metyrapone

metyrapone

 [mĕ-tēr´ah-pōn]

a synthetic compound that selectively inhibits an enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of corticosteroids; it is used as a diagnostic aid in a test of pituitary reserve.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

me·tyr·a·pone

(mĕ-tir'ă-pōn),

An inhibitor of adrenocortical steroid C-11 β-hydroxylation, administered orally or intravenously to determine the ability of the pituitary gland to increase its secretion of corticotropin; because 11-deoxycorticosteroids, as a consequence of metyrapone administration, only weakly inhibit pituitary corticotropin secretion, the normal pituitary gland will appreciably increase its output of this hormone.

Synonym(s): mepyrapone

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

metyrapone

An agent used to evaluate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, especially abnormal pituitary activity. Metyrapone inhibits 11-beta-hydroxylase, the final enzyme in cortisol synthesis. The inhibition results in accumulation of 11-deoxycortisol in the adrenal cortex, resulting in decreased negative feedback of ACTH synthesis by the pituitary; it therefore also results in increased ACTH and increased 11-deoxycortisol, as well as its metabolite, tetrahydrocortisol, which is measured in the urine as so-called Porter-Silber compounds.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

metyrapone

A diagnostic tool for evaluating the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal 'axis', especially, abnormal pituitary activity

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

metyrapone

An ALDOSTERONE inhibitor drug used to treat aldosterone-induced OEDEMA and CUSHING'S syndrome. A brand name is Metopirone.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005