UROCANIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Urocanic acid is a naturally occurring compound that is found in the skin of animals, including humans. It is a metabolite of the amino acid histidine and is primarily formed in the outermost layer of the epidermis known as the stratum corneum.
Urocanic acid plays a crucial role in the regulation of the skin's immune response and protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. When exposed to UVB rays, urocanic acid undergoes a chemical transformation known as photolysis. This process converts urocanic acid into a derivative called cis-urocanic acid, which has immunosuppressive properties.
The immunosuppressive function of cis-urocanic acid helps to prevent overreactions of the immune system in response to UV exposure. It acts as a natural regulator, modulating the body's immune response to minimize inflammation caused by UV radiation and reducing the risk of skin damage. Furthermore, cis-urocanic acid is involved in DNA repair mechanisms, aiding in the recovery of damaged skin cells.
Studies have also suggested that urocanic acid may have other biological functions, such as acting as an antioxidant and contributing to the skin's barrier function by reducing water loss. Additionally, urocanic acid has been implicated in various dermatological conditions such as atopic dermatitis and skin cancer, where alterations in its levels or metabolism may play a role.
Overall, urocanic acid is an important substance found in the skin that helps to regulate the immune response, protect against UV radiation, and maintain the integrity of the skin barrier.
Common Misspellings for UROCANIC ACID
- yrocanic acid
- hrocanic acid
- jrocanic acid
- irocanic acid
- 8rocanic acid
- 7rocanic acid
- ueocanic acid
- udocanic acid
- ufocanic acid
- utocanic acid
- u5ocanic acid
- u4ocanic acid
- uricanic acid
- urkcanic acid
- urlcanic acid
- urpcanic acid
- ur0canic acid
- ur9canic acid
- uroxanic acid
- urovanic acid
Etymology of UROCANIC ACID
The word "urocanic acid" has its roots in the scientific nomenclature of organic compounds. The term can be broken down into two parts: "urocanic" and "acid".
1. Urocanic: The term "urocanic" originates from the name of a compound called "urocanic acid", which was initially identified in the urine of dogs by German chemist Carl Liebermann in 1875. The word "urocanic" comes from the Latin word "urina", meaning urine, and "canus", meaning dog, reflecting its discovery from canine urine.
2. Acid: The term "acid" refers to a class of chemical compounds that typically have a sour taste, can react with bases to form salts, and turn blue litmus paper to red. The term "acid" itself is derived from the Latin word "acidus", meaning sour or sharp.
Similar spelling words for UROCANIC ACID
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