Pharmacology of ANS Flashcards
What is the purpose of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
To optimize distribution of resources while the body performs different tasks. This must be done EFFECITVELY and WITHOUT thinking (no CNS, tho CNS does innervate).
Which organs are innvervated by the ANS?
ALL
What are the two branches of the ANS?
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
- Alertness
- Fight or Flight
- Spend energy
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
- Restore energy
- Rest and Digest
How does the ANS regulate organ function?
Via release of neurotransmitters that bind to unique receptors on organs
What is the significance of the way the ANS regulates organ function?
We can manipulate the organs by using synthetic chemicals that use autonomic mechanisms (eg, receptor agonists and antagonists)
What are nerves?
Bundles of hundreds of axons and/or dendrites
How to ANS synapses work in general?
- AP propagated down presynaptic axon
- AP arrival at terminal induced Ca channels to open so there is an influx on Ca into the cell
- Ca induces exocytotic release of vesicles with NT
- NT travels across cleft to bind to receptor on post synaptic cell, inducing a function in target cell
- NT in cleft needs to be removed so effect on target cell can end: either degraded or reuptaken
- NT is brought back in some way to presynaptic and recycled
- NT is repackaged into vesicles for next AP
What is the function of presynaptic or prejunctional receptors?
Inhibit release of NT vesicles via a negative feedback loop
How are enzymes used with NTs?
- Synthesis
- Packaging
- Storage
- Release
- Degradation/reuptake
What types of NT receptors are there in the ANS?
- Sympathetic: Adrenergic - Alpha and Beta
- Parasympathetic: Cholinergic - Nicotinic and Muscarinic
What are some characteristics of receptors in the ANS?
- Different downstream biochemistry
- Distinct localization (expressing) in tissues/within cells
- Different subtypes have different localization in body
What role do organs play in ANS pharmacology?
Systems enact a systemic response, which can be normal or pathologic
What role do receptors play in ANS pharmacology?
- Functions via downstream signaling.
- Receptor localization
What role do drugs play in ANS pharmacology?
- Mechanism of action: agonist, antagonist, or other
- What is the effect of the natural NT?
- Many drugs
- Side effects
- Pharacodynamics/Pharmacokinetics
How do drugs interest with receptors?
Receptor molecules can exist in several conformations, which drugs can stabilize.
How can an inverse agonist affect a receptor?
Lessen or negate a response
How does an antagonist affect a receptor?
Decrease response or negate, depending on basal activity
How does a partial agonist affect a receptor?
Partial response
How does a fill agonist affect a receptor?
Full response
How do receptors regulate cellular functions?
- Receptor on plasma membrane facing outside
- Drug binds to receptor
- Inactive GDP-bound Protein is converted to active GTP-bound protein
- Effector inside cell influences second messenger
Receptor desensitization
Prolonged stimulation leads to GPCR desensitization via phosphorylation by GRK (G protein-coupled Receptor Kinase)
Receptor internalization
After phosphorylation of receptor due to prolonged stimulation, receptor can be internalized: becomes part of internal vesicle. Will stay there until stimulation stops.
Signaling “From Within”
There is evidence that GPCRs continue functioning once internalized, so can signal from within.
Downstream Effects of G protein coupling
- Second messengers activate protein kinases
- Phosphorylation of substrates in cells
- Function of substrates changes
How does the ANS maintain homeostasis?
For all biological parameters, there is a normal level that can increase with activation or decrease with inactivation.
These changes are influenced in two ways by ANS:
- Molecularly: NT release/re-uptake, presynaptic inhibition, receptor activation/desensitization
- Physiologically: Maintains balance by sending on/off signals via reflexes
Function of Ganglia in ANS
- All pre-ganglionic secreta ACh
- Post-ganglionic:
- Parasympathetic: ACh
- Sympathetic: NE
What is the effect on ANS of drugs than target ACh?
Since ACh is used widely in ANS, its lack of specificity will cause changes across the system.
ANS reflexes in circulatory system
- Heart pumps blood through blood vessels
- Blood vessel tone changes in response
- In response, Heart pumping changes
What influences changes in heart pumping?
- Vascular resistance
- Heart rate and force
- Blood volume
ANS Regulation of Blood Pressue
- Baroreceptor measures BP, sending info to vasomotor center in CNS
- CNS sends instructions to PNS and SNS
- PNS and SNS response
- PNS: affect heart rate –> Cardiac output –> pressure
- SNS: affect multiple parts
- Vascular resistance (smooth muscle) –> pressure
- Heart rate –> cardiac output –> pressure
- Contractile force –> stroke volume –> cardiac output –> pressure
- Venous tone –> venous return –> stroke volume –> cardiac output –> pressure
What is the purpose of autonomic reflexes?
Explains how several organs respond to a change in blood pressure in an organized manner: Once an order arrives, ANS executes it in an organized manner, engaging all organs.
ANS Reflexes in the eye
- ANS controls flow of humor, which maintains shape of eye
2. Smooth muscles in pupil control diameter
ANS regulation of the eye: parasympathetic
Pupil contraction via muscarinic ACh receptor:
- Decrease humor secretor
- Contraction of ciliary muscles
- Focus for near vision
- Open canal of Schlemm
- Reduce intraocular pressure
ANS regulation of the eye: sympathetic
Pupil Dilation via alpha adrenergic receptor:
- Increase humor secretion to increase intraocular pressure
- Sharper focus on distant objects –> fight or flight
M1 receptor
NT: Cholinergic Type: muscarinic Sub-type: 1 Location: Nerve endings Mechanism: Gq-coupled Major Functions: inc IP3, DAG cascade
M2 receptor
NT: cholinergic Type: muscarinic Sub-type: 2 Location: heart, some nerve endings Mechanism: Gi-coupled Major Functions: dec cAMP, activate K+ channels
M3 receptor
NT: cholinergic Type: muscarinic Sub-type: 1 Location: effector cells - smooth muscle, glands, endothelium Mechanism: Gq-coupled Major Functions: inc IP3, DAG cascase
Nn receptor
NT: cholinergic Type: nicotinic Sub-type: N Location: ANS ganglia Mechanism: Na-K ion channel Major Functions: depolarizes, evoke AP
Nm receptor
NT: cholinergic Type: nicotinic Sub-type: M Location: neuromuscular end plate Mechanism: Na-K ion channel Major Functions: depolarizes, evoke AP
Alpha 1 receptor
NT: adrenergic - ACh
Type: alpha
Sub-type: 1
Location: effector tissues - smooth muscle, glands
G protein: Gq
2nd Messenger: inc IP3, DAG
Major Functions: inc Ca –> causes contract, secretion
Alpha 2 receptor
NT: adrenergic - ACh
Type: alpha
Sub-type: 2
Location: nerve endings, some smooth muscle
G protein: Gi
2nd Messenger: dec cAMP
Major Functions: dec NT release (nerves) –> causes contract (muscle)
Beta 1 receptor
NT: adrenergic - ACh
Type: Beta
Sub-type: 1
Location: cardiac muscle, juxtaglomerular apparatus
G protein: Gs
2nd Messenger: inc cAMP
Major Functions: inc heart rate/force; inc renin release
Beta 2 receptor
NT: adrenergic - ACh Type: beta Sub-type: 2 Location: smooth muscle, liver, heart G protein: Gs 2nd Messenger: inc cAMP Major Functions: relax smooth muscle; inc glycogenolysis; inc heart rate/force
Beta 3 receptor
NT: adrenergic - ACh Type: beta Sub-type: 3 Location: adipose cells G protein: Gs 2nd Messenger: inc cAMP Major Functions: inc lipolysis
Dopamine 1 receptor
NT: adrenergic - dopamine Type: dopamine Sub-type: 1 Location: smooth muscle G protein: Gs 2nd Messenger: cAMP Major Functions: Relax renal vascular smooth muscle
ANS effect on:
Radial muscle of iris (eye)
Sympathetic
- Action: Contracts
- Receptor: alpha 1
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
ANS effect on:
Circular muscle of iris (eye)
Sympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
Parasympathetic
- Action: contracts
- Receptor: M3
ANS effect on: Ciliary muscle (eye)
Sympathetic
- Action: relaxes
- Receptor: beta
Parasympathetic
- Action: contracts
- Receptor: M3
ANS effect on: SA node (heart)
Sympathetic
- Action: accelerates
- Receptor: beta 1 and 2
Parasympathetic
- Action: decelerated
- Receptor: M2
ANS effect on: Ectopic pacemakers (heart)
Sympathetic
- Action: accelerates
- Receptor: beta 1 and 2
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
ANS effect on:
Contractility (heart)
Sympathetic
- Action: increases
- Receptor: beta 1 and 2
Parasympathetic
- Action: decreases
- Receptor: M2
ANS effect on:
Skin, splanchnic vessels
Sympathetic
- Action: contracts
- Receptor: alpha
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
ANS effect on:
Skeletal muscle vessels
Sympathetic
- Action: relaxes or contracts
- Receptor: beta 2 or alpha
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
ANS effect on:
Bronchiolar smooth muscle
Sympathetic
- Action: relaxes
- Receptor: beta 2
Parasympathetic
- Action: contracts
- Receptor: m3
ANS effect on:
Smooth muscle walls (GI)
Sympathetic
- Action: relaxes
- Receptor: beta 2
Parasympathetic
- Action: contracts
- Receptor: m3
ANS effect on:
Smooth muscle sphincters (GI)
Sympathetic
- Action: contracts
- Receptor: alpha 1
Parasympathetic
- Action: relaxes
- Receptor: m3
ANS effect on:
Secretion (GI)
Sympathetic
- Action: inhibits
- Receptor: alpha 2
Parasympathetic
- Action: increases
- Receptor: m3
ANS effect on: Myenteric plexus (GI)
Sympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
Parasympathetic
- Action: activates
- Receptor: m1
ANS effect on:
Bladder wall
Sympathetic
- Action: relaxes
- Receptor: beta 2
Parasympathetic
- Action: contracts
- Receptor: m3
ANS effect on:
Sphincter (uro)
Sympathetic
- Action: contracts
- Receptor: alpha1
Parasympathetic
- Action: relaxes
- Receptor: m3
ANS effect on:
Uterus, pregnant
Sympathetic
- Action: relaxes or contracts
- Receptor: beta 2 or alpha
Parasympathetic
- Action: contracts
- Receptor: m3
ANS effect on:
Penis, seminal vesicles
Sympathetic
- Action: ejaculation
- Receptor: alpha
Parasympathetic
- Action: erection
- Receptor: m
ANS effect on:
Pilomotor smooth muscle (skin)
Sympathetic
- Action: contracts
- Receptor: alpha
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
ANS effect on:
Thermo sweat glands (skin)
Sympathetic
- Action: increases
- Receptor: m
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
ANS effect on:
Apocrine/Stress sweat glands (Skin)
Sympathetic
- Action: increases
- Receptor: alpha
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
ANS effect on:
Liver
Sympathetic
- Action: gluconeogenesis or glycogenolysis
- Receptor: alpha and beta 2
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
ANS effect on:
Fatcells
Sympathetic
- Action: lipolysis
- Receptor: beta 3
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
ANS effect on:
Kidney
Sympathetic
- Action: renin release
- Receptor: beta 1
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
ANS effect on:
Sympathetic nerve endings
Sympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
Parasympathetic
- Action: decreases. NE release
- Receptor: M
ANS effect on:
Parasympathetic nerve endings
Sympathetic
- Action: decreases ACh release
- Receptor: alpha
Parasympathetic
- Action: none
- Receptor: none
In fight or flight, sympathetic nerves inc the ___ (firing rate) to release more norepinephrine
Tone
Norepinephrine activates ___ receptors.
Adrenergic
Modes of indirect action on adrenergic receptors
Influencing NT:
- Synthesis
- Degradation
- Transport
What is sympathetic tone?
Rate of SANS firing
Which organs respond to flight-or-flight?
- Cardio: heart and different vessels
- Lungs: airway smooth muscle
- Eye
Norepinephrine is released by the ___ throughout the body.
Nerves