SNS antagonists Flashcards
Adrenoceptor subtypes
- Alpha 1: vasoconstriction of the vasculature, relaxation of gastrointestinal tract (inhibitory effect on the gut so blood can be diverted to more important systems for immediate survival)
- Alpha 2: inhibition of transmitter release, contraction of vascular smooth muscle, CNS actions (tends to diminish sympathetic activity)
- Beta 1: HEART=increased cardiac rate and force of contraction, relaxation of gastrointestinal tract, renin release from kidney
- Beta 2: bronchodilation, vasodilation, relaxation of visceral smooth muscle, hepatic glycogenolysis (liberate glucose when in demand from increased cell activity in multiple tissues)
- Beta 3: lipolysis (fat breakdown)
Adrenoceptor antagonists
- Alpha 1 and beta 1 (non-selective adrenoceptors): Carvedilol
- Alpha 1 and alpha 2 (non-selective for alpha adrenoceptors): Phentolamine
- Alpha 1 (selective adrenoceptor): Prazosin
- Beta 1 and beta 2 (non-selective for beta adrenoceptors): Propranolol
- Beta 1 (selective adrenoceptor): Atenolol
- Non-selective: Carvedilol
Clinical uses of adrenoceptor antagonists
- Hypertension
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Angina
- Glaucoma
Main contributors to hypertension
- Blood volume
- Cardiac output
- Vascular tone
Tissue targets for anti-hypertensives
- Heart (to influence cardiac output)
- Sympathetic nerves that release noradrenaline (vasoconstrictor)
- Kidneys (regulates blood volume/vasoconstriction=effect on renin and aldosterone)
- Arterioles (determine peripheral resistance)
- CNS (determine blood pressure set point and regulates some systems involved in blood pressure control and the autonomic nervous system)
Unwanted effects of beta adrenoceptor antagonists (beta blockers)
- Bronchoconstriction: life-threatening in asthmatics and clinically important for patients with obstructive lung disease
- Cardiac failure: patients with heart failure may rely on some sympathetic drive to the heart to maintain an adequate cardiac output->removal by beta-1 receptors produces a degree of heart failure
- Hypoglycaemia: beta antagonists mask hypoglycaemic symptoms which is dangerous in diabetic patients (typical warning sign of urgent need for carbohydrates). Non-selective beta antagonists are more dangerous in diabetics as block glycogen breakdown driven by beta-2 receptors. Beta-1 selective agents may be advantageous since glucose release from the liver is controlled by beta-2 receptors
- Fatigue: results from reduced cardiac output and reduced muscle perfusion
- Cold extremities: loss of beta receptor mediated vasodilation in cutaneous vessels
- Bad dreams
Alpha-1 receptors
- Gq-linked (coupled to stimulatory G protein)
- linked to PLC and calcium influx
- Postsynaptic adrenoceptors on vascular smooth muscle
Alpha-2 receptors
OPPOSITE TO BETA RECEPTORS
- Gi-linked (coupled to adenylate cyclase via inhibitory G protein
- decreases cAMP to decrease cell activity
- Presynaptic autoreceptors which inhibit noradrenaline release (decrease neuron ability to stimulate noradrenaline release)
Non-selective alpha blocker
PHENTOLAMINE
-used to treat phaechromocytoma-induced hypertension
Alpha-1 specific blocker
PRAZOSIN
-inhibits the vasoconstrictor activity of noradrenaline
Methyldopa
ANTIHYPERTENSIVE AGENT
- FALSE TRANSMITTER REPLACING NORADRENALINE IN SYNAPTIC VESICLES
- taken up by noradrenergic neurons
- less active at beta/alpha 1 receptor
- decarboxylated and hydroxylated to form the false transmitter, alpha-methylnoradrenaline
- not de-aminated within neuron by MAO (Mono Amine Oxidase)->tends to accumulate in larger quantities than noradrenaline and displaces noradrenaline from synaptic vesicles
Sides effects of Methyldopa
PROFOUND SIDE EFFECTS INTERFERING WITH SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVITY EVERYWHERE
- dry mouth (dries up sympathetic driven saliva production)
- sedation
- orthostatic hypotension (fall in blood pressure when you stand up quickly, particularly found in the elderly=major issue)
- male sexual dysfunction
Clinical uses of Methyldopa
IMPROVES BLOOD FLOW
- Powerful antihypertensive, especially used where hypertension contributes to kidney disease (renal) and cerebrovascular disease (CNS)
- some CNS effects->stimulates the vasomotor/vasopressor centre in the brainstem to inhibit sympathetic outflow
Arrhythmias
- abnormal or irregular heartbeats
- any deviation from the normal (sinus) rhythm of the heart
- Main cause is myocardial ischaemia but various causes but often linked to dysfunction or damage within heart tissue itself (nodal tissue, valves, muscle etc)
- Results in 350,000 deaths in the US alone
Propranolol
- Non-selective beta adrenoceptor antagonist
- Class II drug with effects mainly attributed to beta-1 antagonism
- reduces mortality of patients with myocardial infarction
- particularly successful in arrhythmias occurring during exercise or mental stress