antagonism (chemistry)

{{Other uses|Antagonism (disambiguation){{!}}Antagonism}}

Chemical antagonists impede the normal function of a system. They function to invert the effects of other molecules.{{Cite journal|last=Indian dental academy|date=2013-12-04|title=Drug receptor interactions|url=http://www.slideshare.net/indiandentalacademy/drug-receptor-interactions-28879141 |website=SlideShare}} The effects of antagonists can be seen after they have encountered an agonist, and as a result, the effects of the agonist is neutralized.{{Cite web|url=http://pharmacologycorner.com/pharmacodynamics-antagonism-definition-types-chemical-physiological-pharmacological/|title=Pharmacodynamics. Antagonism: definition, types (chemical, physiological, pharmacological) |website=Pharmacology Corner |date=23 November 2008 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-20}} Antagonists such as dopamine antagonist slow down movement in lab rats.{{cite journal |pmc=4863529|year=2015|last1=Claussen|first1=C. M.|title=Single exposure of dopamine D1 antagonist prevents and D2 antagonist attenuates methamphetamine effect|journal=Journal of Experimental Pharmacology|volume=7|pages=1–9|last2=Witte|first2=L. J.|last3=Dafny|first3=N|doi=10.2147/JEP.S75300|pmid=27186140 |doi-access=free }} Although they hinder the joining of enzymes to substrates, Antagonists can be beneficial. For example, not only do angiotensin receptor blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors work to lower blood pressure, but they also counter the effects of renal disease in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.{{cite journal |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa011303|pmid=11565517|title=Renoprotective Effect of the Angioplasty-Receptor Antagonist Irbesartan in Patients with Nephropathy Due to Type 2 Diabetes|journal=New England Journal of Medicine|volume=345|issue=12|pages=851–60|year=2001|last1=Lewis|first1=Edmund J.|last2=Hunsicker|first2=Lawrence G.|last3=Clarke|first3=William R.|last4=Berl|first4=Tomas|last5=Pohl|first5=Marc A.|last6=Lewis|first6=Julia B.|last7=Ritz|first7=Eberhard|last8=Atkins|first8=Robert C.|last9=Rohde|first9=Richard|last10=Raz|first10=Itamar|hdl=2445/122787|hdl-access=free}}{{cite journal |pmid=19587550|year=2009|last1=Kalaitzidis|first1=R|title=Effects of angiotensin II receptor blockers on diabetic nephropathy|journal=Journal of Hypertension|volume=27|issue=5|pages=S15–21|last2=Bakris|first2=G. L.|s2cid=205389997|doi=10.1097/01.hjh.0000357904.71080.7d}} Chelating agents, such as calcium di sodium defeated, fall into the category of antagonists and operate to minimize the lethal effects of heavy metals such as mercury or lead.{{cite web|url=https://www.drugs.com/mtm/edetate-calcium-disodiumhtml|title=drugs.com/mtm/edetate-calcium-disodium.html}}

In chemistry, antagonism is a phenomenon wherein two or more agents in combination have an overall effect that is less than the sum of their individual effects.

The word is most commonly used in this context in biochemistry and toxicology: interference in the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure. For instance, a receptor antagonist is an agent that reduces the response that a ligand produces when the receptor antagonist binds to a receptor on a cell. An example of this is the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. The opposite of antagonism is synergy. It is a negative type of synergism.

Experiments with different combinations show that binary mixtures of phenolics can lead to either a synergetic antioxidant effect or to an antagonistic effect.{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/s11746-003-0812-z|title=Antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds in 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidation: Synergistic and antagonistic effects|journal=Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society|volume=80|issue=10|pages=1007|year=2003|last1=Peyrat-Maillard|first1=M. N.|last2=Cuvelier|first2=M. E.|last3=Berset|first3=C.|s2cid=86810404}}