7-30 Sympathomimetics - Physiology Flashcards
Name 5 major catecholamines. What is the prototype catecholamine?
Prototype: Epinephrine (Epi)
Norepinephrine (NE)
Isoproterenol
Dopamine
Dobutamine
What are some major pharmacokinetic features of catecholamines?
Metabolized rapidly
Not effective orally
Do not penetrate CNS readily
What are the direct actions of the drugs that act on catecholamine R?
agonist at alpha and beta adrenergic receptors
What are the indirect actions of the drugs that act on adrenergic receptors?
release norepinephrine from adrenergic nerve endings; i.e. amphetamines, tyramine;
or block norepinephrine reuptake transporter. e.g., cocaine.
What are the mixed actions of a drug that acts on adrenergic receptors?
Mixed Actions: ephedrine; pseudoephedrine – these compounds can release NE and also have direct agonist activity at receptors
Stimulation of alpha adrenergic receptors will result in what 9 effects?
- Constriction of blood vessels a1 (to lesser extent a2)
- mydriasis a1 (contraction of iris radial muscle = pupil dilation)
- contraction of the spleen a1
- contraction of the uterus a1
- constrict sphincter of bladder a1
- glycogenolysis, ‑ liver a1 (relatively weak compared to b2)
- ejaculation, vas deferens a1
- inhibit release of insulin a2
- relaxation of intestinal smooth muscle a2
Stimulation of alpha 1 adrenergic receptors will result in what 7 effects? Which effect is weak? (Yes, it’s repetition, deal with it.)
- Constriction of blood vessels
- Mydriasis (pupil dilation via iris radial mm contracting)
- Contraction of the spleen
- Contraction of the uterus
- Constrict sphincter of the bladder
- glycogenolysis from the liver (weak compared to beta 2)
- Ejaculation (vas deferens)
Stimulation of the alpha 2 adrenergic receptor will result in what 3 effects? Which one is weak?
- Constriction of blood vessels - less than alpha one though
- Inhibits release of insulin
- Relaxation of intestinal smooth mm
Stimulation of beta adrenergic receptors results in what nine effects?
positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart b1
- stimulates release of renin b1
- relaxation of bronchioles b2
- relaxation of the uterus b2
- relaxation of vascular smooth muscle in certain blood vessels (skeletal muscle coronaries, some mesenteric) b2
- metabolic effects (glycogenolysis, b2) (Lipolysis, b3)
- stimulates release of insulin b2
- relaxation of detrusor muscle (bladder) b2
- relaxation of Intestinal smooth muscle b2
Stimulation of the beta 1 adrenergic receptor results in what 2 effects?
Positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart
Stimulates release of renin
(Increases heart rate, heart contractility, BP)
Stimulation of the beta 2 adrenergic receptor results in what 7 effects?
Relaxes 5 things, and makes replenish energy in all your cells:
- Relaxation of bronchioles
- Relaxation of the uterus
- Relaxation of vascular smooth mm in certain blood vessels (skeletal mm, coronaries, some mesenteric)
- Metabolic effects - glycogenolysis (Beta 3 also does lipolysis
- Stimulates release of insulin
- Relaxation of bladder detrussor mm
- Relaxation of intestinal smooth mm
What would be the vasopressor response to a dose of tyramine? Norepinephrine? Why?
(Hint: tyramine is a derivative of tyrosine that acts as a catecholamine releasing agent.)
Both would increase blood pressure via release of norepinephrine onto alpha 1 receptors.
What would be the vasopressor response to a dose of tyramine or norepinephrine after taking cocaine? Why?
Cocaine blocks NET
This prevents any released NE from being taken up, functionally increasing the relative concentration of NE to stimulate alpha 1 receptors and thus increasing BP
Cocaine blocks uptake of tyramine into adrenergic nerve terminal, preventing release of NE and increase in BP
What is the second messenger cascade associated with beta receptors?
GPCR - G stim
Increases adenylyl cyclase, cAMP, enzyme phosphorylation
What is the second messenger cascade associated with alpha 2 receptors?
GPCR - G inhib
Inihibition of adenylyl cyclase
What are the pharmacological effects of epinephrine on the heart?
Heart:
positive chronotropic effect
positive inotropic effect
increased conduction in atria, A‑V nodes and Purkinje fibers
increased oxygen consumption
increased work of the heart
What are the effects of epinephrine on blood vessels?
skeletal muscle (alpha1, and beta2) Epi has greater affinity for beta2, so at low doses Epi activates beta2 causing relaxation; at high doses, alpha1 effect predominates and blood vessels constrict.
coronaries; vasodilation (beta2 and metabolic)
kidney, skin, mucosa; vasoconstriction (alpha1)
cerebral; unchanged
Pulmonary: Vasoconstriction (alpha1)
capacitance vessels; vasoconstriction (alpha1)
What is the effect of a low dose of epinephrine on skeletal mm blood vessels?
Epinephrine has greater affinity for beta 2
- low dose will activate beta 2 receptors and cause relaxation
What is the effect of a high dose of epinephrine on the blood vessels?
Epi binds both alpha 1 and beta 2, but alpha 1 predominates at high doses
causes blood vessel constriction, increased BP
What would happen to BP if you gave someone an alpha blocker and steadily increasing concentration/dose of Epi?
BP would fall and stay at a low level due to max’ed out beta 2 signalling
What is the net effect of a low dose of Epi (10 mcg/mL) on BP?
Slight decrease diastolic pressure
increased systolic pressure
Overall/mean blood pressure should then be the same, maybe slightly increased
What are the effects of epinephrine on smooth muscle?
bronchial; relaxation
gastrointestinal; slight decrease in tone
bladder; relaxation of detrusor beta2 and contraction of sphincter alpha1
spleen; contraction
eye; mydriasis lowers intraocular pressure
uterus; relaxation during last month of pregnancy and at parturition
What are the effects of Epi on glands?
sweat; paracrine glands in palms have a1 adrenoceptors
salivary: secrete amylase and H2O
pancreas; blocks release of insulin (alpha2> beta2 effect).
What are the metabolic effects of Epi?
a) Calorigenic Effect
b) Tremors, skeletal muscle, b2 receptor mediates K+ uptake
What are the pharmacological effects of NE?
Agonist at:
alpha 1
alpha 2
beta 2 - very weak though
What effect (direct and indirect) does NE have on the heart?
direct; positive inotropic and chronotropic effects
indirect: reflex bradycardia (blocked by atropine) - secondary to vasoconstriction
Net effect: positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects.
What effect does NE have on blood vessels? What receptor does it work through?
Blood Vessels: only an alpha1 effect (no Beta2 effect because of low potency)
Vasoconstriction:
Net Effect on Blood Pressure: always increased