L20 - GI Drugs Flashcards
What is the function of the GI tract?
- ingestion
- motility
- secretion
- digestion
- absorption
What is the neurological control of the GI tract?
- CNS
- enteric NS
What are the hormones that play a role in the GIT?
- acetylcholine (ACh)
acts through muscarinic receptors to induce motility and secretion - serotonin (5HT)
released in response to stress and food and triggers gastric motility (peristalsis) - dopamine
produced by muscle and epithelial cells + inhibits neurotransmitter release to decrease motility - histamine
acts through H1 receptors in brain (induces nausea) or H2 receptors in gut (induces gastric acid secretion)
What cells are involved in gastric acid secretion?
- parietal cells produce HCl
- chief cells produce pepsinogen which is converted to pepsin (protease)
What are the protective mucosal factors in the stomach?
- prostaglandins (COX1)
- mucus
- bicarbonate
- mucosal blood flow
What are the aggressive factors in the stomach that promote disease?
- acid
- pepsin
- NSAIDs
- helibacter pylori
What are gastric disorders characterised by? What disorders can this lead to?
characterised either by:
- hypersecretion of gastric acid
- lack of mucous secretion
common disorders:
- gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GORD)
- peptic ulcers
What is GORD? What is it caused by?
- gastroesophageal reflux disorder
- caused by reflux of gastric acid into the oesophagus = heartburn
If unresolved, what can GORD develop into?
- erosive inflammation in the oesophagus
- adenocarcinoma (cancer which forms in mucous-secreting glands)
What are the treatment options for GORD?
increase gastric pH
- antacids
- H2 (histamine) receptor antagonist
- proton pump inhibitor (ulcers) (preferred for mild-severe gastric-acid related diseases)
protect gastric mucosa
- coating agents
What are antacids and their mechanism of action?
- weak bases (CaCO3, Mg(OH)2, Al2(OH)3)
- neutralise acid to form water and salt
- thus raises gastric pH
DOES NOT PREVENT OVERPRODUCTION OF ACID
When are antacids used?
used for mild cases of GORD
What are the adverse effects of antacids?
- excessive use can result in kidney stones with calcium salts
adverse effects rare and depend on the salt used:
- Al + Ca = constipation
- Mg = diarrhoea
- CaCO3 = produces gas and belching
What are H2 (histamine) antagonists? What is their mechanism of action?
HISTAMINE ANTAGONISTS IMPORTANT
- H2 receptors are GsPCR
the receptors increase cAMP and PKA which activates proton pump (H+/K+ ATPase) = increases gastric acid secretion
the receptor modulates histamine, gastrin and ACh induced acid secretion via pre-synpatic receptors - histamine antagonists are competitive antagonists that prevent the receptor activation
What is are the 4 histamine antagonists?
HISTAMINE ANTAGONISTS IMPORTANT
- cimetidine (bold)
- ranitidine, famotidine, nizatidine