Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Flashcards
effects of NSAIDs
Analgesic -> prevent pain
Anti-pyretic -> lower a raised temperature (lower fever)
Anti-inflammatory -> decrease an immune response
what are NSAIDS used to treat
- low grade pain (chronic inflammation)
- bone pain (often by cancer metastases)
- fever (associated w/ infection)
- inflammation
examples of NSAID
aspirin
etodolac, meloxicam, ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin etc
briefly, what does COX do
converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and thromboxanes.
when is COX1 active
constantly active and present in platelets
when is COX2 active
inducible by factors like IL-1beta and TNFalpha
what is the role of COX2
- producing prostanoids involved in inflammatory response .’. inhibits COX2 .’. reduce prostaglandins and thromboxanes .’. reduce inflammation
why is paracetamol not an NSAID
is analgesic WITHOUT antiinflammatory effects.
has little inhibition of COX1/2
how does COX2 produce fever
bacterial endotoxins stimulate macrophages to release IL1, IL1b, act on hypothalamus to stimulate COX2 release of PGE2.
PGE2 =depressed response of temp sensitive neurones
PGE2 = body’s set point temp elevated
how do NSAIDS have an antipyretic action
NSAIDS block COX .’. prevent PGE2 production .’. when taken, set point lowered back to NORMAL value, fever gos away.
no effect on normal body temp
how do NSAIDS have an analgesic action
block COX .’. no PG
.’. lessens activation of nocicpetors by oedema and PG itself
blocks hyperalgesia produced by synergistic PG and other substances.
COX in pain simulation
COX -> PG. PG= sensitised and stimulate nociceptors =pain.
oedema during inflammation (also caused by PG) = direct activation on nociceptive fibres causing pain
also PG act synergistcally with other substances (5HT,Histamine) = hyperalgesia
why may NSAIDS be useful in treating headache
caused by vasodilation, so NSAIDs can inhibit PG induced vasodilation
role of COX in inflammation
at insult, COX -> release of PGE2 and PGI2 (from endothelial cells).
= arteriolar dilation, inc permeability of postcapillary venules.
these processes increase the influx of inflammatory mediators and cells
NSAIDS in treating acute inflammation
inhibit formation of PGE2 and PGI2 .’. reduced redness and swelling
bc local hormones, and quickly degraded, once removed = no more production of PG .’. inflammatory process dies down
role of TXA2 in homeostasis
released from activated platelets.
stimulates platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction
role of NSAIDS in cvs
NSAIDS = inhibit COX= decr. TXA2 .’. bleeding time inc.
.’. NSAIDS eg aspirin are used in disease states where clotting is likely
what is thromboresistance
resistance by a blood vessel to thrombus formation
endothelium releases PG &prostacyclin which are potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation.
mechanism of thromboresistance
in healthy bv, we do not want thrombosis .’. endothelium sythesises and releases PGI2 and PGE2 and NO.
NO acts on platelets to to reduce aggregation anf keep lumen clear
what happens when there is damage to a vessel wall (eg atheroma rupture or trauma)
collagen and vWF is exposed.
circulating platelets bind to collagen and vWF causing them to become activated.
these release TXA2 .’. increased expression of certain gycoproteins .’. inc. platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction.
fibrinogen tethers platelets together. cleaved -> fibrin. formation of fibrin mesh clot.
difference between cox 1 and 2
Endothelial cells are anti-aggregatory and want vasodilation, they do this by using COX-2 to synthesise PGI2.
Platelets want to aggregate and cause vasoconstriction so use COX-1 to synthesise TXA2
why is aspirin so beneficial in cardiovascular disease?
lose dose aspirin daily = irreversibly inhibit COX. no PG or prostacyclin produced by endothelial cells OR TXA2 by platelets
overtime, platelets unable to synthesise new COX1 bc lack DNA. .’. irreversible inhibition .’. aggregation less likely.
endothelial cells contain DNA .’. synthesise new DNA .’. new COX .’. recover from aspirin .’. continue releaseof PGI2 and PGE2 .’. prevent aggregation and vasodilate vessels