Epinephrine
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| Epinephrine | |
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| General | |
| Systematic name | (R)-4-(1-hydroxy-2- (methylamino)ethyl) benzene-1,2-diol |
| Other names | Adrenaline |
| Molecular formula | C9H13NO3 |
| Molar mass | 183.204 g/mol183.204 amu |
| CAS number | 51-43-4 |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Disclaimer and references | |
Epinenphrine, also called adrenaline, is a stress hormone and a catecholamine which when released into the bloodstream in response to a perceived threat, causes the senses to heighten in order to give the person a chance to fight the threat, or run away. It can also be used to treat allergy attacks, or be used in surgeries to minimize bleeding and control the rhythm of the heart.
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Chemical Composition
Epinephrine is a catecholamine, which is a sympathomimetic monoamine that is created from amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. [1] Catecholamines are essential for maintaining the sympathetic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system adjusts to changes, in this case changes in stress related to adrenaline secretion, and gives off chemicals in accordance to the outside environment. [2] There are other catecholamines, such as noradrenaline and dopamine. Noradrenaline maintains normal blood circulation, and also transmits nerve pulses, as does dopamine.
Physiological Effect
Adrenaline is secreted in the adrenal gland. When the person is in a dangerous situation, the adrenaline is released into the bloodstream along with other hormones like cortisol, giving the person a sudden burst of energy. This is called the "fight-or-flight" response. This energy is produced so that it can be used to go against, or run away from the situation. Adrenaline does this by having the heart pump harder, increasing blood pressure, the hydrolysis of glycogen to glucose, concentrating all blood flow to important muscles, and opening the airways in the lungs. [3]
Adrenaline can also be triggered by stress, this is called a stress response. Adrenaline is released throughout the day in different amounts, with each threat, depending on if it is positive, negative, minorly, or majorly dangerous. There are two types of stress, positive stress, sometimes called eustress, and negative stress. [4] An adrenaline rush from eustress makes your body produce a number of chemicals including endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, which help to provide a relaxing feel or enjoyment. [5]. Eustress can come from things like skydiving, or finishing a race. Adrenaline rushes because of negative stress causes fear. [6] The stress we face every day, whether it be good or bad, is called acute stress. Because the stress response is activated so often throughout the day, it can result in fatigue if the stress is too much. When the stress response is activated more than usual, much adrenaline would be released. This is why people feel so tired and fatigued after a stressful day at work, for example. [7] After the perceived threat is gone, the adrenaline levels will go back to normal by way of the relaxation response, which is the blood pressure returning to normal, as well as the heart rate and normal functions. [8] If someone has chronic stress, which is a constant stress, it can result in the lowering of the effectiveness of the stress response, and also potential health problems. [9] Some health problems, which could occur from too much stress, are: obesity, heart problems, diabetes, ulcers, and depression, just to name a few. [10]
Medical Use
Adrenaline is a very powerful vasopressor drug. Vasopressor drugs cause high blood pressure, stimulating the heart. Because of this, it can be used to restore shock or cardiac arrest victims by restoring their heart rhythm back to normal. The most common use of epinephrine is to treat breathing disorders, which can be triggered also by allergic reactions, like bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. This is because it is a bronchodilator, meaning that it relaxes bronchial muscles. Also, it constricts the pulmonary vessels in the lungs, which stops the allergic reaction from triggering histamines. During surgery, adrenaline is used on the skin to control bleeding, since it constricts blood vessels. Also, it can be used to eliminate mucus, which is beneficial during nose, larynx, and throat surgery. [11]
Adrenaline Injections
Adrenaline injections are used to counter-act low blood pressure and allergy attacks by opening of the lungs and narrowing blood vessels. It can be administered at a hospital, or even by yourself, with an EpiPen, which is an epinephrine shot. [12] Each one comes with one dose. It is injected into the thigh. There can be side effects, such as: dizziness, nervousness, vomiting, hand spasms, and sweating. [13]
Discovery
The first person to isolate epinephrine was Napoleon Cybulski, in 1895, followed by John Jacob Abel in 1897. [14] Epinephrine's use was first noticed by physiologist Edward Sharpey-Schafer, in 1894. He had tested it out by injecting it into an animal used in the experiment. He noticed that its blood vessels narrowed and the blood pressure increased. [15] Afterwards, in 1901, Japanese American chemist Jokichi Takemine isolated the pure extracts of the hormone and named it adrenaline.[16] It was then used to treat shock and hemorrhage patients.
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References
- Epinephrine by InfoPlease
- Positive vs. Negative Stress
- Epinephrine Wikipedia
- Stress and Health By: Elizabeth Scott, M.S.
- The Definition of Epinephrine By: Elizabeth Scott, M.S.
- Definition of Relaxed Response By: Elizabeth Scott, M.S.
- Epinephrine Injection
- Epinephrine Injection National Institute of Health
- Epinephrine
- John Jacob Abel Wikipedia
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