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Inhibitory effect of potassium alum on smooth muscle contraction of rabbit and its mechanism

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effects of potassium alum (Alunite) on smooth muscle contraction and phosphorylation of myosin light chain by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and to try to find out the clue of its mechanism.

Methods

An isolated rabbit duodenum smooth muscle strip was selected to study the effects of potassium alum on its contractile activity under the condition of Krebs’ solution using HW-400S constant temperature smooth muscle trough. The myosin and MLCK were purified from chicken gizzard smooth muscle. Myosin light chain phosphorylation was determined by glycerol-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; myosin Mg2+-ATPase activity was measured by inorganic phosphate liberation method.

Results

Potassium alum (2.5–20 mmol/L) inhibited the contraction on duodenum in a dose-related and a time-dependent manner; potassium alum could also inhibit the extent of phosphorylation of myosin light chain in a dose-related and a time-dependent manner; and potassium alum inhibited the extent of Mg2+-ATPase activity in a dose-related manner.

Conclusions

Potassium alum inhibited smooth muscle contraction in a way of inhibiting phosphorylation of myosin light chain and Mg2+-ATPase activity. This has revealed the molecular mechanism of treatment of gastrointestinal spastic disorders by potassium alum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, 116044, China

    Zhong-yuan Tang  (唐中元), Yuan Lin  (林 原), Xiao-li Yang  (杨晓丽), Wei Wei  (魏 薇) & Ze-yao Tang  (唐泽耀)

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  1. Zhong-yuan Tang  (唐中元)
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  2. Yuan Lin  (林 原)
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  3. Xiao-li Yang  (杨晓丽)
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  4. Wei Wei  (魏 薇)
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  5. Ze-yao Tang  (唐泽耀)
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Correspondence to Ze-yao Tang  (唐泽耀).

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Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30772601)

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Tang, Zy., Lin, Y., Yang, Xl. et al. Inhibitory effect of potassium alum on smooth muscle contraction of rabbit and its mechanism. Chin. J. Integr. Med. (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1330-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1330-5

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