m and m 11 - NMB Flashcards
What type of presynaptic channels are activated by the action potential, Leading to fusion of vessicles?
Voltage gated calcium channels
What types of Ach receptors are at the postsynaptic junction, muscarinic or nicotinic?
Nicotinic
Activation of approximatly what percentage of postsynapic AchR is needed for muscle contraction?
About 10%
How many subunits of the mature AchR? WHat are they? What binds the Ach?
5 subunits
2 alpha, 1 beta, delta and epsilon
2 alphas each bind one Ach
What happens if only one Ach is bound? What happens after 2 bind?
One ach binds, Nothing
Two bind, Then channel oppens and allows sodium and calcium influx, potassium efflux
How is fetal AchR different from mature AchR?
Fetal has a gamma unit instead of the epsilon seen in the mature receptor
Explain the process of depolarizing the perijunctional membrane
In response to Ach binding, the receptor Becomes sensitive to extracellular calcium ion concentrations. If enough receptors are activated, then the perijunctional membrane is activated, causing depolarization by activating perijunctional sodium channels (voltage gated)
Explain propagation of the action potential from the motor end plate
Voltage gated sodium channel activation causes depolarization, which propagates along the muscle membrane and T-tubule system. This opens downstream sodium channels, which causes release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Ca++ from sarcoplasmic reticulum allows for activation of actin and myosin
The end plate depolarization causes release of 10x number of ions/NT needed for action potential propagation. What happens in myesthenia gravis and Eaton Lambert?
MG - reduced AchR at the end plate
EL - Decreased presynaptic calcium channels (P/Q-type)
What is the general structure of the neuromuscular blocking agents?
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Why is the action of succx different from Ach?
AChE is able to metabolize Ach, terminating its action. The same doesn’t apply to Succx
What is the mechanism of a phase 1 block?
The persistent presence of a depolazing stimulus prevents the end-plate from “resetting”, keeping the channels in the open state and preventing repolarization.
What is the effect of “prolonged” end plate depolarization?
Can cause phase 2 block, resembles the block of a non-depolarizing agent
True or false, binding of non-depolarizing NMB to the AchR causes a conformational change in the receptor
False, this conformational change only happens with Ach or Succx binding
True or false, neuromuscular blockade will occur with only one alpha receptor bound to a NMB
True - channel activation requires 2 Ach binding, which can’t happen if one of the alpha channels is occupied by a non-depol NMB
In diseases where there is chronic decrease in Ach release (e.g. muscle denervation), there is compensation by increasing the number of AchR. These diseases will show [increased / decreased] sensitivity of depolarizing neuromuscular blockers
Increased - these upregulated immature channels show low channel conductance, but prolonged opening times
In diseases where there is decreased expression of post-synaptic AchR (e.g. MG), there will be increased [sensitivity / resistance] to depolarizing agents and increased [sensitivity / resistance] to non-depol agents
Increased resistance to depol agents (not enough binding spots)
Increased sensitivity for non-depol (they will overwhelm the synapse, out-compete the Ach for what few receptors are available)
While not clinically relevant some drugs can cause closed channel blockade. What is closed channel blockade, what drugs can cause this in the lab (4)?
Closed channel blockade is when a receptor pore is plugged by a substance, preventing cation flow.
Neostigmine, some abx, cocaine and quinidine
What is the major ways that succx effect is terminated?
Diffusion from the junction and metabolism by pesurocholinesterase, plasma cholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase
Mivacurium metabolism is unique among non-depol NMB. Why?
It is metabolized by pseudocholinesterase
What is the mechanism of reversal after neuromuscular blockade with medications?
These reversal drugs block AchE activity, allowing for accumulation of Ach, which will then out-compete the neuromuscular blocker
What can happen is you use a reversal agent after blockade with Succx? What is the exception?
Can prolong block by causing more depolarization. The exception is if you have a phase 2 block with Succx, Then a reversal agent may be warranted
What is the mechanism of suggamadex?
It is a cyclodextran that is able to bind the steroid side chains of the steroid containing NMBs (roc, vec)
If you use a peripheral nerve stimulator and see fade, what what administered? (2)
A non-depol blocker
Succinylcholine in a phase 2 block
What is the proposed mechanism of fade?
non-depol NMBs cause a decrease in the amount of NMB available for release
You can monitor fade with sustained tetanic stimulation, double burst, train of 4 or repeated twitches. Which is the best way to monitor fade (2)?
The first 2, tetanic stim and double burst
After which of the following can you see increase in the degree of evoked potential: tetanic stimulation, double burst, train of 4 or repeated twitches?
After tetanic, it is called post tetanic stimulation
True or false, you can have post tetanic stimulation even with a succinylcholine block?
False, only occurs with non-depol block
What structures make up succx?
2 acetylcholine molecules
True or false, succx has a very high volume of distribution, which underlies its rapid onset of action.
False, low Vd, therefore fast onset of action. This low Vd applies to other NMBs