GI and Endocrine Drugs Flashcards
What area within the brain regulates emesis?
the nucleus tractus solitarius in the medulla
The nucleus tractus solitarius regulates emesis and receives input from what three major sites?
- the stomach via vagal afferents
- the semicircular canals via CN VIII
- the area postrema located nearby in the 4th ventricle, outside the BBB
Describe how GI irritation modulates the emetic response.
- GI irritation in the form of distention, infection, or chemotherapy leads to mucosal release of serotonin
- this serotonin binds 5-HT3 receptors on vagal afferents
- vagal afferents project to the nucleus tractus solitarius and promote emesis
Ondansetron
- a 5-HT3 antagonist used to prevent emesis
- it blocks binding of serotonin from the gastric mucosa to 5-HT3 receptors on vagal afferents projecting to the nucleus tractus solitarius
- side effects include constipation, headache, dizziness, serotonin syndrome, and QT prolongation
How do the semicircular canals mediate emesis? What receptors are involved?
- they mediate the emesis associated with vertigo and motion sickness
- the vestibular system contains H1 receptors, coupled to a Gq cascade, as well as M1 receptors
- activation of these receptors leads to emesis
How does the area postrema mediate emesis? What receptors are involved?
- the area postrema is located in the fourth ventricle outside the BBB
- it senses and responds to emetogenic substances in the blood or CSF
- D2 receptors and NK1 receptors (for substance P) are critical for this mechanism
List five receptor types involve in the emetic response and where they can be found.
- 5-HT3 on vagal afferents in the GI tract
- H1 in the semicircular canals
- M1 in the semicircular canals
- D2 in the area postrema
- NK1 (for substance P) in the area postrema
What role do antihistamines play as anti-emetics? What is the primary side effect?
first generation H1 antagonists, like diphenhydramine and meclizine, are capable of crossing the BBB and can be used to treat motion sickness, but they often cause sedation
Describe scopolamine as an anti-emetic.
- it is an M1 antagonist
- functions in the vestibular system for the treatment of sea sickness and motion sickness
Motion sick (i.e. vestibular nausea) is best treated with what two agents?
- first generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine or meclizine
- an M1 antagonist like scopolamine
Aprepitant
- an NK1 receptor antagonist (blocks substance P binding)
- functions in the area postrema to inhibit chemotherapy-induced vomiting with very few side effects
Metoclopramide
- a D2 receptor antagonist that acts in the area postrema to inhibit emesis
- side effect profile includes a pro kinetic effect in the upper GI system, which can be useful in treating ileus, but is contraindicated in those with GI obstruction
- may cause diarrhea, extra-pyramidal side effects and eventual tardive dyskinesia, sedation, depression, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and hyperprolactinemia
Describe how gastric acid secretion is regulated.
- parietal cells in the gastric mucosa of the body and fundus secrete acid via an H/K-ATPase
- these cells express M3 receptors, which can be activated by vagal efferents
- alternatively gastrin can stimulate enterochromaffin-like cells to release histamine, which activates Gs-coupled H2 receptors expressed by parietal cells
- gastrin is secreted by G cells in the antrum in response to luminal proteins and when stimulated by GRP from vagal efferents
H2-Blockers
- these drugs, ending in the suffix “-tidine”, block H2 receptors on parietal cells to prevent their activation
- they are really only effective at reducing nocturnal acid secretion, not post-prandial secretions, thus they are only second line therapy for GERD
- they have limited side effects except for cimetidine, which inhibits CYP450, can contribute to hyperprolactinemia with galactorrhea, and anti-andronergic effects leading to impotence
PPIs
- a group of drugs ending in the suffix “-prazole”
- they form disulfide bonds with and irreversibly inhibit the H/K-ATPase on gastric parietal cells
- considered first-line therapy for acid-related conditions
- can impair absorption of dication metals such as Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe2+, leading to osteoporosis and hip fractures, iron deficiency anemia, or hypomagnesia
- also increase the risk for respiratory infections and C. diff
What role does octreotide play in the treatment of acid-related conditions?
- somatostatin is capable of inhibiting gastrin and ECL cells, reducing gastric acid secretion
- some gastrinomas even express somatostatin receptors, and in these cases, the somatostatin analog, octreotide, can be used to treat peptic ulcer disease
What is the difference between a laxative and a pro kinetic agent?
pro kinetics stimulate GI motility but laxatives work on the contents of the GI tract
Osmotic Laxatives
- a group of non-absorbable substances that draw water into the intestinal lumen, leading to distention, which stimulates peristalsis
- includes magnesium compounds, milk of magnesia, PEG, and lactulose
- may cause diarrhea and dehydration
Which laxative is also a suitable treatment for hepatic encephalopathy and how does this work?
- hepatic encephalopathy is a complication of cirrhosis mediated by a buildup of ammonia (NH3)
- lactulose is a non-absorbable sugar and osmotic laxative, which is metabolized by intestinal flora into acidic metabolites
- these acidic metabolites cause ammonia to turn to ammonium (NH4+), which is trapped in the intestinal lumen and excreted rather than absorbed