Physiological Pharmaceutics

Glossary 287Diffusion coefficient Constant of proportionality inFick’s law, a measure of the speed with whicha molecule diffuses in a specified environment.Diflunisal Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugused to treat pain and inflammation inrheumatic disease.Digoxin A cardiac glycoside derived from the foxglove.Dimethyl sulphoxide A powerful hydrophobicsolvent used as a transdermal penetrationenhancer.Dipalmitoyl lecithin A phospholipid in which bothacyl chains are derived from palmitic acid.Disaccharides Small carbohydrates formed bylinking two simple sugar molecules, the bestknownexample being sucrose.Disodium cromoglycate Sodium cromoglycate.Mast cell stabilizer used to treat asthma, foodallergies and allergic rhinitis.Disopyramide Drug used to treat ventriculararrhythmia.DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid, the nuclearcomponent carrying the genetic code.Domperidone An anti-nausea drug.Dopamine A catecholamine synthesized by theadrenal gland It is the the precursor ofnoradrenaline. Also a neurotransmitter orbrain messenger.Dorzolamide A carbonic anhydrase inhibitor usedin the treatment of glaucoma.Doxycycline A broad-spectrum tetracyclineantibiotic.Duodenal receptors Receptors located in theduodenum, sensing the calorific load deliveredto the small intestine.Duodenogastric reflux Reflux of duodenal contents(often containing bile) into the stomach.Duodenum The short length of gastrointestinal tractsituated between the lower gastric pylorus andthe small intestine.Dyspepsia Vague term applied to a variety of uppergastrointestinal symptoms, often associatedwith food consumption and acid secretion.EEccrine sweat glands Gland distributed over theentire skin surface which secrete sweat and areessential for regulation of body temperature.EDTA Ethylene diaminetetracetic acid. A powerfulchelating agent which binds many metalcationsEicosanoids All of the products of metabolism ofarachidonic acid.Elastin An extracellular connective tissue proteinthat is principal component of elastic fibres.Electroosmosis The movement of solvent to balancethe osmotic pressure due to movement of ionsin an electric field.Electropermeabilization See electroporation.Electroporation The permabilization of cellmembranes by brief high voltage electric pulses.Embolism A blockage in a blood vessel caused bya solid particle, gas bubble, blood clot, or oildroplet.Emphysema A chronic pulmonary diseasecharacterised increase in the size of air spacesand destructive changes to the wall.Emulsions Codispersions of two immiscible liquids,normally requiring an emulsifier to remainstable.Endocrine An internal secretion. Endocrine glandsecretes directly into the bloodstream.Endocytosis Ingestion of foreign substances by a cell.Endometriosis Ectopic endometrium located invarious sites throughout the pelvis or in theabdominal wall. It causes pelvic pain and cancause infertility.Endometrium Mucous membrane lining the innersurface of the uterus.Endoscopy The use of a viewing device such as aminiature camera or fibre optic probe to viewinside the body.Endotoxins Bacterial toxin confined within the bodyof a bacterium and is released only when thebacterium is broken down.Enprofylline A phosphodiesterase inhibitor of thexanthine typeEnterocele Hernia of the intestine through the vaginaor posterior vaginal hernia.Enterocytes Intestinal cell.Enteroglucagon Hormone release from the smallintestinal endocrine cells.Enterohepatic recirculation Bile acids are poorlyabsorbed in the proximal small intestine, butare absorbed by an active process in theterminal ileum. After absorption, bile acidshave a high hepatic clearance and are resecretedin the bile.Enterokinase Previous term used forenteropeptidase.Enteropeptidase Enzyme occurring in the mucosaof the duodenum essential for the activationof the trypsinogen to trypsin.Enuresis Involuntary discharge of urine.Eosinophilia Presence of an unusual number ofeosinophils in the blood.Ephelides Freckles.Epidermis The outer layer of skin cells.Epimysium Outermost sheath of connective tissuethat surrounds a skeletal muscle.Ergotamine tartate A alkaloid derived from ergot.Stimulates smooth muscle of blood vessels andthe uterus inducing vasoconstriction anduterine contractions.Erythema Redness of the skin.Erythrocyte ghost The cell membrane of anerythrocyte emptied of its intracellular contents.Erythromycin An antibiotic from Streptomyceserythreus. It is active against many grampositive and some gram negative bacteria.Erythropoeitin A hormone which stimulates redblood cell production.Escherichia coli One of the most common faecalbacteria.