NMBA Flashcards
Clinical Use of NMBAs
- Eliminate laryngeal spasm, RSI, rapid control of airway
- Central, immobile eye position for ophthalmic sx
- Sx access; prevention of spontaneous movement for neurologic, cardiothoracic, ophthalmic sx
- Decreased resistance to controlled ventilation
- Reduction of SkM tone
NMJ
AKA motor end plate
= communication btw nervous system, m – NMBA interfere/block connection
Prejunctional motor nerve ending, postjunctional membrane of skeletal m
Main NT?
Acetylcholine
What is the ACh R?
Nicotonic ACh R - LG Na channels
Motor Unit
Uninterrupted large myelinated N from SC to NMJ/target m divides into many branches to contact many m fibers
Synpatic Cleft
Separates nerve from m
ACh in Presynaptic Nerve
o ACh synthesized in nerve terminal, stored in vesicles (quanta)
o Readily available ACh: at edge of presynaptic cell, available for exocytosis/release
o Reserve ACh: deeper in pre-synaptic cell, supply of ACh
Structure of the Postsynaptic M Cell
o Surface folded, secondary clefts within primary ones –> large surface area
o Shoulders = nAChRs (~5M/junction)
Safety feature, have far more than need
VG Na channels in clefts
o Proximity btw VG Na channels, LG Na channels helps to propagate AP
Change in endplate potential –> AP –> stimulation of m cell –> m ctx
Perijunctional Zone
o Immediately below NMJ, crucial for functioning
o Mixture of receptors –> enhances capacity of Na channels to propagate wave of depolarization created by nAChRs
NM Transmission
o Nerve synthesizes ACh – stored in small vesicles
o Arrival of AP through nerve activates VG Ca channels via AC, production of cAMP
o Increased intracellular Ca –> migration, discharge of vesicles
o Two molecules of ACh bind nAChR 2 molecules ACh required to activate R
o LG Na channels open, trigger opening of VG Na channels AP on m – all or none
o Depolarization of m cell (=ctx) occurs after Ca from t-tubules
o ACh immediately detaches, destroyed by AChEs
o Note: activation of process to initiate m ctx vs process of m ctx itself
High Margin of Safety
o Amt of quanta released = small fraction of that available
o Safety margin/factor = excess in amplitude of EEP over firing threshold
o AP endplate threshold depends on density, state of excitability of Na channels
o Key: release more ACh than need, have more nAChR than need
Amplitude of end-plate potential (EEP)
depends on # of quanta released, # of nAChRs
Excess of ACh released, nAChRs present several folds above what’s necessary
Sensitivity of postsynaptic membrane to ACh dependent on density of AChR, AChR conductance
Redundant: if function decreased, maintain NM transmission
Acetylcholinerase
very efficient, much of ACh hydrolyzed before reaches post-synaptic cell (~50%)
o Secreted by m cell
o High concentrations in cleft
nAChRs
o Synthesized in muscle cells, anchored to motor end plate membrane by rapsyn protein
o Electron microscopy: central pit (ion channel) surrounded by raised area (binding site)
o 5 subunits, passes through muscle membrane – protrudes in/out
Receptor Density in Junctional Folds
Receptor density in junctional folds: 10-20,000/microm2
Interaction btw ACh and nAChR
o ACh interacts with two a1 subunits – NEEDS TO INTERACT WITH BOTH
Protein rotates conformation –> ion channel opens –> ion flow
Small cations only: Na in, K/Ca out
Binding of ligand to R = competitive process, antagonists have advantage bc only need to occupy 1 R
What are the three types of ACh R?
- presynaptic
- Postsynaptic adult
- Postsynaptic fetal
Presynaptic nAChR
a3b2 subunits
- Mediates negative/positive FB loops – neg fb to block ACh release, pos fb to prepare nerve cell to release more ACh for next m ctx
- Development of fade when blocked by non-depolarizing
- Not inhibited by sux –> no fade during phase 1 block
- M1/M2 R (GPCR) also modulate pos/neg fb of ACh release from prejunctional cell via modulation Ca influx
Fetal nAChR
Sometimes called extrajunctional, located all over muscle cell surface
During first few weeks of life, gamma subunit replaced by episilon
See in disuse injury, trauma, burns, nerve injury, muscle atrophy
Humans: usually decreased within 48hr, can appreciate for up to 2yr
Different affinity for ACh, different opening times
Consequence of More fetal nAChR
decreased sensitivity to non-depolarizing/competitive but increased sensitivity to depol/non-compet (sux)
* ACh channels stay open longer –> more K+ efflux –> extreme hyper K+
* Low conductance channel
Causes of Increased Fetal nAChR?
-Spinal cord injury
-Stroke
-Burns
-Prolonged immobility
-MS
-Prolonged exposure to NMBAs
Causes of Downregulated nAChR?
-MG
-AChE Poisoning
-OP Poisining
Two Structures of Fetal nAChR?
fetal R a1a1b1delta-gamma and a7
Consequence of increased fetal nAChR?
Increased sensitivity to sux, increased risk hyperkalemia
Decreased sensitivity to non-depor NMBA