Cholinomimetics Flashcards
Describe the synthesis of acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is synthesised from Acetyl CoA and choline via choline acetyltransferase (CAT)
Why are the receptors described as nicotinic and muscarinic?
Muscarinic effects are those that can be replicated by muscarine
Nicotinic effects are those that an be replicated by nicotine
Comes from amanita muscaria and nicotiana tabacum
What can be given to abolish muscarinic effects?
Atropine (competitive muscarinic antagonist)
State where you would find the different types of muscarinic receptor.
M1 – salivary glands, CNS, stomach
M2 – heart
M3 – salivary glands, bronchial/visceral smooth muscle, eyes, and sweat glands
M4 and M5 are found in the CNS
NOTE: muscarinic receptors are generally excitatory except for on the heart
What type of receptor are all muscarinic receptors?
G-protein coupled receptors
What is the difference in the G-protein receptors of M1, M3 and M5 compared to M2 and M4?
M1, M3 and M5 = Gq protein linked receptors – they stimulate PLC which increases IP3 and DAG
M2 and M4 = Gi protein linked receptors (inhibitory) – they decrease the production of cAMP
Describe the structure of nicotinic receptors. What determines its ligand binding properties?
Nicotinic receptors consist of 5 subunits (alpha, beta, gamma, delta or epsilon)
The combination of subunits determines its ligand binding properties.
What are the two main types of nicotinic receptor? Describe their subunit composition.
Muscle and Ganglion
Muscle = 2 alpha + beta + delta + epsilon
Ganglion = 2 alpha + 3 beta
How do the effects of acetylcholine on nicotinic receptors compare to its effects on muscarinic receptors?
The effects of acetylcholine are relatively weak on nicotinic compared to muscarinic
What three effects does muscarinic stimulation have on the eye?
Contraction of the ciliary muscle (accommodate for near vision)
Constriction of sphincter pupillae (circular muscle of the eye) – this constricts the pupil and increases drainage of intraocular fluid
Lacrimation
What is glaucoma?
Sustained raised intraocular pressure – this can cause damage to the optic nerves and retina and can lead to blindness
Where is aqueous humour produced? Describe its passage through the eye.
The capillaries in the ciliary body produce aqueous humour
Aqueous humour passes anteriorly into the anterior chamber and is then drained through the canals of Schlemm into the venous system
What is the role of aqueous humour?
Provides oxygen and nutrients to the cornea and lens because they don’t have a blood supply
What happens in Angle-closure glaucoma?
The angle between the cornea and the iris is narrowed which decreases the drainage of intraocular fluid through the canals of Schlemm
What are the effects of giving a muscarinic agonist to people with Angle-closure glaucoma?
This causes constriction of sphincter pupillae and opens up the angle to increase the drainage of intraocular fluid
Describe, in detail (including the mechanism), the muscarinic effects on the heart.
Binding of acetylcholine to the M2 receptors (Gi protein linked receptor) causes a decrease in cAMP production
This triggers a decrease in Ca2+ influx, which leads to a decrease incardiac output
It also triggers an increase in K+ efflux, which leads to a decrease in heart rate
Describe the muscarinic effects on the vasculature.
There is no direct parasympathetic innervation of blood vessels
However, there are muscarinic receptors on the endothelial cells
When stimulated, it triggers the production of nitric oxide (NO) from the endothelial cells, which causes vasodilation and a decrease in TPR
Summarise the muscarinic effects on the cardiovascular system.
Decrease in heart rate
Decrease in cardiac output (due to decreased atrial contraction)
Decrease in total peripheral resistance (due to vasodilation)
Decrease in blood pressure