NSAIDs Flashcards
What are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) used for?
- In isolation, to treat mild to moderate pain
- In combination, to treat chronic pain from inflammation
Give an example of chronic pain NSAIDs can be used to treat?
Pain from RA
What is the physiological importance of the inflammatory process?
It is a fundamental response to injourious stimulus, acting as a protective mechanism to reduce the risk of further damage to the organism
What is used to show their is tissue damage and thus stimulate the inflammatory process?
Autocoids
What are autocoids?
A wide range of local molecular mediators and signalling agents
What autocoids do NSAIDs act on?
Prostaglandins
What pathway is prostaglandin synthesis part of?
The arachidonic acid metabolism pathway
What is arachidonic acid produced from?
Phospholipids from the membrane
How is arachidonic acid produced from phospholipids from the cell membrane?
Mainly via phospholipase A2
What happens to the arachidonic acid produced from phospholipids from the cell membrane?
They can either enter the prostaglandin pathway or the leukotriene pathway
What does the prostaglandin pathway involve?
Metabolism by COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes to produce PGH
What happens once PGH has been produced in the prostaglandin pathway/
Specific prostaglandins can be produced from this
What is the most inmportant prostaglandin produced from PGH in the prostaglandin pathway?
PGE
What do prostaglandins bind to?
GPCRs
What does the action of prostaglandins when binding to GPCRs depend on?
The receptor types
What are the receptors for PGE?
EP1-4
Broadly, what happens when prostaglandins bind to GPCRs?
Autocoid release
What effect does prostaglandin induced autocoid release have?
Will induce the expression of COX-2
What effect do prostaglandins have on other autocoids?
They synergise them
What is the result of prostaglandins have a synergistic action on other autocoids?
It means that there is a positive feedback loop mechanism present with prostaglandin production
What do prostaglandins act to do?
Induce pain and pyrexia
How do prostaglandins act to produce pain?
- By sensitising peripheral nociception
- By sensitising central nociception
How do prostaglandins sensitise peripheral nociception?
- PGE2 can bind to EP1 in C-fibres
- Rise in [Ca2+]i levels
What kind of GPCR is EP1?
Galphaq-type
What does PGE2 binding to EP1 in C-fibres cause?
- Inhibition of K+ channels
- Increase in Na+ channel expression
- Increase in neuronal sensitivity to bradykinin
What is the overall result of PGE2 binding to EP1?
Increase in C-fibre activity
What is the result of increase in [Ca2+]i levels caused by PGE2 binding to EP1?
Increased neurotransmitter release
How do prostaglandins sensitise central nociception?
PGE2 can bind to EP2 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord
What kind of GPCR is EP2?
Galphas-type
What does PGE2 binding to EP2 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord cause?
A rise in cAMP, and subsequent action of PKAs, causing a reduction in glycine receptor binding affinity, leading to increased pain reception
What does glycine act as?
An inhibitor of neuronal activity
What is the effect of macrophage release of IL-1 at inflammatory sites?
It stimulates the hypothalamus to stimulate PGE2 release
What is the result of PGE2 release caused by macrophage release of IL-1?
It acts on EP3, causing a fall in cAMP which eventually causes an increase in [Ca2+]i levels in the neurones regulating temperature
What kind of GPCR is EP3?
Galphai-type
What is the result of the effect of PGE2 on neurones regulating temperature?
- Increased heat production
- Reduced heat loss
What do COX enzymes do?
Catalyse the reaction converting arachidonic acid to PGH
What is the difference between COX-1 and COX-2, regarding expression?
COX-1 expressed in wide range of tissues and is constitutively expressed. COX-2 is only expressed via induction by inflammatory mediators, and so is only expressed during injourious stimuli
Give an example of an inflammatory mediator that can induce the expression of COX-2
Bradykinin
What is the role of COX-1?
It has a major cytoprotective role
Where does COX-1 have a major cytoprotective role?
- Gastric mucosa
- Myocardium
- Renal parenchyma
How does COX-1 perform its cytoprotective role?
It ensures local perfusion
What is the half life of COX-1?
10 minutes
What is the result of COX-1 having a short half life?
There is a need for its constant synthesis
What drugs fit into the mouth of COX-1?
Small, sharp, asprin like drugs
What drugs fit into the mouth of COX-2?
Both short, sharp asprin like drugs, and big, blunt drugs
What produces the main therapeutic effects of NSAIDs?
COX-2 inhibition
What are the main ADRs of NSAIDs caused by?
COX-1 inhibition