Asthma Flashcards
What is asthma?
Inflammatory condition in which there is recurrent reversible airways obstruction in response to irritant stimuli. Chemical mediators are released by mast cells in airways; bronchoconstriction, mucosal oedema, hypersecretion of mucus
What are the symptoms of asthma?
wheezing, tight chest, cough - especially at night
What is asthma cause by?
genetics
animal allergens
pollen
infections
chemicals
drugs - NSAIDs
smoking
emotions stress
exercise
cold weather
Describe the onset of asthma?
- Cases begin in childhood and can develop later in life
- Late onset: non-T2-type (absence of allergy) - such as NAIDs intolerance, rhino-sinusitis
What are the two onset sub-types?
T2 - allergy, exercise - induced, aspirin exacerbation.
Non-T2 - obesity associated, smoking related
What are the two phases of asthma?
Immediate
Late
What are the 3 features of airway hyper-responsiveness?
- Airway wall inflammation involving neutrophils, T cells (CD8+) alveolar dendritic cells and macrophages. Dendritic cell recruit T cells (CD4+) in the alveolar air spaces and eosinophils in bronchioles
- Luminal obstruction of the airways by mucus caused by hyper-secretion of bronchial mucous glands and infiltration by inflammatory cells.
- Vasodilation of bronchial microvasculature with increases vascular permeability and oedema.
What is hypersensitivity?
Bronchial hyper reactivity is abnormal sensitivity to a stumli - bronchoconstriction.
What is the 1st phase of Th2 response?
Attract inflammatory granulocytes (eosinophils) to the mucosal surface.
What is the 2nd phase of Th2 response?
IL-5 and granulocyte -macrophage colony stimulating factor prime eosinophils to produce cysteinyl leukotrienes to release granule proteins that damage the epithelium.
- This damage is a cause of bronchial hyper - responsiveness
What is the 3rd phase of Th2 response?
Promote IgE synthesis and responsiveness in some asthmatics.
- IL-4 and 13 switch B cells to IgE synthesis and cause expression of IgE receptors on mast cells and eosinophils - enhance adhesion of eosinophils to endothelium.
List the bronchodilators used in the treatment of asthma.
SABA
LABA
Anticholinergics
Methylxanthines
List the anti-inflammatories used in the treatment of asthma
- ICS
- LTRA
Describe the adrenergic receptors
All are typical G protein-coupled receptors
What are the 2 categories of adrenergic receptors?
- alpha - adrenergic receptors - 2 sub types
- beta - adrenergic receptors - 3 sub types
Where are beta1 receptors found?
mainly in the heart and responsible for effects of catecholamines