Week 6 - Asthma & COPD Flashcards
What is the pathophysiology of asthma?
Inflammation precipitated by an allergen → leads to mast cell degranulation through the formation of IgE.
Leads an allergic response by releasing inflammatory cytokines → plasma leakage and oedema of the bronchiole wall → causes obstruction and an increase in mucus hypersecretion leading to a mucus plug
Why does asthma cause bronchoconstriction?
Cholinergic reflex from muscarinic receptors
What is the inflammatory changes that happen in asthma?
What 2 effects does this have?
Phospholipids in plasma membrane (phospholipase A2) → Arachidonic acid
- Cyclooxygenase → release of the inflammatory mediators prostaglandins, which cause bronchoconstriction
- 5-lipoxygenase → release of the inflammatory mediators leukotriene’s, which cause bronchoconstriction, promote mucus secretion and recruit immune cells which enhance airway inflammation.
What are the 2 classes of Beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonists?
SABA (short acting)
LABA (long acting)
What type of drug is salbutamol?
Short acting Beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonists
SABA
What type of drug is salmeterol?
Long acting Beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonists
LABA
What are the actions of Salbutamol?
Acute bronchodilator effect, onset 5-30min, relief for 4-6h
Protects against various challenges e.g. cold air, exercise
What is the nickname for salbutamol?
Reliever
What are the routes of administration for salbutamol?
o Aerosol inhalation - metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
o Inhalation of powder
o Inhalation of nebulised solution
o Oral (tablet or solution) administration
o Parenteral → IV, SC or IM injection
How do we minimise the systemic side effects of SABAs?
Side effects minimised with delivery via inhalation versus systemic route
How do we prolong the actions of Salmeterol?
Chemical analogues of salbutamol with a long lipophilic side chain anchors the drug in the lipid membrane,
o Allows the active portion of the molecule to remain at the receptor site
What is the mechanism of action of Beta 2 agonists?
- Act on beta2 adrenergic receptor
* Cause smooth muscle relaxation
When do we use SABA vs LABA?
Salbutamol - reliever (acute exacerbation)
Salmeterol - Slow onset- NOT for relief of an acute asthma attack – good as prophylactic i.e. used before a known trigger (exercise)
What are the side effects of beta 2 agonists and what causes the side effects?
From binding to other B2 receptors around the body, like invoking a fight/flight response
- Fine tremor
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Palpitation
- Hypokalaemia
- Others: tachycardia, arrhythmias, peripheral vasodilation, myocardial ischaemia, disturbances of sleep and behaviour
What is the drug class of tiotropium and ipratropium?
Muscarinic antagonist
When are muscarinic antagonists used?
Useful in patients who are unable to tolerate adrenergic agonists (patients with ischaemic heart disease or tachycardia)
Generally reserved as adjunct in the management of acute severe asthma
How do tiotropium and ipratrodium work?
- Competitively antagonise the effects of endogenous acetylcholine at M3 receptors
- Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and decreases mucus secretion
What receptor does muscarinic antagonists work at?
M3 receptors
Competitively antagonise the effects of endogenous acetylcholine at M3 receptors
What are the 2 types of muscarinic antagonists (+ example)?
Short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMA) e.g ipratropium
Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) e.g tiotropium (better)
Name a phosphodiesterase inhibitor….
Theophylline
How does theophylline work?
Inhibits phosphodiesterase to cause an increase in cAMP in smooth muscle cells → activates protokinases (PKA) –> inhibits TNF-alpha and Inhibits leukotriene synthesis –> therefore reduces inflammation + innate immunity
Also reverses steroid insensitivity
How are phosphodiesterase inhibitors usually administered?
PO
What type of drug is theophylline?
phosphodiesterase inhibitor
Name a leukotriene receptor antagonist…
Montelukast
How do leukotriene receptor antagonists like montelukast work?
Leukotriene antagonists inhibit the cysteinyl L1 receptor
Approved for the prophylaxis of asthma (preventer not reliever)
How are leukotriene receptor antagonists excreted?
Metabolised in liver and undergo biliary excretion
What type of drug is Montelukast?
leukotriene receptor antagonist
When are these commonly used, why?
leukotriene pathway is just one of several process responsible for the inflammatory response in asthma therefore they are less effective than ICS
However they have very few side effects compared to inhaled corticosteroids.
Therefore commonly prescribed to KIDS as step 1 treatment
Name an Anti-IgE monoclonal Ab (Biologic)
Omalizumab
How does omalizumab work?
Monoclonal Ab binds to IgE and reduces effects
When are inhaled corticoid steroids used?
Low dose = step 1 of asthma treatment ladder.
What type of drug is omalizumab?
Anti-IgE monoclonal Ab (Biologic)