| ACE | <enzyme> This hydrolase enzyme cleaves the decapeptide angiotensin I (biologically inactive) to form active angiotensin II by angiotensin-converting enzyme which removes a dipeptide (histidylleucine) from angiotensin I. Angiotensin II causes contraction of vascular smooth muscle and thus raises blood pressure and stimulates aldosterone release from the adrenal glands. Angiotensin is finally broken down by angiotensinases. Elevations in angiotensin converting enzyme are seen sarcoidosis, histoplasmosis, alcoholic cirrhosis, asbestosis, berylliosis, diabetes, Hodgkin's disease, hyperthyroidism, amyloidosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary embolism, scleroderma, silicosis, tuberculosis, Gaucher's disease and leprosy. The normal values are 18 to 67 U/ml over 20 years of age (people under 20 have higher levels). Drugs that inhibit ACE are used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. See: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor Acronym: ACE (12 Aug 2000) |
|---|---|
| ACE inhibitor | <pharmacology> A group of antihypertensive medications that work by inhibiting an enzyme (angiotensin-converting enzyme) that is important in the regulation of blood pressure. Studies have also indicated that it may help prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease in patients with diabetes. Examples include: captopril, ramipril, enalapril, losartan potassium, bepridil and lisinopril. (12 Mar 1998) |
| ACE level | <investigation> This is a blood test which measures the concentration of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in the bloodstream. Elevations in angiotensin-converting enzyme are seen sarcoidosis, histoplasmosis, alcoholic cirrhosis, asbestosis, berylliosis, diabetes, Hodgkin's disease, hyperthyroidism, amyloidosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary embolism, scleroderma, silicosis, tuberculosis, Gaucher's disease and leprosy. The normal values are 18 to 67 U/ml over 20 years of age (people under 20 have higher levels). (15 Jan 1998) |
| acebutolol | <chemical> N-(3-acetyl-4-(2-hydroxy-3-((1-methylethyl)amino)propoxy)phenyl)butanamide. A cardioselective beta-adrenergic antagonist with little effect on the bronchial receptors. The drug has stabilizing and quinidine-like effects on cardiac rhythm as well as weak inherent sympathomimetic action. Pharmacological action: adrenergic beta-antagonists, anti-arrhythmia agents, antihypertensive agents, sympatholytics. Chemical name: Butanamide, N-(3-acetyl-4-(2-hydroxy-3-((1-methylethyl)amino)propoxy)phenyl)-, (+-)- (12 Dec 1998) |
| acecainide | <chemical> 4-(acetylamino)-n-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)benzamide. Major metabolite of procainamide. Its anti-arrhythmic action may cause cardiac toxicity in kidney failure. Pharmacological action: anti-arrhythmia agents. Chemical name: Benzamide, 4-(acetylamino)-N-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)- (12 Dec 1998) |
| aceclidine | 3-Quinuclidinol acetate ester;a cholinergic drug used for topical therapy of glaucoma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acedapsone | <chemical> Acetylated sulfone that is slowly metabolised to give long-term, low blood levels of dapsone. It has antimicrobial and antimalarial action, but is mainly used as a depot leprostatic agent. Pharmacological action: anti-infective agents, antimalarials, leprostatic agents. Chemical name: Acetamide, N,N'-(sulfonyldi-4,1-phenylene)bis- (12 Dec 1998) |
| acedia | A mental syndrome, the chief features of which are listlessness, carelessness, apathy, and melancholia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acefylline piperazine | Piperazine theophylline-7-acetate;a diuretic and smooth muscle relaxant. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acellular | <microbiology> Describes any organism or tissue that is a mass of protoplasm which is not divided into cells, such as the plasmodium of some slime molds and the hyphae of some fungi. (12 Mar 1998) |
| acellular vaccine | <immunology, pharmacology, virology> Vaccine consisting of antigenic parts of cells. (13 Nov 1997) |
| acelom | Absence of a true celom or body cavity lined with mesothelium; typically found in Platyhelminthes (flatworms), which have a syncytial mass of parenchymal cells instead of a true body cavity. Origin: G. A-priv. + koiloma, hollow (celom) (05 Mar 2000) |
| acelomate | Not having a celom or body cavity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acelomatous | Not having a celom or body cavity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acenaphthene | <chemistry> Tricyclic ethylene-bridged naphthalene derivatives. They are found in petroleum residues and coal tar and used as dye intermediates, in the manufacture of plastics, and in insecticide and fungicides. (12 Dec 1998) |
| medication, ace-inhibitor | Agents that inhibit ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme), thereby acting as vasodilators (really as anti-vasoconstrictors), lightening the stress load on the heart. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|