Medical Glossary AAD Allergic airway disease, an infl ammatory (Complex I) activity of mammalian disorder of the airways caused by allergens. mitochondria. AAPH 2,2 ¢ -Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihy- Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Is an enzyme drochloride, a water-soluble azo compound that degrades (through its hydrolytic activity) used extensively as a free radical generator, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, producing often in the study of lipid peroxidation and the choline. characterization of antioxidants. Acne vulgaris Also known as chronic acne, Abeta aggregation Amyloid b protein (Abeta) usually occurring in adolescence, with come- aggregation is associated with Alzheimer’s dones (blackheads), papules (red pimples), disease (AD); it is a major component of the nodules (infl amed acne spots), and pustules extracellular plaque found in AD brains. (small infl amed pus-fi lled lesions) on the face, Abdominal distension Referring to generalised neck, and upper part of the trunk. distension of most or all of the abdomen. Also Acidosis Increased acidity. referred to as stomach bloating often caused Acquired immunodefi ciency syndrome by a sudden increase in fi bre from consump- (AIDS) An epidemic disease caused by an tion of vegetables, fruits and beans. infection by human immunodefi ciency virus Ablation therapy The destruction of small areas (HIV-1, HIV-2), retrovirus that causes of myocardial tissue, usually by application of immune system failure and debilitation and is electrical or chemical energy, in the treatment often accompanied by infections such as of some tachyarrhythmias. tuberculosis. Abortifacient A substance that causes or Acridone An organic compound based on the induces abortion. acridine skeleton, with a carbonyl group at the Abortivum A substance inducing abortion. 9 position. Abscess A swollen infected, infl amed area fi lled ACTH Adrenocorticotropic hormone (or corti- with pus in body tissues. cotropin), a polypeptide tropic hormone pro- ABTS 2,2 Azinobis-3-ethylhenthiazoline-6- duced and secreted by the anterior pituitary sulfonic acid, a type of mediator in chemical gland. It plays a role in the synthesis and reaction kinetics of specifi c enzymes. secretion of gluco- and mineralo-corticosteroids A C A T Acyl CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase. and androgenic steroids. ACE See angiotensin-converting enzyme. Activating transcription factor (ATF) A protein ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) Also (gene) that binds to specifi c DNA sequences known as ‘corticotropin’, is a polypeptide tropic regulating the transfer or transcription of infor- hormone produced and secreted by the ante- mation from DNA to mRNA. rior pituitary gland. Activator protein-1 (AP-1) A heterodimeric Acetogenins Natural products from the plants protein transcription factor that regulates gene of the family Annonaceae, are very potent expression in response to a variety of stimuli, inhibitors of the NADH-ubiquinone reductase including cytokines, growth factors, stress, T.K. Lim, Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 3, Fruits, 791 DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-2534-8, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012 792 Medical Glossary and bacterial and viral infections. AP-1 in turn Adipose tissues Body fat, loose connective tissue regulates a number of cellular processes composed of adipocytes (fat cells). including differentiation, proliferation, and Adoptogen Containing smooth pro-stressors apoptosis. which reduce reactivity of host defense sys- Acyl-CoA dehydrogenases A group of enzymes tems and decrease damaging effects of various that catalyzes the initial step in each cycle of stressors due to increased basal level of medi- fatty acid b -oxidation in the mitochondria of ators involved in the stress response. cells. Adrenal glands Star-shaped endocrine glands Adaptogen A term used by herbalists to refer to that sit on top of the kidneys. a natural herb product that increases the body’s Adrenalectomized Having had the adrenal resistance to stresses such as trauma, stress glands surgically removed. and fatigue. Adrenergic Having to de with adrenaline (epi- Adaptogenic Increasing the resistance of the nephrine) and/or noradrenaline (norepinephrine). body to stress. Adrenergic receptors A class of G protein-coupled Addison’s disease Is a rare endocrine disorder. receptors that are targets of the noradrenaline It occurs when the adrenal glands cannot (norepinephrine) and adrenaline (epinephrine). produce suffi cient hormones (corticosteroids). Adulterant An impure ingredient added into a It is also known as chronic adrenal insuffi ciency, preparation. hypocortisolism or hypocorticism. Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) Adenocarcinoma A cancer originating in glan- Resultant products of a chain of chemical dular tissue. reactions after an initial glycation reaction. Adenoma A benign tumour from a glandular AGEs may play an important adverse role in origin. process of atherosclerosis, diabetes, aging and Adenopathy Abnormal enlargement or swelling chronic renal failure. of the lymph node. Aegilops An ulcer or fi stula in the inner corner Adenosine receptors A class of purinergic, of the eye. G-protein coupled receptors with adenosine as Afferent Something that so conducts or carries endogenous ligand. In humans, there are four towards, such as a blood vessel, fi bre, or nerve. adenosine receptors. A 1 receptors and A 2A Agammaglobulinaemia An inherited disorder play roles in the heart, regulating myocardial in which there are very low levels of protective oxygen consumption and coronary blood fl ow, immune proteins called immunoglobulins. Cf. while the A 2A receptor also has broader anti- x-linked agammaglobulinaemia. infl ammatory effects throughout the body. Agalactia Lack of milk after parturition (birth). These two receptors also have important roles Agglutinin A protein substance, such as an anti- in the brain, regulating the release of other body, that is capable of causing agglutination neurotransmitters such as dopamine and glu- (clumping) of a particular antigen. tamate, while the A 2B and A 3 receptors are Agglutination Clumping of particles. located mainly peripherally and are involved Agonist A drug that binds to a receptor of a cell in infl ammation and immune responses. and triggers a response by the cell. ADH See alcohol dehydrogenase. Ague A fever (such as from malaria) that is Adipocyte A fat cell involved in the synthesis marked by paroxysms of chills, fever, and and storage of fats. sweating that recurs with regular intervals. Adipocytokine Bioactive cytokines produced AHR AhR, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, a cytosolic by adipose tissues protein transcription factor. Adiponectin A protein in humans that modu- AIDS See Acquired Immunodefi ciency Syndrome. lates several physiological processes, such as Akathisia A movement disorder in which there metabolism of glucose and fatty acids, and is an urge or need to move the legs to stop immune responses. unpleasant sensations. Also called restless leg Medical Glossary 793 syndrome, the disorder is often caused by Allergy A hypersensitivity state induced by long-term use of antipsychotic medications. exposure to a particular antigen (allergen) Akt signaling pathway Akt are protein kinases resulting in harmful immunologic reactions involved in mammalian cellular signaling, on subsequent exposures. The term is usually inhibits apoptotic processes. used to refer to hypersensitivity to an environ- Akt/FoxO pathway Cellular processes involving mental antigen (atopic allergy or contact Akt and FoxO transcription factors that play a dermatitis) or to drug allergy. role in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Allogeneic Cells or tissues which are geneti- Alanine transaminase (ALT) Also called cally different because they are derived from Serum Glutamic Pyruvate Transaminase separate individuals of the same species. Also (SGPT) or Alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), refers to a type of immunological reaction that an enzyme present in hepatocytes (liver cells). occurs when cells are transplanted into a When a cell is damaged, it leaks this enzyme genetically different recipient. into the blood. Allografts Or homografts, a graft between indi- ALAT (Alanine aminotransferase) See Alanine viduals of the same species, but of different transaminase. genotypes. Albumin Water soluble proteins found in egg Alloknesis Itch produced by innocuous mechan- white, blood serum, milk, various animal ical stimulation. tissues and plant juices and tissues. Allostasis The process of achieving stability, or Albuminaria Excessive amount of albumin homeostasis, through physiological or behav- in the urine, a symptom of severe kidney ioral change. disease. Alopecia Is the loss of hair on the body. Aldose reductase, aldehyde reductase An Alopecia areata Is a particular disorder affect- enzyme in carbohydrate metabolism that ing hair growth (loss of hair) in the scalp and converts glucose to sorbitol. elsewhere. Alexipharmic An antidote, remedy for poison. ALP See Alkaline phosphatase. Alexiteric A preservative against contagious Alpha-adrenoceptor Receptors postulated to and infectious diseases, and the effects of exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympa- poisons. thetic nervous system in order to explain the Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) An enzyme specifi city of certain agents that affect only involved in the break-down of alcohol. some sympathetic activities (such as vasocon- Algesic Endogenous substances involved in the striction and relaxation of intestinal muscles production of pain that is associated with and contraction of