Drugs and the kidney Flashcards

1
Q

Why are kidneys so susceptible to drug induced AKI?

A

1) High vascularity
2) Large surface area for binding and transport of molecules
3) Reabsorption of water from kidneys concentrates some drugs in the nephron
4) Main route of excretion for most drugs

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2
Q

What is a diuretic and what are the 5 classes of diuretics?

A

A substance that promotes the excretion of urine

1) Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
2) Osmotic diuretics
3) Loop diuretics
4) Thiazide (& related) diuretics
5) Potassium sparing diuretics

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3
Q

How do carbonic anhydrase inhibitors work?

A

Example: Acetazolamide

Inhibits carbonic anhydrase enzyme in the proximal tubule.

This enzyme normally converts bicarbonate (HCO3-) ions into CO2 and H2O on the luminal surface of tubular cells. This in turn drives some Na+ reabsorption in exchange for H+.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors block this process and so Na+ and HCO3- ions remain in the tubule.

However, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have weak diuretic action - as only relatively small amount sodium is reabsorbed in this way.

These drugs also prevent excretion of H+ into urine and therefore a side effect can be higher pH in blood and metabolic acidosis

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4
Q

How do osmotic diuretics work?

A

Example: Mannitol

Increases the osmolality of the filtrate and therefore reduces water reabsorption

Acts best where most osmotic reabsorption occurs (i.e. proximal tubule and descending loop of Henle)

Main uses nowadays:
Reduction of cerebral oedema (e.g. from head trauma)
Reduction of intra-ocular pressure (e.g. glaucoma)

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5
Q

How do loop diuretics work?

A

Powerful diuretics
Example: Furosemide

Act on thick ascending limb of Loop of Henle

Inhibit the Na+K+2Cl- co-transporter (compete with Cl- binding)

As a result of loop diuretic action, Na+ (and also K+) remain in tubule

Reduced NaCl reabsorption in thick ALH causes reduced osmotic concentration in medulla (so reducing ADH mediated H2O absorption)

Other effects – potentially adverse:

Increased delivery of NaCl to the distal tubule causes increased Na+ uptake there by principal cells, with a correponding loss of K+ (and H+)

Also reduced Ca2+ and Mg2+ reabsorption can occur

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6
Q

What are the main uses of loop diuretics and what can be some side-effects?

A

Peripheral oedema in cases of chronic heart failure

Acute pulmonary oedema

Can be used in resistant hypertension

Selected side-effects:

Hypovolaemia & hypotension

Hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia

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7
Q

How do thiazide diuretics work?

A

Examples: Bendroflumethiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, chlortalidone

Act on early distal tubule

Inhibit the Na+Cl- co-transporter (compete with Cl- binding)

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8
Q

What are the main uses and side effects of thiazide diuretics?

A

Weak/moderate diuresis (well tolerated)

Slower acting, but longer lasting than loop diuretics

Main uses:
Peripheral oedema in chronic heart failure

Hypertension

Selected side-effects:
Hyponatraemia / hypokalaemia

Increase plasma uric acid (gout)

Hyperglycaemia

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9
Q

How do loop and thiazide diuretics cause hypokalaemia?

A

Loop and thiazide diuretics increase delivery of NaCl to the distal nephron and this lowers blood volume and pressure in the kidney

This drives greater potassium secretion by:

1) Increased tubular flow rate – greater volume in tubules
2) Increased activity of Na+/K+ ATPase via increased [Na+]i and activation of RAAS (increased aldosterone)

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10
Q

How do potassium sparing diuretics work?

A

Act on principal cells in late distal & cortical collecting tubule

Either inhibit epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) or inhibit the mineralocorticoid receptor (and therefore prevent aldosterone binding)

Reduce K+ secretion into lumen

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11
Q

How do ENaC antagonists (sub-group of potassium sparing diuretics) work?

A

Example: amiloride

Blocks the Epithelial Na+ Channels (ENaC) and decreases luminal permeability to sodium

Weak diuretic alone

Used in combination with thiazide or loop diuretics
(e.g. with hydrochlorothiazide in co-amilozide® - like Mrs Hope in the current CBL Case!)

Reduced K+ secretion into lumen
Therefore K+ is retained in the blood.

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12
Q

How do aldosterone antagonists (sub-group of potassiums sparing diuretics) work?

A

Examples: spironolactone, eplerenone

These drugs are aldosterone antagonists, as they bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and block receptor activation by aldosterone

Weak diuretic if used alone

Prevents synthesis of ENaC and also Na+/K+ ATPase activation and thus reduced potassium secretion into tubular lumen. Thus potassium is retained.

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13
Q

What are the main uses and side effects of potassium sparing diuretics?

A

Main uses (especially aldosterone antagonists):

Chronic heart failure

Peripheral oedema & ascites caused by cirrhosis

Resistant hypertension

Can be used in combination to prevent K+ loss from use of loop or thiazide diuretics – a major use for ENaC antagonists
Selected side effects:
Hyperkalaemia (can interact with RAAS drugs)
(Dangerously high K+ can cause arrhythmia)

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14
Q

What are common diuretic combinations?

A

Loop diuretics and thiazides

As loop diuretics increase amount of NaCl delivered to distal nephron, this increases efficiency of thiazides

Can cause very large volume losses and K+ loss

Loop (or thiazides) and K+ sparing diuretics

Examples: Co-amilofruse; co-amilozide

Get good diuretic function without loss of K+

Beware K+ retention – hyperkalaemia risk

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15
Q

Where do RAAS blocking drugs act?

A

1) ACE-inhibitors eg Ramipril block ACE in endothelium of lungs
2) Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) eg. Losartan inhibit Angiotensin II receptors
3) Aldosterone antagonists eg. spironolactone inhibit mineralocorticoid receptors

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16
Q

How can drugs affect the GFR?

A

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. ibuprofen, inhibit production of prostaglandins (which promote dilation of the afferent arteriole); therefore NSAIDs can reduce GFR

ACEi / ARB prevent action of angiotensin II which drives efferent arteriolar constriction; therefore these drugs can reduce GFR