ATC Group: V04C Other diagnostic agents

Corticorelin results in a rapid and sustained increase of plasma ACTH levels and a near parallel increase of plasma cortisol. In addition corticorelin causes a concomitant and prolonged release of the related proopiomelanocortin peptides β- and γ-lipotropins (β- and γ-LPH) and β-endorphin (β-END).

Edrophonium is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor with rapid onset and short duration of action resulting in an increase of acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). For many years, edrophonium was FDA-approved to be utilized to diagnose MG.

Glucose is frequently used in both adults and children to restore blood glucose concentrations in the treatment of hypoglycaemia resulting from insulin excess or from other causes. The metabolism of glucose is an energy source for the body.

Gonadorelin stimulates the synthesis of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone in the anterior lobe of the pituitary as well as their release.

Hexaminolevulinate blue light fluorescence cystoscopy is indicated as adjunct to standard white light cystoscopy to contribute to the diagnosis and management of bladder cancer in patients with known or high suspicion of bladder cancer.

Histamine/IL-2 is an immunotherapy which aims to induce immune-mediated destruction of residual myeloid leukaemic cells and thereby to prevent relapse of leukaemia. The role of histamine is to protect lymphocytes, in particular NK cells and T cells, which are responsible for the immune-mediated destruction of residual leukaemic cells.

Little is known about the way the lithium ion can modify neurotransmission within the CNS. Many of the proposed mechanisms have suggested an inhibitory effect on components of various neurotransmitter signalling pathways, such as cyclic AMP formation, cyclic GMP formation, G-proteins or inositol phosphate metabolism.

Macimorelin is an orally available peptidomimetic with growth hormone (GH) secretagogue activity similar to ghrelin. Macimorelin stimulates GH release by activating growth hormone secretagogue receptors (GHSR) present in the pituitary and hypothalamus.

Magnesium sulfate is a saline purgative. It can be employed locally in various inflammatory conditions, due to its osmotic action.

Mannitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol used clinically primarily for its osmotic diuretic properties.

Methacholine is a cholinergic agonist. Bronchial smooth muscle contains significant parasympathetic (cholinergic) innervation. Methacholine agonizes the muscarinic receptors which eventually induce bronchoconstriction.

In vivo, in low concentration, methylthioninium chloride speeds up the conversion of methaemoglobin to haemoglobin. Methylthioninium chloride has been observed to stain tissues selectively.

Pentagastrin is a synthetic polypeptide that has effects like gastrin when given parenterally. It stimulates the secretion of gastric acid, pepsin, and intrinsic factor, and has been used as a diagnostic aid as the pentagastrin-stimulated calcitonin test. Pentagastrin binds to the cholecystokinin-B receptor, which is expressed widely in the brain. Activation of these receptors activates the phospholipase C second messenger system. When given intravenously it may cause panic attacks.

The biologically active fragment of human growth hormone-releasing factor. It is used to diagnose or treat patients with GROWTH HORMONE deficiency.

Sincalide is a cholecystopancreatic-gastrointestinal hormone peptide for parenteral administration. The agent is a synthetically-prepared C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin. When injected intravenously, sincalide stimulates gallbladder contraction and reduction in size. The evacuation of bile that results is similar to that which occurs physiologically in response to endogenous cholecystokinin. Sincalide also stimulates pancreatic secretion and intestinal motility causing pyloric contraction and slows gastric emptying.

Somatorelin is normally synthesised in the hypothalamus and stimulates the secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland. Somatorelin physiologically increases plasma growth hormone levels.

Thyrotropin alfa (recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein produced by recombinant DNA technology. Binding of thyrotropin alfa to TSH receptors on thyroid epithelial cells stimulates iodine uptake and organification, and synthesis and release of thyroglobulin, triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine (T₄).

Tolbutamide is an oral antihyperglycemic agent used for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). It is structurally similar to acetohexamide, chlorpropamide and tolazamide and belongs to the sulfonylurea class of insulin secretagogues, which act by stimulating β cells of the pancreas to release insulin.

Tuberculin PPD is indicated for the detection of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to
tuberculin as an aid in the detection of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

¹³C-urea is administered in the course of the breath test. After oral ingestion the labelled urea reaches the gastric mucosa. In the presence of Helicobacter pylori the ¹³C-urea is metabolised by the enzyme urease of Helicobacter pylori.