|
| | |
Arimidex
Arimidex Brand name for anastrozole, an oral antiestrogen. Arimidex inhibits the enzyme aromatase in the adrenal glands that produces the estrogens (estradiol and estrone) and thereby lowers their levels.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Anastrozole
An oral antiestrogen. Anastrozole inhibits the enzyme aromatase in the adrenal glands that produces the estrogens (estradiol and estrone) and thereby lowers their levels. Brand name: Arimidex. See also: Aromatase inhibitor.
Oral
Of or involving the mouth or mouth region or the surface on which the mouth is located.
Antiestrogen
A substance that can prevent the full expression of estrogen. Antiestrogens act by exerting antagonistic effects on target tissues (androgens and progestogens act in this way) or by competing with estrogens for access to receptor sites located on the cell surface.
Arimidex
Brand name for anastrozole, an oral antiestrogen. Arimidex inhibits the enzyme aromatase in the adrenal glands that produces the estrogens (estradiol and estrone) and thereby lowers their levels.
Enzyme
A cellular protein whose shape allows it to hold together several other molecules in close proximity to each other. In this way, enzymes are able to induce chemical reactions in other substances with little expenditure of energy and without being changed themselves. Basically, an enzyme acts as a catalyst.
Aromatase
An enzyme involved in the production of estrogen that acts by catalyzing the conversion of testosterone (an androgen) to estradiol (an estrogen). Aromatase is located in estrogen-producing cells in the adrenal glands, ovaries, placenta, testicles, adipose (fat) tissue, and brain. The growth of some breast cancers is promoted by estrogens. For example, the drug letrozole (brand name: Femara) is an antiestrogen sometimes used to treat such estrogen-dependent tumors. The drug acts by inhibiting the enzyme aromatase which lowers the level of the estrogen, estradiol.
Estrogens
A group of three steroid hormones that convey female characteristics and control fertilization. The production of estrogen is stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which uses cyclic AMP as its second messenger.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Arg
Arginine. See also: Amino acid symbols.
Argentaffinoma
A tumor which secretes large amounts of the hormone serotonin. Argentaffinoma is also called carcinoid tumor. The tumor usually arises in the gastrointestinal tract, anywhere between the stomach and the rectum (the favorite spot is in the appendix) and from there may metastasize (spread) to the liver. In the liver the tumor produces and releases large quantities of serotonin into the systemic bloodstream.
Arginine
"An amino acid, one of the 20 amino acids that serve as the building blocks in protein. Arginine is not an ""essential"" amino acid. It is not essential to the diet, but can be made by the body from other substances. However, it is usually considered essential to the diet for children so they can grow normally. Lack of arginine in the diet impairs growth and in adult males it decreases the sperm count."
Argon laser
A laser with ionized argon as the active medium. Argon lasers are used for photocoagulation in ophthalmology.
Argyria
Silver poisoning resulting in ashen gray discolored skin (and other tissues of the body). Due to long-term use of silver salts.
Arimidex
Aristolochia fangchi
A Chinese herb that is injurious to the kidney and is also associated with an increased risk of cancer of the urinary system.
Aristolochic acid
"A chemical found in nature in the plant Aristolochia fangchi. Aristolochic acid is contained in a number of botanical products sold as ""traditional medicines"" or as dietary supplements or weight-loss remedies. The use of products containing aristolochic acid can cause permanent kidney damage, including end-stage kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation. In addition, aristolochic acid can cause cancer, most often in the urinary tract, specifically transitional cell carcinoma (urothelial carcinoma). In sum, aristolochic acid is nephrotoxic and carcinogenic; it is toxic to the kidney and causes cancer."
ARM (abr)
Abbreviation of age-related maculopathy, any pathologic condition of the macula, the small spot in the retina where vision is keenest. The late stages of ARM are also referred to as age-related macular degeneration.
Arm
"1. In popular usage, the appendage that extends from the shoulder to the hand. However, the medical definition refers to the upper extremity extending from the shoulder only to the elbow, excluding the forearm, which extends from the elbow to the wrist. The arm contains one bone: the humerus. 2. In a randomized clinical trial, any of the treatment groups. Most randomized trials have two ""arms,"" but some have three ""arms,"" or even more."
ARMD
Age-related macular degeneration (which may also be abbreviated as AMD).
We thank you for using the Health Dictionary to search for Arimidex. If you have a better definition for Arimidex than the one presented here, please let us know by making use of the suggest a term option. This definition of Arimidex may be disputed by other professionals. Our attempt is to provide easy definitions on Arimidex and any other medical topic for the public at large.This dictionary contains 25007 terms. |
|
|
