2 Cholingergic Agents Flashcards
Transport of newly synthesized ACh into synaptic vesicles is blocked by a compound called…
Vesamicol
Get it, VES-amicol…
Release of ACh from the presynaptic terminal into the synaptic cleft is blocked by …
Botulinum toxin (onabotulinumtoxinA, or Botox)
AChE inhibitors are used clinically to …
Prolong the action of released ACh
Effects of muscarinic receptor agonists are most pronounced in..
The eye, GI tract, bladder, and salivary/sweat glands
Cholinergic agonists and inhibitors of ACh breakdown (cholinesterase inhibitors) are considered together to be …
Cholinergic stimulants
Non-selective cholinergic agonists, as well as cholinesterase inhibitors, will have very diverse actions due to…
Stimulation of BOTH muscarinic and nicotinic receptors
Drugs that are selective for either muscarinic or nicotinic receptors will have more discrete effects
Drugs that bind to and activate the receptor are _______ and most will ___________ between muscarinic and nicotinic receptors
Direct-acting, will discriminate
Cholinesterase inhibitors are considered _____________.
Indirect acting - they amplify the effects of ACh, and increase its effectiveness at BOTH nicotinic and muscarinic receptors
Effects of muscarinic stimulation on the eye
Constricts circular muscle of the iris sphincter, causing MIOSIS
Constracts the ciliary muscle, causing ACCOMMODATION for near vision
Constriction of the pupil opens the angle between the iris and the lens, increasing access to the trabecular meshwork, promoting drainage of aqueous humor and DECREASING intraocular pressure
Also causes the lens to become rounder, facilitating near vision but causing BLURRED VISION
Effects of muscarinic stimulation on the cardiovascular system
Vagal inputs releasing ACh normally SLOW the HR (M2 receptors decrease cAMP and open K+ channels, slowing SA node).
Conduction is also decreased through the AV node
Presynaptic M2 receptors inhibit NE release —> enhances reduction in HR by removing some NE stimulation
The effect of cholinergic stimulation in the heart is primarily on the
Atrium
Vagal inputs affect the SA node
Even though blood vessels are not innervated by parasympathetic neurons, stimulation of M3 receptors can cause coronary vasodilation. How does that shit work?
Stimulation of M2 cholinergic receptors on ENDOTHELIAL cells in the blood vessels release nitric oxide —> vasodilation.
This is most commonly seen when ACh is injected IV, but is rare at therapeutic doses of other cholinergic agonists
Although vagal stimulation can have profound effects on the heart, at therapeutic levels, muscarinic agonists ….
Have very few cardiovascular effects
Respiratory effect of muscarinic agonists
Bronchoconstriction
Can be quite striking in asthmatics exposed to cholinergic agonists
GI effect of muscarinic agonists
Secretory activity and peristalsis is INCREASED in the GI tract, and sphincters are relaxed
Muscarinic agonist with the most pronounced GI, bladder, and GU effects
Bethanechol
GU effect of muscarinic agonists
Muscarinic receptors stimulate the bladder destructor muscle and relax the trigone and sphincter muscles. This increases void pressure and decreases bladder capacity.
Salivary and gastric effect of muscarinic agonists
Gland secretion is increased greatly by muscarinic stimulation.
Muscarinic agonsists with particularly significant effects on salivary glands
Pilocarpine and cevimeline
Glandular effect of muscarinic agonists
Secretion of sweat, lacrimal, and nasopharyngeal glands is increased by cholinergic agonists, especially pilocarpine
Brain effect of muscarinic agonists
M1 muscarinic receptors in the brain are involved in MEMORY, but no selective drugs are available yet. Maybe one day.
ACh will cause effects similar to those of parasympathetic stimulation, with the exception that…
ACh will cause vasodilation due to direct stimulation of muscarinic receptors on blood vessels, and sweating, while parasympathetic stimulation will not cause either of these effect
Does ACh cross the BBB?
Nope
It’s an ester with a quaternary amine, so will not cross.
It’s also not absorbed orally
Why doesn’t ACh have any clinical use?
It’s too rapidly metabolized (5-20 sec)