NSAIDs Flashcards
What are the three major uses of NSAIDs?
Anti-pyretic
Anti-inflammatory
Analgesic
What are most deaths due to NSAIDs caused by?
GI ulceration
Broadly speaking, how do NSAIDs act?
They inhibit the production of prostanoids by COX enzymes
What are the main prostanoids?
Prostaglandins (D2, E2 and F2) Prostacyclin (PGI2) Thromboxane A2
What does COX convert arachidonic acid to?
Prostaglandin H2 Which is then converted by specific synthases to: Thromboxane A2 Prostacyclin (PGI2) Prostaglandin D2, E2, F2
How are prostanoid receptors named?
Prostanoid receptors aren’t very specific - they are named based on which prostanoid they have the highest affinity for (e.g. DP1 has the highest affinity for PGD2)
List all the prostanoid receptors.
DP1, DP2 EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4 FP IP1, IP2 TP
What type of receptor are all the prostanoid receptors?
G protein coupled receptors (though not all their EFFECTS are GPCR mediated)
Explain why the EP receptor system is complex.
There are four different EP receptors and EP2 has two mechanisms of action and five pathways
State some unwanted actions of PGE2.
Increased pain perception Thermoregulation Acute inflammatory response Tumorigenesis Inhibition of apoptosis
How does PGE2 increase pain perception?
Stimulation of PG receptors in the periphery sensitises nociceptors which cause pain acutely and chronically (lowers pain threshold). Exact mechanism is unclear. One possible mechanism is that PGE2 normally activates PKA pathway which leads to low level activation of P2X3 nociceptors. At times of increased PGE2 (inflammation), an alternative pathway is triggered which leads to greater activation of these nociceptors and hene hyperalgesia
How does PGE2 affect body temperature?
PGE2 stimulates hypothalamic neurones initiating a rise in body temperature
NOTE: there is a bit of a lag between PGE2 rising and temperature rising
Hence NSAIDS are antipyretic
What is the problem with PGE2 inhibiting apoptosis?
Inhibition of apoptosis increases the likelihood of necrosis
State some desirable actions of PGE2 and other prostanoids.
GASTROPROTECTION
renal salt and water homeostasis
Bronchodilation
Vasoregulation
Describe the gastroprotective action of PGE2.
PGE2 downregulates stomach acid production
PGE2 stimulates mucus production
PGE2 stimulates bicarbonate production