| hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists | A collective grouping for both naturally occurring and synthetic hormones, substitutes, and antagonists. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| thyroid hormones | Chemical substances made by the thyroid gland which is located in the front of the neck. The thyroid gland uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) in the body. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (t4) and triiodothyronine (T3). (12 Dec 1998) |
| blood substitutes | Substances that can carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from the tissues when introduced into the blood stream. They are used to replace haemoglobin in severe haemorrhage and also to perfuse isolated organs. The best known are perfluorocarbon emulsions and various haemoglobin solutions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bone substitutes | Synthetic or natural materials for the replacement of bones or bone tissue. They include hard tissue replacement polymers, natural coral, hydroxyapatite, beta-tricalcium phosphate, and various other biomaterials. The bone substitutes as inert materials can be incorporated into surrounding tissue or gradually replaced by original tissue. (12 Dec 1998) |
| plasma substitutes | Any liquid used to replace blood plasma, usually a saline solution, often with serum albumins, dextrans or other preparations. These substances do not enhance the oxygen- carrying capacity of blood, but merely replace the volume. They are also used to treat dehydration. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fat substitutes | Compounds used in food or in food preparation to replace dietary fats. They may be carbohydrate-, protein-, or fat-based. Fat substitutes are usually lower in calories but provide the same texture as fats. (12 Dec 1998) |
| adrenocortical hormones | Hormone's secreted by the human adrenal cortex; e.g., cortisol, aldosterone, corticosterone. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adrenomedullary hormones | Hormones produced by the adrenal medulla, particularly the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pancreatic hormones | Peptide hormones secreted into the blood by cells in the islets of langerhans of the pancreas. The alpha cells secrete glucagon; the beta cells secrete insulin; the delta cells secrete somatostatin; and the pp cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide. (12 Dec 1998) |
| gastrointestinal hormones | Hormones that originate in and regulate motor and secretory activity of the digestive organs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| parathyroid hormones | Polypeptide hormones (84 amino acid residues) secreted by the parathyroid glands, which promote release of calcium from bone to extracellular fluid by activating osteoblasts and inhibiting osteoclasts, indirectly promote increased intestinal absorption of calcium, and promote renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and increased renal excretion of phosphates. It is a major regulator of bone metabolism. Secretion of parathyroid hormone increases when the level of calcium in the extracellular fluid is low. Its action is opposed by calcitonin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vertebrate hormones | Hormones synthesised in vertebrates. (05 Mar 2000) |
| glycoprotein hormones, alpha subunit | A non-covalently bound subunit of the glycoprotein hormones tsh, fsh, lh, and hcg which originates in the anterior pituitary gland and placenta. This subunit is virtually identical in structure and indistinguishable by radioimmunoassay in all of the above glycoproteins. It is present in both men and women, but is elevated in postmenopausal women and in patients with hypothyroidism, uraemia and malignant tumours. The alpha subunit may be involved directly in recognition of certain receptors. (12 Dec 1998) |
| gonadal hormones | Hormones having oestrogenic (female sex hormones) or androgenic (male sex hormones) activity. (12 Dec 1998) |
| pituitary hormone release inhibiting hormones | Polypeptide hormones produced in the hypothalamus which inhibit the release of pituitary hormones. (12 Dec 1998) |