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CPTP 3 > CPTP 3.15 Drugs used in Inflammation Allergy and Pain 3 > Flashcards

CPTP 3.15 Drugs used in Inflammation Allergy and Pain 3 Flashcards

(39 cards)

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1
Q

Describe briefly the mechanism of action of corticosteroids

A
  • Binds to cytoplasm receptors
    • Complex dimerises with another
    • This dimer binds to steroid responsive elements in DNA
    • Protein synthesis is either induced or inhibited
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2
Q

Why can cortisol not be given as a drug?

What is given instead?

A

It would be broken down too rapidly

Hydrocortisone is given (cortisol prodrug)

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3
Q 
What are the effects or glucocorticoids on:
  •  Carbohydrate metabolism
  •  Protein metabolism
  •  Stress
  •  Endocrine hormones
A

Carbohydarates:
• Increased gluconeogenesis
• Decreased glucose uptake

Proteins:
• Decreased synthesis and increased catabolism

Stress:
• Raises glucose to provide energy needed to combat stress

Endocrine hormones:
• Feedback inhibition:
> Glucocorticoids
> TSH

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4
Q

What are the pharmacologically useful effects of endogenous glucocorticoids?

A
  • Anti-inflammatory action; inhibits both early and late stage reactions
    • Decrease immune cells in plasma
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5
Q

Describe the early and late stage inflammatory responses (bi-phasic)

A

Early stage
• Redness
• Pain
• Swelling

Late stage
• Proliferative reactions
• Wound repair

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6
Q

How do glucocorticoids bring about their anti-inflammatory effects?

A
  • Upregulates anti-inflammatory proteins
    • Downregulates pro-inflammatory proteins
    • Inhibits the degranulation of mast cells (so histamine not released)
    • Induces annexin lipocortin 1
    • Inhibits COX EXPRESSION (thus inhibiting eicosanoids)

This ultimately acts to:
• Reduce vasodilation
• Decreased clonal expansion of T and B cells
ACUTELY:
• Decrease leukocytes in acute inflammation
CHRONICALLY:
• Decrease mononuclear cells
• Reduce fibrosis and blood vessel proliferation

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7
Q

Which anti-inflammatory proteins are upregulated by glucocorticoids?

A 
•  IκB 
Cytokines:
  •  IL-4
  •  IL-10
  •  Transforming growth factor (TGF) Beta
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8
Q

What does IκB do?

A

Inhibits NFκB

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9
Q

Which pro-inflammatory proteins are downregulated by glucocorticoids?

A
  • TNF𝛼
    • IL-1
    • IL-2
    • IL-6
    • Nitric oxide synthase
    • COX-2
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10
Q

Which pro-inflammatory protein is the one which stimulates T-cell proliferation?

A

IL-2

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11
Q

What does annexin lipocortin 1 do?

A
  • Inhibits various leukocyte functions (the inflammatory events)
    • Inhibits phospholipase A2
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12
Q

What effect does glucocorticoids have on prostaglandins?

A

IMG 10

(By virtue of:
• Upregulates anti-inflammatory proteins
• Downregulates pro-inflammatory proteins
• Induces annexin lipocortin 1
• Inhibits COX EXPRESSION)

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13
Q

What is the most rapid effect of glucocorticoids?

A

The prevention of degranulation of mast cells

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14
Q

What is the main adverse effect of long-term glucocorticoids and what is the mechanism for this?

A

Osteoporosis
• Blocks the induction of the osteocalcin gene, which is a calcium homeostasis gene responsible for building up bones
• Modifies transcription of collagenase gene

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15
Q

What is the objective with corticosteroid drugs in terms of targets?

A

Affect the glucocorticoid system but not the mineralocorticoid system

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16
Q

Name the corticosteroid drugs, stating which are short acting, intermediate acting and long acting

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A 
SHORT-ACTING 
  •  Hydrocortisone
  •  Fludrocortisone
INTERMEDIATE-ACTING 
  •  Prednisolone
  •  Methylprednisolone
LONG-ACTING
  •  Betamethasone
17
Q

How much more potent are fludrocortisone and betamethasone in comparison to hydrocortisone?

Study These Flashcards
A

Fludracortisone: 10x

Betamethasone: 25x

18
Q

Which of the corticosteroid drugs is completely glucocorticoid-specific?

Study These Flashcards
A

Betamethasone

19
Q

Which diseases may require corticosteroid replacement therapy?

Study These Flashcards
A

Addison’s disease
• A disease in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough corticosteroids

Autoimmune conditions of the adrenal gland

Tumours which suppress corticosteroid release
• Pituitary tumours
• Adrenal tumouts

20
Q

Why are topically applied or inhaled corticosteroids preferable?

Study These Flashcards
A

To minimise adverse effects

21
Q

In which cases can corticosteroids be used for cancer treatment?

Study These Flashcards
A

Can be used as chemotherapy for cancers involving over-activation of the immune system
• Leukaemia
• Hodgkin’s lymphoma

22
Q

How is the dose of hydrocortisone administered when given orally, and why?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • 2/3 dose given in morning
    • 1/3 dose given in evening

This is done to mimic the endogenous biphasic release of cortisol

23
Q

How is hydrocortisone administered? What is each route used for?

Study These Flashcards
A 
Orally
  •  Replacement therapy
Parenterally
  •  Severe acute inflammation
Topically
  •  Any externally visible inflammation (e.g. atopic dermatitis)
24
Q

How is prednisolone administered? What is each route used for?

Study These Flashcards
A

Orally
• Asthma
• Hypersensitivity

25
What is betamethosone used for?
* Used for autoimmune diseases such as as UC or rheumatoid arthritis * Used as a last resort for severe asthma
26
Why are other drugs tried before betamethasone?
Lower potency corticosteroids (and doses) must be tried first, to minimise side effects, and then titrate up
27
How are glucocorticoids administered for asthema and COPD?
Inhalation
28
What are the ranks for topical potency of glucocorticoids?
1) Mild 2) Moderately potent 3) Potent 4) Very potent
29
How does the vehicle of delivery alter the potency of topical medication?
Ointments are more potent than creams • Ointments = oil based • Creams = water based
30
Describe the elimination of cortisol
* Phase I reduction by 11𝛽 hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase * Phase II glucuronide and sulphide conjugation * Excreted in bile and urine
31
What is the effect of the affinity of glucocorticoids on the following: 1) 11𝛽 HSD2 2) Glucocorticoid receptor 3) Plasma binding proteins
1) Higher affinity decreases half life 2) Higher affinity increases duration of action (hence increases potency as the genes are expressed for longer) 3) Higher affinity increases half life, as there is less free drug (available for metabolism or filtration) so it is less rapidly eliminated
32
What is duration of action of a dose of drug dependent on?
1) Affinity for elimination 2) Affinity for target 3) Proportion of drug which is bound to plasma proteins 4) Lipophilicity of drug
33
What proportion of cortisol is bound to plasma proteins, and which protein is the most important of these? How do the affinities of glucocorticoid analogues to this protein compare to cortisol?
90% Corticosteroid-binding globulin Cortisol analogues have lower affinities
34
What is the effect of drug lipophilicity on its half life?
Increases half life, as lipophilic drugs are more bound in adipose stores and so are less available for metabolism (can be cause of toxicity in the elderly)
35
What are the side effects of corticosteroid medications?
* Osteoporosis * Infections * Cataracts * Depression OR euphoria * Diabetes (from hyperglycaemia)
36
What is the main endogenous mineralocorticoid? What are its effects?
``` Aldosterone • Acts on kidney tubules and collecting ducts to increase reabsorption of: > Na+ > Bicarbonate > Water • DECREASES potassium K+ reabsorption ```
37
Adenomas of adrenal gland which causes excessive aldosterone secretion is called what? What are the symptoms?
``` Conn's syndrome • Sodium and water retention, ECF fluid volume increases • Hypokalemia • Alkalosis • Hypertension ```
38
Which disease can cause decreased secretion of mineralocorticoids and what are the symptoms?
Addison's Disease • Desalination • Hyperkalemia • Decreased ECF
39
Why can you not administer aldosterone as a therapeutic agent? What is given instead? How is this administered?
It undergoes 75% first pass metabolism Fludrocortisone (a synthetic aldosterone) Orally given

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