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Definition Page for DrumLib's Health Research Review:
Anabolic (an-ah-BOL-ik)
This term refers to the process of building up. Steroids are
called anabolic because they build up your muscles.
Anaerobic (an-air-OH-bik)
This term means "without oxygen." It refers to
activities, metabolic processes, and organisms that not require oxygen. Weightlifting is
often called an anaerobic exercise.
Analgesic (an-al-JEE-sick)
A drug that relives pain.
Analog (AN-ah-log)
SYN: Analogue (AN-ah-log)
A compound that has a similar structure to another. The term
analog can also be used to refer to an organ in a different species that is somewhat
similar in structure and function.
Androgen (AN-droh-jens)
SYN: Testoid
This term refers to the male sex hormones (testosterone, androsterone) or
any agent that encourages the development of male sex characteristics.
Androstenediol (an-droh-STEEN-die-ol)
DHEA is converted to androstenediol by 17-ketoreductase. Androstenediol is then converted to testosterone. DHEA can also be converted to androstenedione, which can be converted to either
testosterone or estradiol.
Androstenedione (an-droh-STEEN-die-own)
A weak androgenic steroid secreted
by the adrenal cortex, testes,
and ovary. In normal males less than 5% of their testosterone comes from the conversion of adrenal
androstenedione. Androstenedione is converted to testosterone by the enzyme 17-ketoreductase. Androstenedione and testosterone are
converted to estrone and estradiol
in peripheral tissues (primarily in adipose tissue but
also in muscle, kidney, liver and the hypothalamus) by aromatase. The conversion of androstenedione and testosterone
accounts for more than 75% of the estrogens in the plasma of
normal men. The rest is synthesized in the testes. Gonadotropin
secretion may be partially controlled by estrogen formation in the hypothalamus.
Androsterone (an-droh-steer-own)
An androgenic steroid that is a metabolite of testosterone
and androstenedione. It is formed in the testes from progesterone and
excreted in the urine.
SEE: Androsterone
(Taber's)
Anecdotal (an-ik-doe-tal)
Evidence of the effects of a drug, herb, etc. that comes from
individual cases or traditional uses rather than controlled medical studies. A lot of our
medical knowledge comes from figuring out how traditional healing methods work. On the
other hand, anecdotal "evidence" is often used by unscrupulous companies to rip
people off.
Angina (an-JIE-na)
A chest pain caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle (angina
pectoris).
SEE: Angina (Taber's)
Anorexia (an-oh-REK-see-ah)
Loss of appetite.
Anorexic (an-oh-REK-sik)
SYN: Anorectic
A drug or substance that causes one to lose their appetite.
Anoxia (an-OX-see-ah)
Without oxygen. This word is often confused with hypoxia (A
deficiency of oxygen.)
ANS
Autonomic nervous system (aw-toe-NOM-ik)
The involuntary part of the nervous system. The autonomic nervous
system is divided into two antagonistic components: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
The autonomic nervous system regulates body functions that are not
consciously controlled. This includes the activity of the heart, glands, and smooth
(digestive) muscles.
SEE: Autonomic
nervous system (Taber's)
Antagonist (an-TAG-oh-nist)
Example: Since yohimbe blocks the
alpha-2 receptors, it is called an alpha-2 antagonist; a drug that stimulates the beta
receptors is called a beta agonist. These terms (agonist
& antagonist) are also used in when speaking about muscles. For example, when you lift
your arm and "make a muscle" the biceps contracts and the triceps must relax.
The biceps would be called the agonist and the triceps would be called the antagonist.
SEE: Antagonist (Taber's)
Antigen (AN-tee-jen)
Antigens are markers on the surface of the cell that identify the
type of cell and whether it is "self" or "non-self." This allows antibodies to attack invading viruses. etc. Antigens on the bodies
own cells (self) are called autoantigens and antigens on other cells (non-self) are called
foreign antigens. When autoantigens are damaged the body can be fooled into identifying
its own cells as non-self. This occurs during inflammation.
SEE: Antigen (Taber's)
Anti-inflammatory
(AN-tee-in-FLAM-ah-tory)
An agent that reduces inflammation. For example, aspirin, fish oil, and glucocorticoids
reduce inflammation.
Antioxidant (an-tee-OKS-i-dant)
A nutrient or synthetic substance that prevents or reduces
oxidation. Antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of oxygen free radicals. Also, antioxidants are used to prolong the
shelf life of products by slowing the rancidity of oils and fats.
SEE: Antioxidant
(Taber's)
Antipyretic (AN-tee-pie-RET-ik)
SYN: Antifebrile (an-tee-FEE-bril)
SYN: Febrifuge (FEB-ri-fyouj)
An agent that reduces fever.
Antirheumatic (AN-tee-rue-MAT-ik)
A drug that reduces inflammation, muscle and joint soreness, etc.