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{{Short description|Biological factors that act like hormones}}

'''Autacoids'''  or '''autocoids''' are biological factors (molecules) which act like local [[hormone]]s, have a brief duration, and act near their site of [[biosynthesis]].<ref name="Ahrens1996">{{cite book|author=Franklin A. Ahrens|title=Pharmacology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JgtQHQY7VJQC&pg=PA45|access-date=25 November 2010|date=1 October 1996|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|isbn=978-0-683-00085-6|pages=45–}}</ref> The word ''autacoid'' comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] words "autos" (self) and "acos" (relief; i.e., drug). The effects of autacoids are primarily local, though large quantities can be produced and moved into circulation.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} Autacoids may thus have systemic effects by being transported via the circulation. These regulating molecules are also [[Metabolism|metabolized]] locally. In sum, these compounds typically are produced locally,{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} act locally and are metabolized locally. Autacoids can have a variety of different biological actions, including modulating the activities of smooth muscles, glands, nerves, platelets and other tissues.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

Some autacoids are chiefly characterized by the effect they have on specific tissues, such as [[smooth muscle]].<ref>{{MeshName|Autacoids}}</ref> With respect to [[vascular smooth muscle]], there exist both [[vasoconstrictor]] and [[vasodilator]] autacoids. Vasodilator autacoids are released during periods of exercise. Their main effect is seen in the skin, where they facilitate heat loss.

These are local hormones; they therefore have a [[paracrine]] effect. Some notable autacoids are: [[eicosanoid]]s, [[angiotensin]], [[neurotensin]], NO ([[nitric oxide]]), [[kinin]]s, [[histamine]], [[serotonin]], [[endothelin]]s and  [[palmitoylethanolamide]].

In 2015, a more precise definition of autacoids was proposed: "An autacoid is a locally produced modulating factor, influencing locally the function of cells and/or tissues, which is produced on demand and which subsequently is metabolized in the same cells and/or tissues".<ref>{{cite journal | pmid = 27028114 | doi=10.1111/aap.12037 | volume=35 | title=The terms 'autacoid', 'hormone' and 'chalone' and how they have shifted with time | journal=Autonomic and Autacoid Pharmacology | pages=51–8 | last1 = Keppel Hesselink | first1 = JM| year=2015 | issue=4 }}</ref>

==References==
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{{Autacoids}}
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[[Category:Biomolecules]]


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