Pharmacology & Pathophysiology

Japanese here

Division of Pharmacology & Pathophysiology

Kinki University School of Pharmacy

3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-Osaka 577-8502

Japan

Tel. 06-6721-2332 (Lab’s ext., 3815 or 3864; Kawabata’s ext., 3863)

Fax. 06-6730-1394

Staff

Atsufumi Kawabata (Publications), Ph.D., Professor

E-mail: kawabata@------------------

When you email me, please type ‘phar.kindai.ac.jp’ after ‘kawabata@’

Fumiko Sekiguchi, Ph.D., Associate Professor

E-mail: fumiko@------------------

When you email me, please type ‘phar.kindai.ac.jp’ after ‘fumiko@’

Maho Matsunami, M.Sci., Research and Educational Assistant

E-mail: maho@------------------

When you email me, please type ‘phar.kindai.ac.jp’ after ‘maho@’

Laboratory members

Research Project

1. Study on protease-activated receptors (PARs)

Protease-activated receptors belong to a novel family of G protein-coupled, seven trans-membrane domain receptors that consists of four members, PARs 1, 2, 3 and 4. We have been investigating the physiological and/or pathophysiological roles for PARs as novel targets for development of drugs. We have reported the roles for PARs in inflammation and in modulation of duodenal smooth muscle tone and of salivary and pancreatic exocrine secretion. In this project, we have a lot of collaboration with foreign universities, pharmaceutical companies and some laboratories in our own university.

[Activation mechanisms of PAR-2]

2. Study on hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)

H₂S is now considered a novel gaseous messenger in the mammalian body. H₂S can be formed from L-cysteine by specific enzymes in the mammalian tissues, and also by sulfate-reducing bacteria in the colonic lumen. We study the roles for H₂S in modulation of biological events in the mammalian body, including processing of pain and vasoconstriction.

[Formation of H₂S in the mammalian body]

3. Study on pain modulation

Another project is about pain. We are now studying the modulation mechanisms of pain information in the brain, spinal cord and periphery. We wish to develop novel analgesics that can suppress intractable pain like neuropathic pain. We are now studying pain modulation by nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and by electrical stimulation of somatosensory cortex