Autopharmacology
Autopharmacology is the study of the effects of substances produced within the body and used for intercellular communication, such as hormones or neurotransmitters. It is a subfield of pharmacology, the broader science of drug action in the body.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Autopharmacology focuses on the body's own chemical messengers, which are produced by various types of cells and have specific effects on other cells. These substances include hormones, neurotransmitters, and other biochemicals. They are involved in a wide range of physiological processes, from the regulation of metabolism and immune response to the transmission of nerve impulses.
Hormones[edit | edit source]
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands. They are released into the bloodstream and carried to target cells throughout the body. Hormones regulate many bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Examples of hormones include insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, and thyroid hormones, which control metabolism.
Neurotransmitters[edit | edit source]
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse, the small gap between nerve cells. They are released by a neuron (a nerve cell) in response to a nerve impulse, and they bind to specific receptors on the target cell, triggering a response. Examples of neurotransmitters include acetylcholine, which is involved in muscle contraction, and dopamine, which plays a role in reward and motivation.
Other Biochemicals[edit | edit source]
In addition to hormones and neurotransmitters, the body produces many other biochemicals that act as chemical messengers. These include cytokines, which are involved in immune responses, and growth factors, which stimulate cell growth and division.
Clinical Relevance[edit | edit source]
Understanding the body's own chemical messengers is crucial for the development of new drugs and therapies. For example, drugs that mimic or block the action of specific hormones or neurotransmitters can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, from diabetes and thyroid disorders to depression and Parkinson's disease.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
