CVS - Hypertension Flashcards
How do baroreceptors reduce high blood pressure?
Nerve endings in the carotid sinus and aortic arch are stretched due to increased arterial pressure. They send an impulse via afferent pathways to the medulla oblongata, which sends an impulse causing bradycardia and vasodilation.
Why does the baroreceptors reflex not work against long-term blood pressure increase?
The threshold for baroreceptor firing resets after a short period of time
What are the four parallel neurohumoral pathways that control circulating volume and hence blood pressure?
- renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
- sympathetic nervous system
- antidiuretic hormone
- atrial natriuretic peptide
Where is renin released from?
The granular cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus in the kidney
Give some factors that stimulate renin release
- reduced NaCl delivery to distal tubule
- reduced perfusion pressure in the kidney
- sympathetic stimulation to juxtaglomerular apparatus
What is the juxtaglomerular apparatus made up of?
Macula densa cells, granular cells and surrounding mesangial cells
Summarise the mechanism of the RAAS
- Angiotensinogen is converted to angiotensin I by renin.
- angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE).
- angiotensin II stimulates aldosterone, which stimulates Na+ reabsorption at the kidney
- angiotensin II also stimulates vasoconstriction
What type of receptor are AT1 and AT2 (angiotensin II receptors)?
GPCR
What is the action of angiotensin on the arterioles?
Vasoconstriction
What is the action of angiotensin on the kidney?
Stimulates Na+ reabsorption
What is the action of angiotensin on the sympathetic nervous system?
Increased release of noradrenaline
What is the action of angiotensin on the adrenal cortex?
Stimulates release of aldosterone
What is the action of angiotensin on the hypothalamus?
Increases thirst sensation by stimulating ADH release
What are the actions of aldosterone?
- acts on principal cells of collecting ducts
- stimulates Na+ and therefore water reabsorption
- activates apical Na+ channel and apical K+ channel
- increases basolateral Na+ extrusion via Na/K/ATPase
What is the role of ACE and bradykinin in the RAAS?
They further augment the system - bradykinin has vasodilator actions, but it is broken down by ACE to form peptide fragments.