Pharmacology Flashcards
Autacoids
Local hormones- released from cells to have effects on other cells locally. Ex) histamine and serotonin; endogenous peptides such as ANG and bradykinin; eicosanoids (products of fatty acid oxygenation) e.g. PG
Why are autacoids important?
Mediators of inflammatory process
Where is the histamine?
Mast cell pool (packed with preformed granules of histamine waiting to be released- massive release of histamine at once) * basophils- “circulating mast cells” AND non mast cell pool- gastric mucosa- enterochromafin cells. (continuously producing histamine)- also a range other tissues in the body and released for a range of functions.
H1
Vasodilation, increased vascular permeability- locally. Contraction of most smooth muscle (other than vasc). (Broncho-constriction occurs when histamine binds to H1 receptors in the airways). Histamine sensitizes nerve endings to pain and promotes itch. When histamine release occurs systemically, a fall in blood pressure and blood volume may occur.
H2
Gastric acid secretion, cardiac function: increased force and rate. Control of acid secretion. Binding of histamine to H2 receptors in the heart increases the rate and force of cardiac contraction, and in the stomach increases acid secretion. Histamine in the CNS is associated with wakefulness.
H3
CNS
H1 antagonist
Anti allergy, first generation and second generation, (cardiac side effects). Used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as bites and stings nad hives and hay fever. H1 receptor antagonists cross the blood brain barrier and cause sedation. This is a limiting side effect in their use for conditions such as hay fever and eczema. Second generation antagonsits have been developed that are less lipid soluble and therefore do not cross the BBB and are non-sedating. In animals, sedating effects can be useful- such as the animal does not scratch and inflict self trauma that further excacerbates the inflammatory conditon.
H2 antagonists
Treatment of gastric ulceration, hepatic metabolism
H3 antagonists
CNS side effects (phenotiazine derivatives)
First and second generation antihistamines
Capacity of the drug to cross the blood brain barrier (its lipid solubility)- second generation is less lipid soluble therefore sedation less likely
Chlorpheniramine, prochlorperazine, promethazine- veterinary examples of what? Are they first or second generation? What does that mean?
H1 antagonists, anti allergy drugs, first generation- therefore lipid soluble- therefore will bind to H3 receptors and cause drowsiness
Where is serotonin located?
GI tract (enterochromaffin cells and enteric neurones), platelets, and CNS
How do you increase the amount of serotonin in circulation?
SSRIs. Which block the breakdown of serotonin.
Physiological and pathophysiological roles of serotonin CNS & periphery
Many- CNS- appetite, mood, sleep, pain, perception, vomiting Periphery- smooth muscle contraction, gut, uterus, vascular +/- platelet aggregation, nociceptor activation
Eicosanoids
Products of fatty acid oxygenation (i.e. result of cell membrane turnover or breakdown), not stored pre-formed in tissue or cells, very short half lives, implicated in control of many physiological processes, major role in inflammation. They include prostaglandins, thromboxane, and leukotrienes. In contrast to other autacoids, they are not found preformed in tissues or cells- they are formed de novo from cell membrane phospholipid and have very short half lives- seconds to minutes. All eicosanoid receptors are G protein coupled receptors. Through second messenger pathways they produce a range of responses in many different tissue types.
Generation of eicosanoids slide
Early step in inflammatory process

Prostanoids (name them and what are they)
Products of the enzyme fatty acid cyclo-oxygenase
A number of different prostanoids are produced in different tissues.
The inflammatory response is always accompanied by the release of prostanoids- PGE2 and PGI2. Mast cells release PGD2, PGE2, PGI2, and PGD2- are all potent vasodilators- so contribute to increased blood flow and the redness of acute inflammation.
The prostainoids also potentiate the effect of bradykinin in sensitizing nerve endings to pain and the PGE series are involved in production of fever and the hypothalamic regulation of body temperature.
Prostanoids also important through normal homeostasis. Formation of prostaglandins mediated by consititutive form of COX have an imp. role in maintaining blood flow to organs and tissues. Some have antiaggregatory effects (PGI2) on platelets, thromboxane promotes activation and adhesion of platelets.
They also control gastric acid release, and like histamine, they sensitize nerve endings to pain.
Prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, prostacyclin
Eicosanoids in inflammation

Arachidonic acid pathway and the formation of eicosanoids

COX 1 Constitutive
One form of Cyclo-oxygenase. Prostainoids are the products of this pathway. COX 1 Constitutive- Present in most cells, including platelets, and expressed most of the time. Involved in homeostasis and normal physiological functions. Present in several organ e.g. blood vessels of kidney, gut, and heart
** Inhibition of COX 2 is mainly responsible for the therapeutic effects of NSAIDs in relieving pain and inflammation, while characteristic side effects of NSAIDs are caused by suppression of COX-1**
COX 2 Inducible
An induced enzyme, responsible for prostanoid production in inflammatory cells in response to injury and inflammation. Expression of COX 2 is induced by inflammatory mediators e.g. interleukin 1 and endotoxins. Induced in inflammatory cells in response to inflammation (vs. COX 1 which is expressed all the time)
** Inhibition of COX 2 is mainly responsible for the therapeutic effects of NSAIDs in relieving pain and inflammation, while characteristic side effects of NSAIDs are caused by suppression of COX-1**
Biological action of Prostacyclin PGI2
Predominantly from vascular endothelium, vasodilation, inhibition of platelet aggregation
Biological actions of the prostanoids- PGD2
Predominantly from mast cells, vasodilation, inhibition of platelet aggregation
What is the limiting factor often in NSAIDs?
Side effects




