Final Flashcards
Adrenergic Receptors
-GPCRs
-Desensitization occurs via down-regulation of receptors - some of the signaling factors go back to the receptor to act on it and ultimately down regulate the receptor, usually via phosphorylation
-Agonist therapeutic effects will decrease over time due to this
-Types and Subtypes
+ALPHA Adrenergic Receptors: ALPHA 1 and ALPHA 2
+BETA Adrenergic Receptors: BETA 1, BETA 2, and BETA 3
Alpha 1 Adrenergic Receptor
- Postsynaptic-Causes smooth muscle contraction
- Expressed in most vascular smooth muscle (arterial and venous) - activation results in contraction and increased peripheral resistance and decreased venous capacitance, leading to increased BP
- Vessels of the skin and nasal mucosa predominantly express alpha 1 receptors (nasal decongestants)
- Contract pupillary radial (dilator) muscles
Alpha 2 Adrenergic Receptor
- Presynaptic
- Inhibit neurotransmitter release
- In the CNS, they are expressed postsynaptically and can cause decrease in BP
Beta 1 Adrenergic Receptor
- Predominantly expressed in the heart
- Positive chronotropy and ionotropy
- Juxtaglomerular cells increase renin secretion
Beta 2 Adrenergic Receptor
- Smooth muscle relaxation (respiratory, uterine and vascular)
- Liver - stimulates glycogenolysis
- Pancreas - increases insulin and glucagon production
- Eye - regulates aqueous humour production
Beta 3 Adrenergic Receptor
- Expressed in adipose tissue and in the bladder
- Recently being used for overactive bladder
Adrenergic Agonists: Cardiovascular Effects
HEART -Positive ionotropy -Positive chronotropy - increased automaticity and shortened refactory period VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE -Alpha 1 - vasoconstriction -Beta 2 - vasodilation -Alpha 2 - vasodilation
Baroreflex
-Any effect a sympathomimetic drug has on BP can induce a compensatory baroreflex aimed at restoring homeostasis
-Baroreceptors are located all over and they sense the change in BP and by way of a very simple reflex, sends signal straight to the MEDULLA, which immediately sends a signal back to the heart to invoke change
+Increase in BP –> PARASYMPATHETIC signal –> mAChR decreases BP and HR
+Decrease in BP –> SYMPATHETIC signal –> adrenergic receptors increase HR and BP
Cardiovascular Effects of Noradrenaline
- Causes significant vasoconstriction due to ALPHA 1 AGONISM and because it has low affinity for beta 2
- Reflex bradycardia overrides the agonism at beta 1
Cardiovascular Effects of Adrenaline
- Variable effects on peripheral resistance due to agonism at both BETA 2 and ALPHA 1 receptors
- Initial increase in BP due to ALPHA 1 effect and then the HR increases due to BETA 1 (but the effect is not as high as isoproterenol because there is the baroreflex acting to decrease HR)
- Rapid infusion can result in baroreflex induced bradycardia
- Slower infusion may escape baroreflex
Cardiovascular Effects of Isoproterenol
- Selective for only BETA receptors
- Decreases peripheral resistance due to BETA 2 effects (BP decreases)
- Increases HR and contractility due to direct BETA 1 effect and due to baroreflex induced tachycardia
Cardiovascular Effects of Phenylephrine
- Selective for only ALPHA receptors
- Significant vasoconstriction due to ALPHA 1 AGONISM (BP increases)
- Baroreflex-induced bradycardia (HR decreases)
Adrenergic Agonists: Metabolic Effects of Lipids
Lipolysis
- Stimulated by BETA 3
- Inhibited by ALPHA 2
Adrenergic Agonists: Metabolic Effects of Carbohydrates
Glycogenolysis
- Stimulated by ALPHA 1 and BETA 2 receptors in the liver
- Increases glucose release in the liver
Adrenergic Agonists: Metabolic Effects of the Endocrine System
- INSULIN secretion is stimulated by BETA 2, but inhibited by ALPHA 2 activation
- RENIN secretion is stimulated by BETA 1, which is very important for controlling BP by setting off cascade to produce angiotensin (leading to eventual increase in BP)
Adrenergic Agonists: Metabolic Effects of the CNS
- Endogenous catecholamines are restricted by the BBB
- Effects of exogenous include: nervousness, fear, anxiety, and euphoria
Alpha 1 Agonists
USES
-Treat hypotension, nasal decongestant, produce mydriasis
Drugs
- METHOXAMINE increases peripheral resistance to treat hypotension
- PHENYLEPHRINE treats hypotension, topically used to produce mydriasis, as well as decongestant
Oxymetazoline
ALPHA AGONIST used topically as a decongestant
Alpha 2 Agonists
USES
- Treat essential hypertension
- Receptors present in the CNS in CV control centers reduce sympathetic outflow and subsequently decrease sympathetic vascular tone (decrease peripheral resistance)-In periphery, agonists inhibit the release of catecholamines (predominant effect is to decrease peripheral resistance)
Beta 1 Agonists
USES
-Treat congestive heart failure and post-myocardial infarction
Drug: DOBUTAMINE strongly increases ionotropy, therefore useful in increases cardiac output
-Low affinity for beta 2 receptors ensures little decrease of peripheral resistance, which is important for keeping BP levels normal
Beta 2 Agonists
USES
- Asthma and COPD - Pulmonary receptors are targeted by inhalation, and so B2 stimulation results in bronchodilation and also decreased leukotriene and histamine release from pulmonary mast cells
- Premature labour
- Anaphylactic shock
Drugs:
- RITODRINE is administered systemically to stop premature labour-Effects last several days which is long enough to treat mother with corticosteroids to reduce risk neonatal respiratory distress
- Short acting B2 agonists: METARAMINOL, ALBUTEROL, TERBUTALINE are used to treat asthma flare ups
- Long acting B2 agonists: FORMOTEROL, SALMETEROL are used chronically to avoid flare ups
Epinephrine
USES
-Treat anaphylactic shock
Anaphylaxis is characterized by bronchospasm, mucous membrane congestion and severe hypotension
-Epinephrine is very effective in treating these symptoms
Indirect Sympathomimetics
- Indirectly increase noradrenaline neurotransmission by increasing levels in the synapse
1. AMPHETAMINE
2. EPHEDRINE
Amphetamine
INDIRECT SYMPATHOMIMETIC
-Stimulates release of NA from nerve terminal
-Uses
+CNS stimulant
+Stimulates respiration centres+Decreases perception of fatigue
+Euphorant
+Appetite suppressant
-Therapeutic uses are now limited due to strong abuse potential of the drug
-METHYLPHENIDATE (Ritalin) used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy
Ephedrine
INDIRECT SYMPATHOMIMETIC
-Stimulates release of NA and is an agonist of alpha and beta receptors
-Uses
+High bioavailability and long duration of action
+May enter the CNS and has some stimulant activity
+Increases HR and cardiac output
+Causes bronchodilation
-One of its enantiomers, PSUEDOEPHEDRINE, is commonly used as a decongestant
Alpha 1 and Alpha 2 Antagonists
USES
- Treat pheochromocytoma
- Very effective in decreasing hypertension resulting from high adrenergic tone
- Mixed alpha receptor antagonists are given pre-operatively or during surgery to prevent/treat hypertension
DRUGS
- PHENTOLAMINE
- PHENOXYBENZAMINE
Pheochromocytoma
- Tumour of the adrenal medulla that secretes large amounts of adrenaline and noradrenaline
- Symptoms reflect high sympathetic tone (hypertension, sweating, etc.)