Smooth Muscle (pt 1/4) Asthma Flashcards
What are the clinical characteristics of asthma?
-Small, inflamed internal lumen.
-Increased mucus production.
-Recurrent bouts of SOB, chest tightness, coughing and wheezing
What is the pathophysiology of Asthma?
-Widespread, reversible narrowing of the bronchial airways
-Significant bronchial responsiveness to inhaled stimuli
What is the pathology of Asthma?
-Lymphocytic and eosinophilic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa
-“Remodeling” of the bronchial mucosa: Hyperplasia of the cells of the airway walls and Overproduction of mucus
Describe Mild Asthma
-Occasional
-Occurs on exposure to allergens or certain pollutants (pet dander)
-During exercise
-Triggered by viral URI
Describe Severe Asthma
-Frequent
-Associated with wheezing and dyspnea
-Often at night
-Chronic airway narrowing with chronic respiratory impairment
-Regular overproduction of mucus. End up on multi-agent treatments (PO and rescue)
Explain the effects of Volatile Agents on Asthma.
-1st exposure to gases can trigger an event and cause bronchoconstriction. Once gas circulates, goes to bloodstream, then we get bronchodilation.
T/F: Volatiles are irritants to lung tissue.
True, and effects are more profound in patients with irritated tissues (asthma, COPD).
Will Volatiles help in a true, complete bronchospasm?
If you aren’t moving air, volatiles won’t help.
1) Off of vent and bag them
2) Epi ?
If you can’t move air, deepening the gas may help but probably doesn’t.
In asthma, exposure to an allergen causes the synthesis of what?
IgE, which binds to Mast Cells in the airway mucosa.
What occurs on re-exposure to the allergen?
Antigen-antibody interaction on mast cell surfaces triggers release of mediators of anaphylaxis.
What are the mediators of anaphylaxis?
Histamine, tryptase, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), leukotriene C4, and platelet-activating factor (PAF) = all inflammatory agents. Inflammation is occurring.
What do the mediators of anaphylaxis (histamine, PGD2, leukotriene) provoke?
Contraction of the airway smooth muscle, causing the immediate fall in FEV1(25%)
Re-exposure to allergen also causes the synthesis and release of a variety of cytokines (cytokines are coming from mast cells and t-lymphocytes), such as?
-Interleukins 4 & 5
-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)
-Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)
-Tissue Growth Factor (TGF)
Released from T-cells and mast cells
What do these cytokines do that are released on re-exposure to an allergen?
These cytokines in turn attract and activate eosinophils and neutrophils, which go on to create products that further the immune response.
What are the products created by cytokine attraction and activation of eosinophils and neutrophils?
-Eosinophil Catonic Protein (ECP)
-Major Basic Protein (MBP)
-proteases
-platelet-activating factor (PAF)
(Immune response)
What do the products of eosinophils and neutrophils (ECP, MBP, proteases, and PAF) cause?
These mediators cause the edema, mucus hypersecretion, smooth muscle contraction, and increase in bronchial reactivity (more intensive narrowing) associated with the late asthmatic response indicated by a second fall in FEV1 3-6 hours after the exposure.
What does increasing cAMP do in relation to Asthma?
Increases bronchodilation.
What two categories of drugs increase cAMP?
-Beta 2 Agonists
-PDE-Inhibitors (Theophylline or Aminophylline)
How do Beta 2 Agonists increase cAMP?
Increase the rate of synthesis of cAMP by adenylyl cyclase (AC)
How do Phosphodiesterase (PDE)-Inhibitors (Theophylline or Aminophylline) increase cAMP?
Interrupt the breakdown of cAMP (slow the rate of degredation). PDE is the enzyme that breaks down cAMP. Allows more to be available.
What is the other way that PDE-Inhibitors can decrease bronchoconstriction?
Theophylline (PDE-Is) also are Adenosine receptor inhibitors. (Adenosine receptors normally = bronchoconstriction). Inhibiting adenosine receptor promotes bronchodilation.
How does antagonization of M3 receptors in the lung tissue affect asthma?
-M3 receptors are in lung tissue
-Antagonizing M3 causes bronchodilation
-M3 normally = bronchoconstriction
-Use Muscarinic antagonists to alleviate bronchoconstriction
Explain the effects of Epinephrine and asthma.
-Can be given many different routes (IV, INH, SQ)
-Stimulates α & β1
-Problematic adverse effects: Tachycardia, Arrythmias, and Angina
-Useful in anaphylaxis
-Displaced by β2 selective agents in Asthma therapy
Explain the effects of Ephedrine and asthma.
-A sympathomimetic
-Compared to Epi: Longer DOA, oral availability, ⬆CNS effects, ⬇ potency
-Displaced by β2 selective agents in Asthma therapy
Explain the effects of Isoproteronol and Asthma.
-Potent bronchodilator
-1960s in the UK
-⬆ in asthma related mortality
-Attributed to cardiac arrhythmias from high dose inhaled isoproteronol
What are the long acting (12+ hrs) B2 agonists used in asthma treatment?
-Salmeterol
-Formeterol
-Indacaterol (COPD) only
Explain the effects of long acting B2 agonists on asthma.
-Highly lipid soluble
-Synergistic with corticosteroids
-No anti-inflammatory effects
-Cannot be used as monotherapy
-BBW for inc risk of death/near death from an asthma attack, especially in AAs.
What is the BBW associated with long-acting B2 agonists?
BBW for inc risk of death/near death from an asthma attack, especially in African Americans.