it has recently been suggested that a rnaximal cortisol response can be achieved with a much lower ACTH dose, and reducing the dose might further enhance the sensitivity of the test in the detection of mild adrenal insufficiency. This study was performed to evaluate the role of low-dose (lug) ACTH stimulation test in the assessment of adrenal function and the diagnosis of subtle adrenal insufficiency. METHODS: Twenty-two subjects with suspected adrenal insufficiency due to long-term corticosteroid use were included in this study. The correlations between clinical features and the serum cortisol responses to low dose (lug) and high dose (250 ug) ACTH stimulation were evaluated. RESULTS: In high dose test, 10 (67%) out of 15 subjects with clinical features of adrenal insufficiency showed decreased serum cortisol response (peak cortisol level <18 ug/dL), but 5 (33%) subjects showed normal response (peak cortisol level > 18ug/dL). On the other hand, 14 (93%) subjects with clinical features of adrenal insufficiency showed decreased serum cortisol response in low dose test, while only one showed normal response. In 7 subjects without clinical features of adrenal insufficiency, 5 subject (71%) showed normal response, and 2 subjects (29%) showed decreased response in both low and high dose tests. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the 1-ug low dose ACTH stimulation test might be more sensitive than conventional 250-ug test in the detection of mild adrenal insufficiency. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal dose of ACTH and the criteria for normal response to ACTH stimulation.
Adrenal Insufficiency* ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone* ; Cosyntropin ; Diagnosis* ; Hand ; Hydrocortisone

Many reports represent that angiotensin II (ANG II) caused a dose dependent biphasic effects on fluid transport in the proximal tubule. However, respective roles of different signaling pathways in mediating these effects remain unsettled. The aim of the present study was to examine signaling pathways at high doses of ANG II on the Na+ uptake of primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubule cells(PTCs) in hormonally defined serum-free medium. High concentrations of ANG II (> 10(-9) M) inhibited Na+ uptake and increased (Ca2+)i level in the PTCs. However, low concentrations of (< 10(-11) ANG II) stimulated Na+ uptake and did not affect (Ca2+)i level. 8-(N, N-diethylamino)-octyl-3,3,5- trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), ethylene glycol-bis(beta-amino ethyl ether)-N,N,N', N'-tetra acetic acid (EGTA), and nifedifine partially blocked the inhibitory effects of ANG II on Na+ uptake. When ANG II and bradykinin (BK) were treated together, Na+ uptake was further reduced (88.47 +/- 1.98% of that of ANG II, 81.85 +/- 1.84% of that of BK). In addition, W-7 and KN-62 blocked the ANG II-induced inhibition of Na+ uptake. Arachidonic acid reduced Na+ uptake in a dose-dependent manner. When ANG II and arachidonic acid were treated together, inhibitory effects on Na+ uptake significantly exhibited greater reduction than that of each group, respectively. When PTCs were treated by mepacrine (10(-6) M) and AACOCF, (10-5 M) for 1 hr before the addition of 10(-9) M ANG II, the inhibitory effect of ANG II was reversed. In addition, econazole (10(-6) M) blocked ANG II-induced inhibition of Na+ uptake. In conclusion, the (Ca2+)i (calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) metabolites are involved in the inhibitory effects of ANG II on Na+ uptake in the PTCs.
Acetic Acid ; Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensins* ; Arachidonic Acid ; Bradykinin ; Econazole ; Ion Transport* ; Kidney ; Negotiating ; Phospholipases A2 ; Quinacrine

BACKGROUND: It has been already known that each trophic hormone in combined pituitary responsiveness according to gender and age brings about variable response, but in Korea, there has been no actual data. In this study, in order to assess the pituitary responsiveness, a combined pituitary stimulation test was performed in Korean subjects with the variation in CRH, GHRH, GnRH, and TRH according to their age and gender. Were these the variables that were changed according to age and gender? Clarify that. Also, it might be good to write out the abbreviations.) METHOD: Fourteen physically and mentally healthy male subjects and fourteen female subjects, also physically and mentally healthy, underwent the combined anterior pituitary stimulation test by CRH, GHRH, LHRH, and TRH. Each gender group was divided further into young(meanSE; male: 231, female: 221) and old (mean; male: 513, female: 522) groups. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the gender and age groups. The Peak GH level and maximal GH increment were significantly increased in young men compared to old men. The Peak ACTH level and maximal ACTH increment were significantly increased in old men as opposed to young men. The Peak PRL level, maximal PRL increment, Peak TSH level, and maximal TSH increment were significantly increased in old women compared to old men. The Peak FSH level was significantly increased in the two old groups compared to the young groups, which showedindependence in gender, and the maximal FSH increment was significantly increased in old men when compared with the young men. CONCLUSION: These results show that in order to for accurate interpretation of the response from the combined pituitary stimulation test, it is necessary to consider age and gender of the subjects. We suggest response values of the combined pituitary stimulation test in terms of age and gender in healthy Korean subjects.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone ; Humans* ; Korea ; Male

Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of heart failure has advanced considerably in recent years, and clinical trials have demonstrated the favorable long-term effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and beta-blockers on the morbidity and mortality. Although the current guidelines recommend ACEI and beta-blockers as standard therapy for heart failure, as they have demonstrated benefits in terms of mortality, only one third of patients with heart failure are receiving both classes of drug due to concern over their adverse effects. The benefit of ACEI has been attributed largely to blockade of angiotensin II production, but also to the accumulation of bradykinin. The accumulation of bradykinin however, has been implicated as contributing to adverse effects, such as a dry cough, associated with ACEI treatment, and has also been suggested to result in prejunctional norepinephine release. Recently, many clinical trials have shown that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) had similar effect on the mortality and morbidity of patients with heart failure. The side effects, notably the cough, are significantly less than with ACE inhibitors. ARBs could also be recommended for patients who can not tolerate ACE inhibitors for symptomatic treatment. In combination with ACEI, ARBs may improve the symptoms of heart failure, and reduce hospitalizations due to heart failure deterioration. Whether concomitant beta-blockade negatively affects the effect of ARB will require further evaluation. In this paper, recent large clinical trials of ARBs therapy in heart failure, and the ongoing clinical trials, were reviewed for the recommendation of the optimal conditions for ARBs treatment in heart failures.
Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists* ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; Angiotensins* ; Bradykinin ; Cough ; Drug Therapy ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart ; Heart Failure* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Mortality ; Receptors, Angiotensin*

Angioedema is a non-pitting edema that occurs in the skin and mucus membranes. It is known that major etiologies include hereditary deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor, temperature extreme, trauma, food sensitivity, and medications such as penicillin, aspirin, NSAIDS and ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors are blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, and increasing local levels of bradykinin, a potent vasodilator. This increased bradykinin has been theorized to cause angioedema and cough in patients on ACE inhibitors. However, there has been very few causes of angioedema induced by angiotensin II receptor blocker. This is the first report of a patient presenting angioedema induced by losartan -angiotensin II receptor blocker- in this century.
Angioedema* ; Angiotensin I ; Angiotensin II ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Aspirin ; Bradykinin ; Cough ; Edema ; Hereditary Angioedema Types I and II ; Humans ; Losartan* ; Membranes ; Mucus ; Penicillins ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; Skin

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of preventive moxibustion at the acupoint of 'Guanyuan" (CV 4) on the stress-related hormones, proteins and genes in natural menopausal rats, and explore its protective mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty eight healthy female SD rats were used in this study, in which 16 rats aged 4 months were used as normal control group, the rest 10-month-old rats with disorder of estrus cycle were randomly divided into 7 groups, including 4 control groups at the age of 10, 12, 14 and 16 months, and 3 preventive moxibustion groups at the age of 12, 14 and 16 months, 16 cases in each group. The 10-month-old rats were treated with preventive moxibustion at the acupoint of "Guanyuan" (CV 4), twice a week for 8 weeks consistently, then observed on the following 12, 14 and 16 months. Its effects on the level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70), heat shock protein 70 mRNA (HSP 70 mRNA), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), beta-endorphin (beta-EP), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in the different nuclei of hypothalamus were examined with radio-immunity, immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization methods.

RESULTSIn the control groups, the expression of HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA was increased in paraventricular, arcuate and supraoptic nucleus, the level of CRH, beta-EP was showed with declining trend in volatility, while the content of ACTH was increased. In comparison to the same-aged control groups, the preventive moxibustion groups were showed that the expression of HSP 70 in the 14-month-old group was lower and the expression of HSP 70 mRNA in the 12 and 16-month-old group was significantly higher in the paraventricular nucleus (all P < 0.05), the expression of HSP 70 in the 12 and 14-month-old groups and HSP 70 mRNA in the 12-month-old group was significantly increased in the arcuate nucleus (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while the expression of HSP 70 in the 14-month-old group and HSP 70 mRNA in the 12 and 16-month-old group was significantly decreased in the supraoptic nucleus (all P < 0.05), the content of CRH and ACTH decreased significantly in 14-month group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), but the content of beta-EP obviously went up in the 12-month-old group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPreventive moxibustion at the acupoint of "Guanyuan" (CV 4) can regulate the expression of stress proteins, genes and hormones in the hypothalamus for the natural menopausal rats, which might be playing a protective role.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; metabolism ; Animals ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Female ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypothalamic Hormones ; metabolism ; Menopause ; genetics ; metabolism ; Models, Animal ; Moxibustion ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; beta-Endorphin ; metabolism