Dr Henderson - Inflammation Flashcards
What are the two kinds of stimuli that can excite action potentials in primary afferent nerve fibres?
External stimuli
Internal stimuli - Released by tissue damage eg ATP and NO
What causes flare? How is this shown?
Neurogenic inflammation
Denervated or anaesthetised tissue does not show flare
What is the effect of stimulation of a nociceptor?
APs travel to the CNS causingthe perception of pain
APs also invade branch terminals of the afferent nerve fibre, from which they release neuropeptides substance P and CGRP
These activate mast cells = inflammatory factors eg histamine
How do bacterial/ viral/ fungal infections cause inflammation?
Releasing toxin
Lysing host cells = release of bradykinin and ATP
Draw the simple flow diagram depicting the response to injury, invasion and noxious stimuli
Well done
What are the major chemotactic factors?
C5a, LTB4, IL-8 and PAF
What are the direct and indirect actions of IL-1 and TNF on endothelial cells?
Direct - Increase in permeability of the junctions between endothelial cells
Indirect - Trigger production of further inflammatory mediators (bradykinin, PGE2) which cause further increases in vascular permeability and vasodilation and activation of sensory neurons
What effect do thrombin and plasmin have on the complement cascade?
They stimulate the production of c3b
What is an autocoid?
Local hormones that act upon the cell type from which they were released
What are the ways by which mast cells can become activated?
By components of the complement cascade or by an allergen binding to an immunoglobulin and in turn an Fc receptor on the mast cell membrane
Also activated by Substance P or CGRP
Where is histamine found?
Mast cells
Basophils
Enterochromaffin-like cells of oxyntic glands in the stomach
Histaminergic neurons in the CNS
What causes an increase in histamine release? How is this achieved?
Increase in intracellular calcium through binding of C3a/C5a or Fc receptor
What are the actions of histamine?
Contraction of smooth muscle
Dilation of small arterioles
Increased permeability of posst-capillary venules
Sensitises nerve endings, leading to itching
Classic triple response of Lewis
What are the pathophysiological roles of histamine?
Involved in various allergic conditions eg allergic rhinitis and urticaria
Response include swelling, itching, nasal congestion and watery eyes
Can cause anaphylaxis
May play a role in chronic inflammatory conditions
What is the role of adrenaline in histamine release?
It increases cAMP and so inhibits histamine release
What are the drugs which inhibit degranulation of mast cells?
β2 agonists
Methylxanthines (PDE inhibitor)
Sodium cromoglycate (Ca2+ channel blockers = prevents exocytosis)
Sodium cromoglycate?
Ca2+ channel blocker - inhibits exocytosis from mast cells
Used to prevent histamine release from mast cells
What are the types of histamine receptor and to which kind of G protein are they coupled?
H1 - Gq = inflammation
H2 - Gs = gastric acid secretion
H3 - Gi = Important in CNS
H4 - Gq = Unknown role
Upon which receptor do antihistamines act?
H1
How were antihistamines improved (second generation)?
More selective for the H1 receptor and could not cross the BBB so did not cause drowsiness
Mepyramine
First generation histamine receptor antagonist
Low selectivity and had actions in the CNS = drowsiness
Promethazine
First generation histamine receptor antagonist
Low selectivity and had actions in the CNS = drowsiness
Terfenadine
Second generation histamine receptor antagonist = more selective
Could not cross BBB therefore no drowsiness
Prodrug and is metabolised to its active form fexofenadine
What is terfenadine poisoning?
Under conditions of reduced activity of cytochrome P450, terfenadine is not metabolised sufficiently and can affect the heart via block of HERG channel (Kv11.1) = potentially fatal arrhythmias