Gastroenterology: Pharmacology - Anti-ulcer medications Flashcards
What % of peptic ulcers are caused by H. pylori infection or NSAID use?
> 90%
Two classes of agents used in treatment of acid-peptic disorders
- Agents that reduce intragastric acidity
- Agents that promote mucosal defence
Explain how acid is secreted in the stomach
Gastrin is secreted by antral G cells in response to intraluminal dietary peptides, and via direct stimulation by gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) from vagal postganglionic neurons
Vagal postganglionic neurons also indirectly increase gastrin secretion from antral G cells by inhibiting somatostatin release from antral D cells
Gastrin travels through the bloodstream and binds to gastrin / CCK-B receptors on parietal and enterochromaffin-like cells in the fundic glands
Enterochromaffin-like cells are then stimulated to secrete histamine by gastrin; they also release histamine in response to ACh from vagal postganglionic neurons acting on M3 receptors
Parietal cells secrete acid across canalicular membrane via H+/K+-ATPase in response to gastrin* (acting on CCK-B receptor), ACh (M3 receptor), and histamine (H2 receptor)
*in humans it’s believed that gastrin stimulates acid secretion indirectly via histamine release from ECL cells, wheras ACh (from vagal postganglionic nerves) provides direct parietal cell stimulation
What cells in the stomach release gastrin? Where are they located?
G cells in the antrum
What is the effect of gastrin and ACh receptor activation on enterochromaffin-like cells?
Stimulate histamine release
Explain how acid secretion is regulated in the stomach
Antral D cells are stimulated to release somatostatin by increased intraluminal H+ and by CCK (which is released into the bloodstream by duodenal I cells in response to proteins and fats)
Binding of somatostatin to receptors on adjacent antral G cells inhibits further gastrin release
Describe the difference in intracellular signaling pathways produced by the binding of gastrin, ACh and histamine to their respective parietal cell receptors
Gastrin and ACh bind to CCK-B and M3 receptors respectively on parietal cells and cause an increase in cytosolic Ca2+, stimulating an intracellular signaling cascade that culminates in acid secretion from H+/K+ ATPase pump on the canalicular surface
Histamine binds to H2 receptor on parietal cell, resulting in adenylyl cyclase activation -> increased cAMP, intracellular signaling cascade that culminates in acid secretion from H+/K+ ATPase pump on the canalicular surface
How much gastric HCl is released after a meal? How much antacid is required to neutralise this and what is the duration of action?
45mEq/hr gastric HCl released postprandially
156mEq antacid given 1hr after a meal effectively neutralises gastric acid for up to 2hrs
Four factors determining the acid-neutralisation capacity of an antacid
- Rate of dissolution (liquid vs tablet)
- Water solubility
- Rate of reaction with acid
- Rate of gastric emptying
Pharmacodynamics of antacids
Weak bases which react with gastric hydrochloric acid to form a salt and water
Four examples of antacid and products formed by each
- Sodium bicarbonate -> CO2 and NaCl
- Calcium carbonate -> CO2 + CaCl2
- Magnesium hydroxide -> MgCl2 + H2O
- Aluminium hydroxide -> AlCl3 + H2O
Adverse effects of sodium bicarbonate as an antacid
- CO2 causes gastric distension and belching
- Unreacted alkali is easily absorbed and may cause metabolic alkalosis in high doses or in renal insufficiency
- NaCl absorption may exacerbate fluid retention in the setting of HF, HTN, renal insufficiency
- Excessive use with calcium-containing dairy products may cause milk-alkali syndrome (hypercalcaemia, metabolic alkalosis, and AKI)
Adverse effects of calcium carbonate as an antacid
- CO2 causes gastric distension and belching
- Unreacted alkali is easily absorbed and may cause metabolic alkalosis in high doses or in renal insufficiency
- Excessive use with calcium-containing dairy products may cause milk-alkali syndrome (hypercalcaemia, metabolic alkalosis, and AKI)
Advantages of magnesium/aluminium hydroxide vs sodium bicarbonate/calcium carbonate
Less belching as no CO2 generated
Less likely to cause metabolic alkalosis due to efficiency of neutralisation reaction
Why are magnesium and aluminium hydroxide commonly administered in combination?
Unabsorbed Mg2+ causes osmotic diarrhoea
Aluminium salts cause constipation
Giving together minimises impact on bowel function
How might antacids change absorption of other medications?
- Binding drug to reduce its absorption
- Increasing intragastric pH to change drug’s solubility (especially weakly acidic or basic drugs)
Antacids should not be administered within 2hrs of which 4 drugs/drug classes
- Tetracyclines
- Fluoroquinolones
- Itraconazole
- Iron
Describe the pharmacokinetics of H2-receptor antagonists
Absorption: rapidly absorbed from intestine
Distribution: all except nizatidine undergo first pass metabolism resulting in bioavailability of ~50%
Metabolism: t1/2 1.1-4hrs
Elimination: hepatic and renal
Are H2 receptor antagonists selective?
Yes: highly selective and do not affect H1 or H3 receptors
Pharmacodynamics of H2-receptor antagonists
Histamine released from ECL cells by gastrin or vagal stimulation is blocked from binding to parietal cell -> acid secretion reduced
Direct stimulation of parietal cell by gastrin or ACh also has a diminished effect on acid secretion when H2-receptor blockade is present