Echinacoside, an active constituent of Herba Cistanche, suppresses epileptiform activity in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons

Cheng Wei Lu,Shu-Kuei Huang,Tzu Yu Lin,Su-Jane Wang 대한약리학회 2018 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.22 No.3

Echinacoside, an active compound in the herb Herba Cistanche, has been reported to inhibit glutamate release. In this study, we investigated the effects of echinacoside on spontaneous excitatory synaptic transmission changes induced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), by using the in vitro rat hippocampal slice technique and whole-cell patch clamp recordings from CA3 pyramidal neurons. Perfusion with echinacoside significantly suppressed the 4-AP-induced epileptiform activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Echinacoside reduced 4-AP-induced increase in frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) but it did not affect the amplitude of sEPSCs or glutamate-activated currents, implicating a presynaptic mechanism of action. Echinacoside also potently blocked sustained repetitive firing, which is a basic mechanism of antiepileptic drugs. These results suggest that echinacoside exerts an antiepileptic effect on hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons by simultaneously decreasing glutamate release and blocking abnormal firing synchronization. Accordingly, our study provides experimental evidence that echinacoside may represent an effective pharmacological agent for treating epilepsy.

Studies on Al2O3/ZrO2/Al2O3 High K Gate Dielectrics Applied in a Fully Depleted SOI MOSFET

Cheng Lu Lin,Ning Lin Zhang,Qin Wo Shen 대한금속학회 2004 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.10 No.5

Inhibition of L-type Ca²⁺ current by ginsenoside Rd in rat ventricular myocytes

Lu, Cheng,Sun, Zhijun,Wang, Line The Korean Society of Ginseng 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.2

Background: Ginsenoside Rd (GSRd), one of the most abundant ingredients of Panax ginseng, protects the heart via multiple mechanisms including the inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx.We intended to explore the effects of GSRd on L-type $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{Ca,L}$) and define the mechanism of the suppression of $I_{Ca,L}$ by GSRd. Methods: Perforated-patch recording and whole-cell voltage clamp techniques were applied in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. Results: (1) GSRd reduced $I_{Ca,L}$ peak amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner [half-maximal inhibitory concentration $(IC_{50})=32.4{\pm}7.1{\mu}mol/L$] and up-shifted the current-voltage (I-V) curve. (2) GSRd ($30{\mu}mol/L$) significantly changed the steady-state activation curve of $I_{Ca,L}$ ($V_{0.5}:-19.12{\pm}0.68$ vs. $-6.26{\pm}0.38mV$; n = 5, p < 0.05) and slowed down the recovery of $I_{Ca,L}$ from inactivation [the time content (${\zeta}$) from 91 ms to 136 ms, n = 5, p < 0.01]. (3) A more significant inhibitive effect of GSRd ($100{\mu}mol/L$) was identified in perforated-patch recording when compared with whole-cell recording [$65.7{\pm}3.2%$ (n = 10) vs. $31.4{\pm}5.2%$ (n = 5), p < 0.01]. (4) Pertussis toxin ($G_i$ protein inhibitor) completely abolished the $I_{Ca,L}$ inhibition induced by GSRd. There was a significant difference in inhibition potency between the two cyclic adenosine monophosphate elevating agents (isoprenaline and forskolin) prestimulation [$55{\pm}7.8%$ (n = 5) vs. $17.2{\pm}3.5%$ (n = 5), p < 0.01]. (5) 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and N-acetyl-$\small{L}$-cysteine (a nitric oxide scavenger) partly recovered the $I_{Ca,L}$ inhibition induced by GSRd. (6) Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (a protein kinase C activator) and GF109203X (a protein kinase C inhibitor) did not contribute to the inhibition of GSRd. Conclusion: These findings suggest that GSRd could inhibit $I_{Ca,L}$ through pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein ($G_i$) and a nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent mechanism.

A SUPERFICIAL FRIENDSHIP THEORY PERSPECTIVE ON INTERNATIONAL MARKET ENTRY MODE INSTABILITY AND STABILITY

Lu-Yun (Vivian) Cheng,Graça Miranda Silva 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2016 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2016 No.7

International Joint Venture (IJV) is one of the most popular market entry mode in emerging markets. The instability and stability of IJV have also been receiving ongoing attention in the literature (e.g. Deitz et al. 2010; Kogut 1989; Rhoades & Lush 1997; Sim & Ali 2000). IJV instability and stability are often treated as opposite to one another in the literature, and assumed the factors that account for instability has an inverse impacts on stability. However, conceptually and empirically they are not exactly two contrasting phenomena. This study adopts the perspectives of Superficial Friendship theory (Yan 2010) to differentiate the determinants of IJV instability and stability and empirically compares their determinants. The results indicate that the factors that account for instability do not have inverse impacts on stability. The empirical results not only contribute to an understanding of the different drivers of IJV instability and stability but also have important implications for international business managers in both parents and IJVs with regard to keeping an IJV profitable and successful.

The Goal of School-Based Professional Development Program for Elementary School Mathematics Teachers

Lu Pien Cheng,고호경 ( Ho Kyoung Ko ) 한국수학교육학회 2015 수학교육연구 Vol.19 No.3

The goal of this study was to examine the three components of a laboratory class cycle that empowered teachers to change their teaching practices. Six teachers and their administrator in an elementary school in the southeastern United States participated in the study. All the teachers were interviewed, and their mathematics lessons were observed at the end of each cycle of laboratory classes. The study revealed how planning, observing, and critiquing mathematics lessons as a team assisted the teachers`` learning and teaching. We identified opportunities for the teachers to experiment with different teaching approaches, and we found that support from the team and from the school were key factors for the laboratory class cycle to function effectively.

Echinacoside, an active constituent of Herba Cistanche, suppresses epileptiform activity in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons

Lu, Cheng-Wei,Huang, Shu-Kuei,Lin, Tzu-Yu,Wang, Su-Jane The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2018 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.22 No.3

Echinacoside, an active compound in the herb Herba Cistanche, has been reported to inhibit glutamate release. In this study, we investigated the effects of echinacoside on spontaneous excitatory synaptic transmission changes induced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), by using the in vitro rat hippocampal slice technique and whole-cell patch clamp recordings from CA3 pyramidal neurons. Perfusion with echinacoside significantly suppressed the 4-AP-induced epileptiform activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Echinacoside reduced 4-AP-induced increase in frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) but it did not affect the amplitude of sEPSCs or glutamate-activated currents, implicating a presynaptic mechanism of action. Echinacoside also potently blocked sustained repetitive firing, which is a basic mechanism of antiepileptic drugs. These results suggest that echinacoside exerts an antiepileptic effect on hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons by simultaneously decreasing glutamate release and blocking abnormal firing synchronization. Accordingly, our study provides experimental evidence that echinacoside may represent an effective pharmacological agent for treating epilepsy.

Stability and electronic properties of CuAlO2 (112 0) surfaces

Cheng-Lu Jiang,Qi-Jun Liu,Fu-Sheng Liu,Zheng-Tang Liu 한국물리학회 2017 Current Applied Physics Vol.17 No.2

We have studied the stability and electronic properties of CuAlO2 ð112 『 0Þ surfaces using the firstprinciples calculations. The structural parameters, band structures, surface energies, work functions, densities of states and charge densities of CuAlO2 ð112 『 0Þ surfaces have been investigated. The calculated results show that five layers are needed to maintain convergence. After the formation of surfaces, the bandgaps of stable surfaces decrease, the covalency between Cu and O atoms in surfaces increases, and the positive charge layer in the fisrt layer appears.

Allicin Inhibits Glutamate Release from Rat Cerebral Cortex Nerve Terminals Through Suppressing Ca2+ Influx and Protein Kinase C Activity

Cheng Wei Lu,Chi-Feng Hung,Tzu Yu Lin,Ting Yang Hsieh,Su-Jane Wang 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.7

Evidence indicates that indirect inhibitory regulation of glutamatergic transmission, via reducing glutamate release, may induce neuroprotection. The present work was designed to examine whether allicin, a major component of garlic with neuroprotective effects, affected the release of glutamate evoked by 4-aminopyridine in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes). Allicin caused a potent inhibition on the release of glutamate evoked by 4-aminopyridine, and this inhibitory effect was abolished in the presence of Ca2+-free medium and vesicular transporter inhibitor. Allicin decreased the 4-aminopyridine-evoked elevation of intrasynaptosomal Ca2+ levels, but had no effect on the synaptosomal plasma membrane potential. The allicin-mediated inhibition of glutamate release was prevented by the N- and P/Q-type channel blocker and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, but was not affected by the intracellular Ca2+-release inhibitors, mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, and protein kinase A inhibitor. Western blotting data also showed that allicin significantly reduced the phosphorylation of PKC. Together, these data indicate that in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals, allicin depresses glutamate release and appears to decrease N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channel and PKC activity.

Weight Loss Correlates with Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 Expression and Might Influence Outcome in Patients with Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Lu, Zhi-Hao,Yang, Li,Yu, Jing-Wei,Lu, Ming,Li, Jian,Zhou, Jun,Wang, Xi-Cheng,Gong, Ji-Fang,Gao, Jing,Zhang, Xiao-Tian,Li, Jie,Li, Yan,Shen, Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.15

Background: Weight loss during chemotherapy has not been exclusively investigated. Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) might play a role in its etiology. Here, we investigated the prognostic value of weight loss before chemotherapy and its relationship with MIC-1 concentration and its occurrence during chemotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Materials and Methods: We analyzed 157 inoperable locally advanced or metastatic ESCC patients receiving first-line chemotherapy. Serum MIC-1 concentrations were assessed before chemotherapy. Patients were assigned into two groups according to their weight loss before or during chemotherapy:>5% weight loss group and ${\leq}5%$ weight loss group. Results: Patients with weight loss>5% before chemotherapy had shorter progression-free survival period (5.8 months vs. 8.7 months; p=0.027) and overall survival (10.8 months vs. 20.0 months; p=0.010). Patients with weight loss >5% during chemotherapy tended to have shorter progression-free survival (6.0 months vs. 8.1 months; p=0.062) and overall survival (8.6 months vs. 18.0 months; p=0.022), and if weight loss was reversed during chemotherapy, survival rates improved. Furthermore, serum MIC-1 concentration was closely related to weight loss before chemotherapy (p=0.001) Conclusions: Weight loss both before and during chemotherapy predicted poor outcome in advanced ESCC patients, and MIC-1 might be involved in the development of weight loss in such patients.

Inhibition of L-type Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> current by ginsenoside Rd in rat ventricular myocytes

Cheng Lu,Zhijun Sun,Line Wang 고려인삼학회 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.2

Background: Ginsenoside Rd (GSRd), one of the most abundant ingredients of Panax ginseng, protects the heart via multiple mechanisms including the inhibition of Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> influx. We intended to explore the effects of GSRd on L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) and define the mechanism of the suppression of ICa,L by GSRd. Methods: Perforated-patch recording and whole-cell voltage clamp techniques were applied in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. Results: (1) GSRd reduced ICa,L peak amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner [half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 32.4± 7.1 μmol/L] and up-shifted the currente-voltage (I-V) curve. (2) GSRd (30 μmol/L) significantly changed the steady-state activation curve of ICa,L (V0.5: -19.12± 0.68 vs. -16.26 ± 0.38 mV; n = 5, p < 0.05) and slowed down the recovery of ICa,L from inactivation [the time content (ζ) from 91 ms to 136 ms, n = 5, p < 0.01]. (3) A more significant inhibitive effect of GSRd (100 μmol/L) was identified in perforated-patch recording when compared with whole-cell recording [65.7 ±3.2% (n = 10) vs. 31.4 ± 5.2% (n=5), p < 0.01]. (4) Pertussis toxin (Gi protein inhibitor) completely abolished the ICa,L inhibition induced by GSRd. There was a significant difference in inhibition potency between the two cyclic adenosine monophosphate elevating agents (isoprenaline and forskolin) prestimulation [55± 7.8% (n = 5) vs. 17.2 ± 3.5% (n= 5), p < 0.01]. (5) 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (a nitric oxide scavenger) partly recovered the ICa,L inhibition induced by GSRd. (6) Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (a protein kinase Cactivator) and GF109203X (a protein kinase C inhibitor) did not contribute to the inhibition of GSRd. Conclusion: These findings suggest that GSRd could inhibit ICa,L through pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein (Gi) and a nitric oxideecyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent mechanism.