Drug Toxicology I Flashcards
Define: Pharmacology
The study of the effect of drugs on the function of living systems
Define: Toxicology
The study of the effect of poisons on the function of living systems
Name 3 chemical agents that cause toxicity
- Drugs
- Insecticides/herbicides
- Plant toxins
Define: Adverse drug reaction
Noxious or unintended responses occurring at therapeutic doses
Explain Type A (augmented) ADRs
- Related to known pharmacology but undesirable
- Common, dose-related
- Predictable
Give an example of a Type A (augmented) ADR
Haemorrhage with anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin)
Explain Type B (bizarre) ADRs
- Unrelated to known pharmacology
- Rare
- Unpredictable
- Often idiosyncratic (= peculiar, individual)
Give an example of a Type B (bizarre) ADR
Anaphylaxis with penicillin
Define: Toxicokinetics
The effects of the body on the poison
Relates to ADME
What information does toxicokinetics provide?
Makes it possible to predict concentration of toxin that has reached the site of injury and the resulting injury
Define: Detoxification
Compound rendered less toxic
Occurs during metabolism
Define: Toxification
Relatively inert compound converted into toxin
Occurs during metabolism
Name 2 ways that toxins are ‘absorbed’
Ingestion (salmonella) or inhalation (asbestos)
How many phases of metabolism of toxins are there?
2: Phase I and Phase II
What occurs during Phase I of metabolism of toxins?
- Oxidation
- Reduction
- Hydrolysis by cytochrome P450
What occurs during Phase II of metabolism of toxins?
Conjugation to allow excretion in urine and bile
Where may toxins be stored if they aren’t excreted?
- Bone (e.g. lead)
- Fat (e.g. DDE, a metabolite of the pesticide DDT)
- The toxin may be slowly released into the body
Name a common form of ADR
Allergic reaction
How many clinical syndromes of allergic reaction are there?
4: Type I, II, III & IV
What is a Type I allergic reaction?
- A hypersensitivity reaction
- Mediated by IgE = an antibody
- IgE causes degranulation of mast cells = release of histamine
What is a Type II allergic reaction
- Antibody-mediated cytotoxic hypersensitivity
- Involve haematological reactions = those pertaining to the blood cells and blood-forming organs
What is a Type III allergic reaction?
Immune complex-mediated hypersensitivity
What is a Type IV allergic reaction?
Delayed-type hypersensitivity
What can Type I hypersensitivity reactions trigger?
Anaphylaxis
What is a hapten?
A small molecule that binds to a bigger molecule which triggers an immune response
What is the molecular process of a Type I hypersensitivity reaction?
- Low MW allergen enters the body
- A hapten binds to the allergen to form an immunogenic conjugate
- IgE recognition of immunogenic complex causes degranulation of mast cells
- Massive histamine release
What does the release of histamine from the mast cells cause?
- Bronchoconstriction
- Vasodilation
- Inflammation
What substance is used to treat allergic reactions?
Adrenaline (epipen)
What is the molecular process of a Type II hypersensitivity reaction? (Antibody-mediated cytotoxic hypersensitivity)
- The toxin antigens bind to RBCs
- Antibody IgE molecules trigger T cells
- T cells begin lysis = cytotoxic T cell-mediated cell lysis
How can sulphonamides be toxic?
Can deplete red blood cells = haemolytic anaemia
Due to Type II hypersensitivity reaction
How can some NSAIDs be toxic?
They can deplete neutrophils = agranulocytosis
Due to Type II to hypersensitivity reaction
How can quinine an heparin be toxic?
They can deplete platelets = thrombocytopenia
Due to Type II hypersensitivity reaction
Define: Haemolytic anaemia
When the levels of RBCs are depleted (e.g. by sulphonamides)
Define: Agranulocytosis
When the levels of neutrophils are depleted (e.g. by some NSAIDs)
Define: Thrombocytopenia
When the levels of platelets are depleted (e.g. by quinine and heparin)
Name the 4 major superfamilies of receptor
- Ligand-gated ion channels (voltage-gated ion channels)
- GPCRs (metabotropic receptors)
- Enzyme-coupled receptors (tyrosine kinase activity)
- Nuclear receptors (regulate gene transcription)
Name 4 targets of toxins
- Receptors
- Enzymes (metabolic and catabolic pathways)
- Carriers (uptake/transport systems)
- Others e.g. proteins involved in vesicle release
What do animal toxins block?
Ion-conduction
What substance blocks voltage-gated K+ channels?
Dendrotoxins