Interleukins: Function & Diseases

Interleukins form a subset of cytokines, cellular messengers that control the immune system. Interleukins are short-chain peptide hormones of 75 to 125 amino acids. They mainly control the local deployment of leukocytes at sites of inflammation, although they can also have systemic effects as in triggering fever. What are interleukins? Interleukins (IL) are short-chain peptide … Interleukins: Function & Diseases

Hypopituitarism: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Pituitary insufficiency is an underactivity of the pituitary gland. Because the pituitary gland produces messenger substances for other hormone glands, there is a general hormone deficiency when there is insufficiency. The causes are either in the pituitary gland itself or in the hypothalamus. What is pituitary insufficiency? In pituitary insufficiency, not enough hormones are produced … Hypopituitarism: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Allergens: Function & Diseases

Allergens are antigens that trigger an unusually strong immune response in a person. The immune response serves to fight a substance perceived as a threat that is normally harmless to the body. This hypersensitivity reaction to allergens is called an allergic reaction. What are allergens? Allergens are antigens that are capable of triggering a type … Allergens: Function & Diseases

Cave Canem: Caniphedrine

Caniphedrine The alkaloid L-ephedrine is found along with other alkaloids in plants of the genus Ephedra (e.g., Stapf, Ephedraceae). The herb has been used in Chinese medicine under the name Ma Huang for over 5000 years. In the 16th century pharmacopoeia Pentsao Kang Mu by Li Shih-Chen, it is recommended as a circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, … Cave Canem: Caniphedrine

Phenethylamine: Function & Diseases

Phenethylamine (PEA) is the parent substance of catecholamines such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine. It is often held responsible for triggering feelings of happiness. It occurs both widely in the plant kingdom and as a hormone in the human body. What is phenethylamine? Phenethylamine is considered the parent substance for catecholamines, which are widely used … Phenethylamine: Function & Diseases

Wasp Sting: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

A wasp sting is usually painful, but harmless. It only becomes problematic for allergy sufferers. For them, wasp venom can cause anaphylactic shock, which in the worst case can be fatal. What is a wasp sting? Schematic representation of the pharynx when insect enters the respiratory tract. Click to enlarge. Wasps belong to the insects, … Wasp Sting: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Baroreceptor Reflex: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases

The baroreceptor reflex is initiated by baroreceptors (also called pressoreceptors) in the walls of blood vessels and corresponds to an automatic response of the circulatory center to sudden changes in blood pressure. In case of suddenly lowered blood pressure due to blood loss, the reflex ensures blood supply to vital organs with centralization of the … Baroreceptor Reflex: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases