ANS Pharmacology - Kelly 1 Flashcards
ANS Pharmacology
Study of drugs that act on receptors and neurotransmitters in the ANS
Somatic NS
Controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscle
One efferent motor neuron that is cholinergic and releases ACh in the NMJ
Autonomic NS
Controls involuntary actions of internal organs and glands
Parasympathetic and sympathetic
Enteric NS
3rd division of ANS
Network of ANS neurons in the walls of the gut that regulate gut activities
Motor, secretory
Parasympathetic NS
Rest and digest
Cranial and sacral regions, ganglion are located close to target area
Slows HR and reduces BP
Simulates digestive tract to process food and eliminate waste
Controls erections
Sympathetic NS
Fight or flight Thoracic and lumber regions, ganglia located close to spinal cord Increases HR and force of contraction of heart Increases basal metabolic rate Increases sweating Widens airways to make breathing easier Decreases digestion/urination Controls ejaculation
Organization of efferent ANS
Preganglion neuron is in brain or spinal cord
Synapses on postganglionic neuron in an autonomic ganglion
Axon of postganglionic neutron innervates the target organ
Pupil regulation
Acetylcholine causes sphincter pupillae to contracts (PNS)
NE causes dilator pupille to contract (SNS)
ACh
In PNS and SNS
PNS: Pre (nicotinic) and post (muscarinic) - synaptic ganglia are cholinergic
SNS: only presynaptic ganglia (nicotinic) - post are adrenergic
Somatic: nicotinic receptor in NMJ
Adrenal medulla cells
Innervated by preganglionic fibres that release ACh and stimulate release of NE and EN
Exceptions to Sympathetic NTs
Sweat glands: nicotinic, then muscarinic
Renal vascular smooth muscle: nicotinic then dopamine
Presynaptic modulation
NT release is modulated by receptors on the presynaptic membranes of neurons
Presynaptic receptors respond to primary NT of nerve
Receptors can be positive or negative modulators of NT release
G protein coupled receptors
Gq coupled
Gi coupled
Gs coupled
Gq
Increase 2nd messengers IP3, DAG, increase Ca
Gi
Decrease cAMP, open K channel, decrease Ca influx
Gs
Increases cAMP
Ligand-gated ion channels
Nn: ganglionic
Nm: NMJ
Activation by ligand opens a cation channel and allows Na influx, depolarization
Cholinergic Agonists
Cholinomimetics, parasympatomimetic
Drugs that mimic the action of ACh at cholinergic receptors and increase parasympathetic nervous system responses
Cholinergic Antagonists
Cholinolytic, parasympatholytics
Drugs that inhibit the action of ACh at cholinergic receptors and decrease parasympathetic nervous system responses
Cholinergic Nerve
ACh is made from choline and acetyl CoA
In synaptic cleft, ACh is rapidly broken down by AChE
Choline is transported back into the axon terminal and used to make more ACh
Cholinergic Receptors
Muscarinic and nicotinic receptors
ACh binds equally with both receptor types
Muscarinic Receptors
Bind muscarine with very high affinity
Do not bind nicotine
M1, M2, M3
M1
CNS, Gq
M2
Heart, decrease HR
Gi
M3
Smooth muscle contraction, exocrine gland increased secretion
Gq
Nicotinic receptors
Nn: autonomic ganglia stimulation of SNS and PNS, Adrenal medulla release of NE, EN
Nm: skeletal muscle contraction
Muscarinic agonists
Agents that activate muscarinic receptor directly: post-synaptic receptors
Glaucoma, dry mouth, stimulate tone in bladder, increase gut motility
Non-selective muscarinic agonist
ACh
Selective muscarinic agonist
Naturally occurring alkaloids: muscarine, pilocarpine
Synthetic analogues of ACh: bethanechol
Muscarine
Can find in mushrooms
Can cross into the CNS
In periphery, mimics effects of parasympathetic nerve stimulation
Glaucoma: use of direct muscarinic agonist
Constricts ciliary muscle of eye and increase aqueous humour drainage
Uses as eyedrops
Activate M3 receptors