CPTP 3.15 Drugs used in Inflammation Allergy and Pain 3 Flashcards
Describe briefly the mechanism of action of corticosteroids
- Binds to cytoplasm receptors
- Complex dimerises with another
- This dimer binds to steroid responsive elements in DNA
- Protein synthesis is either induced or inhibited
Why can cortisol not be given as a drug?
What is given instead?
It would be broken down too rapidly
Hydrocortisone is given (cortisol prodrug)
What are the effects or glucocorticoids on: • Carbohydrate metabolism • Protein metabolism • Stress • Endocrine hormones
Carbohydarates:
• Increased gluconeogenesis
• Decreased glucose uptake
Proteins:
• Decreased synthesis and increased catabolism
Stress:
• Raises glucose to provide energy needed to combat stress
Endocrine hormones:
• Feedback inhibition:
> Glucocorticoids
> TSH
What are the pharmacologically useful effects of endogenous glucocorticoids?
- Anti-inflammatory action; inhibits both early and late stage reactions
- Decrease immune cells in plasma
Describe the early and late stage inflammatory responses (bi-phasic)
Early stage
• Redness
• Pain
• Swelling
Late stage
• Proliferative reactions
• Wound repair
How do glucocorticoids bring about their anti-inflammatory effects?
- Upregulates anti-inflammatory proteins
- Downregulates pro-inflammatory proteins
- Inhibits the degranulation of mast cells (so histamine not released)
- Induces annexin lipocortin 1
- Inhibits COX EXPRESSION (thus inhibiting eicosanoids)
This ultimately acts to:
• Reduce vasodilation
• Decreased clonal expansion of T and B cells
ACUTELY:
• Decrease leukocytes in acute inflammation
CHRONICALLY:
• Decrease mononuclear cells
• Reduce fibrosis and blood vessel proliferation
Which anti-inflammatory proteins are upregulated by glucocorticoids?
• IκB Cytokines: • IL-4 • IL-10 • Transforming growth factor (TGF) Beta
What does IκB do?
Inhibits NFκB
Which pro-inflammatory proteins are downregulated by glucocorticoids?
- TNF𝛼
- IL-1
- IL-2
- IL-6
- Nitric oxide synthase
- COX-2
Which pro-inflammatory protein is the one which stimulates T-cell proliferation?
IL-2
What does annexin lipocortin 1 do?
- Inhibits various leukocyte functions (the inflammatory events)
- Inhibits phospholipase A2
What effect does glucocorticoids have on prostaglandins?
IMG 10
(By virtue of:
• Upregulates anti-inflammatory proteins
• Downregulates pro-inflammatory proteins
• Induces annexin lipocortin 1
• Inhibits COX EXPRESSION)
What is the most rapid effect of glucocorticoids?
The prevention of degranulation of mast cells
What is the main adverse effect of long-term glucocorticoids and what is the mechanism for this?
Osteoporosis
• Blocks the induction of the osteocalcin gene, which is a calcium homeostasis gene responsible for building up bones
• Modifies transcription of collagenase gene
What is the objective with corticosteroid drugs in terms of targets?
Affect the glucocorticoid system but not the mineralocorticoid system