Autonomics Flashcards
what neurotransmitters are released at presynaptic and postsynaptic sites in the ANS?
presynaptic autonomic motor: acetylcholine
postsynaptic parasympathetic: acetylcholine
postsynaptic sympathetic: acetylcholine
sympathetic ganglionic neurons: norepinephrine
adrenal medulla: epi/NE
what types of cholinergic receptors are found in ANS ganglia?
muscarinic (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5)- postsynaptic parasympathetics, sympathetics to sweat glands
nicotinic (Nn, Nm)- presynaptic parasympathetics
for the sympathetic NS, what types of cholinergic and adrenergic receptors respond to the release of neurotransmitter in the target tissues?
adrenergic receptors: a1- smooth muscle, glands
a2- nerve endings, some smooth muscle
B1- cardiac muscle
B2- smooth muscle, liver, heart
for the parasympathetic NS, what types of cholinergic and adrenergic receptors respond to the release of NTs in the target tissues?
cholinergic: muscarinic, nicotinic
how does sympathetic innervation of eccrine (thermoregulatory) sweat glands differ from the sympathetic innervation of other tissue targets?
acetylcholine is released by sympathetic neurons innervating sweat glands- the receptor is muscarinic. in other sympathetic innervations, primarily norepinephrine is released to adrenergic receptors.
what do specific enzymes in catecholamine synthesis have to do with instances when postsynaptic sympathetics release DA and Epi rather than NE?
absence of dopamine beta hydroxylase determines if dopamine is released
presence of phenethanolamine-N methyltransferase determines if adrenal Epi is released
if DBH is present, NE is released; if PNMT is present, NE is NOT released
definitions/differences between: adrenergic cholinergic cholinoceptor adrenoceptor cholinomimetic sympathomimetic parasympatholytic sympatholytic sympathoplegic
cholinomimetic- mimics action of endogenous NT
sympathomimetic- mimicking adrenaline, etc.
parasympatholytic- blocks action of endogenous NT
sympatholytic/sympathoplegic- blocks action of endogenous NT
the cholinergic, adrenergic are terms to describe the neruons/terminals
list the types of receptors located within each of the target end organs: sweat glands, suprarenal glands, everything involving parasympathetics, everything else in sympathetics
sweat glands- preganglionic sympathetic cholinergic; post ganglionic sympathetic cholinergic
suprarenal glands: preganglionic cholinergic (direct innervation)
parasympathetics: preganglionic cholinergic; post ganglionic cholinergic
sympathetics: preganglionic cholinergic; postganglionic adrenergic
what special role is played by a2 adrenergic receptors in the CNS and PNS?
the 2nd messenger effect is to LOWER the cAMP levels; located in nerve endings
explain how baroreceptor reflex functions as a compensatory mechanism
changes in peripheral resistance changes BP which activates baroreceptors, which through CNS centers regulate both sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow; provides QUICK, HOMEOSTATIC RESPONSES so BP doesn’t shift normally
why might a drug that contracts peripheral vessels result in bradycardia?
contracted peripheral vessels will cause BP to rise, resulting in bradycardia due to the baroreceptor reflex
why might a drug that relaxes peripheral vessels cause tachycardia?
relaxed peripheral vessels will lower BP, causing tachycardia due to the baroreceptor reflex
what are the smooth muscle and epithelial targets for ANS drugs in the eye? what are the autonomic receptors involved?
dilator pupillary muscle (sympathetic), sphinter pupillary muscle (para), ciliary muscle (para), ciliary epithelium
how is pupil diameter and aqueous humour flow altered by specific autonomic related drugs?
pupil diameter: sympathetics contract the dilator pupil muscle (a1 receptor)
aqueous humor: a agonist (phenylephrine) facilitates outflow
b blockers reduce synthesis of aqueous humor
why would a muscarinic agonist be useful in treatment of glaucoma?
a muscarinic agonist would help to increase outflow of aqueous humor; relaxes vessels, so reduces intraocular pressure.
what are the symptoms of muscarinic agonist toxicity? what do the symptoms reflect?
SLUDGE: salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, GI upset, emesis
they reflect the role of muscarinic receptors in various target tissues.
what is the difference in the way that acetylcholine and catecholamines are cleared from the synaptic cleft?
acetylcoline is degraded by AChE enzyme; catecholamines are diffused away, reuptake or metabolized
what is the difference between a direct-acting and indirect-acting cholinomimetic? what about sympathomimetics?
direct-acting: act like acetylcholine
indirect-acting: cholinesterase inhibitors- compete with ACh for the enzyme
sympathomimetics: direct-acting: a or B agonists
indirect-acting: increase the conc of endogenous catecholamines in the synaptic cleft by increasing release of NT or inhibiting reuptake
list the 5 classes of ANS drugs and specific examples of what drugs fall into each class (blue)
direct-acting cholinomimetics- bethanecol
cholinoceptor blockers- atropine, scopolamine (anti-muscarinic)
indirect-acting cholinesterase inhibitors- neostigmine, organophosphates
sympathomimetics (direct/indirect)- direct: epi, NE, phenylephrine, albuterol; indirect: tyramine, amphetamine, cocaine, tricyclic antidepressants
adrenoceptor blockers- prazosin, propanolol
how do cholinergic agonists effect changes in peripheral vascular vessel diameter when these vessels lack direct autonomic fiber inputs?
vasodilation from cholinomimetics even when parasympathetic fibers don’t innervate the blood vessels, because muscarinic receptors are located in endothelial cells, receptor activation leads to release of NO, which diffuses to adjacent vascular smooth muscle, relaxes the vessels
what specific types of receptors do ganglionic blockers work on?
nicotinic receptors
why were drugs that fall into ganglionic blocker class once used but are now NOT used to treat hypertension?
too many side effects: they block sympathetic and parasymp. outflow; not tolerated well.
what type of autonomic drugs would result in bronchodilation versus bronchoconstriction in the lungs?
bronchodilation: anti-muscarinic
what type of autonomic drugs would exacerbate or relieve the urinary retention seen in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia? what receptors are involved?
alpha blockers (adrenoceptor blocker)
some drugs like the tricyclic antidepressants have side effects that reflect the action of….
anti-muscarinic action
how do indirect-acting cholinomimetics differ from direct acting cholinomimetics?
indirect-acting cholinomimetics inhibit the enzymes that breakdown ACh