Drugs affecting the vasculature and blood pressure Flashcards
what is the role of endothelial cells?
provide a diffusion barrier but also inhibits platelet activation
more importantly - it can control the relaxation and contraction of smooth muscle cells
how do smooth muscle cells contract? the mechanisms is essentially the same as airway smooth muscle. Step 1-
calcium enters
how does calcium enter the SMC?
L-type channels or GPCR q11
what does calcium bind to once in the SMcell?
calmodulin
what does the Ca/calmodulin do?
converts MLCK into active MLCK
what does active MLCK do?
phosphorylates MLC causing contraction
which molecules is responsible for relaxation in SMC?
cGMP
what does cGMP do?
coverts MLC phosphatase into active form
what does active MLC phosphatase do?
dephosphorylaes MLC causing relaxation
which substances act on the endothelium to cause vasodilatation?
bradykinin
ADP
5HT
what do vasodilators on endotheliam dio?
allow GPCR to let in Ca into the cell ?
what does Ca in endothelial cells do?
binds to calmodulin
what does the Ca calmodulin complex do in endothlelial cells ?
activates nitric oxide synthase
what does nitric oxide synthase do?
converts L-arginine and oxygen to NO and citrulline
what does the NO producedby the endothelial cells then do?
diffuses into the SMC neighbouring it
what does NO in SMC do?
activates guanylate cyclase which converts GTP to cGMP
what does cGMP do?
causes relaxation through mechanism previously
what else can cGMP do?
activate protein kinase G activates Ca dependent K channels - causing K to leave and thus hyperpolarisation
what do organic nitrates do?
when metabolised they relesase NO into SMC and cause relaxation as above
in small doses what do organic nitrates do?
cause venorelaxation - decreases SV
what does small doses of organic nitrates do to the HR?
increase it so CO is maintained the same
what do organic nitrates do in larger doses?
cause arteriolar dilatation
what does arteriola dilatation cause?
decreases the arterial pressure so reduces afterload
- also decreases pulse wave reflection
why are organic nitrates useful in angina?
they cause decreased myocardial oxygen requirement via
1) decreased preload
2) decreased afterload
3) improved perfusion of the ischaemic zone
how do Organic nitrates cause improved perfusion to ischaemic zones?
they cause dilatation of collateral vessels
what are organic nitrates used in?
angina and acute coronary syndrome
what is the danger in unstable angina?
danger that a cap of atheromatous plaque is going to form a thrombus
what are the two examples of ONs?
GTN and Isosorbide mononitrate
what is GTn most effective in?
prevention rather than relief
what is the acting time?
short acting 30 mins
what is indicated if someone has a pain than goes away wtih GTN?
thye have angine and it is not an MI
what is ISM acting time and what is it used for?
prophylaxis of angina and acting is 4 hours
what are the side effects and problems of GTN and ISM?
- people can build up a tolerance
- postural hypotension
- headaches
how do the endothelium cause contraction in SMC?
they release endothelin which acts on ETa receptors in SMC
what kind of receptor is ETa?
GPCR- q11
what does the activation of this receptor cause ?
increase in Ca levels and thus contraction
how is the production of endothelin controlled?
either vasoconstrictor or dilators can influence the promotor region of the gene pre-proendothelin
what are some examples of vasoconstrictors?
adrenaline
angiotensin II
ADH (vasopressin)
what are some examples of vasodilators?
nitric oxide
natriuretic peptide (ABC)
shear stress
what does the RAAS system do?
increases bp and water retention
where is renin released from
granular cells in the kidneys
what causes renin to be released?
there is a decrease in the renal blood supply
which cells sense this decrease in renal blood supply?
manca cells
what could cause a decreased renal blood supply?
fall in renal BP or when there is a haemorrhage
what does renin do one in the circulation?
causes the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin 1