Norepinephrine Health Dictionary

Also known as norepinephrine, a hormone secreted by certain nerve endings (principally those of the sympathetic nervous system) and by the medulla (centre) of the adrenal glands. Noradrenaline’s primary function is to help maintain a constant blood pressure by way of stimulating certain blood vessels to constrict (narrow) when the blood pressure falls. For this reason, it may sometimes be injected in the emergency treatment of shock or severe bleeding. (See also adrenaline.)... noradrenaline

The inner part of the adrenals, derived embryonically from spinal nerve precursors, they secrete epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine; used locally as neurotransmitters, sensitive receptors can be mobilized totally by the adrenal medullas.... adrenal medulla

Called epinephrine in the U.S., this is a substance secreted into the bloodstream and reacted to by specialized receptors throughout the body, initiating a “code blue” or flight-or-fight response. Many receptors are a regular part of sympathetic function, and respond to their own local relative, norepinephrine or noradrenalin, in the course of normal autonomic nervous system interplay. See: SYMPATHETIC, PARASYMPATHETIC, LIMBIC... adrenalin

Functions that are dominated by epinephrine (the blood hormone) or norepinephrine (local sympathetic adrenergic nerve stimulus)... adrenergic

(Roxb.) Baill.

Synonym: A. chinense (Lour.) Harms.

Family: Alangiaceae.

Habitat: The plains and foothills, up to an altitude of 2,100 m.

Ayurvedic: Ankola (related sp.).

Folk: Akhani.

Action: Bark and roots—sedative, anthelmintic.

A triterpenoid was responsible for the sedative effect on motor activity of rat brain.

Chloroform extract of the drug, which was devoid of anabasine, exhibited prominent sedative effect in rat. It significantly decreased concentration of norepinephrine in cortex, of dopamine and serotonin (5-HT) in brain stem, but increased concentration of 5-HT in cortex.... alangium begoniaefolium

The suppression of monoamine oxydase (flavin-containing amine oxydase). MAO is critical in modifying nerve-ending storage of certain mono­amines (in this case, epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine...another type of MAO works on histamines), and MAO inhibitor drugs were, along with tricyclics, the first wave of anti-depressants. The problem was that if you ate brie cheese or chopped chicken livers while taking the drugs you could get a nosebleed or cerebral aneurysm...a double adrenergic whammy, since some foods are also strongly MAO-inhibiting (at least functionally). Although most current manuals (Merck’s and Harrison’s among others) consider these first generation drugs as safer and preferable to the recent Prozac and such, fashion am fashion, with docs as much as patients. Most of the patients a doctor sees are People That See Doctors (most Americans have infrequent medical contact). Some come with clippings in hand, a few find out about new stuff before their doctor does (they only have ONE patient..themselves) and the pressure for gilt-edged newness is hard to resist all around. The only herb I know of with any consequential MAO inhibition is Hypericum, and its effect, although not to be ignored, is less than French semi-soft cheeses.... mao inhibition

DC.

Synonym: N. grandiflora DC.

Family: Valerianaceae.

Habitat: Alpine Himalayas, Kumaon, Sikkim and Bhutan.

English: Spikenard, Musk-root.

Ayurvedic: Maansi, Jataamaansi, Bhuutajataa, Tapaswini, Sulo- mashaa, Jatilaa, Naladaa.

Unani: Sumbul-e-Hindi, Sambul-ut- Teeb, Naardeen-e-Hindi, Baalchhar.

Siddha/Tamil: Sadamanchil.

Action: Used as a substitute for Valerian. Tranquilizer, sedative, hypotensive. Used for the treatment of epilepsy, hysteria, convulsive affections, palpitation of heart and in intestinal colic. A decoction of powdered roots is prescribed as a home remedy for high blood pressure. It is used in dysmenorrhoea for pain relief and smooth menstrual flow. It is used in hair oil for arresting hair loss and greying of hair.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends dry rhizomes in obstinate skin diseases, erysipelas, disturbed mental state and insomnia.

The rhizome is rich in sesquiter- penoids. The crude drug gave an oil (yield 2.5% v/w), which contains d- nardostachone, valeranone and jata- mansone as the major ketonic sesqui- terpenes. The oil potentiated phenobarbital narcosis in rats, reduced brain serotonin content and decreased the conditioned avoidance performance in cats.

Jatamansone was shown to exert tranquilizing effect in mice and monkeys. In rabbits, jatamansone was found to impair biosynthesis of serotonin in the brain leading to a reduction in brain level of 5-hydroxytrypta- mine. The degradation of serotonin was unaffected. The mode of action of jatamansone was thus in variance with that of reserpine which has direct action on the cell to liberate serotonin.

On the other hand, the alcoholic extract of the roots of Indian Nard caused an overall increase in the levels of central monamines, 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid and the inhibitory amino acids, gamma-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in rat brain.

In a clinical trial on hyperkinetic children, jatamansone showed significant reduction in hyperactivity and improvement in restlessness and aggressiveness, almost at par with D- amphetamine.

The volatile oil was found to be less active than quinidine in several tests. It did not counteract digitalis induced ventricular arrhythmias.

Jatamansone semicarbazone, a sesquiterpene ketone, was found to possess antiestrogenic activity.

N. jatamansi is also used in place of Muraa (Selinum tenuifolium Wall. ex DC.)

Dosage: Root—2-3 g powder; 5-10 g for infusion; 50-100 ml infusion. (API, Vol. I; CCRAS.)... nardostachys jatamansi

Arousal of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system in response to fear but which also occurs in anxiety disorders. Adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine), and other hormones are released from the adrenal glands and nervous system, leading to a raised heart-rate, pupil dilation, and increased blood flow to the muscles. These effects make the body more efficient in either fighting or fleeing the apparent danger.... fight-or-flight response

A division of the autonomic or involuntary nervous system that works in general opposition to the parasympathetic division (q.v.). Many of the sympathetic functions are local, specific, and involve secretion of acetylcholine, like any other of your normal nerves...stimulating or suppressing a specific muscle, gland, or whatever. A certain number of these nerves, however, unlike any others in the body, secrete epinephrine (adrenalin) and norepinephrine (noradrenalin). These are called adrenergic. Since the adrenal medulla also secretes the same substances into the bloodstream as hormones, all the muscles or glands that are affected by the adrenergic sympathetic nerves also react in toto to the epinephrine secreted into the blood. This forms the basis for a potentially lifesaving emergency fight or flight response and is meant for short, drastic activities. A chronic excess of the adrenergic response, however, is a major cause of stress-and a major contributor to many types of chronic disease. The more you use a particular nerve pathway or induce a particular group of functions, the more blood, fuel storage, and mitochondria are produced to strengthen that group of actions. Using adrenergic energy excessively gives literal dominance to those things that are stimulated or suppressed, and the effects of adrenalin stress linger in the body after the adrenalin is long gone. Since one of the first subjective symptoms of subclinical malnutrition, metabolic imbalances, and environmental pollution is irritability of the central nervous system, hypersympathetic function acts as an intermediate between poor diet, pollution, and disease.... sympathetic

A pair of small, triangular endocrine glands located above the kidneys. Each adrenal gland has 2 distinct parts: the outer cortex and the smaller, inner medulla.

The cortex secretes aldosterone, which, together with hydrocortisone and corticosterone and small amounts of androgen hormones helps to maintain blood pressure. Hydrocortisone controls the body’s use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates and is also important in helping the body to cope with stress. Hydrocortisone and corticosterone also

suppress inflammatory reactions and some activities of the immune system. Production of adrenal cortical hormones is controlled by ACTH, which is produced in the pituitary gland.

The adrenal medulla is part of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system. In response to stress, it secretes the hormones adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), which increase heart-rate and blood flow.... adrenal glands

The part of the nervous system that controls the involuntary activities of a variety of body tissues. The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

The sympathetic nervous system comprises 2 chains of nerves that pass from the spinal cord throughout the body tissues. Into these tissues, the nerve endings release the neurotransmitters adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). The system also stimulates adrenaline release from the adrenal glands. In general, the actions of the sympathetic nervous system heighten activity in the body, quickening the heartbeat and breathing rate, widening blood vessels, and inducing sweating.

The parasympathetic nervous system is composed of a chain of nerves that passes from the brain and another that leaves the lower spinal cord. The nerves are distributed to the same tissues that are supplied by the sympathetic nerves. The parasympathetic nerves release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which has the opposite effect to adrenaline and noradrenaline. The parasympathetic system is mainly concerned with everyday functions such as digestion and excretion.

The 2 systems act in conjunction and normally balance each other. During exercise or at times of stress, the sympathetic system predominates, however, while during sleep the parasympathetic system exerts more control.... autonomic nervous system

A group of drugs, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, prescribed principally to treat heart and circulatory disorders such as angina and hypertension. Beta-blockers block the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, which releases adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) at nerve endings that are known as beta receptors.

There are 2 types of beta receptor: beta 1 and beta 2. Beta 1 receptors are present in the heart and blood vessels, and beta 2 in the lungs. Some betablockers (such as acebutolol, atenolol, and metoprolol) are termed cardioselective and, because they act mostly on beta 1 receptors, are used mainly to treat heart disease such as angina, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmia. The drugs are sometimes given after a myocardial infarction (heart attack) to reduce the likelihood of further damage to the heart muscle.

Other types of beta-blocker, such as oxprenolol, propranolol, and timolol, may be given to prevent migraine attacks by acting on blood vessels in the head; reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety; or control the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. Beta-blocker drugs such as timolol are sometimes given in the

form of eye drops to treat glaucoma and work by lowering the fluid pressure in the eyeball.

Beta-blockers may reduce an individual’s capacity for strenuous exercise. The drugs may worsen the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, or other forms of lung disease. They may also reduce the flow of blood to the limbs, causing cold hands and feet. In addition, sleep disturbance and depression can be side effects of beta-blockers.... beta-blocker drugs

An antidepressant drug that blocks the reuptake of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) within the nervous system.

Side effects include insomnia, sweating, and dizziness on standing.... reboxetine

Drugs that increase brain activity by initiating the release of noradrenaline (norepinephrine).

Stimulants are of 2 types: central nervous system stimulants (for example, amfetamines), which increase alertness; and respiratory stimulants (see analeptic drugs), which encourage breathing.... stimulant drugs

A chemical released from a nerve ending that transmits impulses from one neuron (nerve cell) to another neuron, or to a muscle cell. When a nerve impulse reaches a nerve ending, neurotransmitters are released from synaptic vesicles and cross a tiny gap (synapse) to reach the target cell. Here, they cause channels in the target cell to open, letting through charged particles that stimulate an impulse in the cell. Alternatively, neurotransmitters may inhibit nerve impulses.

Scores of different chemicals fulfil this function in different parts of the nervous system. Many neurotransmitters act as both neurotransmitters and hormones, being released into the bloodstream to act on distant target cells.

One of the most important neurotransmitters is acetylcholine, which causes skeletal muscles to contract when it is released by neurons connected to the muscles. Acetylcholine is also released by neurons that control the sweat glands and the heartbeat, and transmits messages between neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

Another chemical, noradrenaline (norepinephrine), aids the nervous control of heartbeat, blood flow, and the body’s response to stress. Dopamine plays an important role in parts of the brain that control movement. Serotonin is one of the main neurotransmitters found in parts of the brain concerned with conscious processes.

Another group of neurotransmitters is called the neuropeptides.

This group includes the endorphins, which are used by the brain to control sensitivity to pain.... neurotransmitter

A rare tumour of cells that secrete epinephrene (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline). The tumour causes increased production of these hormones, leading to hypertension. The tumours usually develop in the medulla (core) of the adrenal glands, and are most common in young to middle-aged adults.Hypertension is the only sign most of the time, but pressure on the tumour, emotional upset, change in posture, or taking beta-blocker drugs can cause a surge of hormones. This surge brings on a sudden rise in blood pressure, palpitations, headache, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, sweating, and, sometimes, a feeling of impending death.

Blood tests and urinalysis are used to make a diagnosis.

CT scanning, MRI, and radioisotope scanning may be used to locate the tumours, which are then usually removed surgically.

Follow-up medical checks are required because the condition occasionally recurs.... phaeochromocytoma