Asthma Pharmacology Flashcards
What is asthma?
Inflammatory condition in which there is reversible airway obstruction in response to a stimuli
Give some examples of symptoms
experienced in patients with asthma.
- Cough
- Wheeze
- Shortness of Breath
- Chest tightness
True or False: Asthma is caused by genetic or environmental factors.
False: Asthma is caused by genetic and environmental factors.
What are some risk factors of asthma?
- Genetics
- Allergens
- Viral infections (worst asthma)
What are some common allergens that trigger asthma?
- Dust
- Pollen
- Animal dander
- Cold air
- Exercise
What happens during the early phase of an asthma attack?
Bronchospasm
-> Mast cell degranulation and release of cytokines
What happens during the late phase of an asthma attack?
Inflammation
-> Recruitment of WBCs
During an asthma attack is FEV1 low or high? What does it stand for?
Low.
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second
Explain what happens in asthma when a allergen is inhaled.
- Inhaled allergen
- Detected by mast cells coated by IgE antibodies
- Mast cell degranulation and release of cytokines
- Inflammation and recruitment of other WBCs.
What are the 3 things that happen to the airways during an asthma attack?
- Bronchoconstriction
- Mucus hypersecretion
- Oedema
Airway inflammation involves which cells?
- Neutrophils
- T helper cells
- Dendritic cells (antigen-presenting cells)
- Macrophages
Asthma involves the recruitment of which cells?
- T cytotoxic cells
- Eosinophils
How are IgE antibodies produced?
-Allergen enters and is detected by antigen-presenting cells
- Activates T helper cells which activate B cells
- B cells produce plasma cells, which produce IgE antibodies
- IgE antibodies coat mast cells
What are the 5 diagnostic tests for asthma?
- Spirometry
- FEV
- Peak Flow
- FeNO
- Bronchodilater reversibility test
What are the key mediators released by mast cells?
- Histamines
- Leukotrienes
- Prostaglandin
What is the main goal for asthma management?
For relief and control
Which receptors do bronchodilators work on?
B2 adrenergic receptors.
Where are B1 receptors found?
In the heart.
Activation of B2 receptors cause what?
Smooth muscle relaxation in the tissues.
Explain the process when adrenergic receptors are activated in asthma?
- Adrenergic receptors activated
- De-couples G-protein
- Activates adenylate cyclase
- Increases cAMP (ATP-> cAMP)
- Inhibition of calcium release
- Activates Protein Kinase A
- Relax muscles and open airways
Give 2 examples of bronchodilators.
SABA (short acting beta agonist) and LABA (long acting beta agonist)
Give an example of a SABA.
Salbutamol, terbutaline
How does salbutamol work?
Activates B2 receptors causing relaxation of smooth muscle and the opening of airways.
What is salbutamol an analogue of?
Adrenaline.
