| mineralocorticoid | 1. <biochemistry> Any of the group of C21 corticosteroids, principally aldosterone, predominantly involved in the regulation of electrolyte and water balance through their effect on ion transport in epithelial cells of the renal tubules, resulting in retention of sodium and loss of potassium, some also possess varying degrees of glucocorticoid activity. Their secretion is regulated principally by plasma volume, serum potassium concentration and angiotensin II and to a lesser extent by anterior pituitary ACTH. 2. <pharmacology> Of, pertaining to, having the properties of or resembling a mineralocorticoid. (12 Jan 1998) |
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| mineralocorticoids | A group of hormones (the most important being aldosterone) that regulate the balance of water and electrolytes (ions such as sodium and potassium) in the body. The mineralocorticoid hormones act on the kidney (and specifically on the tubules of the kidney). (12 Dec 1998) |
| mineralocorticoids, synthetic | Synthetic steroids that mimic the activity of the mineralocorticoids obtained from the adrenal cortex, but differ in structure from the naturally occurring mineralocorticoids. (12 Dec 1998) |
| receptors, mineralocorticoid | Cytoplasmic proteins that specifically bind mineralocorticoids and mediate their cellular effects. The receptor with its bound ligand acts in the nucleus to induce transcription of specific segments of DNA. Mineralocorticoids were named for their actions on extracellular electrolyte concentrations. The most important example is aldosterone. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| hormone, mineralocorticoid | A group of hormones, the most important being aldosterone, that regulate the balance of water and electrolytes (ions such as sodium and potassium) in the body. The mineralocorticoid hormones act specifically on the tubules of the kidney. (12 Dec 1998) |