Pharmacology of the NMJ Flashcards
what are the three ways to block neuromuscular transmission
presynaptically, by inhibiting ACh synthesis
-rate-limiting step is choline uptake
presynpatically, by inhibiting ACh release
Postsynaptically
- by interfering with the actions of ACh on the receptor
What are the ways of blocking ACh release
Local anaesthetics
General inhalation anaesthetics
Inhibitors/competitors of calcium
- magnesium ions (compete with calcium)
- some antibiotics (bind to ca2+)(ahminoglycosides (gentamicin) and tetracycline)
Neurotoxins
- botulinum toxin (clostridium botulinum)
- beta bungarotoxin (botox, stops the triggering of ACh)
Name some clinical uses of neuromuscular blocking drugs
endotracheal intubation
During surgical procedures
- to allow surgical access to abdominal cavity
- to ensure immobility
- allow relaxation to reduce displaced fracture or dislocation
- decrease in concentration of general anaesthetic needed
Infrequently used in intensive care
- mechanical ventilation at extremes of hypoxia
During electroconvulsive therapy
what is the structure of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
found in the NMJ but also in the brain and autonomic nervous system.
has a central pore of 0.7nm in diameter
two alpha helices forming the gate
two ACh receptors
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist
this causes ACh to bind and causes a conformational change but then eventually leads to loss of control
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist
This channel is simply closed
what is the action of non-depolarising blockers = competitive antagonists of Nicotinic ACh receptors at the NMJ
TUBOCURARINE
prevents ACh binding to receptor by occupying site
Decreases the motor end plate potential (EPP)
decreases depolarisation of the motor end plate region
No activation of the muscle potential
What is the action of depolarising blockers = agonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at the NMJJ = NOT METABALISED BY ACETYLCHOLINE ESTERASE
SUXAMETHONIUM
This initially causes a twitch due to a small AP which immediately goes away so does cause an initial conformational change.
Persistent depolarisation of the motor endplate
prolonged EPP
Prolonged depolarisation of the muscle membrane
Membrane potential above the threshold for the resting of the voltage-gated sodium channels
sodium channels remain refractory
no more muscle action potentials generated
Phase 1, in a depolarising block
Phase 1:
muscle fasciculations observed, then blocked
depolarisation inhibited (K+ leaks from the cells as sodium enters (hyperkalemia)
voltage gated na+ channels kept inactivated
Phase 2, in a depolarising block
prolonged/increased exposure to drug
‘desensitisation blockade’ - tissue desensitisation due to prolonged exposure -depolarisation cannot occur, even in the absence of the drug
the side effects of non-depolarising blockers
normally result in tachycardia responses and hypotension (AM) which leads to bronchospasm due to histamine release
the side effects of depolarising blockers include
brachycardia cardiac dysrhythmias raised intraocular pressure postoperative myalgia - feeling of flu or space malignant hyperthermia
What blocker can be used for ester hydrolysis and Hofmann elimination
atracurium
what blockers can be used for plasma cholinesterases
these provide a prolonged block
- mivacurium
- suxamethonium
what blockers can be used for hepatic metabolism
pancuronium
vecuronium