Adrenergic Agonists Flashcards
What do you need to know about adrenergic receptors?
They are (1) finite (2) specific and (3) bind agonists reversibly
What do sympathetic nerves innervate? What do they cause?
Innervate: atria, ventricle, arterioles & veins
Elevate HR, SV & TPR
What is the MAJOR EFFECT of the sympathetic nervous system?
Elevate BP
BP = HR x SV x TPR
What is the pathway of NE synthesis? Where does each step occur? What are the enzymes that help out?
(1) Tyrosine is converted to DOPA by Tyrosine Hydroxylase [cytosol]
(2) DOPA is converted to Dopamine by DOPA decarboxylase. [cytosol]
(3) Dopamine is converted to Norepinephrine by Dopamine Beta Hydroxylase [Vesicular]
(4) Norepinephrine is converted to Epinephrine by Phenyl-N-methyltransferase [Adrenal medulla]
What is the rate limiting step in the synthesis of adrenergic amines?
Tyrosine hydroxylase (first step in cytosol)
What inhibits DOPA decarboxylase?
Carbidopa
Where is Dopamine Beta hydroxylse?
Intravesicular
Where is Phenyl-N-methyl transferase (PNMT)?
Confined to the adrenal medulla (possibly brain; also intravesicular)
What blocks synthesis at tyrosine hydroxylase?
Alpha methyl tyrosine (metyrosine)
If someone lacks Tyrosine Hydroxylase, what can they use to produce NE?
Dihdroxyphenylserine can be converted to NE by DOPA decarboxylase.
How are adrenergic amines stored?
- In granules with ATP-protein complex
- 10,000 fold concentration gradient
- -Axoplasmic uptake (50x concentration gradient)
- -Granular uptake (200x concentration gradient)
How are adrenergic amines normally released?
(1) Induced by stimulation of nicotinic receptors on post-synaptic surface of the post-ganglionic nerve
(2) Depolarization (Na influx) and Ca influx
(3) Release of dopamine beta-hydroxylase, norepinephrine and ATP
(4) NE inhibits its own release (alpha2 receptors)
What are the indirectly-acting sympathomimetics?
Ex: tyramine, amphetamine, ephedrine
How do indirectly-acting sympathomimetics act?
- Induce release of NE but not DA beta hydroxylse
- Reverse direction of axoplasmic catecholamine transporter
- Characterized by development of tachyphylaxis (desensitization)
When are indirectly acting sympathomimetics (agents releasing catecholamines) inactive?
-In the presence of agents that inhibit this axoplasmic pump (Cocaine & Imipramine)
How do Cocaine & Imipramine act?
They inhibit the axoplasmic pump to potentiate sympathetic responses.
How does Reserpine act?
It inhibits the granular pump accumulating catecholamines in vesicles (results in depletion of catecholamines)
How does Guanethidine and Guanadrel work?
- Induce release from vesicle, probably via displacement
- Depletes NE stores
- Reduces response to sympathetic stimulation
- Slow acting (NE gets degraded by Monoamine oxidase)
When are Guanethidine and Guanadrel inactive?
In the presence of inhibitor of the axoplasmic transporter (how Guanethidine gets into cell) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (what breaks down NE) such as Pargyline or Phenelzine
How to terminate the actions of adrenergic amines?
Removal:
- Uptake processes are of major importance
- Dilution and diffusion
- Degradation
- -COMT (Catechole-O-methyl transferase) (cytoplasm)
- -MAO (Monoamine oxidase) (mitochondria)
What is COMT? What blocks it?
Important in liver for inactivating circulating catecholes
- Present in all cells
- Blocked by Tolcapone (Tasmar) - used as adjunct in treatment of Parkinsons
What is MAO?
Oxidizes catecholamines
-Two types: a and b