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Silva H, Bárbara R. Exploring the Anti-Hypertensive Potential of Lemongrass—A Comprehensive Review. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101382. [PMID: 36290288 PMCID: PMC9598547 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Lemongrass is an herb used in folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension, although its pharmacological potential has not yet been thoroughly studied. This paper provides the first comprehensive review on the anti-hypertensive potential of lemongrass, from in vitro to clinical studies. Even though the composition of lemongrass is dependent on its geographical origin, citral constitutes its major compound. Both citral and lemongrass display vasorelaxant activity ex vivo, promoting the secretion of endothelial vasodilators and the blockage of calcium channels in the vascular smooth muscle. Additionally, citral also displays a negative chronotrope effect. In animal models and in human subjects, lemongrass significantly decreases blood pressure, probably due to the combination of the above-mentioned effects together with diuretic activity. Future preclinical studies are necessary to identify other anti-hypertensive compounds/pathways, as well as to better characterize the safety profile of lemongrass. Abstract Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf) is a herb commonly used in folk medicine for many purposes. However, its anti-hypertensive potential has not yet been thoroughly studied. This paper reviews the anti-hypertensive effects of both lemongrass and its main compound citral in in vitro, ex vivo, preclinical and clinical studies. Lemongrass essential oil contains terpenes and their derivatives, whereas extracts contain different classes of polyphenols. Both citral and lemongrass display vasorelaxant activity ex vivo, acting by the promotion of endothelial nitric oxide/prostanoids secretion together with the blockage of calcium channels in the vascular smooth muscle. Citral also displays a negative chronotrope effect, probably due to a centrally mediated enhancement of parasympathetic activity. In both healthy and hypertensive animals, the acute administration of lemongrass results in a decrease in blood pressure, sometimes accompanied by a compensatory increase in heart rate. Similarly, in healthy and hypertensive human subjects, the consumption of lemongrass tea decreases blood pressure. Additionally, a weak/moderate diuretic activity has also been reported in animals and humans, although the mechanisms of action remain elusive. Future preclinical studies are necessary to identify other compounds with anti-hypertensive activity and additional pharmacological pathways. Although well tolerated, the safety profile of lemongrass should be better characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Health Technologies, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering Institute (IBEB), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Rita Bárbara
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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Terada Y, Yayama K. Angiotensin II-Induced Vasoconstriction via Rho Kinase Activation in Pressure-Overloaded Rat Thoracic Aortas. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081076. [PMID: 34439742 PMCID: PMC8391281 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces vasoconstriction through myosin light chain (MLC) kinase activation and MLC phosphatase inactivation via phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) by Rho kinase. However, the detailed mechanism underlying Rho kinase activation by Ang II is still unknown. We investigated the mechanism of Ang II-induced vasoconstriction mediated by Rho kinase in pressure-overloaded rat thoracic aortas. Pressure-overloaded rats were produced by coarctation of the suprarenal abdominal aorta in four-week-old male Wistar rats. The contractile response to Ang II was significantly enhanced in the pressure-overloaded rats. Ang II-induced vasoconstriction was attenuated by inhibitors of Rho kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (Erk1/2), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in both the sham-operated and pressure-overloaded rats. The Ang II-induced vasoconstriction was attenuated by a Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitor in only the pressure-overloaded rats. The protein levels of MYPT1 and JAK2 increased only in the pressure-overloaded rat thoracic aortas. These results suggested that Ang II-induced contraction is mediated by Rho kinase activation via EGFR, Erk1/2, and JAK2 in pressure-overloaded rat thoracic aortas. Moreover, Ang II-induced contraction was enhanced in pressure-overloaded rats probably because the protein levels of MYPT1 and JAK2 increased in the thoracic aortas.
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Carvalho KIM, Coutinho DDS, Joca HC, Miranda AS, Cruz JDS, Silva ET, Souza MVN, Faria RX, Silva PMRE, Costa JCS, Martins MA. Anti-Bronchospasmodic Effect of JME-173, a Novel Mexiletine Analog Endowed With Highly Attenuated Anesthetic Activity. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1159. [PMID: 32903732 PMCID: PMC7438868 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Local anesthetics (LAs), such as lidocaine and mexiletine, inhibit bronchoconstriction in asthmatics, but adverse effects limit their use for this specific clinical application. In this study, we describe the anti-spasmodic properties of the mexiletine analog 2-(2-aminopropoxy)-3,5-dimethyl, 4-Br-benzene (JME-173), which was synthesized and screened for inducing reduced activity on Na+ channels. The effectiveness of JME-173 was assessed using rat tracheal rings, a GH3 cell line and mouse cardiomyocytes to access changes in smooth muscle contraction, and Na+, and Ca++ionic currents, respectively. Bronchospasm and airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) were studied using whole-body barometric plethysmography in A/J mice. We observed that the potency of JME-173 was 653-fold lower than mexiletine in inhibiting Na+ currents, but 12-fold higher in inhibiting L-type Ca++ currents. JME-173 was also more potent than mexiletine in inhibiting tracheal contraction by carbachol, allergen, extracellular Ca++, or sodium orthovanadate provocations. The effect of JME-173 on carbachol-induced tracheal contraction remained unaltered under conditions of de-epithelized rings, β2-receptor blockade or adenylate cyclase inhibition. When orally administered, JME-173 and theophylline inhibited methacholine-induced bronchospasm at time points of 1 and 3 h post-treatment, while only JME-173 remained active for at least 6 h. In addition, JME-173 also inhibited AHR in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation. Thus, the mexiletine analog JME-173 shows highly attenuated activity on Na+ channels and optimized anti-spasmodic properties, in a mechanism that is at least in part mediated by regulation of Ca++ inflow toward the cytosol. Thus, JME-173 is a promising alternative for the treatment of clinical conditions marked by life-threatening bronchoconstriction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Humberto Cavalcante Joca
- Laboratory of Excitable Membranes and Cardiovascular Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Artur Santos Miranda
- Laboratory of Excitable Membranes and Cardiovascular Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jader Dos Santos Cruz
- Laboratory of Excitable Membranes and Cardiovascular Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Robson Xavier Faria
- Laboratory of Toxoplasmosis and Other Protozoans, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Terada Y, Higashi N, Hidaka Y, Isomoto Y, Yayama K. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor, Orthovanadate, Induces Contraction via Rho Kinase Activation in Mouse Thoracic Aortas. Biol Pharm Bull 2019; 42:877-885. [PMID: 31155587 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b18-00708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Orthovanadate (OVA), a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, induces contraction in endothelium-denuded mouse thoracic aortas. OVA-induced contraction was significantly (vs. control rings) suppressed by Rho kinase (Y-27632, 10 µM), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (Erk1/2, FR180204, 10 µM), Erk1/2 kinase (MEK, PD98059, 10 µM), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, AG1478, 10 µM), and Src inhibitors, and was partially suppressed by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK, AS601245, 10 µM) and p38 (SB203580, 10 µM) inhibitors. However, a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor (ML-7, 10 µM) and a metalloproteinase inhibitor (TAPI-0, 10 µM) had no effect on OVA-induced contraction in mouse thoracic aortas. Phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) was abolished by inhibitors of Src, EGFR, MEK, Erk1/2, and Rho kinase, but not by inhibitors of JNK and p38. Erk1/2 phosphorylation by OVA was blocked by inhibitors of EGFR, Src, MEK, and Erk1/2, but not by Rho kinase inhibition. Src phosphorylation at Tyr-416 was abrogated by only Src inhibitor. EGFR phosphorylation at Tyr-1173 was suppressed by a Src inhibitor. These findings suggest that OVA induces contraction via activation of Src, EGFR, MEK, Erk1/2, and Rho kinase, leading to inactivation of myosin light chain phosphatase via MYPT1 phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Terada
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Naoki Higashi
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Yuki Hidaka
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Yasumasa Isomoto
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Katsutoshi Yayama
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
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Lee SH, Park CS, Ok SH, Kim D, Kim KN, Hong JM, Kim JY, Bae SI, An S, Sohn JT. Bupivacaine-induced contraction is attenuated by endothelial nitric oxide release modulated by activation of both stimulatory and inhibitory phosphorylation (Ser1177 and Thr495) of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 853:121-128. [PMID: 30880179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the mechanism associated with the endothelium-dependent attenuation of vasoconstriction induced by bupivacaine (BPV), with a particular focus on the upstream cellular signaling pathway of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation induced by BPV in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). BPV concentration-response curves were investigated in the isolated rat aorta. The effects of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), methylene blue, calmidazolium, the Src kinase inhibitor 4-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(t-butyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine, 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2) and the combination of L-arginine and L-NAME on BPV-induced contraction in endothelium-intact aorta preparations were examined. The effects of BPV alone and in combination with PP2 on the phosphorylation of eNOS (at Ser1177 or Thr495), caveolin-1 and Src kinase were examined in HUVECs. BPV-induced contraction was lower in endothelium-intact aortae than in endothelium-denuded aortae. L-NAME, ODQ, methylene blue and calmidazolium increased BPV-induced contraction in endothelium-intact aortae, whereas PP2 alone and combined treatment with L-arginine and L-NAME inhibited BPV-induced contraction. Low-concentration BPV (30 µM) induced both stimulatory (Ser1177) and inhibitory (Thr495) phosphorylation of eNOS in HUVECs. However, high-concentration BPV (150 µM) induced only stimulatory (Ser1177) eNOS phosphorylation. Additionally, phosphorylation of Src kinase, caveolin-1 and inhibitory eNOS (Thr495) induced by low-concentration BPV was inhibited by PP2. These results suggest that contraction induced by low-concentration BPV is attenuated by endothelial nitric oxide release, which is modulated both stimulatory (Ser1177) and inhibitory eNOS phosphorylation (Thr495). BPV-induced phosphorylation of eNOS (Thr495) is indirectly mediated by an upstream cellular signaling pathway involving Src kinase (Tyr416) and caveolin-1 (Tyr14).
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Hee Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, 15 Jinju-daero 816 beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Shin Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Hypoxia-Related Disease Research Center, Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Inha-ro 100, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Ho Ok
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Changwon 51427, Republic of Korea; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, 15 Jinju-daero 816 beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Dana Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Hypoxia-Related Disease Research Center, Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Inha-ro 100, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Nam Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Hypoxia-Related Disease Research Center, Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Inha-ro 100, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Min Hong
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yoon Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, 15 Jinju-daero 816 beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Il Bae
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, 15 Jinju-daero 816 beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungmin An
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, 15 Jinju-daero 816 beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Tae Sohn
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, 15 Jinju-daero 816 beon-gil, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52727, Republic of Korea; Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-si 52727, Republic of Korea.
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Teófilo TM, Arruda-Barbosa L, Rodrigues-Silva JM, Vale JKL, Borges RS, Duarte GP, Magalhães PJC, Lahlou S. Mechanism of the vasorelaxant effect induced by trans-4-methyl-β-nitrostyrene, a synthetic nitroderivative, in rat thoracic aorta. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2017; 44:787-794. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taylena Maria Teófilo
- School of Medicine; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Federal University of Ceará; Fortaleza CE Brazil
| | - Loeste Arruda-Barbosa
- School of Medicine; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Federal University of Ceará; Fortaleza CE Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Gloria Pinto Duarte
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Federal University of Pernambuco; Recife PE Brazil
| | | | - Saad Lahlou
- School of Medicine; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Federal University of Ceará; Fortaleza CE Brazil
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A Lipid Emulsion Reverses Toxic-Dose Bupivacaine-Induced Vasodilation during Tyrosine Phosphorylation-Evoked Contraction in Isolated Rat Aortae. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020394. [PMID: 28208809 PMCID: PMC5343929 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of this in vitro study was to examine the effect of a lipid emulsion on toxic-dose bupivacaine-induced vasodilation in a model of tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate-induced contraction in endothelium-denuded rat aortae and to elucidate the associated cellular mechanism. The effect of a lipid emulsion on vasodilation induced by a toxic dose of a local anesthetic during sodium orthovanadate-induced contraction was examined. In addition, the effects of various inhibitors, either bupivacaine alone or a lipid emulsion plus bupivacaine, on protein kinase phosphorylation induced by sodium orthovanadate in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells was examined. A lipid emulsion reversed the vasodilation induced by bupivacaine during sodium orthovanadate-induced contraction. The lipid emulsion attenuated the bupivacaine-mediated inhibition of the sodium orthovanadate-induced phosphorylation of protein tyrosine, c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK), myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1), phospholipase C (PLC) γ-1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). These results suggest that a lipid emulsion reverses toxic-dose bupivacaine-induced vasodilation during sodium orthovanadate-induced contraction via the activation of a pathway involving either tyrosine kinase, JNK, Rho-kinase and MYPT1 or tyrosine kinase, PLC γ-1 and ERK, and this reversal is associated with the lipid solubility of the local anesthetic and the induction of calcium sensitization.
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Epidermal growth factor induces Ca(2+) sensitization through Rho-kinase-dependent phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 in vascular smooth muscle. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 762:89-95. [PMID: 26004531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
We previously found that the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor orthovanadate evoked a vasoconstrictor effect in rat aortas via Rho-kinase-dependent inactivation of myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) downstream of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor signaling. To determine whether the direct activation of EGF receptor by EGF also induces Rho-kinase-dependent vasoconstriction, isometric tension changes were measured in rat aortic rings without endothelium. Although EGF did not produce a contractile effect, the Ca(2+)-induced force in Ca(2+)-depleted rings significantly increased after treatment with 100nM EGF, suggesting that EGF induces Ca(2+) sensitization by MLCP inactivation. In addition, EGF induced the activation of Rho-kinase and phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The effects of EGF on Ca(2+) sensitivity in aortas and MYPT1 phosphorylation in VSMCs were blocked by inhibitors of EGF receptor (AG1478), Rho-kinase (Y27632), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2; FR180204), and mitogen/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK; PD98059), but not by inhibitors of p38 kinase (SB203580) and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (AS601245). EGF-induced Erk1/2 phosphorylation was not abrogated by the Rho-kinase inhibitor, suggesting that Rho-kinase-dependent phosphorylation of MYPT1 is downstream of EGF receptor/MEK/Erk1/2 signaling. These results suggest that EGF induces Ca(2+) sensitization in vascular smooth muscle by Rho-kinase-dependent inactivation of MLCP mediated by the EGF receptor/MEK/Erk1/2 pathway.
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Ito K, Matsuzaki M, Sasahara T, Shin M, Yayama K. Orthovanadate-Induced Vasoconstriction of Rat Mesenteric Arteries Is Mediated by Rho Kinase-Dependent Inhibition of Myosin Light Chain Phosphatase. Biol Pharm Bull 2015; 38:1809-16. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b15-00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Ito
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Mai Matsuzaki
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Tomoya Sasahara
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Mariko Shin
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
| | - Katsutoshi Yayama
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University
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