IF1: Acute Inflammation 1 Flashcards
(19 cards)
Define inflammation.
A protective response intended to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury & remove necrotic cells/tissues.
What is the role of inflammation?
Dilute, destroy or neutralise harmful agents, remove dead & damaged tissues & initiate repair.
What are the different stimuli for inflammation?
Physical like cuts, burns…
Chemical like bleach, corrosive agents…
Immunological like is the case in hypersensitivity reactions or in normal immune response
Microbial like virus, bacteria…
State the 5 cardinal signs of inflammation.
Heat
Redness
Swelling
Loss of function
Pain
What is hyperaemia?
Increased blood flow to tissues
What causes heat in inflammation?
Hyperaemia & accumulation of blood
What causes redness in inflammation?
Hyperaemia + increased metabolic rate + increased inflammatory cells in tissues
What causes swelling in inflammation?
Exudate in tissues + migration of inflammatory cells + hyperaemia
What causes pain in inflammation?
Production of prostaglandins & leukotrienes + swelling causes tissue tension
What causes loss of function in inflammation?
Damage to tissue due to inflammation
What are the 2 parts to the vascular response in acute inflammation and why are there 2 phases?
Immediate phase occurs due to pre-formed mediators
Latent phase occurs due to newly-synthesised mediators
What characterises the vascular response in acute inflammation?
Hyperaemia
Rouleaux formation to increase blood viscosity
Thrombosis
Increased vascular permeability
Leukocytes adhere to b.v walls
State 6 key inflammatory mediators
Histamine
Chemokines
Cytokines
Bradykinnin
Prostaglandins
Leukotrienes
What is the effect of histamine?
Increases vascular permeability, vasodilation & smooth m. contraction
What is the effect of bradykinnin?
Pain
Increases vascular permeability & vasodilation
What is the effect of cytokines?
Transmit signals from inflammatory mediators
Can recruit inflammatory cells
What is the effect of chemokines?
Chemoattractants for leukocytes & lymphocytes
What is the effect of prostaglandins?
Pain
Increase vascular permeability (PGE2)
Increase potency of other inflammatory mediators
What is the effect of leukotrienes?
Neutrophil chemotaxis
Smooth m. contraction
