Pharmacology Flashcards
what does stimulation of post-ganglionic cholinergic fibres cause? (2)
(Parasympathetic)
1) bronchial smooth muscle contraction
2) increased mucus secretion
what is bronchial smooth muscle contraction mediated by?
Para
- M3 muscarinic ACh receptors on airway smooth muscle cells
what is mucus secretion mediated by?
para
- M3 muscarinic ACh receptors on gland (goblet) cells
what does stimulation of post-ganglionic non-cholinergic fibres cause?
(parasympathetic)
1) bronchial smooth muscle relaxation
what is bronchial smooth muscle relaxation mediated by?
- nitric oxide & vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)
since there is no innervation of bronchial smooth muscle in the SYMPATHETIC division, what mechanism is used to alleviate asthma symptoms?
- post-ganglionic fibres supply sub-mucosal glands and smooth muscle of blood vessels
In the sympathetic division, what brings about bronchial smooth muscle relaxation via B2-adrenoceptors on ASM cells?
- activation by release of adrenaline from adrenal gland
In the sympathetic division, what is the result of stimulated B2-adrenoreceptors? (3)
1) Bronchial smooth muscle relaxation
2) Decreased mucous secretion (on gland (goblet) cells)
3) Increased mucociliary clearance (on epithelial cells)
In the sympathetic division, what is the result of stimulated Alpha-1 adrenoceptors?
- vascular smooth muscle contraction
describe how contraction of Airway smooth muscle occurs due to transmitters (proteins or hormones)?
1) activation of G-protein coupled receptor via a transmitter (hormone or protein)
(transmitter is cholinergic transmitter = parasympathetic)
(G-protein is specific = GQ/11)
(activated GQ/11 activated phospholipase C = PLC)
(PLC generates this intracellular signals IP3)
2) generates an intracellular signal IP3
3) IP3 carries signal to an IP3 receptor
4) mediates calcium release
describe how contraction in airway smooth muscle when initiated by calcium.
1) Ca binds to calmodulin (calcum compound)
2) this compound then activates a kinase = Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)
3) active MLCK phosphorylates a myosin cross bridge
(by hydrolysing an ATP, yielding an inorganic phosphate which is transferred to the inactivemyosin cross bridge)
4) the cross bridge glides across actin, causing contraction
since contraction of ASM results from phosphorylation of myosin light chain cross bridge due to presence of Ca, how does RELAXATION of ASM occur?
= DEPHOSPHORLYATION of MLC by myosin phosphatase
what happens to the rates of de/phosphorylation in the presence of elevated intracellular calcium
phosphorylation exceeds dephos…
what does relaxation require in terms of intracellular Ca2+ concentration to basal level and how is it achieved?
1) requires return of Ca2+ concentration to a basal level
2) achieved by active transport
what is the activity of myosin light chain kinase and myosin phosphatase dependent on?
= extracellular signals
- e.g. adrenaline activating B2-adrenoceptors
what 5 pathological changes occur to the bronchioles in chronic asthma as a result of long standing inflammation.
1) increased mass of smooth muscle
- hyperplasia & hypertrophy
2) accumulation of interstitial fluid
- oedema
3) increased secretion of mucus
4) epithelial damage
- exposing sensory nerve endings
5) sub-epithelial fibrosis
what effect does airway narrowing by inflammation & broncho-constriction have on FEV1 & PEFR?
- airway resistance causing deceased FEV1 & PEFR
what are the 2 components in bronchial hyper-responsiveness in asthma?
1) hypersensitivity
2) hypereactivity
what 2 factors cause hypersensitivity & hyperactivity in bronchial hyper-responsiveness in asthma.
1) epithelial damage
2) exposing sensory nerve endings
= contributing to increased sensitivity of the airways to broncho-constrictor influences
what type of hypersensitivity correlates to the early phase of an asthma attack?
- bronchospasm & acute inflammation
type I hypersensitivity
what type of hypersensitivity correlates to the late phase of an asthma attack?
- bronchospasm & delayed inflammation
type IV hypersensitivity
in non-atopic individuals, in response to an allergen & phagocytosis by antigen presenting cells, describe the response.
- low level TH1 response
- cell mediated immune repose involved IgG & macrophages
in atopic individuals, in response to an allergen & phagocytosis by antigen presenting cells, describe the response.
- strong TH2 response
- antibody mediated immune response
- involving IgE
in the development of asthma, what does the initial presentation of an antigen innate?
- an ADAPTIVE immune response
describe the induction phase of the adaptive immune response that leads to allergic asthma.
1) antigen presentation
2) CD4+ T cells colonise into THO cells
3) THO cells differentiate into TH1 or TH2 cells
4) TH2 cells activate B cells with the help of IL-4
5) activated B cells mature plasma cells which secrete IgE
what do eosinophils differentiate & activate in response to?
in response to IL5, released from TH2 cells
what do the mast cells in airway tissue express IgE receptors in response to?
in response to IL4 and IL13, released from TH2 cells
after the TH2 lymphocyte activation, what does the cross link IgE receptors stimulate?
stimulate;
- calcium entry into mast cells
- release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores
what does entry and release of Ca2+ evoke?
2
1) release of secretary granules containing performed histamine & production & release of other agents
- e.g. leukotrienes, LTC4 & LTD4) causing ASM contraction
2) release of substances that attract cells that cause inflammation into the area
what are the 2 phases of an asthma attack?
1) immediate
2) late phase
what are the products of mast cell and mononuclear cells that result in broncho-spasms & early inflammation in the IMMEDIATE PHASE ASTHMA ATTACK.
1) spasmogens
2) CysLTs
3) histamine
what is produced by mast cells and mono nuclear cells in the immediate phase that evokes the late/delayed phase
1) cytokines
2) chemotaxis
what inflammatory cells in particular is activated in the LATE PHASE ASTHMA ATTACK
eosinophils
What 4 pathological things happen in the late phase of an asthma attack?
1) epithelial damage
2) airway inflammation
3) airway hyper responsiveness
4) bronchospasm, wheezing, mucus over-secretion & cough
what are the 2 categories of drugs used to treat asthma?
1) relievers
2) controllers
- what do delivers do?
- give 3 examples of relievers
= bronchodilators
1) short acting B2 adrenoceptors agonists (SABAs)
2) long acting B2 adrenoceptors agonists
(LABAs)
3) CysLT1 receptor antagonists
- what do controllers do?
- give 3 examples of controllers?
= inflammatory agents that reduce airway inflammation
1) glucocorticoids
2) cromoglicate
3) humanised monoclonal IgE antibodies
explain how B2 adrenoceptor agonists treat asthma as bronchodilators.
- act as physiological antagonists of all spasmogens
(substances that induce spasms) - causes ASM reaction via formation of protein kinase A
- this phosphorylates MLCK & myosin phosphatase
- reduces intracellular Ca conc & activates potassium channels
what should be used to treat an acute asthma attack?
= relievers
= B2 adrenoceptor agonists
give 2 examples of a SABA
1) salbutamol
2) terbutaline
what are SABAs used to treat?
mild intermittent asthma
how are SABAs usually administered?
via inhalation
describe SABAs acting time?
- they act rapidly to relax bronchial smooth muscle
- maximum effect within 30minutes
- relaxation persists fo 3-5hours
what are the few adverse effects of SABAs when administered by the inhalation route?
- unwanted systemic absorption
- few adverse effects;
e. g. finne tremors, tachycardia, cardiac dysrhythmia
give 2 examples of LABAs
1) salmeterol
2) formoterol
what are LABAs not recommended for and what are they useful for?
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR;
- acute relief bronchospasm
USEFUL FOR;
- nocturnal asthma (last 8 hours)
describe how LABAs should be used?
- NOT as mono therapy
- but as an add-on therapy, always co-administered with a glucocorticoid
give 2 examples of CysLT1 receptor antagonists.
1) montelukast
2) zafirlukast
what are CysLTs derived from and what do they cause?
- derived from mast cells & infiltrating inflammatory cells
- they cause smooth muscle contraction, mucus secretion & oedema
how do CysLT1s receptor antagonists work?
- act competitively at the CysLT1 receptor
- therefore, relaxing bronchial smooth muscle
how are CysLT1 receptor antagonists administered?
ORALLY
should CysLT1 receptor antagonists be used as a mono therapy or as an add-on therapy.
- are effective as add on therapy against early & late bronchospasm in mild persistent asthma & in combination with other medication, including inhaled corticosteroids
what are 2 possible side effects of CysLT1 receptor antagonists?
1) headache
2) GI upset
- but are generally well tolerated
what are CysLT1 receptor antagonists not recommended for?
not recommended for acute severe asthma
give 2 examples of Xanthinens.
1) theophylline
2) aminophylline