Immunotoxicology - WIP

Question 1

What is immunotoxicology?

Answer 1

The study of undesired effects resulting from the interactions of xenobiotics with the immune system

Question 2

What are NSAIDs?

Answer 2

Inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX, enzymes that make prostaglandins)

E.g. ibuprofen, aspirin, or coxibs (COX2 selective)

Blocks hydrolysis of arachidonic acid, which prevents production of peroxidase

Question 3

What is methotrexate?

Answer 3

Acts against rapidly dividing cells, used as cancer chemotherapy drug

Bone marrow/immune system also have rapidly dividing cells, therefore methotrexate is an immunosuppressant

used for cases of rheumatoid arthritis where all other drugs have failed

Question 4

What is carbimazole?

Answer 4

Treatment for hyperthyroidism/Grave’s disease, inhibits thyroid hormone production

Grave’s disease **

Decreases the uptake of inorganic iodine by the thyroid

A pro-drug for methimazole

Toxic to bone marrow

Question 5

Allergy as an overreaction of the immune system

Question 6

Autoimmune disease as an overreaction of the immune system