What is the Origin of Pharmacological Physiology?

This concept is a natural extension of general physiology and pharmacology, becoming particularly distinct in endocrinology where administered substances often mimic or suppress natural ligands. The term emphasizes the use of pharmacological tools to probe and ultimately optimize physiological systems. It recognizes that therapeutic dosing often achieves concentrations far exceeding natural levels, necessitating a deep understanding of their supraphysiological effects.

What is the Mechanism of Pharmacological Physiology?

Pharmacological agents operate by engaging endogenous physiological pathways, often by binding to specific receptors (agonism) or blocking them (antagonism), thereby altering cellular signaling and gene expression. For example, administering bioidentical hormones utilizes the body's native receptor machinery to restore function, but the dosing regimen must account for the difference between natural pulsatile secretion and exogenous delivery to avoid negative feedback and maintain physiological integrity.

Pharmacological Physiology

Meaning

The scientific discipline focused on the study of how exogenous therapeutic agents, particularly hormones and their analogues, interact with and modify the normal, endogenous regulatory functions of the human body. This field bridges the gap between traditional physiology, which studies normal function, and pharmacology, which studies drug action. It is the framework used to understand and manage hormonal interventions and their systemic impact.