adrenaline
(æˈdrɛnəlɪn, æˈdriːn-)
Also -in.
[f. adrenal + -ine5.]
A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands and affecting circulation, muscular action, etc.; also (A-), this substance extracted from the adrenal glands of animals or prepared synthetically and used for medicinal purposes (U.S. trade name); cf. epinephrine.
See quot. 1901 for the discovery of the substance and the invention of the name, which have, however, been claimed also for Dr. Norton L. Wilson.
| 1901 Amer. Jrnl. Physiol. V. 457 The most important contribution to our knowledge of the active principle of the suprarenal gland..is from Dr. Jokichi Takamine who has isolated the blood-pressure-raising principle of the gland in a stable and pure crystalline form... To this body..he has given the name ‘Adrenalin’. 1902 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. LXXXII. i. 68 It is claimed that suprarenin is identical with Takamine's adrenalin. 1907 Osler & M{supc}Crae Syst. Med. I. 758 Experimentally..adrenalin..has a powerful influence on carbohydrate metabolism. 1920 Discovery Mar. 88/2 Adrenaline prescribed for Addison's disease. 1922 J. C. Squire in Public Opinion 3 Mar. 202/1 The toad secretes too much adrenalin. 1962 Lancet 29 Dec. 1337/1 When adrenaline is infused intravenously the vein used stands out as a white cord. |