• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 1998

The present study was undertaken to characterize homocysteic acid (HCA)-and cysteic acid (CA)-mediated formation of inositol phosphates (InsP) in primary culture of rat cerebellar granule cells. HCA and CA stimulated InsP formation in a dose-dependent manner, which was prevented by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist D,L-2-amino-5-phosphopentanoic acid (APV). CA-, but not HCA-, mediated InsP formation was in part prevented by the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist ?${\alpha}$-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine ($({\pm})$-MCPG). Both HCA- and CA-mediated increases in intracellular calcium concentration were completely blocked by APV, but were not altered by $({\pm})$-MCPG. CA-mediated InsP formation was in part prevented by removal of endogenous glutamate. In contrast, the glutamate transport blocker L-aspartic acid-${\beta}$-hydroxamate synergistically increased CA responses. These data indicate that in cerebellar granule cells HCA mediates InsP formation wholly by activating NMDA receptor. In contrast, CA stimulates InsP formation by activating both NMDA receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor, and in part by releasing endogenous glutamate into extracellular milieu.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.409-417
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• 2009

Background: Glutaraldehyde-fixed heterografts are prone to calcification after long-term implantation in human, and this is one of the limiting factors for the longevity of the heterografts used in cardiovascular surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anticalcification effect of an ethanol and amino acids treatment on glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine pericardium. Material and Method: Bovine pericardial tissues were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 consisted of tissues fixed with glutaraldehyde, group 2 consisted of commercially available bovine pericardial valve tissues (Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT), group 3 consisted of glutaraldehyde-fixed tissues treated with ethanol, group 4 consisted of glutaraldehyde-fixed tissues treated with ethanol and L-glutamic acid, and group 5 consisted of glutaraldehyde-fixed tissues treated with ethanol and homocysteic acid. The tissue microstructure was examined by light and electron microscopy. Tissue samples of each group were implanted into rat subcutaneous tissue for 3 $\sim$ 4 months and the calcium contents were measured after harvest. Result: The collagen fibers appeared to be well preserved in all the groups. The calcium contents of groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 (13.46$\pm$11.74, 0.33$\pm$0.02, 0.39$\pm$0.08 and 0.42$\pm$0.06 $\mu$g/mg, respectively) were all significantly lower than that of group 1 (149.97$\pm$28.25 $\mu$g/mg) (p<0.05). The calcium contents of groups 3, 4 and 5 were all significantly lower than that of group 2 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with ethanol alone or in combination with amino acids (L-glutamic acid or homocysteic acid) strongly prevented the calcification of glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine pericardium.