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A steroid produced from cholesterol that is a precursor to cortisol and progesterone. A steroid synthesized in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes. Pregnenolone is an important intermediate product in steroid hormone synthesis and can, depending on the pathways followed, be converted to corticosteroids (glucocorticoids or mineralocorticoids), androgens, or estrogens.  

An increase in blood pressure due to pregnancy. If markedly elevated, it is a sign of pending toxemia. A complication of pregnancy marked by increasing blood pressure, proteinuria, and edema. Diagnostic criteria include an increase of 30 mm Hg systolic or 15 mm Hg diastolic over the baseline pressure for the individual woman (or readings…

Abnormal glucose tolerance that occurs during gestation (gestational diabetes) but not before or after.  

Dilution of the red cell number due to the increase in blood volume associated with pregnancy.  

A blood protein smaller than albumin, which migrates ahead of it when a sample of blood proteins are separated by electrophoresis.  

A drug that is an a-blocker and serves as an antihypertensive drug.  

A member of the statin family of drugs that act as HMG CoA inhibitors and thus inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the body.  

A rare genetic disease due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme α-1,- glucosidase; characterized by excess glycogen stores in the muscle. Also called Type II glycogen storage disease. Pompe disease (PD) is a rare, heritable disorder of carbohydrate metabolism. PD is typified by glycogen (a complex carbohydrate polymer) deposition in skeletal and…

Plants that contain toxic materials sufficient to cause serious symptoms. Plants that cause an allergic or direct chemical reaction on the skin. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are three of the most common causes of allergic reactions from plants. Most people develop an allergic reaction or allergic contact dermatitis when they are exposed to these…

An acetyl phosphatide. A phospholipid, found in brain and muscle, similar in structure to lecithin and cephalin. A method of removing a quantity of plasma from the blood. Blood is withdrawn from the patient and allowed to settle in a container. The plasma is drawn off the top of the blood, and the blood cells…