Arbroath smokie: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:50, 11 February 2025

A class of drugs that block the effects of progesterone

Overview

Antiprogestogens are a class of drugs that inhibit the effects of progesterone, a key hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis. These compounds act by blocking the progesterone receptor, thereby preventing progesterone from exerting its biological effects. Antiprogestogens are used in various clinical settings, including contraception, abortion, and the treatment of certain cancers.

Mechanism of Action

Antiprogestogens function by binding to the progesterone receptor, which is a type of nuclear receptor. By occupying the receptor, these drugs prevent progesterone from binding and activating the receptor, thus inhibiting the transcription of progesterone-responsive genes. This blockade can lead to changes in the endometrium, inhibition of ovulation, and disruption of pregnancy.

Clinical Uses

Contraception

Antiprogestogens can be used as a form of emergency contraception. By preventing the action of progesterone, these drugs can inhibit or delay ovulation, thereby reducing the likelihood of fertilization and implantation.

Medical Abortion

One of the most well-known uses of antiprogestogens is in medical abortion. The drug mifepristone, also known as RU-486, is commonly used in combination with a prostaglandin analogue to terminate early pregnancy. Mifepristone works by causing the decidual breakdown, leading to detachment of the blastocyst and increased uterine contractility.

Cancer Treatment

Antiprogestogens have potential applications in the treatment of progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer and endometrial cancer. By blocking progesterone, these drugs can inhibit the growth of hormone-dependent tumors.

Examples of Antiprogestogens

Mifepristone

Mifepristone is the most widely used antiprogestogen. It is used for medical abortion, emergency contraception, and in some cases, for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome.

Ulipristal Acetate

Ulipristal acetate is another antiprogestogen used for emergency contraception and the treatment of uterine fibroids. It acts as a selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM), exhibiting both agonistic and antagonistic effects depending on the tissue.

Side Effects

The use of antiprogestogens can lead to various side effects, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding. Long-term use may also affect bone density and menstrual cycle regularity.

Related Pages

Gallery

Structure of Mifepristone

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Arbroath Smokie''' is a type of [[smoked haddock]] – a [[haddock]] that has been [[smoking (cooking)|smoked]] following a traditional method hailing from the town of [[Arbroath]], [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]] on the east coast of [[Scotland]]. The Arbroath Smokie has gained a worldwide reputation for its distinctive rich flavour and is considered a delicacy in Scottish cuisine.
+{{Short description|A class of drugs that block the effects of progesterone}}
+{{Drug class}}
-== History ==
+==Overview==
-The origins of the Arbroath Smokie are believed to date back to the late 19th century when the fishing industry was thriving in Arbroath. The process of smoking haddock was originally used as a means of preserving the fish, but it soon became appreciated for the unique flavour it imparted.
+'''Antiprogestogens''' are a class of drugs that inhibit the effects of [[progesterone]], a key hormone involved in the [[menstrual cycle]], [[pregnancy]], and [[embryogenesis]]. These compounds act by blocking the [[progesterone receptor]], thereby preventing progesterone from exerting its biological effects. Antiprogestogens are used in various clinical settings, including [[contraception]], [[abortion]], and the treatment of certain [[cancers]].
-== Production ==
+==Mechanism of Action==
-The production of Arbroath Smokies follows a specific process. The haddock are first [[salt curing|salted]] and left to dry overnight. They are then tied in pairs and hung over a triangular length of wood to smoke. The smoking process takes place in a half-barrel with a hardwood fire at the bottom. The fish are covered with a layer of [[hessian (cloth)|hessian]] sacking and left to smoke for approximately an hour.
+Antiprogestogens function by binding to the progesterone receptor, which is a type of [[nuclear receptor]]. By occupying the receptor, these drugs prevent progesterone from binding and activating the receptor, thus inhibiting the transcription of progesterone-responsive genes. This blockade can lead to changes in the [[endometrium]], inhibition of [[ovulation]], and disruption of [[pregnancy]].
-== Recognition ==
+==Clinical Uses==
-In 2004, the Arbroath Smokie was granted [[Protected Geographical Indication]] (PGI) status under European law. This means that only haddock smoked in the traditional manner within a five-mile radius of Arbroath can be officially called an "Arbroath Smokie".
-== Culinary Uses ==
+===Contraception===
-Arbroath Smokies are often eaten on their own, but they can also be used as an ingredient in a variety of dishes. They are particularly popular in [[Cullen skink]], a traditional Scottish soup, and in [[Kedgeree]], a breakfast dish combining smoked fish, rice, and eggs.
+Antiprogestogens can be used as a form of [[emergency contraception]]. By preventing the action of progesterone, these drugs can inhibit or delay [[ovulation]], thereby reducing the likelihood of [[fertilization]] and [[implantation]].
-== See Also ==
+===Medical Abortion===
-* [[List of smoked foods]]
+One of the most well-known uses of antiprogestogens is in [[medical abortion]]. The drug [[mifepristone]], also known as RU-486, is commonly used in combination with a [[prostaglandin]] analogue to terminate early [[pregnancy]]. Mifepristone works by causing the [[decidual]] breakdown, leading to detachment of the [[blastocyst]] and increased uterine contractility.
-* [[Scottish cuisine]]
-* [[List of British cheeses]]
-[[Category:Scottish cuisine]]
+===Cancer Treatment===
-[[Category:Smoked fish]]
+Antiprogestogens have potential applications in the treatment of [[progesterone receptor-positive]] [[breast cancer]] and [[endometrial cancer]]. By blocking progesterone, these drugs can inhibit the growth of hormone-dependent tumors.
-[[Category:Protected Designation of Origin]]
-{{Scottish-food-stub}}
+==Examples of Antiprogestogens==
-{{food-stub}}
+===Mifepristone===
+[[Mifepristone]] is the most widely used antiprogestogen. It is used for medical abortion, emergency contraception, and in some cases, for the treatment of [[Cushing's syndrome]].
+===Ulipristal Acetate===
+[[Ulipristal acetate]] is another antiprogestogen used for emergency contraception and the treatment of [[uterine fibroids]]. It acts as a selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM), exhibiting both agonistic and antagonistic effects depending on the tissue.
+==Side Effects==
+The use of antiprogestogens can lead to various side effects, including [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[abdominal pain]], and [[vaginal bleeding]]. Long-term use may also affect [[bone density]] and [[menstrual cycle]] regularity.
+==Related Pages==
+* [[Progesterone]]
+* [[Contraception]]
+* [[Medical abortion]]
+* [[Breast cancer]]
+==Gallery==
+<gallery>
+File:Mifepristone_structure.svg|Structure of Mifepristone
+</gallery>
+[[Category:Hormonal antineoplastic drugs]]
+[[Category:Abortifacients]]
+[[Category:Contraception]]