WEEK 10 Flashcards
Where are the various sites of metabolism within the body? (HINT: there’s 7)
- gut lumen
- gut wall
- plasma
- lungs
- kidneys
- nerves
- liver
Drug metabolism mainly occurs in the liver in 2 phases, what are the 2 phases? Describe them.
Phase I Metabolism
- generally oxidation, reduction or hydrolysis (introduce/reveal reactive chemical group, “functionalisation”)
- products are often more reactive
Phase II Metabolism
- synthetic, conjugative reactions
- hydrophilic, inactive compounds usually generated
What are the types of reactions which occur in (i) phase I (ii) phase II? List as many as you can.
(i) oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, hydration, dethioacetylation, isomerisation
(ii) glucuronidation/glucosidation, sulfation, methylation, acetylation, amino acid conjugation, glutathione conjugation, fatty acid conjugation, condensation
What is the mixed function oxidase system (CYP450s)? What does it consist of? What does it require?
Microsomal ER enzymes - liver, kidney, lung, intestine etc
Consists of :
- cytochrome P450, NAPDH-CYP450 reductase and a lipid
Requires: molecular oxygen and NADPH
Many enzymes are capable of metabolising drugs and there is overlapping of substrate specificities, what is there potential for?
Competition and saturation
- drugs and endogenous compounds for same enzyme
- different enzymes for the same substrate
- enzyme can be saturated, conjugate depleted
With regards to drug metabolism, what are there issues of?
Variation/induction/inhibition
- inter individual responses can vary
- substantial issue due to broad specificity of enzymes
How are drugs eliminated? What types of drugs are excreted more easily?
- eliminated either unchanged or as metabolites
- hydrophilic drugs are eliminated more readily than lipophilic drugs
What do the possible sources of excretion include?
- breath
- urine
- saliva
- perspiration
- faeces
- milk
- bile
- hair
Explain biliary excretion.
Transfer of drugs from plasma to bile
- organic cation transporters (OCTs)
- organic anion transporters (OATs)
- P-glycoproteins (P-GP)
It is concentrated in bile then delivered to intestines
- hydrophilic drug conjugates
- hydrolysis of conjugate can occur: reabsorption of liberated drug or enterohepatic circulation
What types of drugs does the glomerulus filter?
- filter drugs below 20kDa in molecular weight
- not filtered if drug bound to plasma albumin
Describe tubular secretion/
OATs and OCTs
- OATs transport against ECG
- cleared even if bound to plasma albumin
If the renal tubule is freely permeable, how much of the drug is reabsorbed?
99%
- lipophilic drugs excreted poorly
- polar drugs remain in lumen
What is the effect of urinary pH on excretion of weak acids/bases?
- Weak acids more rapidly excreted if urine is alkaline
- Weak bases more rapidly excreted if urine is acidic
How does ion trapping work?
- more ionised drug
- less able to be reabsorbed
- eliminated in urine
What is zero order kinetics?
- few drugs
- rate of metabolism constant
- does not vary with amount of drug present
- enzyme saturation: alcohol dehydrogenase
What is first order kinetics?
- most drugs
- a constant fraction metabolised/unit time
- increases proportionately to drug
- more drug, faster metabolism
What is the eqn for the apparent volume of distribution of a drug?
Total amount drug in the body / blood plasma conc of drug
units = L or L/kg
What is the clearance (CL) of a drug?
The sum of all routes of elimination
e.g. metabolism + excretion
units = L/h
What doe t1/2 depend on? What is the eqn?
- depends on volume of distribution (Vd) and inversely on the clearance (CL) of drug from the body:
t1/2 = ln2 x Vd / CL
What is the (i) Vd (ii) CL of aspirin?
(i) 10.5 L
(ii) 39 L/h
What is the (i) Vd (ii) CL of salicylic acid?
(i) 11.9 L
ii) 3.6 L/h (dose dependent
How does age affect metabolism?
- foetus: maternal protection
- children: low level of activity
- elderly: starts to decline
How does disease affect metabolism?
- dependent on proper liver func: cirrhosis, hepatitis, cancer
- adequate essential amino acid supply: starvation, cancer
- other diseases/conditions: kidney disease, severe burns
How does genetic variation affect metabolism?
- wild range of CYP phenotypes: rapid, slow, unusual metabolisers
- race: inherent generalisable variability
How does other medications affect the body’s metabolism?
- induction of metabolic enzymes: reduced effectiveness of drugs
- inhibition of metabolic enzymes: dietary constituents or drugs
What is the differences in sexual response between mammals and humans? Why is this thought to be the case?
- all other mammals only mate when female ovulating and many signal their ovulation by oestrous behaviour ‘heat’
- human ovulation is hidden and females are receptive to males throughout their menstrual cycle
- has been suggested humans do this as a way of strengthening pair bonding to support long development of human children
What are the 4 phases of the EPOR model?
- EXCITEMENT sexual arousal - psychological and physical stimulation of erogenous zones. Tumesence and erection of penis and clitoris, engorgement of female tract
- PLATEAU intensification of arousal
- ORGASM series of involuntary muscular contractions in both sexes with intense pleasurable sensations
- RESOLUTION detumescence and time during which re-arousal is impossible (may not be true of women)
What, approximately, is the length of the luteal phase?
14 days
How long are (i) sperm (ii) oocytes viable for?
(i) 24 - 72 hrs
(ii) 12 - 24 hrs
- for fertilisation coitus must be no more than 3 days before ovulation and no more than 1 day after
What must happen for pregnancy to occur?
Sperm introduction should be between 5 days before and one day after ovulation
- sperm are capable of fertilising an egg for approx 4-6 days
- ovulated egg remains viable for approx 24 - 48 hrs
When do the first, second and third trimesters occur? What is significant stages in each?
1st trimester weeks 1-12 - most miscarriages occur 2nd trimester weeks 13-28 - at 4 wks 50% survival rate for early prematurity 3rd trimester weeks 29-40 - parturition at about 40 wks from LMP
How likely are women likely to conceive?
Women under 35 in china and europe
- 50% pregnant after 2 cycles
- 85% pregnant after 6 months
- half remaining couple pregnant after 1 year, leaving approx 5% subfertile
How many pregnancies miscarry (a %)?
15-20%
What is spontaneous abortion?
pre-implantation and post-implantation failure
- occurs frequently
Describe the (i) embryonic period (ii) foetal period.
(i) 8 weeks
- preimplantation embryo, implantation, differentiation and development of organ systems
- mother may not know pregnancy during this period and may not avoid harmful influences which may affect embryo development
(ii) 8-40 weeks
- differentiation continues, growth
How is the egg/oocyte transported during ovulation?
- egg extruded onto surface of ovary and smooth muscle of fimbrae cause them to pass over ovary while cilia beat in waves toward interior of duct
- cumulus cells aid transport from surface of the ovary and sticky cumulus cells cling to the ciliated surface of the fimbriae
- transported by a ciliary current (and perhaps peristalsis) to ampulla
Ejaculation deposits semen into vagina then movement into cervix, passage into cervical mucus is dependent on what?
Oestrogen-induced changes in mucus consistency
How is sperm moved through uterus and fallopian tubes?
Via its own propulsions and uterine contractions
How many sperm die from vagina to fallopian tubes? Why is this the case?
From several hundred million to 100-200 sperm
- vaginal environment acidic
- length and energy requirements of trip
Hence the large no. of sperm in ejaculate
What is the capacitation?
the action of the female tract secretions on sperm over several (6-8) hours
- essential for them to be capable of fertilisation
What is the causes of capacitation?
- change from wavelike beats of sperm tail to whip-like action to propel sperm forward
- sperm’s plasma membrane altered so it’s capable of fusing with surface membrane of egg (acrosomse reaction)
What happens during capacitation?
Destabilises the sperm surface membrane to enhance fusion with oocyte
- increase in Ca permeability so rise in intracellular Ca
- removal of membrane proteins (glycoprotein)
- change in surface charge
- depletion of cholesterol
What does sperm do during fertilisation?
- sperm cell weaves past follicular cells and binds to zona pellucida
- rise in Ca intracellularly in sperm triggers exocytosis of acrosome which contains hydrolytic enzymes
- Hydrolytic enzymes contained in acrosomal cap are released. these enzymes locally dissolceolve zona pellucida. Whip-like action of the tail pushes sperm head towards oocyte membrane
- With head of sperm lying sideways, microvilli on oocyte surround sperm head and the 2 membranes fuse. The contents of sperm enter oocytes and sperm membrane remains behind.
What happens next in fertilisation after the contents of the sperm enter the oocyte & the membrane remains behind?
- rise in [Ca] inside oocyte triggers cortical reaction, where there’s exocytosis of granules which previously lay immediately beneath plasma membrane. Enzymes released leads to changes in zona-pellucida proteins, so it hardens preventing entry of other sperm cells
- rise [Ca] also induces completion of ooctes 2nd meiotic division and formation of 2nd polar body
- Sperm head enlarges to become male pronucleus
What is an acrosome reaction? What is it induced by and what does it do?
Induced by sperm head contacting zona pellucida and binding to glycoproteins ZP2 and ZP3
- fusion of acrosome plasma membranes
- releases contents of acrosome and causes entry of more Ca
- sperm then digests a path through the zona pellucida (proteolytic enzymes)
What occurs as the male and female pronuclei fuse?
- sperm contributes its nuclear material and centrioles
- all other organelles are present in oocyte cytoplasm
- mDNA inherited exclusively via maternal route
Define (i) totipotent cells (ii) pluripotent cells (iii) multipotent cells.
(i) can form all cell types in a body, plus extra-embryonic or placental cells. Embryonic cells w/in first couple of cell divisions after fertilisation are the only cels which are totipotent
(ii) can give rise to all of the cell types that make up body; embryonic stem cells considered pluripotent
(iii) can develop into more than one cell type but are more limited than pluripotent cells, adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells considered multipotent
Describe the events which result in the conceptus/blastocyst entering the uterine cavity.
- plasma progesterone levels rise 3-4 days after fertilisation, smooth muscle relaxes and conceptus passes into uterus
- approx 4-5 days after fertilisation, cavities develop between cells
- for approx 3 days, conceptus/blastocyst lies free in uterine cavity supported by uterine secretions, receiving nutrients from it
What does the (i) trophoblast (ii) inner cell mass of a blastocyst give rise to?
(i) placenta
(ii) embryo
What does the trophoblast differentiate into? Which layer invades the endometrium?
Inner cytotrophoblast and outer syncytiotrophoblast
- fingers of syncytiotrophoblast invade endometrium
What are the results of metabolism?
- pharmacological deactivation
- pharmacological activation
- types of pharmacological response
- no change in pharmacological activity
- change in drug uptake
- change in drug distribution
How is it that the conceptus is ‘held’ in the fallopian tube?
Oestrogen maintains the contraction of smooth muscle near where fallopian tube enters wall of uterus
- conceptus undergoes no. mitotic cell divisions i.e. cleavage and morula formed ( divisions unusual as no cell growth before each division so conceptus reaching uterus is same size as original fertilised egg)
- cells = totipotent
In the earliest stages of pregnancy the anatomical link between mother and foetus develops through a series of phases. What are the 3 sequence of events?
- Invasion - of conceptus to endometrium
- Decidualisation - i.e. endometrial lining remodelling incl. secretory transformation of uterine glands, influx of specialised uterine natural killer cells, and vascular remodelling
- Placentation - i.e. placenta formation
What is the (i) embryonic portion (ii) maternal portion of placenta supplied from?
(i) outermost layers of trophoblast cells i.e. chorion
(ii) endometrium underlying chorion
Where do the chorionic villi extend from?
chorion to endonmetrium
The endometrium around villi is changed by what?
Enzymes and paracrine agents so each villi is surrounded by a pool/sinus of maternal blood
Describe the placental blood supply, ensuring to mention maternal & foetal blood.
Maternal Blood:
- enters placental sinuses/pools via uterine artery
- flows through sinuses
- exits via uterine veins
Foetus Blood
- flows into capillaries of chorionic villi via umbilical arteries and back to foetus via umbilical vein
Umbilical cord connects foetus to placenta
When do the following events occur; (i) fertilisation (ii) transport to uterus (iii) formation of blastocyst (iv) attachment?
(i) 24hrs post ovulation
(ii) 3-4 days
(iii) 4.5 days
(iv) 7-9 days
What happens to the blastocyst day 6/7?
Leaves zona pellucida and is bathed by uterine secretions for 2 days
- progesterone prepares supportive uterine environment increasing glandular tissue
- oestrodiol required to release glandular secretion
Attachment and Implantation
includes complex interactions between trophoblast and maternal epithelial tissue, what does this cause?
- syncytiotrophoblast cells ‘flow’ into endometrium
- causing oedema, glycogen synthesis and increased vascularisation (decidualisation)
- pregnant endometrium is now termed the decidua
When does implantation occur? What does it involve?
Day 13
- syncytiotrophoblast cells erode through walls of large maternal capillaries which then bleed into spaces; primitive placental circulation
- nutrition still depends on uterine secretion and tissues
- breakthrough bleeding may occur
- growth in embryonic disc is slow and it remains v small
When is the placental side of circulation functional? As a result of this what is the first trimester embryo largely dependent on?
10-12 weeks
- uterine tissues for nutrients and O2
Describe placental development.
- syncytiotrophoblast forms villi that project into blood filled spaces (chorionic villi). In core of villus is a fetal capillary loop which is dilated at the tip
- embryonic placental structure develops over several weeks with villi eventually becoming localised at embryonic pole and presenting a huge s.a for exchange of O2, nutrients and waste products
What is the syncytiotrophoblast bathed in?
maternal blood
Describe events that occur in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- limited embryonic growth
- nutrition of embryo largely based on uterine secretion and tissues
What may be the reason for early pregnancy losses (1st trimester?
lack of appropriate hormonal support
=> luteal phase defect
How thick should the endometrium be for successful implantation?
At least 8mm thick
How are maternal sinusoids formed?
- trophoblastic lacunae appear w/in syncytiotrophoblast
- maternal blood vessels near syncytiotrophoblast expand to form maternal sinusoids
What is a (i) primary villus (ii) secondary villus formed by?
(i) core of cytotrophoblast covered by multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast
(ii) inner core of extra-embryonic mesoderm, middle cytotrophoblast layer and an outer syncytiotrophoblast layer
What is the role/functions of hCG?
- in a non-fertile cycle the CL will fail after 10 days and menstruation will occur
- an invading embryo must prevent menstruation so the syncytiotrophoblast secreted hCG
- from day 6-7 after fertilisation hCG can be detected in maternal blood by immunoassay
- hCG mimics the action of LH and supports steroid synthesis of CL preventing menstruation and any further follicular development
- also stimulates leydig cells of male foetuses to produce testosterone (important for development of male duct system)
What are the placental functions in the (i) 1st month (ii) 2nd month (iii) 3rd month?
(i) villus formation
(ii) increasing surface area and circulation
(iii) growing, becoming increasingly efficient
What are the 4 functions of the placenta?
- Foetal ‘gut’ supplying nutrients
- Foetal ‘lung’ exchanging O2 and CO2
- Foetal ‘kidney’ regulating fluid volumes and disposing of waste metabolites
- Endocrine gland synthesises steroids and proteins which affect both maternal and foetal metabolism
What is the importance/need for progesterone in pregnancy? What is the substrate for its production?
- suppresses follicular growth and ovulation
- suppresses immune response
- maintenance of endometrium
- cholesterol from maternal circulation = substrate
When does the foetus become self sufficient? Why is this now the case?
After 4-5 weeks as the placental now secretes all steroid hormones required for pregnancy (CL not required after 5 weeks)
What is the main oestrogen in pregnancy?
oestriol
What secretes oestrogens in pregnancy?
foetus and placenta (feto-placental unit) cooperate to secrete oestrogens
What is the importance of oestrogen in pregnancy? (HINT there’s 4 points)
1) stimulates continuous growth of uterine myometrium
2) stimulates growth (w progesterone) of ductal tissue of breast
3) along with relaxin, relaxes and softens maternal pelvic ligaments and symphysis pubic of pelvic bones allowing for expansion of uterus
4) stimulate LDL cholesterol uptake and activity of P450 enzymes which contribute to progesterone synthesis
Describe what occurs during nutrient exchange across the placenta.
- is rapid and increases as pregnancy advances
- water and electrolytes diffuse freely
- glucose passes via facilitated diffusion as foetus has little capacity for gluconeogenesis
- amino acids are actively transported for foetal growth
- lipids cross as free fatty acids
- vitamins
Describe what occurs during gas exchange across the placenta.
- simple diffusion of gases across membrane is close to efficiency of lungs
- conc. gradients influenced by blood flow rates
- quantity of O2 reaching foetus is flow limited
- foetal Hb has greater affinity for O2 than adult Hb
- towards end of pregnancy exchange capacity decreases and placenta is less able to meet demands of foetus
Where do 95-97% of ectopic pregnancies occur?
In ampulla/isthmus of tube with vast majority in ampulla
What can the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy be confused with? What is the risk associated with an ectopic pregnancy?
- symptoms can be confused with appendicitis
- rupture of tube causes blood loss that may be life threatening to mother and fatal for the embryo
What is Genetic counselling?
process of helping people understand and adapt to the medial, psychological and familial implication of genetic contributions to disease
What does genetic counselling integrate?
- interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence
- education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources and research
- counselling to promote informed choices and adaptation to the risk or condition.
What is the newborn screening programme for cystic fibrosis?
Based on heel-prick immuno-reactive trypsinogen (IRT) level
- raised IRT, test using CF mutation kit
- CF suspected if IRT raised and one pathogenic mutation found
- CF confirmed if 2 pathogenic mutations found
What is R117H? Describe its effects.
- the second mutation in 1.85% scottish CF pts but makes up 9% of CF mutation identified on postnatal screen
- majority of R117H compound heterozygotes don’t present with CF in childhood
- the effects of R117H varies according to Intron 8 splice site efficiency
What is SMA (Werdnig- Hoffman Disease)?
Progressive muscle weakness from degeneration of anterior horn cells
- autosomal recessive
- 95% cases due to deletion of SMN1
- 1 in 50 pop carry mutation
Why with SMA do you not look directly for mutation?
Single cell - very low copy no. DNA
- problem w. contamination (FP result)
- allele drop out (FN result from failure to amplify mutation)
What is the average weight gain during pregnancy? What is the rough breakdown of where the weight comes from?
average 12.5kg
- 6kg uterus, foetus and breast
- 3kg fat reserves for lactation
- remainder is fluid
What are the various anatomical changes which occur to the mother during pregnancy?
- fist sized organ which begins to occupy most of pelvis by 13 weeks and palpable abdominally from 13 weeks
- compression of structures posterior abdo wall (IVC) especially when lying down
- changes centre of gravity, accentuated lumbar lordosis