Autonomic Pharmacology Flashcards
List 4 effects of sympathetic stimulation of the cardiovascular system.
Give the receptor that is responsible for each effect.
1 - Increased heart rate (beta 1 receptors).
2 - Increased heart contractility (beta 1 receptors).
3 - Vasoconstriction (alpha 1 and 2 receptors).
4 - Vasodilation (beta 2 receptors).
In which layer of a vessel is the innervation found?
The tunica adventitia.
Describe the organisation of adrenoceptor subtypes.
- All adrenoreceptors are alpha or beta.
- There are 2 subtypes of alpha receptors (1 and 2).
- There are 3 subtypes of beta receptors (1, 2 and 3).
- There are 3 subtypes of alpha 1 receptors (alpha 1 a, b and d).
- There are 2 subtypes of alpha 2 receptors (alpha 2 a and b).
Which alpha receptors are found in cardiac tissue?
Which are found in vascular tissue?
All alpha receptors are found in vascular tissue only.
Which beta receptors are found in cardiac tissue?
Which are found in vascular tissue?
- Beta 1 receptors are found in cardiac tissue.
- Beta 2 receptors are found in vascular tissue.
List 2 alpha 1 agonists.
1 - Phenylephrine.
2 - Midodrine (actually a prodrug).
Give an example of an alpha 1 antagonist.
Doxazosin.
List 2 alpha 2 agonists.
1 - Clonidine.
2 - Brimonidine.
Give an example of a beta 1 agonist.
Dobutamine.
Give an example of a beta 1 antagonist.
Metoprolol.
Give an example of a beta 2 agonist.
Salbutamol.
List 4 effects of beta adrenoceptor stimulation in the heart.
1 - Increased heart rate.
2 - Increased contractility.
3 - Increased automaticity.
4 - Fast relaxation and recovery.
What type of receptors are adrenoceptors?
G protein coupled receptors.
Give an example of a non-selective beta agonist.
Isoprenaline.
Describe the intracellular pathway that beta receptors use to bring about their effects in the heart.
1 - Binding of a beta agonist to a beta receptor triggers the Gs pathway.
2 - PKA opens Ca2+ channels, allowing for faster depolarisation.
3 - PKA opens K+ channels, allowing for faster repolarisation.
4 - cAMP increases Na+/K+ ATPase activity, causing positive chronotropy by increasing the slope of the pacemaker potential.
5 - The Gs pathway also increases sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake by increasing SERCA activity via inhibition of phospholamban.
6 - The Gs pathway also increases Ca2+ sensitivity.
What type of drug is adrenaline?
Both a beta and alpha adrenoceptor agonist.
List 4 clinical uses of adrenaline.
1 - Used to treat asystole.
2 - Used to treat ventricular fibrillation.
3 - Used to treat anaphylaxis.
4 - When injected locally, causes vasoconstriction, so is commonly used in a mixture with local anaesthetics.
What is dobutamine used to treat?
It is used to treat cardiogenic shock by providing inotropic support.
Describe the intracellular pathway that alpha receptors use to bring about their effects in smooth muscle.
Classical pathway:
1 - Binding of an alpha agonist to an alpha receptor triggers the Gq pathway.
2 - IP3 acts on the sarcoplasmic reticulum to stimulate Ca2+ release.
Alternative pathway:
3 - PKC phosphorylates CPI-17, which activates myosin light chain kinase.
4 - Myosin light chain kinase phosphorylates the myosin, which facilitates myosin binding to actin and therefore increases contractility.
What is phenylephrine used to treat?
Nasal congestion.
What is midodrine used to treat?
How does it work?
- Postural hypotension.
- By causing venoconstriction (it is a prodrug for an alpha 1 agonist).
With which drug might you administer with midodrine to treat postural hypotension?
Why would this work?
- Fludrocortisone.
- Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid that increases circulating volume, which will help treat the hypotension.