Adrenaline

Adrenaline, also called epinephrine, is a catecholamine hormone and neurotransmitter that rapidly changes organ activity during stress, preparing the body for action.

Adrenergic receptor: A cell-surface receptor activated by adrenaline or noradrenaline to regulate physiological responses. Adrenaline produces different effects by activating receptor subtypes in different tissues.
Catecholamine: A class of molecules with a catechol ring and an amine group, including dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. Adrenaline is one member of this chemically related signaling family.
Anaphylaxis: A severe, rapidly developing systemic allergic reaction that can impair breathing and circulation. Adrenaline is the first-line treatment because it can rapidly reverse airway swelling and low blood pressure.
Cortisol: A steroid hormone that regulates metabolism and immune activity and helps sustain responses to stress. Unlike adrenaline’s rapid effects, cortisol typically acts more slowly and over a longer period.
John Jacob Abel: An American pharmacologist who isolated an adrenal medulla extract he called epinephrin in the 1890s. Abel’s work helped establish adrenal secretion as a subject of experimental pharmacology.
G protein-coupled receptor: A membrane receptor that changes cell activity by activating intracellular G proteins. Adrenergic receptors belong to this large receptor family and use its signaling machinery.
Tyrosine: An amino acid used to build proteins and as a precursor for catecholamine synthesis. Cells synthesize adrenaline through a pathway that begins with tyrosine.
Epinephrine autoinjector: A spring-loaded device that delivers a preset intramuscular dose of epinephrine for emergency treatment. It enables prompt adrenaline treatment when anaphylaxis occurs outside medical settings.
Dopamine: A catecholamine neurotransmitter involved in movement, motivation, reward, and hormone regulation. Dopamine shares adrenaline’s biosynthetic pathway but has distinct receptors and major functions.
Jokichi Takamine: A Japanese chemist who isolated and crystallized active adrenaline from adrenal glands in 1901. Takamine’s isolation made adrenaline available as a purified preparation.

Linked from 10 pages