Medical Glossary
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Medical Glossary AAD Allergic airway disease, an infl ammatory Acetogenins Natural products from the plants disorder of the airways caused by allergens. of the family Annonaceae, are very potent AAPH 2,2′-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihy- inhibitors of the NADH-ubiquinone reduc- drochloride, a water-soluble azo compound tase (complex I) activity of mammalian used extensively as a free radical generator, mitochondria. often in the study of lipid peroxidation and the Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) Enzyme that- characterisation of antioxidants. catalyses the biotin-dependent carboxylation Abeta aggregation Amyloid beta pro- of acetyl-CoA to produce malonyl-CoA. tein (Abeta) aggregation is associated with Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Is an enzyme Alzheimer’s disease (AD); it is a major com- that degrades (through its hydrolytic activity) ponent of the extracellular plaque found in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, producing AD brains. choline. Abdominal distension Referring to gener- Acne vulga’ris Also known as chronic acne, alised distension of most or all of the abdo- usually occurring in adolescence, with com- men. Also referred to as stomach bloating edones (blackheads), papules (red pimples), often caused by a sudden increase in fi bre nodules (infl amed acne spots) and pustules from consumption of vegetables, fruits and (small infl amed pus-fi lled lesions) on the face, beans. neck and upper part of the trunk. Ablation therapy The destruction of small Acidosis Increased acidity, an excessively acid areas of myocardial tissue, usually by appli- condition of the body fl uids. cation of electrical or chemical energy, in the Acquired immunodefi ciency syndrome treatment of some tachyarrhythmias. (AIDS) An epidemic disease caused by Abortifacient A substance that causes or an infection by human immunodefi ciency induces abortion. virus (HIV-1, HIV-2), retrovirus that causes Abortivum A substance inducing abortion. immune system failure and debilitation and Abscess A swollen infected, infl amed area is often accompanied by infections such as fi lled with pus in body tissues. tuberculosis. ABTS 2.2-Azinobis-3-ethylhenthiazoline-6- - Acridone An organic compound based on the sulphonic acid, a type of mediator in chemical acridine skeleton, with a carbonyl group at the reaction kinetics of specifi c enzymes. 9 position. A C A T Acyl CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase. ACTH Adrenocorticotropic hormone (or cor- ACE See Angiotensin-converting enzyme. ticotropin), a polypeptide tropic hormone ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) Also produced and secreted by the anterior pitu- known as ‘corticotropin’, is a polypeptide itary gland. It palys a role in the synthesis and tropic hormone produced and secreted by the secretion of gluco- and mineralo-corticoste- anterior pituitary gland. roids and androgenic steroids. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 277 T.K. Lim, Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 11, Modifi ed Stems, Roots, Bulbs, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-26062-4 278 Medical Glossary Activating transcription factor (ATF) A oxygen consumption and coronary blood fl ow, protein (gene) that binds to specifi c DNA while the A2A receptor also has broader anti- sequences regulating the transfer or transcrip- infl ammatory effects throughout the body. tion of information from DNA to mRNA. These two receptors also have important roles Activator protein-1 (AP-1) A heterodimeric in the brain, regulating the release of other protein transcription factor that regulates gene neurotransmitters such as dopamine and glu- expression in response to a variety of stimuli, tamate, while the A2B and A3 receptors are including cytokines, growth factors, stress located mainly peripherally and are involved and bacterial and viral infections. AP-1 in in infl ammation and immune responses. turn regulates a number of cellular processes ADH See Alcohol dehydrogenase. including differentiation, proliferation and Adipocyte A fat cell involved in the synthesis apoptosis. and storage of fats. Actoprotective Increasing the body’s physical Adipocytokine Bioactive cytokines produced performance. by adipose tissues Actoprotectors Preparations that increase the Adiponectin A protein in humans that modu- mental performance and enhance body sta- lates several physiological processes, such bility against physical loads without increas- as metabolism of glucose and fatty acids and ing oxygen consumption. Actoprotectors are immune responses. regarded as a subclass of adaptogens that hold Adipose tissues Body fat, loose connective tis- a signifi cant capacity to increase physical sue composed of adipocytes (fat cells). performance. Adoptogen Containing smooth pro-stressors Acute otitis media (AOM) see Otitis media. which reduce reactivity of host defence sys- Acyl-CoA dehydrogenases A group of tems and decrease damaging effects of vari- enzymes that catalyses the initial step in each ous stressors due to increased basal level of cycle of fatty acid β-oxidation in the mito- mediators involved in the stress response. chondria of cells. Adrenal glands Star-shaped endocrine glands Adaptogen A term used by herbalists to refer that sit on top of the kidneys. to a natural herb product that increases the Adrenalectomised Having had the adrenal body’s resistance to stresses such as trauma, glands surgically removed. stress and fatigue. Adrenergic Having to do with adrena- Adaptogenic Increasing the resistance of the line (epinephrine) and/or noradrenaline body to stress. (norepinephrine). Addison’s disease Is a rare endocrine disorder. Adrenergic receptors A class of G protein- It occurs when the adrenal glands cannot pro- coupled receptors that are targets of the nor- duce suffi cient hormones (corticosteroids). It adrenaline (norepinephrine) and adrenaline is also known as chronic adrenal insuffi ciency, (epinephrine). hypocortisolism or hypocorticism. Adulterant An impure ingredient added into a Adenocarcinoma A cancer originating in glan- preparation. dular tissue. Advanced glycation end products Adenoma A benign tumour from a glandular ( AGEs) Resultant products of a chain of origin. chemical reactions after an initial glycation Adenoidectomy Surgical removal of the reaction. AGEs may play an important adverse adenoids. role in process of atherosclerosis, diabetes, Adenopathy Abnormal enlargement or swell- aging and chronic renal failure. ing 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 Aerophagia Excessive air swallowing. as endogenous ligand. In humans, there are Afferent Something that so conducts or car- four adenosine receptors. A1 receptors and A2A ries towards, such as a blood vessel, fi bre, or play roles in the heart, regulating myocardial nerve. Medical Glossary 279 Agammaglobulinaemia An inherited disorder When a cell is damaged, it leaks this enzyme in which there are very low levels of protective into the blood. immune proteins called immunoglobulins. cf. ALAT (alanine aminotransferase) See x-linked agammaglobulinaemia. Alanine transaminase. Agalactia Lack of milk after parturition (birth). Albumin Water-soluble proteins found in egg Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) a white, blood serum, milk, various animal tis- medical condition of elderly adults that results sues and plant juices and tissues. in a loss of vision in the centre of the visual Albuminaria Excessive amount of albumin in fi eld (the macula) because of damage to the the urine, a symptom of severe kidney disease. retina. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) An enzyme Agglutinin A protein substance, such as an involved in the breakdown of alcohol. antibody, that is capable of causing agglutina- Aldose reductase , aldehyde reductase An tion (clumping) of a particular antigen. enzyme in carbohydrate metabolism that con- Agglutination Clumping of particles. verts glucose to sorbitol. Agonist A drug that binds to a receptor of a cell Aldosterone Is a steroid hormone. Its main and triggers a response by the cell. role is to regulate salt and water in the body, Agoraphobia An anxiety disorder character- thus having an effect on blood pressure. ised by anxiety in situations where the sufferer Aldosteronism A condition in which there is perceives certain environments (openness or excessive secretion of aldosterone, which dis- crowdedness) as dangerous or uncomfortable. turbs the balance of sodium, potassium and Ague A fever (such as from malaria) that is water in the blood and so leads to high blood marked by paroxysms of chills, fever and pressure. sweating that recurs with regular intervals. Aldosteronopenia Defi ciency of aldosterone AHR AhR, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, a cyto- production with normal secretion of cortisol. solic protein transcription factor. Alexipharmic An antidote, remedy for poison. AIDS See Acquired immunodefi ciency Alexiteric A preservative against contagious syndrome. and infectious diseases and the effects of Akathisia A movement disorder in which there poisons. is an urge or need to move the legs to stop Algesic Endogenous substances involved in unpleasant sensations. Also called restless the production of pain that is associated with leg syndrome, the disorder is often caused by infl ammation, e.g. serotonin, bradykinin and long-term use of antipsychotic medications. prostaglandins. AKT Serine/threonine kinase (also known Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) An enzyme in as protein kinase B or PKB) plays a critical the cells lining the biliary ducts of the liver. regulatory role