Medical Glossary AAD allergic airway disease, an in fl ammatory Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an enzyme disorder of the airways caused by allergens. that degrades (through its hydrolytic activity) AAPH 2,2 ¢ -azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydro- the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, producing chloride, a water-soluble azo compound used choline. extensively as a free radical generator, often in Acidosis increased acidity. the study of lipid peroxidation and the charac- Acne vulgaris also known as chronic acne, terization of antioxidants. usually occurring in adolescence, with come- Abdominal distension referring to generalised dones (blackheads), papules (red pimples), distension of most or all of the abdomen. Also nodules (in fl amed acne spots), and pustules referred to as stomach bloating often caused (small in fl amed pus- fi lled lesions) on the face, by a sudden increase in fi bre from consump- neck, and upper part of the trunk. tion of vegetables, fruits and beans. Acquired immunode fi ciency syndrome (AIDS) Abeta aggregation amyloid beta protein (Abeta) an epidemic disease caused by an infection aggregation is associated with Alzheimer’s by human immunode fi ciency virus (HIV-1, disease (AD); it is a major component of the HIV-2), retrovirus that causes immune system extracellular plaque found in AD brains. failure and debilitation and is often accompa- Ablation therapy the destruction of small areas nied by infections such as tuberculosis. of myocardial tissue, usually by application of Acridone an organic compound based on the electrical or chemical energy, in the treatment acridine skeleton, with a carbonyl group at the of some tachyarrhythmias. 9 position. Abortifacient a substance that causes or induces ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone (or corti- abortion. cotropin), a polypeptide tropic hormone pro- Abortivum a substance inducing abortion. duced and secreted by the anterior pituitary Abscess a swollen infected, in fl amed area fi lled gland. It plays a role in the synthesis and secre- with pus in body tissues. tion of gluco- and mineralo-corticosteroids and ABTS 2.2 azinobis-3-ethylhenthiazoline-6-sulfonic androgenic steroids. acid, a type of mediator in chemical reaction Activating transcription factor (ATF) a kinetics of speci fi c enzymes. protein (gene) that binds to speci fi c DNA A C A T acyl CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase. sequences regulating the transfer or transcrip- ACE see angiotensin-converting enzyme. tion of information from DNA to mRNA. Acetogenins natural products from the plants of Activator protein-1 (AP-1) a heterodimeric the family Annonaceae, are very potent inhibi- protein transcription factor that regulates gene tors of the NADH-ubiquinone reductase (Com- expression in response to a variety of stimuli, plex I) activity of mammalian mitochondria. including cytokines, growth factors, stress, T.K. Lim, Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 4, Fruits, 912 DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-4053-2, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012 Medical Glossary 913 and bacterial and viral infections. AP-1 in Adipose tissues body fat, loose connective turn regulates a number of cellular processes tissue 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 vari- that catalyzes the initial step in each cycle of ous stressors due to increased basal level of fatty acid b -oxidation in the mitochondria of mediators involved in the stress response. 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 Adrenalectomized having had the adrenal body’s resistance to stresses such as trauma, glands surgically removed. stress and fatigue. Adrenergic having to do with adrenaline (epineph- Adaptogenic increasing the resistance of the rine) and/or noradrenaline (norepinephrine). body to stress. Adrenergic receptors a class of G protein- Addison’s disease is a rare endocrine disorder. coupled receptors that are targets of the nora- It occurs when the adrenal glands cannot pro- drenaline (norepinephrine) and adrenaline duce suf fi cient hormones (corticosteroids). It (epinephrine). is also known as chronic adrenal insuf fi ciency, Adulterant an impure ingredient added into a hypocortisolism or hypocorticism. preparation. Adenocarcinoma a cancer originating in glan- Advanced Glycation End products dular tissue. ( AGEs) resultant products of a chain of Adenoma a benign tumour from a glandular chemical reactions after an initial glycation origin. reaction. AGEs may play an important adverse Adenopathy abnormal enlargement or swelling role in process of atherosclerosis, diabetes, of the lymph node. aging and chronic renal failure. Adenosine receptors a class of purinergic, Aegilops an ulcer or fi stula in the inner corner G-protein coupled receptors with adenosine as of the eye. endogenous ligand. In humans, there are four Afferent something that so conducts or car- adenosine receptors. A 1 receptors and A 2A ries towards, such as a blood vessel, fi bre, or play roles in the heart, regulating myocar- nerve. dial oxygen consumption and coronary blood Agalactia lack of milk after parturition (birth). fl ow, while the A 2A receptor also has broader Agammaglobulinaemia an inherited disorder antiin fl ammatory effects throughout the body. in which there are very low levels of protective These two receptors also have important roles immune proteins called immunoglobulins. Cf. in the brain, regulating the release of other x-linked agammaglobulinaemia. neurotransmitters such as dopamine and glu- Agglutination clumping of particles. tamate, while the A 2B and A 3 receptors are Agglutinin a protein substance, such as an anti- located mainly peripherally and are involved body, that is capable of causing agglutination in in fl ammation and immune responses. (clumping) of a particular antigen. ADH see alcohol dehydrogenase. Agonist a drug that binds to a receptor of a cell Adipocyte a fat cell involved in the synthesis and triggers a response by the cell. and storage of fats. Ague a fever (such as from malaria) that is Adipocytokine bioactive cytokines produced marked by paroxysms of chills, fever, and by adipose tissues. sweating that recurs with regular intervals. Adiponectin a protein in humans that modu- AHR AhR, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, a cytoso- lates several physiological processes, such as lic protein transcription factor. metabolism of glucose and fatty acids, and AIDS see Acquired Immunode fi ciency Syn- immune responses. drome. 914 Medical Glossary Akathisia a movement disorder in which there Allergy a hypersensitivity state induced by is an urge or need to move the legs to stop exposure to a particular antigen (allergen) unpleasant sensations. Also called restless resulting in harmful immunologic reactions leg syndrome, the disorder is often caused by on subsequent exposures. The term is usually long-term use of antipsychotic medications. used to refer to hypersensitivity to an envi- Akt/FoxO pathway Cellular processes involving ronmental 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- Akt signaling pathway Akt are protein kinases cally different because they are derived from involved in mammalian cellular signaling, separate individuals of the same species. Also inhibits apoptotic processes. refers to a type of immunological reaction Alanine transaminase (ALT) also called Serum that occurs when cells are transplanted into a Glutamic Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT) or genetically different recipient. Alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), an enzyme Allografts or homografts, a graft between indi- present in hepatocytes (liver cells). When a cell viduals of the same species, but of different is damaged, it leaks this enzyme into the blood. genotypes. ALAT, (Alanine aminotransferase) see Alanine Alloknesis itch produced by innocuous mechan- transaminase. ical stimulation. Albumin water soluble proteins found in egg Allostasis the process of achieving stability, or white, blood serum, milk, various animal tis- homeostasis, through physiological or behav- sues and plant juices and tissues. ioral change. Albuminaria excessive amount of albumin in the Alopecia is the loss of hair on the body. urine, a symptom of severe kidney disease. Alopecia areata is a particular disorder affect- Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) an enzyme ing hair growth (loss of hair) in the scalp and involved in the break-down of alcohol. elsewhere. Aldose reductase , aldehyde reductase an ALP see Alkaline phosphatase. enzyme in carbohydrate metabolism that con- Alpha-adrenoceptor receptors postulated to verts glucose to sorbitol. exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympa- Alexipharmic an antidote, remedy for poison. thetic nervous system in order to explain the Alexiteric a preservative against contagious speci fi city of certain agents that affect only and infectious diseases, and the effects of poi- some sympathetic activities (such as vasocon- sons. striction and relaxation of intestinal muscles Algesic endogenous substances involved in the and contraction of smooth muscles). production of pain that is associated with Alpha amylase a -amylase a major form of in fl ammation, e.g. serotonin, bradykinin and amylase
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