Respiratory Flashcards
Conducting airways
Responsible for bulk airflow (from nose/mouth to airway system)
Respiratory airways
Responsible for gas exchange by diffusion
Asthma
Chronic inflammatory disease of the conduction airways
Symptoms of asthma (5)
- Airway hyper-responsiveness -> airflow limitation
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Sputum production (coughing up mucus from the respiratory system)
Risk factors of asthma (4)
- Genetics
- Occupational exposures
- Smoking
- Viral infections
Etiology (ie. causes) of asthma
- Non-allergic asthma (ex. cold temps., occupational asthma, tiring activities like swimming)
- Allergic asthma - allergens are proteases (degrades proteins). Ex. house dust mite fecal pellets, cat dander, mold
Cellular mechanisms of hyper-responsiveness
- Allergens proteolytically degrade the airway epithelium
- Allergens cause cross-linking of IgE leading to mast cell activation. Allergic individuals have more IgE on mast cells
- Mast cells degranulate, releasing a variety of mediators that cause bronchoconstriction of smooth muscle
3 mediators of asthma
- Preformed mediators
- Newly formed mediators
- Cytokines
**idk if we’re supposed to know more
Airway hyper-responsiveness mechanism
- Allergens activate mast cells -> smooth muscles around the conducting airways contract
- Contraction of the smooth muscles limits airflow to the respiratory airways for gas exchange
- Inflammation and edema further close off the conducting airways
*Hyper-reactivity (sensitivity) of smooth muscle cells to allergen relates to disease severity
Prevention of smooth muscle contraction (2)
- Removal of the contractile stimulus
- Inhibition of the contractile mechanism (contraction requires Ca2+)
Adrenaline and noradrenaline function related to B2 adrenergic receptor
They are endogenous agonists that stimulate the SNS to cause smooth muscle relaxation. B2 adrenergic receptors are expressed on all smooth muscle within the body
B2 adrenergic receptor agonists MOA
Bind to B2 adrenergic receptors on smooth muscle cells -> releases of cAMP, leading to:
- removal of Ca2+ via Ca2+ channels
- uncoupling of thick and thin filament cross bridging
All of which results in smooth muscle relaxation
Mild asthma treatment
Characterized as intermittent mild episodes. Has short-acting B2 adrenergic receptor agonists (SABAs)
Reliever medications are taken when needed and has an onset of 2-3 mins with the duration of action of 4-6 hours
Moderate to severe asthma treatment
Characterized as persistent to life threatening episodes. Has long-acting B2 adrenergic receptor agonists (LABAs)
Undergo prophylactic treatment (present all the time) and has an onset of 30 mins and duration of action >12 hours - taken twice a day
True or False: SABAs can be used as a daily asthma control agent
False - it is not recommended