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 EP3 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 EP4 receptors and endocannabinoids
The mechanism is unclear
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
Which prostanoid receptor is responsible for signalling in acute inflammation?
EP3 (on mast cells)
Which prostanoid receptor is responsible for the effects of PGE2 on the immune system?
EP4
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