Cholinergic Agonists Flashcards
Describe the Cycle of Acetylcholine
ACH is synthesized in the mitochondria of neurons catalyzed by choline O-acetyltransferase
ACh is stored and released in vesicles
Action potential stimulates the release of ACh into synaptic cleft
ACh binds to muscarinic or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
ACh is broken down by AChE and components are recycled
What are the 2 types of receptors that bind ACh and where are they found
Muscarinic - effector organs
Nicotinic - ganglion of autonomic nervous system
What are the 2 key actions at muscarinic sites?
muscarnic receptors are activated on target organs and organ function is altered by positive stimulus
bind to receptors on nerve terminals to INHIBIT relase of other neurotransmitters; alters organ function by creating negative stimulus
What is the difference between positive and negative response?
positive response = activate; contraction or release of something
negative response = relaxation
Where are nicotinic receptors located?
ganglionic level of both parasympathetic and sympathetic sides of the autonomic nervous system
What do nicotinic receptors do?
bind ACh released from pre-ganglionic neurons and pass message on to post ganglionic neurons
Do nicotinic receptors have inhibitory capabilities?
No, only relay efferent message sent from CNS
Where are nicotinic receptors in the somatic nervous system located?
at the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscle
What do the nicotinic receptors in the somatic nervous system do?
binding of ACh –> depolarization of nerve cell or neuromuscular end plate membrane –> positive stimulus (muscle contraction)
What happens if there is prolonged ACh binding to nicotinic receptors in the somatic nervous system?
postganglionic neuron will stop firing
skeletal muscle will relax
muscle paralysis; prevents further depolarization (negative stimulus)
What are the 5 types of muscarinic receptors?
M1 - M5
What do each of the muscarinic receptors do?
M1, M3, M5 –> cellular excitation
M2 and M4 –> inhibit cellular excitability
Where are muscarinic receptors found?
Effector Organs:
Heart
Smooth Muscle
Brain
Exocrine glands
What are the 2 types of nicotinic receptors?
Nm
Nn
Where are Nm receptors located?
neuromuscular junction
Where are Nn receptors located?
CNS
Adrenal Medulla
Autonomic Ganglia
**Nn = NON muscular
What are the 2 groups of direct acting cholinomimetics?
Esters of Cholines - acetylcholine
Alkaloids - muscarine and nicatine (comes from plants)
Are Choline Esters lipophilic? And what consequence does this have in the body?
No they’re hydrophilic
Can’t cross the BBB –> don’t produce CNS side effects like sedation
How are choline esters classified chemically?
quarternary ammoniums
What are the characteristics of quaternary ammoniums?
Hydrophilic
Hydrolyzed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
Variations in chemical structure alter characteristics like potency and susceptibility to hydrolysis by AChE
How are cholinomimetic alkaloids classified chemically? What about Muscarine?
Tertiary amines
Muscarine = quarternary amines
What are the 4 examples of cholinomimetic alkaloids that are quaternary amines?
Muscarine
Pilocarpine
Nicotine
Lobeline
What are the characteristics of cholinomimetic alkaloids?
well absorbed after oral administration
lipid soluble –> larger volume of distribution; cross into BBB (even muscarine)
Not susceptible to acetylcholinesterase
What is the Mechanism of Indirect Acting Cholinomimetics
Act by inhibiting AChE
What is the consequence of inhibiting AChE
prolongs the presence and actions of ACh @ ALL ACh-R (muscles, neurons, neural muscular junction, brain)
What are the 3 types of AChE inhibitors, and what are some examples?
Simple alcohols w/ a quarternary ammonium - Edrophonium
Carbamate esters of alcohols with quaternary or tertiary ammonium - neostigmine, physostigmine, pyridostigmine
Organophosphates - Echothiophate, Isoflurophate
What is the binding affinity of simple alcohols and AChE?
weak affinity –> bind weakly
reversible
half life = short
What is the binding affinity of carbamate esters and AChE?
higher affinity for AChE than simple alcohols
still reversible
half life = 30 minutes - 6 hour half life