Nicotine Flashcards
Where are the nicotinic receptors?
Lots in the brain, present at ganglia of ANS. It effects both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
How long does nicotine stay in the body and is it gotten rid of?
Half life of 1-2 hours. Can stay in the body up to 24 hours.
It is metabolised in the liver and excreted with urine.
How is nicotine rapidly absorbed?
Nicotine is a small molecule that is lipophilic so rapidly absorbed
What the effects nicotine can have on the body?
- Changes to Blood pressure
- Changes to electrical conductivity
- Cardiovascular effects
- Pulmonary effects
- Gastrointestinal effects (gland secretion)
- Muscular effects
- Hormonal effects
- Insulin release = diabetes
- Pregnant women = effects foetus development
- Cancerous
What are the classification types of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors?
Nm= neuromuscular junctions
Nn= Central nervous system, ganglia of ANS
Describe the structure of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Pentameric protein. Made up of 5 subunits arranged symmetrically around a central ion conducting pore.
Name the subunits
Alpha 1-10
Beta 1-5
Delta
Gamma
Epsilon
Nm= a1, b1, delta, gamma, epsilon
Nn= all others
If all 5 subunits are just 1 type = homomeric
otherwise = heteromeric
What is the direct effect of nicotine?
Binds to ion channel altering it’s structure. The ion channel opens and allows ions to travel through.
Which exact ion (Na+, K+, Ca2+) depends on the composition of the ion channels.
What is the indirect effect of nicotine?
Because VEGF production is stimulated by nicotine binding to receptors there will be changes in angiogenesis
Describe the process of angiogenesis
- Endothelial cells proliferate
- They adhere together
- Then migrate
- They differentiate to capillary tubule structures
- Production of new basement membrane around the vessel
