| alpha-1 antitrypsin | <chemical> Plasma glycoprotein member of the serpin superfamily which inhibits trypsin, neutrophil elastase, and other proteolytic enzymes. Commonly referred to as alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (a1pi), it exists in over 30 different biochemical variant forms known collectively as the pi (protease inhibitor) system. Hereditary deficiency is associated with pulmonary emphysema. See: alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency Pharmacological action: serine proteinase inhibitors, trypsin inhibitors. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency | <chest medicine> Deficiency of the protease inhibitor alpha-1 antitrypsin, leads primarily to degradation of elastin of the alveolar walls, as well as other structural proteins of a variety of tissues. The lack of this protein leads to damage of various organs, but mainly to the lung and liver. symptoms may become apparent at a very early age or in adulthood, manifesting either as shortness of breath or liver related symptoms (jaundice, fatigue, fluid in the abdomen, mental changes, or gastrointestinal bleeding). There are several options for treatment of the lung disease, including replacement of the missing protein. Treatment of the liver disease is a well-timed liver transplant (12 Dec 1998) |
| alpha-1-proteinase deficiency | Absence of a serum proteinase inhibitor that may cause nodular non-suppurative panniculitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha(2,8)-sialyltransferase | <enzyme> Active towards gm1b, gd1a, gt1b, and gd3 gangliosides; genbank u91641 Registry number: EC 3.4.99.- Synonym: st8sia v, hst8sia v (26 Jun 1999) |
| alpha-(4-O-methyl)-D-glucuronidase | <enzyme> Removes 4-o-methyl-glucopyranosyl uronic acid residues from the 2-position of fungal cell wall xylans Registry number: EC 3.2.1.- Synonym: 4-o-methyl-glucuronidase (26 Jun 1999) |
| alpha-acetolactic acid | An intermediate in pyruvic acid catabolism and valine biosynthesis; CH3COC(OH)(CH3)-COOH. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-actinin | An F-actin binding protein in vertebrate cells that cross-links actin filaments into regular parallel arrays. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-adrenergic blocking agent | An agent that competitively blocks alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in the treatment of hypertension. Synonym: alpha-blocker. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-adrenergic receptors | Adrenergic receptor's in effector tissues capable of selective activation and blockade by drugs; conceptually derived from the ability of certain agents, such as phenoxybenzamine, to block only some adrenergic receptor's and of other agents, such as methoxamine, to activate only the same adrenergic receptor's. Such receptor's are designated as alpha-receptors. Their activation results in physiological responses such as increased peripheral vascular resistance, mydriasis, and contraction of pilomotor muscles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha alcoholism | Jellinek's term for a still controllable and strictly psychological dependence on alcohol, as to relieve emotional or physical pain, with resulting interference with interpersonal relationships. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-allocortol | 5alpha-Pregnane-3a,11b,17,20a,21-pentaol;the 5a enantiomer of alpha-cortol; a metabolite of hydroxycortisone found in the urine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-allocortolone | 3a,17,20a,21-Tetrahydroxy-5alpha-pregnane-11-one;the 5a enantiomer of alpha-cortolone; a metabolite of hydrocortisone found in urine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-allopregnanediol | 5alpha-Pregnane-3a,20alpha-diol;a metabolite of progesterone and adrenocortical hormones, found in urine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-amanitin | <drug> A highly toxic, heat-stable bicyclic oligopeptide derived from the Amanita phalloides mushroom. It inhibits transcription by interfering with the function of certain RNA polymerases. (14 Aug 2000) |
| alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid | <chemical> Alpha-amino-2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-oxo-4-isoxazolepropanoic acid. An ibotenic acid homolog and glutamate agonist. The compound is the defining agonist for the ampa subtype of glutamate receptors (receptors, ampa). It has been used as a radionuclide imaging agent but is more commonly used as an experimental tool in cell biological studies. Pharmacological action: excitatory amino acid agonists. Chemical name: 4-Isoxazolepropanoic acid, alpha-amino-2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-oxo- (12 Dec 1998) |