chelating agent

agent (a´jent) something capable of producing an effect.

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adrenergic blocking agent  one that inhibits response to sympathetic impulses by blocking the alpha (alpha-adrenergic blocking a.) or beta (beta-adrenergic blocking a.) receptor sites of effector organs.

adrenergic neuron blocking agent  one that inhibits the release of norepinephrine from postganglionic adrenergic nerve endings.

alkylating agent  a cytotoxic agent, e.g., a nitrogen mustard, which is highly reactive and can donate an alkyl group to another compound. Alkylating agents inhibit cell division by reacting with DNA and are used as antineoplastic agents.

blocking agent  an agent that inhibits a biological action, such as movement of an ion across the cell membrane, passage of a neural impulse, or interaction with a specific receptor.

calcium channel blocking agent  any of a class of drugs that inhibit the influx of calcium ions across the cell membrane or inhibit the mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores; used in the treatment of angina, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension.

chelating agent 

1. a compound that combines with metal ions to form stable ring structures.

2. a substance used to reduce the concentration of free metal ion in solution by complexing it.

cholinergic blocking agent  one that blocks or inactivates acetylcholine.

emulsifying agent  emulsifier.

ganglionic blocking agent  one that blocks nerve impulses at autonomic ganglionic synapses.

inotropic agent  any of a class of agents affecting the force of muscle contraction, particularly a drug affecting the force of cardiac contraction; positive inotropic agents increase, and negative inotropic agents decrease the force of cardiac muscle contraction.

luting agent  lute (1).

neuromuscular blocking agent  a compound that causes paralysis of skeletal muscle by blocking neural transmission at the neuromuscular junction.

nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent  see under drug.

Agent Orange  a herbicide containing 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D and the contaminant dioxin; it is suspected of being carcinogenic and teratogenic.

oxidizing agent  a substance capable of accepting electrons from another substance, thereby oxidizing the second substance and itself becoming reduced.

potassium channel blocking agent  any of a class of antiarrhythmic agents that inhibit the movement of potassium ions through the potassium channels, thus prolonging repolarization of the cell membrane.

progestational agent  progestin: any of a group of hormones secreted by the corpus luteum and placenta and, in small amounts, by the adrenal cortex, including progesterone; they induce the formation of a secretory endometrium. Agents having progestational activity are also produced synthetically.

psychoactive agent , psychotropic agent psychoactive substance.

reducing agent  a substance that acts as an electron donor in a chemical redox reaction.

sclerosing agent  sclerosant; a chemical irritant injected into a vein in sclerotherapy.

sodium channel blocking agent  any of a class of antiarrhythmic agents that prevent ectopic beats by acting on partially inactivated sodium channels to inhibit abnormal depolarizations.

surface-active agent  a substance that exerts a change on the surface properties of a liquid, especially one that reduces its surface tension, as a detergent.

wetting agent  a substance that lowers the surface tension of water to promote wetting.

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chelating agent

[kē′lāting]

a substance that promotes chelation. Chelating agents are used in the treatment of metal poisoning. See also chelation.

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chelating agent

a substance which combines with a metallic ion to produce an inert chelate, e.g. ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid, penicillamine.