NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)
It is a neurotransmitter, widely distributed in the CNS, beginning in the midbrain and projecting into thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, and spinal cord. CNS serotonin is usually an inhibitory neurotransmitter and is associated with mood, the sleep-wake cycle.
Serotonin is thought to produce sleep by inhibiting CNS activity.
In the blood, 5-HT is present in high concentration in platelets (regulator of platelets function) and also high concentration in intestine
Pharmacological effects:
Smooth muscles. 5-HT stimulates the G.I smooth muscle; it increases the peristaltic movement of intestine.
Serotonin contracts the smooth muscle of bronchi;
Blood vessels. If serotonin is injected i.v, the blood pressure usually first rises, because of the contraction of large vessels and then falls because of arteriolar dilatation. Serotonin causes aggregation of platelets.
Specific agonists
- Sumatriptan a selective 5-HT1D used in treatment of acute migraine.
- Buspirone a selective 5-HT1A used in anxiety.
- Ergotamine is a partial agonist used in migraine. It acts on 5-HT1A receptor.
Nonspecific 5-HT receptor agonist
o Dexfenfluramine used as appetite suppressant.
Specific antagonists
o Spiperone (acts on 1A receptor) and
o Methiothepin (acts on 1A, 1B, 1D receptors)
Calcium Channel Blocking Agents
• Act on contractile and conductive tissues of the heart and on vascular smooth muscles
• Prevent movement of extracellular calcium into the cell
– Coronary and peripheral arteries dilate
– Myocardial contractility decreases
– Depress conduction system
Therapeutic Actions
• Inhibit movement of calcium ions across the membranes of myocardial and arterial muscle cells. Altering the action potential and blocking muscle cell contraction
• Depress myocardial contractility
• Slow cardiac impulse formation in the conductive tissues
• Cause a fall in BP