Autacoids - Definition, Function, Classification and General Overview

Autacoids

What is an autacoid? What is the definition? Auto means self and Akos means remedy. So autacoids basically can be defined as the chemical substances produced within the body to help in the remedy of local injuries.

Autacoids can be released by various stimuli and when released they bring about many physiological changes such as reddening of the skin, pain, itching, bronchospasm, etc. These effects can sometimes be undesirable and cause death. To prevent these autacoids antagonists are used.

Autacoids usually have very brief lifetime and act near the site of synthesis (local action).

Classification

1) Decarboxylated amino acids

a) Histamine

b) Serotonin

2) Polypeptide

a) Angiotensin

b) Plasmakinin

c) Vasopressin

d) Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide

e) Substance P

f) Slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis

3) Eicosanoid

a) Leukotrienes

b) Thromboxanes

c) Prostaglandins

Now it has been discovered that some autacoids are also found in nervous tissues. These are:

1. Histamine

2. Serotonin ( H hydroxytryptamine)

3. Prostaglandin

In the nervous tissues these autacoids function as neurotransmitters.

What’s the difference between autacoids and hormones?

1. Autacoids are produced by virtually all cells but hormones are produced by specific cells. Eg, insulin can only be produced by B cells of islets of Langerhans of pancreas.

2. Autacoids mainly act locally, ie, act near their site of synthesis but hormones are transported through the blood and act at distant target tissues.

Having said that, there are some hormones which can act as autacoids. For example, prostaglandins! Prostaglandin is a local hormone which also acts as an autacoid! This makes me want to say, “What’s there in a name?”!

So generally speaking, what’s the function of autacoids?

They take part in:

1. Inflammation

2. Allergic reactions

3. Anaphylactic reactions( not so much)

4. Neurotransmission

5. Gastric acid secretion

6. Neuroendocrine regulation

In the central nervous system, they are responsible for

1. Wakefulness

2. Decreased Appetite

3. Regulation of drinking

4. Regulation of temperature

5. Secretion of ADH

6. Control of blood pressure

7. Perception of pain.

We’ll discuss more about autacoids in the coming future. So stay tuned!

Comments

Drx Ibad Ali Saifi on May 20, 2018:

It's very good topic and these classification

Thenku so much

sk on July 27, 2017:

Good

Betsy on March 03, 2017:

good info..

Ashok yadav on February 05, 2017:

This is very helpful for me

Jan on February 24, 2016:

I am missing the lipid autacoids such as the N-acyethanolamides, like palmitoylethanolamide, the resolvins, the protectins, the maresins... especially important since these all modulate explosive inflammation processes.....

dodo on February 17, 2016:

thanks dats a concise information.

Dastagiri on February 11, 2016:

So nice information

Thank you

Rakesh Mudideni on July 23, 2015:

Good. It's easy to understand. But, need some stuff.

Malik Dawood on June 27, 2015:

Wonderful keypoint notes. Good for revision. Thanks.

Pradeep Singh on March 26, 2015:

I like this.....

Nice....

k.shiva on March 23, 2015:

Gd info thank u

dr. naveed on March 19, 2015:

Good

Bashir sani illela on March 12, 2015:

Very nice thanks, but its too brief more stuffs are highly needed, such as mechanism of action, therapeutic uses, contra indications e.t.c for the benefit of student on reserch like me.

damini gupta on February 14, 2015:

its vry gd topic..n thnku so much..

fffff on February 12, 2015:

awesom

syed daman on February 09, 2015:

A reliable source .....

DEEPAK SHARMA on December 26, 2014:

GOOD I LIKE THIS TOPIC BECAUSE IT GIVE GK ABOUT GENERAL FUNCTION OF BODY

kos on December 04, 2014:

Good......

Kona Sai Vasu Dev on December 03, 2014:

as i'm a subject minded fellow i am not satisfied with this matter i want more stuff.....

Dr.Sk.Iquebal Alam on October 29, 2014:

Nice ...............ski

stella on September 25, 2014:

Nice .easy and better remembering

GHULAM MUSTAFA PAKISTAN on September 20, 2014:

VERY EASY THANKS

Amitab, DVM on September 19, 2014:

GOOD. Easy to keep in mind.

dr.sanaulasyar on June 21, 2014:

it is good and comprehensive

ASAMINEW AZAD on June 06, 2014:

I LIKE THIS.

dipendta on May 21, 2014:

Awesome, this

nice...... on April 20, 2014:

nice...

rishika on April 04, 2014:

nyc 1.... but not too brief

Raja Sandeep on March 14, 2014:

V.nice ...

santosh keskar on March 07, 2014:

Nice

vandana yadav on February 23, 2014:

it is so helpful thanks...

shafiullah khan on February 22, 2014:

i like it so much

silmarllion on February 22, 2014:

helpful article. thank you.

saher on February 09, 2014:

thanks ot is very easy thanks 4 help

Shameem on January 19, 2014:

Very good information ,thank you very much

endalamaw yehuala on January 09, 2014:

a good info.......

nitin wat's on January 02, 2014:

there is very easy to understand the autocoids....good..

Raj on December 05, 2013:

It's too good...i can understand it easily

hebatullah on December 01, 2013:

good information

thank you

Zahidaky@hotmail.com on November 08, 2013:

Very nice &comprehensive

dixita kanojia on October 18, 2013:

nice topic..... more lern in small contain.........

jameel veesar on September 13, 2013:

quite good ,soo brief

ramjan khan on March 12, 2013:

good ..............

Oyon B on March 10, 2013:

Hi, nice article. I have also started writing about pharmacology on hubpages. You can see my page https://hubpages.com/@epharmacology

All the best.

david on August 17, 2012:

people like u are wot we need in the nation.Plz, keep it on

raghvendra jha on May 15, 2012:

it such a nice topic about the autocoids thanks

katumba bruno. on May 06, 2012:

This was so nice,no book explained me like u had done thanks.

BABLU VIMAL on April 27, 2012:

I LIKE THIS TOPIC. THIS TOPIC IS VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.

althafhyder-india on February 11, 2012:

good

abdallah gamal on November 27, 2011:

good

ALAGI A.B.JARJU on November 14, 2011:

U ARE DOING GOOD IN HELPING AFRICAN STUDENTS UNDERSTAND PHARMACOLOGY

Oyon on September 18, 2011:

Hmmm.... Good article... But it could have been better... try visiting my website for more info... http://www.healthanddisease.tk