Hypertension Hockerman Exam 3 Flashcards
Why is the Ca gradient so high across cellular membranes?
Calcium is a second messenger so small changes have big effects.
What ion gradient is the basis for the resting membrane potential?
Potassium–leak channels allow the RMP to be the same as the equilibrium potential of potassium.
What is the basis for potassium channel selectivity for potassium?
The loops of the channel are spaced precisely to bind K better than H2O, stripping the hydration off the ion and allowing it to pass through.
What is the most important calcium channel in cardiac and smooth muscle?
Cav 1.2–trigger for vasoconstriction.
What is the basis for voltage gating in the calcium channel?
It has extra helixes that have a cluster of (+) amino acids internally–when RMP negative, pulls helixes downward into cell. Depolarization allows outer helix to move out of the way so inner helixes are free to open.
What are the two basic uses for calcium channel blockers?
Block of calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle (vasodilation in HTN and angina) and block of channels in cardiac muscle and SA/AV node (antiarrhythmic–if frequency dependent).
What muscle cells depend on extracellular calcium for contraction?
Smooth muscle and cardiac muscle–calcium coming in is amplified by release from intracellular stores.
How does increased calcium-calmodulin cause contraction in vascular smooth muscle?
It activates myosin LC kinase, which phosphorylates myocin LC to the active form which can cause contraction.
How does beta-adrenergic stimulation increase calcium influx?
It makes calcium channels open at more (-) voltages, increasing heart rate and contractility (impact on AV node)
What protein does calcium bind to in cardiac muscle that causes contraction?
Troponin. Troponin-calcium displaces tropomyosin allowing contraction. Similar to skeletal muscle, but IS dependent on extracellular calcium.
Why does skeletal muscle not rely on extracellular calcium for contraction?
There is a direct link between the voltage-gated calcium channel and RYR1, which causes release of calcium from the SR when the calcium channel changes conformation.
Name features of a dihydropyridine CCB.
Dihydropyridine ring attached to ring with a nitrogen attached to a proton (required) and ester linked side chains.
What dihydropyridine CCB is remarkably short acting, used for IV infusion only, and contains soy and egg allergens?
Clevidipine (Cleviprex)
Name members of the dihydropyridine CCBs.
Amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine, isradipine, clevidipine, nisoldipine, nimodipine, nicardipine.
What are the characteristics of a dihydropyridine calcium channel blockade?
Voltage dependence (stronger affinity at depolarized RMP), tonic block/not frequency dependent (can bind to closed channel)
What tissues are DHPs selective for? Why?
Smooth muscle, especially in coronary arteries and vascular smooth muscle. This is because smooth muscle has a more positive RMP than cardiac muscle.
What DHP is unique in a slower onset, longer duration of action, and less reflex tachycardia?
Amlodipine
What DHP may uniquely depress cardiac function due to less tissue selectivity?
Nifedipine–avoid fast releasing nifedipine! (reflex tachycardia)
Why are DHPs efficaceous in angina?
they reduce oxygen demand in the heart.
What DHP is selective for cerebral arteries and is used in subarachnoid hemorrhage?
Nimodipine
What kind of CCB is verapamil and what kind of block does it exhibit?
Phenylalkylamine CCB; shows characteristic frequency dependence (only blocks open channel), minimal tonic block.
Compare the activity of verapamil to the DHP CCBs.
Verapamil causes less potent vasodilation but larger impact on the heart–slows HR and force of contraction, blunting reflex tachycardia.
What are the characteristics of diltiazem blockade?
Some tonic (closed channel) block and some frequency dependence (two different sites?)