Alpha-adrenoceptor (Noun)
Meaning
Receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles).
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The alpha-adrenoceptor is a key component in the regulation of blood pressure, as it mediates the vasoconstrictive effects of certain neurotransmitters.
- Stimulation of the alpha-adrenoceptor can lead to the contraction of smooth muscles in various organs, including the uterus and the iris.
- The alpha-adrenoceptor is also involved in the relaxation of intestinal muscles, which can affect gut motility and secretion.
- Certain medications, such as alpha blockers, work by inhibiting the alpha-adrenoceptor, thereby reducing blood pressure and alleviating symptoms of conditions like hypertension.
- Research has identified multiple subtypes of the alpha-adrenoceptor, each with distinct pharmacological and physiological properties, which has implications for the development of targeted therapies.