Pharmacology Flashcards
How does the potency of synthetic glucocorticoids compare to endogenous cortisol?
synthetic glucocorticoids are more potent immunosuppressive and immunoregulatory agents and have relatively minimal mineralocorticoid activity
How do glucocorticoids pass through the cell membrane?
Glucocorticoids are lipophilic and diffuse easily through the cell membranes
What happens to glucocorticoids once they pass through the cell membrane?
They bind to the chaperone-GC receptor complex –>
chaperone dissociates –>
now the glucocorticoid-GC receptor complex can pass through the nucleus –>
causes genomic effects
What are the three theorized ways that glucocorticoids can interact with DNA and cause genomic effects?
1) Direct binding to glucocorticoid response elements (positive and negative)
2) Tethering
3) Composite (both direct binding and tethering)
What happens if the ligand-bound glucocorticoid binds to the positive glucocorticoid response element (+GRE)?
induces transcription of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory genes:
annexin-A1 (ANAX1, also known as lipocortin 1)
GC-induced leucine zipper (GLIZ)
mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MPK1)
*the effects that we are looking for
What happens if the ligand-bound glucocorticoid binds to the negative glucocorticoid response element (nGRE)?
inhibits the transcription of genes:
corticotropin-releasing hormone
melanocyte-stimulating hormone
β-endorphin
*some of the side effects
What happens in the tethering scheme of how glucocorticoids exert genomic effects?
physical interaction with another transcription factor without direct contact with DNA
interferes with activators of most inflammatory cytokines/adhesion molecules
- NF-κB
- activator protein-1 (AP-1)
also interferes with key proinflammatory transcription factors
- STAT
- nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)
How do glucocorticoids affect B cells?
Uncertain exactly how, some through genomic effects
Chronic use of GC is associated with inhibition of B cell antibody production
The genomic mechanism of glucocorticoid activity may take hours to days to take effect. How can glucocorticoids act within minutes?
nongenomic mechanism
interaction of GCs with membrane-specific GR, cytosolic GR (resulting in the release of a variety of proteins without the need to translocate into the nucleus) and nonspecific interactions with cell membranes leads to alteration of transmembrane currents, signal transduction and intracellular calcium levels (all have anti-inflammatory effects)
How do the effects of glucocorticoids correlate to time of detection in plasma?
the effects of GCs do not necessarily correlate to the time detectable in plasma
Doses are therefore often derived from human use, or based on the pharmacodynamic (clinical) response in the individual animal
Why should you give cats prednisolone and not prednisone?
Thought to be lacking hepatic 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1
needed to convert prednisone to prednisolone
only approximately 20% of drug is converted to prednisolone
(might also be lower oral absorption of prednisone)
When should prednisolone be used instead of prednisone for dogs?
altered hepatic function
poor response to prednisone (so individuals may have less 11βHSD1 activity)
In an over-conditioned animal, how should glucocorticoids be dosed?
dosed on lean body mass
over-conditioned cats plasma concentrations of prednisolone was 2x normal cats
What is the bioavailability of transdermal dexamethasone in cats?
not good, plasma concentrations were low to undetectable
What happens to plasma neutrophil and lymphocyte counts in dogs after 1 mg/kg of prednisolone IV?
plasma neutrophil counts increased and lymphocyte counts decreased, and had returned to baseline within the suggested 24-hour dosing interval
Why are cats less responsive to the anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and adverse effects of GCs compared to dogs?
a reduced number of GR in the skin and liver of cats compared to dogs
those receptors present are also lower-affinity receptors in cats
Which glucocorticoid has been associated with the induction of congestive heart failure in cats and why is it thought to happen?
methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrol)
consequence of a shift in fluids resulting in an increased plasma volume secondary to glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia
What happened to the hearts of healthy cats with allergic dermatitis given prednisolone at 1-2 mg/kg/day for 14 days?
no significant hemodynamic and echocardiographic changes
How should glucocorticoids be dosed in large breed dogs?
mg/m2
(40 mg/m2 is roughly equal to 2 mg/kg)
Why do steroids cause skin atrophy and fragility?
Inhibitory effect on keratinocyte proliferation in the epidermis
Inhibition of collagen 1 and 3 synthesis in the dermis
Inhibition of fibroblasts and hyaluronan synthase 3 enzyme resulting in the reduction of hyaluronic acid in the extracellular matrix leading to dermal atrophy
Topical steroids cause the synthesis of lipocortin. What pro-inflammatory enzyme does this inhibit?
Phospholipase A2
acts on the cell membrane to release arachidonic acid
Why do steroids cause delayed wound healing?
various reasons
Inhibition of keratinocytes may cause delayed re-epithelialization
Inhibition of fibroblasts-reduced collagen and ground substance
Inhibition of vascular connective tissue
Delayed granulation tissue formation may be caused by inhibition of angiogenesis
What does the NFkB family do in normal cells? Cells with inflammatory stimuli?
Normally the NfkB members (p50, p65, p52, REL, RELB) are bound by an inhibitor
With inflammatory stimuli the inhibitor is dephosphorylated –>
disassociates and now NfkB can enter the nucleus and do many actions:
1) induce proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (TNFa, IL-1, IL-6, CXCL8)
2) induce anti-apoptosis enzymes (BCL-2)
3) enhance lymphocyte survival and activation
4) increase adhesion molecules (ICAM1, VCAM1)
How does nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) work?
NFAT is normally phosphorylated and cannot enter the nucleus but…
MCH II presents an antigen to the TCR –>
increases intracellular calcium (via release from ER) –>
Ca2+ activates calmodulin which binds calcineurin –>
together dephosphorylates NFAT –>
NFAT can enter nucleus –>
increase transcription of IL-2, IL-4, TNF-a, IFN-y –>
activates lymphocytes
What is the mechanism of cyclosporine A?
binds to intracellular cyclophilin which creates a complex that has a high affinity for calcineurin –> calcineurin cannot bind to calmodulin and dephosphorylate NFAT
What is the drug absorption of human generic modified cyclosporine absorption like in dogs?
generic human formulations in dogs has been shown to result in a threefold variability in drug absorption between formulations
What is the bioavailability of Atopica per os in dogs?
35%
What is the bioavailability of Atopica per os in cats?
25%–29%
What does administration of cyclosporine with food do to its bioavailability in dogs?
reduces the mean bioavailability by 22% in dogs
but did not affect the clinical outcome in 15 dogs treated for AD
What is the absorption of transdermal cyclosporine like in cats?
poor
In which breeds of dogs should cyclosporine be used with caution?
dogs with the MDR1 (ABCB1-1Δ) mutation (also reported in cats)
because it is a substrate for p-glycoprotein efflux pumps
animals heterozygous for this mutation may develop excessive immunosuppression at lower-than-expected doses
Which family of metabolizing enzymes is primarily responsible for the metabolism of cyclosporine A?
cytochrome P450 3A (CPY3A) in the liver
What happens to the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine A in diabetic dogs?
overall drug exposure (as measured by AUC) was decreased by 52%, clearance was significantly increased and, subsequently, half-life was significantly decreased (9.32 h vs. 22.56 h)
speculated to be caused by increased clearance secondary to hyperglycemia or alterations in the lipid profile of these dogs
What tests can you do to determine the effectiveness of cyclosporine in dogs?
therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)
- poor correlation btw blood conc and clinical response in dogs with AD
- clinical response plus TDM is superior to TDM alone
quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)
- measures cytokine (IL-2) gene expression
Why might some dogs with PF be able to be maintained in CR with CsA as monotherapy?
inhibition of B-cell activation (via inhibition of Th cell function)
reduction in metalloproteinase-9 expression
blocking of the JNK and p38 signaling pathways
When is CsA most likely be to effective as monotherapy?
cell-mediated autoimmune dermatoses such as chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus and sebaceous adenitis
Which drug is frequently combined with glucocorticoids and CsA for control of canine PF?
azathioprine (AZA)
potentially because CsA and AZA target different pathways, the risk of myelosuppression from the combination can be expected to be no higher than that from AZA monotherapy
What is the mechanism of action of azathioprine?
it is a pro-drug of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and interferes with nucleotide synthesis
What happens once azathioprine is ingested?
absorbed in the intestinal tract –>
in the the intestinal wall, liver and RBCs, AZA is converted to 6-MP –>
metabolic pathway involving HPRT converts 6-MP to 6-TGN –>
has cytotoxic effects
What happens when xanthine oxidase (XO) acts on 6-MP?
makes largely inactive 6-thiouric acid
What are the 3 enzymes that can convert 6-MP?
xanthine oxidase (XO)
thiopurine-S-methyltransferase (TPMT)
hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT)
What happens when thiopurine-S-methyltransferase (TPMT) acts on 6-MP?
makes largely inactive 6-merthymecaptopurine (6-MMP)
What happens when hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) acts on 6-MP?
converts 6-MP to 6-thioguanine nucleotide
What does 6-thioguanine nucleotide (6-TGN) do?
can be considered a ‘false’ nucleotide (e.g. nonfunctioning purine)
generation of 6-TGNs ‘provides’ a pool of nonfunctioning purine
when incorporated into DNA, results in mutation –> cessation of the cell cycle
also reduces the formation of purine nucleotides by inhibiting amidotransferase enzymes and purine ribonucleotide interconversion
In which cells does azathioprine have the greatest effect?
cells that are actively dividing such as lymphocytes (B and T cells) and thrombocytes
In addition to inhibiting cell division, what does azathioprine do?
affect T cell migration and adhesion
reduce survival/prolif of T cells through inhibition of RAC1 and/or BCL-XL
- RAC1 is also important in formation of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1
Which drugs should azathioprine be used with caution in?
other alkylating agents that interfere with DNA synthesis (e.g. cyclophosphamide) as it may lead to profound myelosuppression
allopurinol because the antagonism of xanthine oxidase may interfere with the metabolism of AZA
What can concurrent use of glucocorticoids and azathioprine increase the risk of?
acute pancreatitis
Which breed of dog may have increased risk of myelosuppression with azathioprine?
Giant Schnauzers (lower TPMT activity)
Which breed of dog has high TMPT activity?
Alaskan Malamutes
Which are cats at higher risk of myelosuppression from azathioprine?
Compared to dogs, blood TPMT activity in cats is much lower
Why does hepatotoxicity occur with azathioprine?
not fully known, may be idiosyncratic or dose-dependent
In one study that included 34 dogs, the prevalence of hepatotoxicity was 15%, with the median time to onset of 14 days
*recommended that liver enzymes are monitored within 2–3 weeks of starting
Which group of anticancer drugs does chlorambucil belong to?
nitrogen mustard group
includes melphalan, cyclophosphamide and ifosphamide
Other than immune-mediated diseases, what is chlorambucil commonly used to treat?
humans: chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma
cats: treat low-grade T-cell lymphoma
Other than cutaneous diseases, which immune-mediated disease in cats is chlorambucil frequently used to treat?
inflammatory bowel disease
What is the mechanism of action of chlorambucil?
classified as an alkylating agent
converted into its active metabolite (phenylacetic) in the liver
alkylates a DNA molecule through covalent bonds
- Nucleophile: provides a pair of electron to form covalent bond
- Electrophile: accepts a pair of electron to form covalent bond
- Chlorambucil is a reactive electrophile
- Guanine is the most nucleophilic site (generous “donor”)
causes ‘unwanted’ cross-linking of DNA
- forming adducts at the guanine-N7 position
causes intrastrand cross-links or interstrand cross-links –> cell death
- interstrand cross-links are most cytotoxic = double-strand breaks
targets rapidly dividing cells (ex. lymphocytes most)
What is the onset of activity of chlorambucil?
slow-acting drug (it may take ≤2 weeks for its therapeutic effects)
What drugs should chlorambucil be used in caution with?
will potentiate other immunosuppressive/chemotherapeutic drugs (ex. vincristine, doxorubicin and cisplastin)
may lead to severe myelosuppression if used together
For which autoimmune dermatopathy is chlorambucil most commonly used in cats?
as an adjunct or steroid-sparing agent for the treatment of PF
What are some side effects of chlorambucil?
GI effects
cytotoxic myelosuppression 7–14 days after initiation of treatment
reversible myoclonus (in cats)
Fanconi syndrome (in cats)
Which alkylating agent can cause sterile hemorrhagic cystitis?
Cyclophosphamide
What is the mechanism of action of colchicine?
Not fully known but does the following:
1) inhibits activation of P2X2 and P2X7 receptors and further pro-inflammatory cascades without affecting cell death
2) inhibits (NALP3) inflammasome
3) inhibits the RhoA/ Rho effector kinase (ROCK) pathway via cytoskeleton rearrangement and thus the activation of caspase- 1 and downstream maturation and release of IL1β
4) inhibits release of various substances including ROS, NO and TNFα
5) irreversibly binds tubulin, thereby blocking microtubule polymerization and preventing leukocyte migration
*classified cytotoxic
What is the mechanism of action of mycophenolate mofetil?
pro-drug that is converted to mycophenolic acid (MPA)
inhibits the de novo formation of guanine nucleotides (a purine)
- MPA inhibits the function of IMPDH (necessary enzyme)
guanine can only be made through the salvage pathway
- lymphocytes only have the de novo pathway so are very affected
Other than decreasing proliferation of lymphocytes, what does mycophenolate mofetil do?
inhibit the proliferation of fibroblasts
inhibit expression of cytokines and co-stimulatory receptors
inhibit various adhesion molecules needed for leucocyte chemotaxis
What is the oral absorption of mycophenolate mofetil in dogs?
highly variable (max of 380 to 5040 ng/mL at 45 min after 10 mg/kg PO)
plasma concentration decreased by80% within eight hours of administration
- suggests relatively high clearance and short half-life
Why was mycophenolate mofetil considered potentially not safe in cats?
In humans (and dogs) elimination of MPA is mainly as the glucuronide conjugate
cats are deficient in the glucuronyl transferase enzymes responsible for this reaction
*but it is ok in cats, main metabolic route appears to be glucosidation
In humans, which drugs reduce the oral bioavailability of mycophenolate mofetil?
CsA, antacid drugs (e.g. omeprazole) and certain antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid)
For which variant of lupus erythematosus in dogs is mycophenolate most likely to be able to be used as monotherapy?
ECLE
marked improvement within three weeks
Why is there a variable response to oral MMF in dogs?
narrow therapeutic index and high inter- and intrapharmacokinetic variability
What is the mechanism of action of pentoxifylline?
Methylxanthine derivative
increases RBC flexibility by increasing ATP and cyclic nucleotide levels
- reduces blood viscosity
- enhance the ability of blood to flow
competitive phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE) so increases cAMP in peripheral vessels
inhibits thromboxane synthesis and increases prostacyclin synthesis
- results in reduced platelet aggregation and adhesion to vessel walls
exerts vasodilation in the skeletal muscle vascular bed
inhibits the leukocyte-derived free radicals
improves leukocyte deformability and chemotaxis
- depressed neutrophil degranulation
- decreased endothelial leukocyte adhesion
- lowered sensitivity of leukocytes to cytokines
stimulates fibroblasts
decreases production of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10
Increase collagenase production and decreasing synthesis of collagen, fibronectin and glycosaminoglycans
What are the mechanisms by which pentoxifylline may be useful in some animals with allergic and immune-mediated dermatoses?
decreased leukocyte responsiveness to IL-1 and TNF-a
decreased production of TNFa from macrophage
decreased production of IL-1, IL-4, and IL-12
inhibition of T- and B-lymphocyte activation
decreased natural killer cell activity
inhibit T-cell adherence to keratinocytes
Which drugs should be used with caution in combination with pentoxifylline?
quinolone and macrolide antibiotics (increased blood levels of pentox)
cimetidine (increased levels of pentoxifylline)
theophylline (increases theophylline levels)
blood thinners
With which comorbidities should pentoxifylline be used with caution?
seizures
renal insufficiency
liver insufficiency
brain/retinal bleeding
What is the time to steady state for prednisone/prednisolone?
4-5 days
What is the time to steady state for cyclosporine?
~4 weeks
What is the time to steady state for mycophenolate?
1-3 weeks
What is the time to steady state for azathioprine?
2 weeks
evidence that lymphocyte response is decreased within 7 days of therapy
What is the time to steady state for chlorambucil?
2 weeks
What are the members of the JAK family?
JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2
(can all form various pairings)
What have high doses of oclacitinib been shown to do in vitro?
reduced secretion of IL-2, IL-15, IL-18 and IFN-γ by lymphocytes
induce apoptosis of canine CD4+ and CD8+ T cells
prevented the generation of regulatory T cells and the production of IL-10
Why might JAK/STAT inhibitors be a good option for the treatment of canine cutaneous lupus erythematosus?
skin lesions transcriptome show strongly activated IFNαβ signaling via JAK–STAT with upregulation of CXCL10, ISG15 and S100
- CLE variants represent a form of interferonopathy
What is the mechanism of oclacitinib?
non-selective JAK inhibitor though highest affinity for JAK 1 and JAK 3
JAK can’t phosphorylate STAT so it can’t form a dimer and enter the nucleus
What is the mechanism of action of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors?
BTK is an important signaling protein that serves as a link between the BCR and B-cell proliferation and survival
also is expressed in many other cells of hematopoietic origin but not T cells
inhibits many signaling cascades downstream of BCR binding, including the PI3K-ALT pathway, PLC, PKC and NFκB
What is human intravenous immunoglobulin?
purified product of pooled human plasma from multiple healthy donors
90% of hIVIg is purified IgG (trace other immunoglobulins)
used for its ability to regulate the immune system, inhibit phagocytosis, and
decrease tissue damage
What are the mechanisms of action of human intravenous immunoglobulin?
Fc receptor blockade
autoantibody elimination
cytokine modulation
complement inhibition
Fas–Fas ligand blockade
How does the mechanism of tacrolimus differ from that of cyclosporine?
tacrolimus binds to FK506 binding protein, which then suppresses the activation of the NFAT pathway and inhibits early activation of T cells
What is the mechanism of action of amoxicillin?
Bactericidal
Time dependent
Inhibits the biosynthesis and repair of the bacterial mucopeptide wall
What is the mechanism of action of Clavamox?
Bactericidal
Time dependent
Clavalanic acid is a b-lactamase inhibitor
Amoxicillin inhibits the biosynthesis and repair of the bacterial mucopeptide wall
What is the mechanism of action of cephalexin?
1st generation cephalosporin
Bactericidal
Time dependent
utilizes its beta-lactam ring to inhibit the synthesis of peptidoglycan
- binds to/inactivates penicillin-binding proteins (PBP)
- on the inner membrane of the bacterial cell wall
What is the binding site of b-lactams?
Unstable, 4 member beta-lactam ring
Have two adjacent rings with subclasses:
- Penicillin
- Cephalosporine
What is the basic cell wall of bacteria?
Peptidoglycans layers
- Repeating disaccharide units
Cross-bridging of pentapeptides
- Provides rigidity
- D-ala-D-alanine is normal substrate for cross-link
- Catalyzed by transpeptidase enzymes
–>“Penicillin Binding Proteins”
How to b-lactams work in general?
Target: transpeptidase enzyme (mimicked by b-lactam)
- 9 different penicillin binding proteins
- Terminal D-ala-D-alanine pentapeptide substrate
Causes:
- Instability (autolysins contribute to instability)
- Cell wall becomes permeable –> osmotic lysis and cell death
What category of antibiotics are b-lactams?
Time-dependent
Bactericidal
Which organisms have inherent resistance to b-lactams?
Cell wall-deficient microbes
- Mycoplasma, Chlamydia (most)
Those with b-lactamases
Those with mecA genes
Describe concentration (dose)-dependent antibiotics.
Irreversible effects
High concentrations to assure all targets impacted
Increase dose
- Cmax:MIC 10 to 12 X MIC
Generally once daily therapy
Generally excellent postantibiotic effect
- Gram negative > gram positive
- Aminoglycosides, Fluoroquinolones
Describe time-dependent antibiotics.
Reversible effects
- Minimal post antibiotic effect
Drug must be present
Goal: T>MIC
- Most of dosing interval
- T>MIC 50-100%
- Shorten dosing interval
- Cell wall drugs (b-lactams, vancomycin)
- “Static” drugs
- Potentiated Sulfonamides
What are the natural b-lactams?
Penicillin
Works best on:
- Gram +
- Anaerobes
- “Easy” G-
What are the semi-synthetic b-lactams?
Ampicillin
Amoxicillin
Work against:
- Gram-positive
- Gram-negative (E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus)
- Anaerobes
- With or without clavulanic acid
What are the extended-spectrum penicillins?
Semi-synthetic penicillins
Ticarcillin
Carbenicillin
Piperacillin
Works against:
- same as other penicillins
- Addition of virulent Gram –
- Pseudomonas
- Serratia, Enterobacter
- With or without clavulanic acid
How does the bactericidal activity of cephalosporins compare to that of penicillins?
Cephalosporins are:
More resistant to penicillinase
Better against gram positive
- Staphylococcus
Less effective toward anaerobes
What are the 1st generation cephalosporins?
Cephalexin
Cefazolin
- Cefazolin > cephalexin for E. coli
What are the 3rd generation cephalosporins?
Ceftiofur
Cefovecin
Cefpodoxime
Ceftazidime
Cefotoxime
What are the mechanisms of b-lactam resistance?
Beta-lactamases
- Destruction of ring
- Drug inactivated
Failed delivery to PBP
- Decreased porins
- Efflux pumps
Altered PBPs due to mutations
- Failed drug binding
- PBP-2 (mec gene)
- others
How can genes related to b-lactamases be acquired by bacteria?
Mutational and plasmid-mediated
Where are b-lactamases expressed?
Periplasmic space and cell wall
What is New Dehli metallo-betalactamase (NDM-1)?
carbapenemase beta-lactamase
- hydrolyzes and inactivates these carbapenem antibiotics (and all others)
What is the elimination of b-lactams like?
Renal excretion
- Active tubular secretion
- 1 to 2 hr half-life
–> 90% of drug gone in 3-6 hr
- Exceptions
–> Ceftiofur (4-5 h)
–> Cefpodoxime (4-5 H0
–> Cefovecin (120 h)
Occasional hepatic metabolism
- Ceftiofur (produces active metabolites)
What are the side effects of b-lactams?
Rare except for hypersensitivity
- No cell wall = no target
Hypersensitivity (allergy)
- Haptens
- Type I hypersensitivity
–> Penicillins> cephalosporins
–> Risk in humans impacts withdrawal
Electrolyte (anionic) imbalance
- K+ (hyperkalemia)
- Na+ (cardiac disease)
What are some considerations of b-lactams in large aminals?
Withdrawal issues
- 10% of humans allergic to penicillins
–> Restrictions vary with drug and state
–> Preparation specific
–> Slow > regular release
- Dressing loss
- Milk residues
- ELDU of cephalosporins prohibited (very limited exception)
Absorption with intrauterine infusion
Potassium Penicillin G:
- Less expensive (large animal)
- Caution with K+ overload
How do antihistamines interact with the H1 receptor?
inverse agonists
bind to and stabilize the inactive form of H1R
act quickly
What are the pharmacologic effects of antihistamines other than preventing histamine activity?
prevent the release of mediators from mast cells and basophils
- inhibit the formation of Ca ion channels
inhibit eosinophil migration