After midterm #2 - caffeine and methylxanthines Flashcards
(35 cards)
caffeine
best known of methylxanthines
common sources
coffee, tea, chocolate. Coffee cultivation began in Ethiopia
Types of coffee beans
coffee arabica: originates in Ethiopia, grown in South America; 70 % of world coffee production
Coffee caffeine content
100 mg in 5 oz cup (196 mg in 14 oz Tim Horton’s cup)
Tea caffeine content
14-65 mg caffeine in 8 fl oz cup (also contains theobromine and theophylline
Chocolate caffeine content
2 oz milk chocolate contains 3-10 mg caffeine. Chocolate milk ; 2-7 mg in 8 fl oz.
Other sources (3)
Guarana paste from seeds of Paullaina cuppa (4.3% caffeine) most potent natural source, South America.
Cola nuts (2-3.5 % caffeine) chewing nut is widespread habit in Western Africa, use to flavour Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola (not as a source of caffeine in them)
Energy drinks: considered dietary supplements, unlike soft drinks (max 71 mg/12 oz) caffeine content not regulated by FDA; contain 50-300 mg caffeine per 8.4 oz; average daily consumption 160 mg from energy drinks.
Pharmacokinetics - Absorption
bases with very low pka (0.5); rapid absorption from GI tract (stomach walls, small intestine)
Peak blood levels after coffee within 45-75 minutes
Pharmacokinetics - distribution
crosses the blood-brain barrier and placental barriers. 10-30% is bound to plasma proteins. Distributes in equal concentrations throughout the body
t 1/2
~5 hours (2.5-7.5 hours)
-
metabolized by liver
about 1% excreted unchanged
Also metabolized by…
cytochrome P 450 enzymes; CYP 1A2 gene codes for enzyme (1A form - rapid metabolism, 1F form = slow metabolism, greater effect, also experience adverse effects
metabolic rate slowed down by
alcohol, grapefruit juice, slower in nonsmokers, women taking oral contraceptives and pregnant women
metabolic rate sped up by
broccoli
Newborns?
can’t metabolize, excrete 85% unchanged, (t1/2 = 100 hours in infants; adult-like metabolism by 7-9 months of age
Neurophysiological effects - methylxanines are ____ blockers (_____)
adenosine receptor blockers (A1, A2a)
neuromodulator acts ______ to _____ inhibit the _______ of _____
neuromodulator acts presynaptically to inhibit the release of NT. Blocking adenosine receptors increases release of NTs (inhibiting adenosine causes acetylcholine neurons to increase their firing rate)
Reinforcing effect:
block A1 receptors on DA terminals in ventral striatum (increase DA release)
High doses of caffeine ____
block BZ receptors; 10 cups block 20% of BZ receptors
Effects on the body – vasodilator in the _____ (5)
Vasodilator in the peripheral NS:
1) stimulates heart rate
2) causes skeletal muscle to strengthen and smooth muscle to relax
3) dilation of bronchial muscles
4) reduces likelihood of fatigue in striated muscles
5) increased urination
stimulates heart rate
dilates the arteries of the heart muscle (reflexive tachycardia); increases blood flow and oxygen to the heart
dilation of bronchial muscles
therapeutic use to ease breathing; theophylline has stronger effects than caffeine
increased urination
increased frequency and urgency of urination, decreased sensation of a full bladder, increased flow rate and volume
- women who consumed more than 450 mg/day had greater risk of urinary incontinence than those that drank less than 150 mg/day
Vasoconstrictor in____
Vasoconstrictor in CNS
- commonly assumed caffeine relieves headaches by constricting blood vessels
- vasodilation is symptom, not cause, of migrane
- adenosine levels increase during a migraine (increase causes vasodilation and pain)
- relief from caffeine is due to blocking adenosine, not vasoconstriction
- caffeine in OTC medications enhances the effectiveness of pain relievers that alleviate pain from headache