Nicotinic Agonists and Antagonists Flashcards
What are ways to modulate transmission of the neuromuscular junction at presynpatic sites?
Block Ca2+ transport (some aminoglycosides)
Block ACh secretion (Botulinum toxin)
Block choline uptake (hemicholinium)
What are ways to modulate transmission of the neuromuscular junction at postsynpatic sites?
Block nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (using nicotinic agonists and antagonists)
How does botulinum toxin prevent ACh secretion from the presynaptic site?
Enzymatically cleave the snare proteins (SNAP-25, syntaxin, synaptobrevin/VAMP)
Snare proteins are required for docking and release of ACh from synaptic vesicles
Which subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor does ACh bind to?
Alpha
How many molecules of ACh are needed to activate nicotinic receptor?
2
What are the two groups of neuromuscular blocking agents?
Nondepolarizing
Depolarizing
What drugs are in the non-depolarizing (antagonist) group?
d-Turbocurarine Pancuronium Vecuronium Cisatracurium Rocuronium
What drugs are in the depolarizing (agonist) group?
Succinylcholine
Why non-depolarizing and depolarizing drugs are used for intubation and why?
Non-depolarizing: rocuronium
Depolarizing: succinylcholine
Have short onset and short duration
Which drugs increase histamine release?
d-Tubocurarine
Succinylcholine
What is unique about the elimination of cisatracurium?
Hoffman elimination (spontaneous cleavage)
What are potential side effects of succinylcholine?
Malignant hypothermia
Increased intraocular pressure
What is the mechanism of action of the nondepolarizing neuromuscular antagonists?
Binds nicotinic receptor and blocks it
Do the following characteristics increase, decrease, or stay the same when a nondepolarizing agent is used:
- mini-EPP and EPP amplitude
- Resting membrane potential
- Action potential threshold
Decreased mini-EPP amplitude, decreased EPP amplitude
No change in RMP
No change in action potential threshold
How can an action potential be achieved in the presence of a nondepolarizing agent?
Temporal summation
Repetitive stimulation causes release of enough ACh to displace the blocker (changes the EPP enough to cause action potential)