Exam 4 Flashcards
Are steroid hormones hydrophobic or hydrophilic? Where are the receptors that they bind? How do they effect changes in cells?
Made of cholesterol backbone, very hydrophobic, diffuse into cell through plasma membrane and bind intracellular receptors to change gene transcription.
What are examples of steroid hormone receptors and their ligands?
Glucocorticoid (GR): cortisol (dexamethasone)
Mineralocorticoid (MR): aldosterone (spironolactone)
Androgen (AR): testosterone, dihydrotestosterone
Estrogen (ER): estrogens, phytoestrogens, BPA
Progesterone (PR): progestins
Vitamin D (VDR): D3
Retinoic acid (RAR): retinoic acid (vitamin A)
Thyroid hormone (TR): T3
Describe the activation pathway of classical steroid receptors residing in the cytoplasm vs. those residing in the nucleus.
Classical receptors in cytoplasm: 1) Ligand binds 2) Hsp dissociates 3) Receptors dimerize 4) Dimers translocate into nucleus 5) Receptors bind DNA and Gene transcription initiated or repressed
Classical receptors in nucleus: 1) Ligand diffuses into nucleus 2) Ligand binds 3) Receptors dimerize 4) Receptors bind DNA and Gene transcription initiated or repressed
Distinguish non-classical steroid hormone receptor signaling from classical receptor signaling mechanisms (genomic, non-genomic and tethered).
There are two types of receptor proteins: 1) classical which are the direct DNA binding transcription factors, and 2) non-classical which are GPCRs or ion channels etc.
The mechanisms whereby the classical receptors can exert their effects are 1) genomic, where the classical receptor directly binds to DNA; 2) non-genomic, where the classical receptor influences second messenger pathways; and 3) tethered, where other transcription factors are altered by the steroid receptor, without them directly binding to DNA themselves.
The non-classical receptors can only have non-genomic effects since they are cell surface receptors that are not DNA binding proteins (transcription factors).
How do receptor tyrosine kinases signal in general? How does the insulin receptor function?
RTKs are enzymes- i.e. have intrinsic catalytic activity. When ligand is bound, RTK phosphorylates itself and then other proteins, on tyrosine residues. When insulin is bound to the IR, it phosphorylates itself, then phosphorylates Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS). providing docking sites for PI3-kinase (to activate Akt- metabolic effects glucose uptake, downregulates gluconeogenesis) and Grb (to activate the MAP kinase pathway- mitogenic effects Adipocyte proliferation).
What are the key proteins involved in normal insulin receptor signaling and what are their functions?
IRS- insulin receptor substrate. When phosphorylated provides docking sites for PI3-kinase and Grb. When PI3-kinase and Grb bind they are activated. PI3-K involved in metabolism and Grb in mitogenic effects.
What is the role of the PI3-K in insulin receptor signaling?
PI3-K activates AKT to exert metabolic effects: 1) Stimulate glucose uptake by GLUT4 transporters 2) Inactivate glycogen synthase kinase, promoting glycogenesis 3) Inactivate PEPCK-preventing gluconeogenesis
What is the role of the MAP kinase pathway in insulin receptor signaling?
Grb activates Ras which activates MAP-K pathway which activates AP-1 transcription factor that controls cell cycle progression, causes Adipocyte proliferation
What are the 3 circulating adrenocorticoids? How are they transported in the blood? Where are they metabolized? What receptors do they bind and are effects specific or generalized?
Aldosterone, Cortisol, Corticosterone. All 3 bind cortisol binding protein (CBP) with high affinity and albumin with low affinity. All are metabolized by the liver. Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone) bind the Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and have specific effects- promoting Na+ and H2O resorption in kidney tubules. Glucocorticoids (cortisol, corticosterone) bind the glucocorticoid receptor 1 (GR) and have some binding at the MR with very widespread effects.
What are the areas of the adrenal glands and what hormones are made in each area?
Capsule -> Cortex [[Zona Glomerulosa (Mineralocorticoids ALDOSTERONE) -> Zona Fasciculata (Glucocorticoids CORTISOL, CORTICOSTERONE) -> Zona Reticularis (Sex Steroids TESTOSTERONE, 17-B-ESTRADIOL)]] -> Medulla (Neurotransmitters DOPAMINE, EPINEPHRINE, NOREPINEPHRINE)
What are the species differences in Corticosteroids?
CORTISOL: cats, dogs, humans CORTICOSTERONE: rabbits, rodents, birds BOTH: cattle
What are the types of Hyperadrenocorticism in dogs/cats? In horses?
Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) can be primary (adrenal tumor), secondary (pituitary tumor aka Cushing’s), or iatrogenic (OD steroids for immunosuppression). In horses, Equine PPID secondary due to excess ATCH production by pituitary
What are the types of Hypoadrenocorticism?
Hypoadrenocorticism can be primary (loss of adrenal cortical tissue due to infection, autoimmune etc aka Addison’s), secondary (Loss of ACTH secretion by pituitary), congenital, or Iatrogenic (abrupt withdrawal of GC treatment or cytotoxic Hyperadrenocorticism drugs like mitotane).
What general drug categories are used to treat hyperadrenocorticism in horses? Dogs and cats?
For equine PPID: Dopamine agonists (reduce ACTH secretion, treat secondary disease). For primary HAC: 3B hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitors to reduce synthesis of GC and MCs or Selective adrenal cytotoxic agents to kill cortex cells directly (reduce GC secretion from adrenal cortex to treat primary disease, indirectly treat secondary), For MC effects, could use Aldosterone antagonists or Thiazide diuretics (counteract hyperaldosteronism).
What classes of drugs are used to treat hypoadrenocorticism?
Synthetic corticosteroids (replace adrenocorticoids)
What drug is used to treat equine hypperadrenocorticism?
Pergolide
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for Pergolide?
Dopamine agonist, tissue target: Pars Intermedia (Equine PPID)
What specific drugs are used to treat hyperadrenocorticism in dogs? Primary vs secondary?
Mitotane used to treat secondary HAC. Trilostane used to treat both primary and secondary HAC.
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for Mitotane?
Cytotoxic, inhibits CYP11B1 (enzyme in adrenal steroid biosynthesis pathway), tissue target: specific to zona fasciculata
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for Trilostane?
3B-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase inhibitor that reduces glucocorticoid biosynthesis, tissue target: Adrenal cortex in general
What specific drug is used to treat hypoadrenocorticism?
Prednisone.
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for Prednisone?
Synthetic Steroid to treat hypoadrenocorticism. Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) agonist, some Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Bioactivated to prednisolone. Tissue targets: WIDE! CNS, liver, fat…
What 2 specific drugs are used to treat mineralocorticoid deficiency? How are they different?
DOCP and Fludrocortisone. DOCP activity at MR only (not GR. Fludrocortisone activity at MR but also some at GR. DOCP is very long-acting injectable.
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for DOCP? How is it dosed?
Replacement therapy for mineralocorticoid deficiency. MR agonist (NO GR activity). LONG ACTING INJECTABLE ~1 MONTH. Tissue target: kidney
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for Fludrocortisone?
Replacement therapy for mineralocorticoid deficiency. MR agonist (some GR activity). Tissue target: kidney.
What specific drug is used to treat hypermineralocorticism?
Spironolactone
What are the tissue targets and methods of action for Spironolactone?
Treats hypermineralocorticism. MR antagonist. Tissue target: kidney.
What are common adverse effects of Mitotane?
anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, hypoadrenocorticism
What are common adverse effects of Trilostane?
GI, CNS, hyperkalemia, musculoskeletal effects
What are common adverse effects of Prednisone?
Polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, weight gain, lymphopenia, eosinopenia, neutrophilia, thrombocytosis, will suppress HPA axis
What are common adverse effects of DOCP?
Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, polydipsia, polyuria, fluid/electrolyte imbalance (especially hypokalemia), edema, cardiomegaly, and hypertension, lymphopenia, eosinopenia, neutrophilia, thrombocytosis.
What are common adverse effects of Fludrocortisone?
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance (esp. hypokalemia), edema, CHF, cardiomegaly, and hypertension.
What are common adverse effects of Spironolactone?
Hyperkalemia, life-threatening arrhythmias, contraindicated with dehydration
What is the major concern about rapid cessation of corticosteroid therapy?
Long term use of glucocorticoids suppress the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and endogenous glucocorticoids can be suppressed for up to a year after cessation of therapy.
What is the rationale for using dopamine agonists to treat hyperadrenocorticism?
Dopamine is inhibitory to ACTH secretion from Pars Intermedia, so dopamine antagonists reduce ACTH and stimulation of adrenocorticoid release.
What drug elicits a dopamine response?
pergolide
What drug is cytotoxic to the adrenals?
mitotane
What drug is a 3beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor?
trilostane
What are 3 drugs that are synthetic steroids used to treat hypoadrenocorticism?
prednisone, desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP), fludrocortisone
What drug is a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist?
spironolactone
What is an adrenal emergency? How to treat?
Severe hypoadrenocorticism aka Addisonian crisis. Give prednisone or dexamethasone +/- fluids, mineralocorticoids.
What are the Biological Effects of GCs on-
Adipose tissue?
Cardiovascular system?
CNS?
Hypothalamus?
Immune system?
Liver?
Muscle?
Pancreas?
Glucose homeostasis?
Adipose tissue: increase lipolysis
Cardiovascular: positive inotropic, chronotropic effects
CNS:↑ mood, ↑ motor activity, ↓ sleep, ↓ memory
Hypothalamus: inhibits its own secretion by feedback inhibition on the H-P-A axis
Immune system: immunosuppression, anti-inflammatory effects
Liver: increase gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis
Muscle: increase glycogenolysis, proteolysis
Pancreas: increase insulin secretion -but antagonizes insulin action
Serum: increase blood glucose
How is thyroid hormone synthesized and secreted? What enzyme is important to this process? What stimulates release of thyroid hormones?
Thyroglobulin (TG) stored in thyroid follicle cells. Thyroid follicle cells actively transports and concentrates Iodine. Iodine oxidized by thyroperoxidase (TPO) enzyme. TG iodinated on tyrosines by TPO enzyme- called Iodide organification. Further esterified by TPO to produce Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4)- called coupling. TSH stimulates T3 and T4 release into blood. Iodothyronine deiodinases (DIOs) located in peripheral tissues (eg liver) metabolize T4 to more active T3.
Where is Thyroglobulin (TG) located? How is iodine collected? Where is TPO located? Where is thyroid hormone stored prior to release? Where are TSH receptors located?
TG in follicle cells. Follicle cells actively transport in and concentrate iodine. TPO (thyroperoxidase) enzyme is located in the Colloid. T3/T4 are stored in the follicle cells until stimulated to release by TSH. TSH receptors are located on the Follicle cells.
Compare and contrast T4 and T3. How do they compare in their receptor affinity and half-lives?
Both agonists of Thyroxine Receptor (TR). Both highly bound to thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) and albumin proteins. Only unbound has activity. T3 higher TR affinity, Shorter ½ life. T4 is major secretory hormone, longer ½ life, converted in tissues to T3
What converts T4 to T3 in peripheral tissues?
Deiodinases (DIOs)
How are thyroid hormones transported in the blood?
Highly bound to serum proteins: Thyroxine binding globulin (TBG), Albumin
What classes of drugs treat hypothyroid? Hyperthyroid? Non-drug treatments?
T4 hormone replacement- hypothyroidism. Thyroperoxidase inhibitors or cytotoxic drugs- hyperthyroidism. Non-drug: Thyroidectomy, Iodine deficient diet for cats- hyperthyroidism.
What specific drugs are used to treat hyperthyroidism?
MMI and 131I
How do MMI and 131I work to treat hyperthyroid disease?
MMI- A thioureylene that inhibits thyroperoxidase (TPO) decreases thyroid hormone synthesis
[131I] Sodium iodide- Selectively targets thyroid, emits beta particles and gamma rays to cause DNA strand breaks and cell death.
What specific drug is used to treat hypothyroidism?
Levothyroxine
How does levothyroxine work to treat hypothyroid disease?
Thyroid hormone receptor (TR) agonist
What drug is a synthetic thyroid hormone?
levothyroxine
What drug is an Iodide?
131iodide
What drug is a thioureylene?
methimazole
What are the effects of Thyroid hormone on:
Adipose tissue?
Cardiovascular system?
CNS?
Hypothalamus?
Immune system?
Liver?
Muscle?
Pancreas?
Glucose homeostasis?
Adipose tissue: increases lipolysis
Cardiovascular: positive inotropic, chronotropic effects
CNS: too much causes anxiety, too little causes lethargy
Hypothalamus: inhibits its own secretion by feedback inhibition on the H-P-T axis
Immune system: causes immunosuppression, anti-inflammatory effects
Liver: increases gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, degrades cholesterol to bile acids
Muscle: increases glycogenolysis, proteolysis but decreased glucose utilization
Bone: Increases Ca2+mobilization, osteolyticaction
Pancreas: increases insulin secretion -but antagonizes insulin action
Glucose homeostasis: increase blood glucose
How are different insulin formulations categorized and when would they be best used?
Categorized by duration of action. Rapid-, short-, intermediate-, long- and ultra long-acting. Rapid acting regular insulin best for emergency situations. Intermediate acting NPH and Lente used in most dogs/cats. Ultra long acting Glargine is very slowly released and has no serum peak.
What factors affect bioavailability/absorption of insulins?
All insulins must be given parenterally because they are proteins- degraded in stomach. Short-acting regular insulin is the only form that does not crystallize and therefore may be used IV.
Factors that affect bioavailability are-
Injection depth: ↑ absorption IM vs SQ
Insulin concentration: ↑ absorption low conc
Insulin dose: ↑ duration high dose
Exercise: ↑ absorption
Heat/massage at injection site: ↑ absorption
What is the role of the PI3-K in insulin receptor signaling?
PI3-K activates Akt to 1) Stimulate glucose uptake by GLUT4 transporters 2) Phosphorylate and inactivate glycogen synthase kinase, promoting glycogenesis 3) Transcriptionally inactivate PEPCK-preventing gluconeogenesis.
What is the role of the MAP kinase pathways in insulin receptor signaling?
Grb -> Ras -> MAP kinase pathway -> upregulate AP-1 TF (cell cycle progression) -> adipocyte proliferation. Adipocytes secrete factors that cause insulin resistance.
What mechanisms contribute to insulin receptor (IR) desensitization?
Chronic agonist exposure (high blood sugar, high insulin) leads to: receptor internalization (i.e. sequestration), receptor degradation, decreased synthesis.
What mechanisms contribute to insulin resistance and how might they be mitigated?
Increased Serine Phosphorylation. Adipose tissue synthesizes FFAs, TNF-a, Resistin which all activate protein kinase C (PKC) that phosphorylates serine and turns off IRS/IR, downregulate Insulin response. Also genetic polymorphisms in IRS/PI3K. Increased tyrosine phosphatase can contribute.
Could mitigate by inhibiting Tyrosine phosphatase, PKC, or TNF-a.
What are the primary treatments for DM in veterinary medicine?
Diet (reduce adipose, reduce serine phosphorylation) and give insulin.
Name all of the insulin drugs and length of action.
Regular Insulin, Intermediate: NPH Insulin, Lente Insulin, Ultra Long: Insulin Glargine
Which is the only insulin that can be administered IV?
Regular insulin (short-acting)
How does obesity predispose animals to DM?
1- Obese patients are hyperinsulinemic which causes insulin resistance over time. 2- Obese patients have high circulating FFA levels which impair insulin function.
What is the importance of COX-1 and COX-2 selectivity?
COX-1 is constitutively expressed and cytoprotective in gastric mucosa and kidney. COX-2 is inducible in response to inflammatory stimuli. Anti-inflammatory drug goal is to selectively inhibit COX-2 without inhibiting COX-1.
How does the COX1:COX2 IC50 ratio help determine selectivity?
IC50 is concentration needed to inhibit the enzyme. Want a low number for COX-2 (takes a little to inhibit the enzyme) and a high number for COX-1 (would take a whole lot to inhibit COX-1). Want IC50 ratio of COX-1/COX-2 to be HIGH and IC50 ratio of COX-2/COX-1 to be LOW.