Veterinary Pharma - Clinical Pharmacology Glucocorticoids

Question 1

What are the important drug groups for veterinary clinical pharmacology? (9) NGACDBRDC

Answer 1

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Glucocorticoids
Autacoids
Cardiovascular drugs
Diuretics
Drugs affecting blood coagulation
Drugs affecting respiratory system
Drugs affecting digestive system
Chemotherapy

Question 2

Glucocorticoids are also called?

Answer 2

Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Question 3

Generally, what is the mode of action of glucocortoids? (3)

Answer 3

-Interact with specific intracellular (cytoplasmic) receptor proteins in target tissues
-Alters the expression of corticosteroid-responsive genes
-Production of proteins (Lipocortin) to inhibit prostaglandins, leukotrienes and platelet-activating factor

Question 4

Break down the concept of glucocorticoids mode of action (6)

Answer 4

-Glucocortoid-specific receptors bind with steroid ligands
-Formation of hormone-receptor complexes that translocate the cell nucleus
-Formed complexes then bind to specific DNA sequences
-Transcription of mRNA leading to production of lipocortin protein
-Lipocortin protein inhibit phospholipase a2 which then blocks synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotrienes and platelet-activating factor
-Inhibits mediators like arachidonic acid metabolites (COX, cytokines interleukins, adhesion molecules and collagenase)

Question 5

What are the common glucocorticosteroids used in veterinary dermatology? (10) FDBFITMPPH

Answer 5

Fluocinole acetonide
Dexamethasone
Betamethasone
Flumethasone
Isofluredone
Triamcinolone
Methylprednisolone
Prednisone
Prednisolone
Hydrocortisone

Question 6

What are the general pharmacological properties of glucocorticoids? (13)

Answer 6

Stimulation of gluconeogenesis
Increases glomerular filtration rate
Polyuria
Lowers lymphocytes (Lymphocytopenia)
Lowers eosinophils (Eosinopenia)
Inhibition of viral interferons
Inhibition of phagocytic capacity of macrophages and monocytes
Increases heart beat force
Increase heat beat frequency
Blocks increase of capillary permeability
Stabilization lysosomal membranes
Decrease formation of histamine
Antagonizes toxins and kinnins

Question 7

What are the general clinical use of glucocorticoids? (7)

Answer 7

Physiological replacement therapy in hypoadrenocorticism
Iatrogenic Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) suppression after adrenelectomy
Short-term treatment for shock
Anti-inflammatory therapy
Anti-allergic therapy
Immunosuppressive therapy
Chronic palliative

Question 8

In what certain situations is glucocorticoids used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect? (3)

Answer 8

Pruritic dermatoses
Pulmonary disease
Gastroenteritis

Question 9

In what certain situations is glucocorticoids used for its Immunosuppressive effect? (4)

Answer 9

Immune mediated thrombocytopenia
Auto-immune hemolytic anemia
Systemic lupus erythematous
Neoplasm (some)

Question 10

What are the two (2) preparation of glucocorticoids used in veterinary medicine?

Answer 10

Parenteral preparations
Oral preparations

Question 11

Under glucocorticoids drugs are grouped according to their onset and duration. in parenteral glucocorticoids, what are the three (3) types?

Answer 11

Very rapid onset and short duration
Rapid onset and intermediate duration
Slow onset and long duration

Question 12

What are the parenteral glucocorticoid drugs that have very rapid onset and short duration? (3) HHP

Answer 12

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate
Hydrocortisone sodium phosphate
Prednisolone sodium succinate

Question 13

What are the parenteral glucocorticoid drugs that have rapid onset and intermediate duration? (2) DD

Answer 13

Dexamethasone phosphate
Dexamethasone in propylene glycol

Question 14

What are the parenteral glucocorticoid drugs that have slow onset and long duration? (2) TM

Answer 14

Triacinolone acetonide
Methylprednisolome acetate

Question 15

Under glucocorticoids drugs are grouped according to their onset and duration. in oral glucocorticoids, what are the two (2) types?

Answer 15

Short duration
Slow onset and intermediate duration

Question 16

What are the oral glucocorticoid drugs that have short duration? (2) PM

Answer 16

Prednisolone
Methylprednisolone

Question 17

What are the oral glucocorticoid drugs that have slow onset and intermediate duration? (2) TD

Answer 17

Triamcinolone acetonide
Dexamethasone in propylene glycol

Question 18

Of the 10 common glucocorticosteroids used in veterinary dermatology, which one is the most potent?

Answer 18

Fluocinolone acetonide

Question 19

Of the 10 common glucocorticosteroids used in veterinary dermatology, which one is the least potent?

Answer 19

Hydrocortisone

Question 20

What is the function of phospholipase a2 that makes it an important?

Answer 20

-release of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids for the synthesis of biologically active eicosanoids by the cyclooxygenases and the lipoxygenases
-catalyzes the hydrolysis of the sn-2 position of membrane glycerophospholipids to liberate arachidonic acid (AA), a precursor of eicosanoids including prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs)

Question 21

What does collagenase enzyme do?

Answer 21

Breakdown peptide bonds in collagen

They assist in destroying extracellular structures in the pathogenesis of bacteria such as Clostridium. Meaning glucocortioids are not indicated for Clostridial infections.

Question 22

Where are short-acting glucocorticoids usually used?

Answer 22

Topical use

Question 23

Where are intermediate acting glucocorticoids usually used on?

Answer 23

Long-term allergy
Chronic inflammation

Question 24

Where are intermediate acting glucocorticoids usually used on?

Answer 24

Long-term allergy
Chronic inflammation

Question 25

Where are long-acting glucocorticoids usually used on?

Answer 25

Hypersensitivity
Shock
Perturbation in sows, ewes and cows