2.2.4. Cholinesterase Flashcards
Distinguishing Characteristics of the Somatic Nervous System
- One neuron in the efferent pathway
- Excitatory effects
- Releases ACh (nicotinic receptor) OR Norepinephrine (alpha or beta receptor)
- Targets skeletal muscle
Distinguishing Characteristics of the AutonomicNervous System
- Two neurons in the efferent pathway
- Excitatory/inhibitory effects
- Releases ACh (muscarinic receptor)
- Targets smooth or cardiac muscle, some exocrine/endocrine glands, and some adipose tissue
Two types of cholinesterases
- Acetylcholinesterase
2. Plasma Cholinesterase
AChE
- Present at synapses
- Predominant form is anchored to the extracellular matrix, near ACh receptors
- One of the fastest enzymes
- DOES NOT hydrolyze butyrylcholine
- One gene product
Plasma Cholinesterase
(pseudocholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase)
- Made in the liver and secreted into the blood
- Hydrolyzes butyrylcholine as well as it hydrolyzes ACh
- Relevant if ACh or ACh-like drugs pass through the bloodstream
- Considerable polymorphism in humans
Two examples of ACh-like drugs?
- Succinylcholine: a neuromuscular blocker
2. Procaine: ester-type anesthetic
What is the active site “gorge” of AChE?
Serine Hydrolase (critical serine in esteric site)
Why is the acyl intermediate (formed after the enzymatic reaction with ACh) short lived?
Regeneration by nucleophilic attack of water
Therapeutic Goal of AChE inhibitors
To increase ACh neurotransmission at specific sites
Clinically used AChE inhibitors
- Edrophonium (quaternary alcohols)
- Neostigmine, Pyridostigmine, Physostigmine, Ambenonium, Demecarium (carbamates)
- Donezepil, Galantamine (atypicals)
Organophosphates
Clinically used: DFP (diisopropyl fluorophosphate), echothiphate
Insecticides: paraoxon, malaoxon, parathion, malathion, etc.
Nerve gas: sarin, soman
Effects of Increased ACh on the Heart
- Decreased heart rate
- Decreased conduction and contraction
- Slower cardiac rhythm (due to cardiac muscle hyperpolarization)
Vascular effects of increased ACh
Arteriolar vasodilation
Smooth muscle effects of increased ACh
- Increased intestinal tone with peristaltic contraction
- Increased ureter tone
- Bronchoconstriction
Results of Increased ACh on secretions
-increased saliva, sweat and lacrimal secretions (lubricates the surface of the eye)
Ocular Effects of Increased ACh
Decrease of iris diameter (miosis) and lower intra-ocular pressure
Increased ACh at the neuromuscular junction
- low concentration = muscle contraction
- high concentration = inhibition
Anticholinesterases that treat Myasthenia gravis
Target: NMJ
Edrophonium (diagnosis)
Pyridostigmine, Neostigmine, and Ambemonium (treatment)
Anticholinesterases that treat Anesthesia
Target: NMJ (after medical procedure is completed)
Edrophonium and Pyridostigmine
Anticholinesterases that treat Alzheimer’s disease
Target: basal forebrain (cognition enhancement)
Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine
Anticholinesterases that treat Glaucoma
Target: iris sphincter (local activation of muscarinic receptors to trigger constriction, aka miosis, leading to aqueous outflow)
Physostigmine, Echothiophate, Demacarium, Diisoflurophosphate (DFP)