Session 8 NSAIDS Flashcards by Amber Torkington

How are prostanoids synthesised?

phospholipids are converted to arachidonic acid (by phospholipase A2)

arachidonic acids are converted to prostanoids via cyclooxygenase pathways (COX-1 or COX-2)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Name 5 different types of prostanoids

PGE2
PGF2a
PGD2
PGI2 (prostacyclin)
TXA2 (thromboxane)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How does the therapeutic benefit from NSAIDS come about?

The therapeutic benefit is a result of inhibiting down stream products of arachidonic acid (i.e. stops it from being converted)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is arachidonic acid derived from?

dietary linoleic acid e.g. vegetable oils

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How does linoleic acid become arachidonic acid?

it’s converted hepatically to arachidonic acid and is incorporated into phospholipids

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Where is arachidonic found mostly in the body?

muscle, brain and liver (although found throughout body!)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What prostanoids are involved with pain, pyrexia and inflammation?

PGE2
PGF2a
PGD2

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which prostanoid is generally good for the stomach?

PGE2

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which prostanoid is cytoprotective (CVS)?

PGI2 (prostacyclin)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which prostanoid is generally bad for the CVS?

TXA2 (thromboxane)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which two prostanoids require fine control as they balance each other out?

PGI and TXA (prostacyclin and thromboxane)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

main difference between PGI and TXA?

PGI = inhibits platelet aggregation, vasodilator

TXA = promotes platelet aggregation, vasoconstrictor

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Difference between COX-1 and COX-2?

COX-1 = constitutively active across most tissues 
COX-2 = mostly inducible in chronic inflammation but also constitutively active in brain, kidney and bone

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Homeostatic functions of COX-1 (3 things) and COX-2 (4 things)?

COX-1

GI protection (acid and mucus)
platelet aggregation
vascular resistance

COX-2

Renal homeostasis
Tissue repair and healing
reproduction (uterine contractions)
inhibition of platelet aggregation

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Pathological functions of COX-1 and COX-2?

similarities and differences?

both = chronic inflammation, chronic pain 
COX-1 = raised blood pressure
COX-2 = Fever, blood vessel permeability, tumour cell growth

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Structural difference between COX-1 and COX-2?

What is the benefit of this?

COX-2 has a larger and more flexible substrate channel than COX-1
COX-2 has a larger space at the site where the inhibitors bind - allows us to target the different COX’ independently :)

Prostaglandins signal through G-proteins. Which ones signal through which type of G-protein?

PGE = Gq, Gs, Gi (E = everything) 
PGF = Gq (Fuk q) 
PGD = Gs, Gi (Do both) 
PGI = Gs 
TXA = Gq (increases Ca - vasoconstrict)

What substances enhance the action of prostanoids?

bradykinin and histamine (work with signalling)

TXA and PGI have apposing vascular effects and the fine balance between them is crucial for haemodynamic and thrombogenic control. What side effects can occur if there is an imbalance between them?

hypertension
MI
stroke

What are NSAIDS mostly used for?

used for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects

What is the single common mode of action of NSAIDs?

inhibition of COX which leads to decreased prostaglandin, prostacyclin and thromboxane synthesis (this can be good and bad!)

NSAIDS compete with arachidonic acid for the hydrophobic site of COX

How do NSAIDs produce their analgesic action?

they have local peripheral action at the site of pain and have greater efficacy if inflammation present

inhibition reduces peripheral pain fibre sensitivity by blocking PGE(2)

Decreased PGE synthesis in dorsal horn leads to decrease neurotransmitter being released which leads to decreased excitability of neurones in the pain relay pathway

NB: efficacious after first dose but full analgesia after several days of dosing

How do NSAIDs produce their anti-inflammatory action?

normally (i.e. without NSAIDs): there is increased COX activity which leads to an increase in prostaglandin’s and vasodilation and oedema - need to combat this!

NSAIDS reduce the production of prostaglandins released during injury so NSAIDS will decrease the vasodilation in post-capillary venules that normally contributes to increased permeability and local swelling

NB: this is symptomatic relief by COX inhibition but there is little effect on an underlying chronic condition

How do NSAIDS produce their antipyretic effects/actions?

Normally: PGE is stimulated by pyrogens > signals to thermoregulatory centre in hypothalamus (preoptic area) > increases temperature set point > fever

Inhibition of hypothalamic COX-2 (where cytokine induced prostaglandin synthesis is elevated) results in a reduction in temperature

How do NSAIDS produce their GI adverse drug reactions? what do the ADR's include? caution with?

dyspepsia, nausea, peptic ulceration, bleeding and perforation they decrease mucus and bicarbonate secretion and increase acid secretion they reduce mucosal blood flow which leads to enhanced cytotoxicity and hypoxia need to be careful using these drugs if you have IBD and NSAIDs can exacerbate the condition caution in: elderly, prolonged use, glucocorticoid steroids, anticoagulants, smoking, alcohol, history of peptic ulceration, helicobacter pylori

What people are more likely to experience renal ADR's from NSAIDs and why?

if they have underlying CKD or heart failure where there is a greater reliance on prostaglandins for vasodilation and renal perfusion (very young and elderly at greatest risk)

How do NSAIDS lead to renal ADR's?

Normally: prostaglandins inhibit sodium absorption in the collecting duct BUT NSAIDS inhibit this action and so lead to increased sodium and water reabsorption leading to an increase in blood pressure NSAIDs produce a REVERSIBLE decrease in GFR and renal blood flow

What are the names of two selective COX-2 inhibitors?

celecoxib | etoricoxib

Advantages and disadvantages of selective COX-2 inhibitors?

good * they have less inhibitory action on COX-1 * less GI ADR's * severe osteoarthritis / rheumatoid arthritis (can be useful when monitored) bad * selectivity for COX-2 varies among drugs (not that bad but just to note!) * impair PGI which can lead to unopposed aggregatory effects * less analgesic effect (some evidence) impartial * renal ADR's are similar to non-selective COX-2 inhibitors

Considerations when prescribing NSAIDs?

CVD = risk renal function - age GI diseases - previous use of NSAIDS DDIs - ACEi and ARBs, diuretics, sulfonylureas, methotrexate, warfarin level of pain, pyrexia and level of inflammation

Indications for NSAID use?

inflammatory conditions osteoarthritis (use topical NSAID and paracetamol first) postoperative pain topical use on cornea menorrhagia low dose aspirin for platelet aggregation inhibitor

mechanism of action of paracetamol?

still don't really know but: COX-2 selective inhibition in CNS (spinal cord) which leads to decreased pain signals to higher centres little anti-inflammatory action but can be used for mild to moderate analgesia

How can paracetamol produce toxic effects?

paracetamol is converted to NAPQI by phase 1 CYP's at normal therapeutic doses, NAPQI is conjugated with glutathione = harmless BUT hepatic glutathione is limited so if you take too much paracetamol, NAPQI can't all be conjugated! NAPQI is highly nucleophilic and oxidises key metabolic enzymes leading to cell death (necrosis and apoptosis)

How much paracetamol is sufficient to cause irreversible damage?

150mg/kg

What drug do you give if you suspect a paracetamol overdose?

N-acetylcysteine it drives phase 2 metabolism and decreases toxic NAPQI levels by donating thiol groups (replaces glutathione)