RISTOCETIN Meaning and
Definition
-
Ristocetin is a noun that refers to a glycopeptide antibiotic naturally produced by the bacterium Amycolatopsis lurida. It is primarily used in laboratory settings and medical research for its unique ability to induce the clumping of platelets in the presence of von Willebrand factor (vWF). This antibiotic was originally discovered in the 1950s, and its medical application has been mainly limited to laboratory tests rather than clinical treatments.
In terms of mechanism, ristocetin acts by binding to vWF, a key protein involved in the clotting process. By forming a complex with vWF, ristocetin enhances the interaction between vWF and platelets, leading to platelet aggregation and eventually clot formation. This property has made ristocetin valuable in diagnostic tests for platelet function, particularly in the evaluation of von Willebrand disease, a hereditary bleeding disorder characterized by a deficiency or malfunction of vWF.
Despite its diagnostic importance, ristocetin has not been used extensively in therapeutic treatments due to various factors. Its systemic administration in humans is associated with several side effects, including nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Moreover, the emergence of more effective and safer antibiotics has led to the decline in the use of ristocetin as a therapeutic agent.
In conclusion, ristocetin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that plays a crucial role in laboratory tests for platelet function and diagnosing von Willebrand disease. However, its clinical use is limited due to potential side effects and the availability of safer alternatives.
Common Misspellings for RISTOCETIN
- eistocetin
- distocetin
- fistocetin
- tistocetin
- 5istocetin
- 4istocetin
- rustocetin
- rjstocetin
- rkstocetin
- rostocetin
- r9stocetin
- r8stocetin
- riatocetin
- riztocetin
- rixtocetin
- ridtocetin
- rietocetin
- riwtocetin
- risrocetin
- risfocetin
Etymology of RISTOCETIN
The word "Ristocetin" is derived from the combination of three elements: "Risto", "cet", and "in".
- "Risto" refers to the name of an Italian bacteriologist, Dr. Vittorio Revelli di Beaumont, who was involved in the discovery of the antibiotic substance now known as Ristocetin.
- "Cet" is an abbreviation for the scientific name of the bacteria Streptomyces species, from which Ristocetin is derived.
- "In" is a common suffix in chemistry and pharmaceuticals indicating a substance or drug.
Therefore, the name "Ristocetin" is a combination of these elements, naming the antibiotic substance discovered by Dr. Vittorio Revelli di Beaumont from the bacterium Streptomyces species.
