L14 - Opiods Flashcards
Nociception
Non conscious neuronal activity due to trauma or potential trauma to tissue
Pain
Complex awareness of sensation modified by experience, expectation, immediate context and culture involving the somatosensory cortex interpreting pain
Pain pathway
- Tissue damage releases mediators e.g. serotonin, bradykinin and prostaglandins
- Nociceptors are stimulated
- Substance P, glutamate and bradykinin is released which agonises the local inflammatory response
- Afferent nerve is stimulated which projects to the dorsal horn (lamina 1 and 5)
- Fibres decussate at the ventral white commissure
- Fibres ascend via the 2nd order neurone in the lateral spinothalamic tract
- Synapses in the thalamus
- Projects to the post central gyrus (primary sensory cortex)
A fibres
Myelinated
Sharp pain transmission
C fibres
Unmyelinated
Dull ache pain
Requires more stimulation
Slower in transmission
What modulates pain?
Centrally - periaqueductal grey
Peripherally - substantia gelatinosa
Substantia gelatinosa
Tissue damage inhibits the substantia gelatinosa so pain is felt
Rub wound
Rubbing the wound stimulates the substantia gelatinosa which inhibits lamina 1 and 5
Therefore reduced pain
Periaqueductal grey
The cortex normally inhibits the periaqueductal grey matter
- when pain is overwhelming, the cortex stimulates the periaqueductal grey matter
- stimulates the release of endogenous opioids i.e. enkephalins, dynorphins and beta endorphins which act on endogenous opioid receptors
- inhibits signals to the dorsal horn
- reduces pain
MOP receptors
Mu GPCR
Location: supraspinal and GI tract
cAMP: decreases
Effect: K+ efflux
Causes:
- hyperpolarisation
- decrease in substance P release - less local inflammation and agonisation
- increases dopamine release
Endogenous opioids:
- enkephalins
- Beta - endorphins
Uses:
- analgesia
- depression
- euphoria
- dependence
- respiratory sedation
DOP receptors
Delta GPCR
Location : wide distribution
cAMP: decreases
Effect: inhibits influx of Ca2+
Causes:
- hyperpolarisation
- decreased release of substance P
- increases dopamine release (as less GABA released so less inhibition)
Endogenous Opioid:
- enkephalins
Use:
- analgesia
KOP receptors
Kappa GPCR
Location: spinal cord/ brain and periphery
cAMP: decreased
Effects:
- K+ efflux
- inhibits Ca2+ influx
Causes:
- hyperpolarisation
- decreased substance P
- increases dopamine release
Endogenous Opioid:
- dynorphins
Uses:
- Analgesia
- diuresis
- dysphoria
WHO analgesic ladder
Simple analgesia: paracetamol, NSAIDs
Weak opioid: codeine - very addictive with many side effects
Strong opioid: morphine and fentanyl
- used in acute severe or malignant pain
Other effects of opioids
Used in:
- Cough
- Diarrhoea - particularly chemotherapy induced
- Palliation
Morphine
Strong agonist of MOP
Absorption:
- gut absorption can be erratic as motility is slower
- significant first pass effect - 40% bioavailability
Distribution:
- lipophilic so enters all tissues
- passes through placenta - babies can get morphine withdrawal
- doesn’t pass blood brain barrier
Metabolism:
- glucoronication in liver to active metabolites M3G and M6G
Elimination:
- renal
Action:
Analgesia and euphoria