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 actions are G protein 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?
There is involvement of EP1/ EP4 receptors and endocannabinoids
NSAIDs also increase beta-endorphins, so PGE2 may reduce them
The mechanisms are unclear
How does PGE2 affect body temperature?
It’s pyrogenic
PGE2 stimulates hypothalamic neurones initiating a rise in body temperature
NOTE: there is a bit of a lag between PGE2 rising and temperature rising
Which diseases are treated with NSAIDs due to its effects on the immune system?
Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis (Th17 involvement)
Contact Dermatitis (Th1 cells involved)
What is the problem with PGE2 inhibiting apoptosis?
Inhibition of apoptosis increases the likelihood of necrosis
NOTE: there are 3 prostanoids, 7 prostanoid receptors and 2 downstream signalling pathways involved
State some desirable actions of PGE2 and other prostanoids.
GASTROPROTECTION
Regulation of renal blood flow
Bronchodilation
Vasoregulation