Tag: Smooth muscle
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Autacoids Unleashed: The Self-Made, Self-Destructive Hormones You Didn’t Know You Needed
What Are Autacoids? Autacoids (or autocoids) are the body’s DIY hormones—locally produced, short-lived biochemical messengers that scream, “I got this!” before promptly fading into oblivion. The term comes from the Greek autos (self) and acos (relief or drug), which is ironic because they’re basically the overachieving interns of the body: they do all the work locally, get no credit,…
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ADAM33: The Asthma Whisperer
ADAM33 is the protein that’s been keeping pulmonologists up at night! ADAM33 is like that mysterious neighbor who everyone suspects is up to something, but no one can quite figure out what. This sneaky little protein has been linked to asthma, but it’s playing hard to get when it comes to revealing its secrets. Picture…
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Adenosine
Adenosine (symbol A) is an organic compound that occurs widely in nature in the form of diverse derivatives. The molecule consists of an adenine attached to a ribose via a β-N9–glycosidic bond. Adenosine is one of the four nucleoside building blocks of RNA (and its derivative deoxyadenosine is a building block of DNA), which are essential for all life. Its derivatives include the energy carriers adenosine mono-, di-, and triphosphate, also…
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Cells in the APUD system may include Juxtaglomerular cells (JG cells), the renin producing cells in the kidney
Juxtaglomerular cells (JG cells), also known as juxtaglomerular granular cells are cells in the kidney that synthesize, store, and secrete the enzyme renin. They are specialized smooth muscle cells mainly in the walls of the afferent arterioles (and some in the efferent arterioles) that deliver blood to the glomerulus. In synthesizing renin, they play a critical role in the renin–angiotensin system and thus in autoregulation of the kidney. Juxtaglomerular cells secrete renin in…
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The adrenal medulla is the principal site of the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine into the catecholamines; epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine
The adrenal medulla (Latin: medulla glandulae suprarenalis) is part of the adrenal gland. It is located at the center of the gland, being surrounded by the adrenal cortex. It is the innermost part of the adrenal gland, consisting of chromaffin cells that secrete catecholamines, including epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and a small amount of dopamine, in response to stimulation by sympathetic preganglionic neurons. Structure The adrenal medulla consists of irregularly shaped cells…
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Medical uses of adrenaline
Main article: Epinephrine (medication) As a medication, it is used to treat several conditions, including allergic reaction anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, and superficial bleeding. Inhaled adrenaline may be used to improve the symptoms of croup. It may also be used for asthma when other treatments are not effective. It is given intravenously, by injection into a muscle, by inhalation, or by injection just under the skin. Common…
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Ryania speciosa, Ryanodine and Ryanoids
Ryania speciosa is a species of plant in the family Salicaceae. The species is significant partly because the ryanoid insecticides are derived from, and have the same mode of action as the alkaloid ryanodine, which was originally extracted from this South American plant, which is also used as a piscicide (fish poison). M. Vahl, 1797 In: Eclog. Am. 1: 51, t. 9 (1796) [1797] The Plant list Roskov…
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Somatostatin
Not to be confused with Somatocrinin or Somatomedin. Somatostatin, also known as growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH) or by several other names, is a peptide hormone that regulates the endocrine system and affects neurotransmission and cell proliferation via interaction with G protein-coupled somatostatin receptors and inhibition of the release of numerous secondary hormones. Somatostatin inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion. “somatostatin”. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 04 mag. 2016…
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Prostaglandins (PG)
The prostaglandins (PG) are a group of physiologically active lipid compounds called eicosanoids “Eicosanoid Synthesis and Metabolism: Prostaglandins, Thromboxanes, Leukotrienes, Lipoxins”. themedicalbiochemistrypage.org. Retrieved 2018-09-21. having diverse hormone-like effects in animals. Prostaglandins have been found in almost every tissue in humans and other animals. They are derived enzymatically from the fatty acid arachidonic acid. Ricciotti E, FitzGerald GA (May 2011). “Prostaglandins and inflammation”. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 31 (5): 986–1000. doi:10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.207449. PMC 3081099. PMID 21508345. Every prostaglandin contains 20 carbon atoms, including…
