phys pharm - Circulation & Peripheral CV Flashcards
Function of vascular system:
to supply oxygenated blood and nutrients to tissues and remove waste products
Circulation:
Consists of a pump (heart) and tubes (the vessels and capillaries)
Blood flow to each tissue is regulated by local chemical and general neuronal and humoral mechanisms
Blood vessels have 3 layers:
- connective tissue adventitia
- smooth muscle layer
- endothelium
Capillaries:
Capillaries made from endothelial cells (single cell thick)
oxygen and nutrients enter the interstitial fluid and carbon dioxide and waste products enter the bloodstream
transport across capillaries:
- diffusion of lipid soluble substances through plasma membranes
- diffusion of lipid insoluble substances through endothelial pores
- bulk flow of water and dissolved substances
- exocytosis / endocytosis
the blood brain barrier:
Acidic dyes e.g. trypan blue injected into bloodstream all tissues except brain and spinal cord were stained.
Barrier is the endothelium of the cerebral capillaries and the choroids plexus epithelium
Only water, CO2 and O2 enter the brain with ease with the exchange of other substances between blood and brain is slow.
Helps to maintain a constant environment around the neurons.
Lymphatics:
Lymphatics drain into subclavian and jugular veins
Lymphatics act as a filter at the lymph nodes (packed with lymphocytes and phagocytes) and remove foreign particles such as bacteria
= an important component of body’s defences.
Oedema =
block of lymph flow, so protein from capillaries builds up in interstitial spaces, and promotes water retention
- may result from injury, inflamation, parasitic infection or surgery.
Blood pressure:
systolic – force of the heart
diastolic – basal BP in the system
normal young adult at rest 120 systolic /70 mm Hg diastolic
rises slowly with age and with 50-70 yr. old expected 130/80
hypertension:
high blood pressure
diastolic arterial BP > 90 mmHg
increased risk of other diseases, e.g. heart attack and stroke
primary hypertension = no apparent cause but associated with genetics, obesity, alcohol, lack of exercise and smoking
secondary hypertension = caused by renovascular disease or endocrine disease (e.g. tumour of adrenal - secretes excessive adrenaline)
factors regulating blood pressure:
1) Changes in cardiac output
2) Peripheral mechanisms involved in control of blood flow
Main classes of regulation (non-cardiac)…
1) Drugs that affect the sympathetic nervous system/muscle contraction
2) Endothelium/local regulation
3) The renin-angiotensin system
4) Changes in blood volume
Neuronal control of blood pressure:
Detection of blood pressure by baroreceptors in aortic arch and carotid sinus
=Increase in pressure = increases in baroreceptor output
Changes in baroreceptor activity produce RECIPROCAL changes sympathetic activity
Increased baroreceptor activity – decreased sympathetic activity
Decreased baroreceptor activity – increased sympathetic activity
3 sites of action to block artery contraction:
(i) block NA release from sympathetic nerve varicosities
(ii) adrenoceptor antagonists that act on α1-adrenoceptor (Gαq) receptors
(iii) effects on calcium = no contraction
Adrenergic neuron blockers: Reserpine…
Reserpine an alkaloid extract of the roots of a climbing shrub
Reserpine is taken into nerve by uptake 1 and binds to storage
vesicles and stops them concentrating NA so less NA for release
