Autacoids- An Overview - NEET PG Pharmacology

Autacoids are biologically active substances that are produced and released locally by cells in response to injury or inflammation. They play a crucial role in regulating the local physiological responses to injury or inflammation. In pharmacology, the study of autacoids is important as autacoids are involved in a number of pathological processes such as inflammation, pain, and fever. Understanding the role of autacoids in these processes is crucial in the development of effective treatments for a wide range of diseases.

Thus, studying autacoids is crucial in the field of pharmacology and is an important topic for NEET PG exams, as it forms the foundation for understanding the mechanism of action of various drugs and their use in the treatment of different diseases. 

Read this blog further for a quick overview of the autacoids for NEET PG exam preparations.

1. HISTAMINE
   • Histamine is a hormone which acts through various receptors:
     • H1
     • H2
     • H3
     • H4

• The most important drugs are the ones which block H1 receptors. They are known as antihistamines. They are divided into first-and second-generation drugs.

• FIRST GENERATION ANTIHISTAMINES USES
  • Drugs that can be used in drug-induced Parkinsonism: Promethazine.
  • Acute muscular dystonia, Akathisia
  • Common cold 
  • Prophylaxis of motion sickness 
• FIRST-GENERATION DRUGS
  • Promethazine
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Cinnarizine 
• Second generation drugs have only anti-allergic properties. Examples of some second-generation antihistamines are as follows:
  • Loratadine 
  • Cetirizine 
  • Azelastine
  • Fexofenadine
  • Astemizole 
  • Terfenadine 
• Astemizole and terfenadine are now withdrawn as both of them have QT prolongation which can lead to Torsades de Pointes.

2. SEROTONIN                                                          

Serotonin can act on various receptors. They are classified as follows:

• 5HT1A is used to treat Anxiety. The drug used is Buspirone. (Bupropion has a very similar name to that of buspirone. They should not be confused with each other as Bupropion is used to support smoking cessation). 5HT1B are the receptors which are present in the Brain. They cause vasoconstriction. Hence, these drugs are used in the case of Migraine.

Also Read: Bronchial Asthma Treatment - NEET PG Pharmacology

Migraine

• A unilateral, pulsatile headache is suggestive of migraine. Symptoms like photophobia, phonophobia etc. are seen in individuals suffering from migraine. For acute migraine attacks, the drugs of choice are Triptans if NSAIDs do not work.
• Triptans are the drug of choice for cluster headache also. Another drug of choice other than Triptans is Ergotamine. But Ergotamine causes severe vasoconstriction in the periphery which can lead to gangrene. Hence, triptans are preferred to ergotamine for acute migraine. Whenever used, they should not be given together. Both these drugs act by stimulating 5HT1B/1D receptors.
• The drug of choice for Prophylaxis is propranolol. New theories suggest that migraine is due to calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP). Hence, it has to be decreased to treat migraines.
• New Drugs in Migraine
  • Drugs blocking 5HT₁ receptors
    • 5HT_1F agonist: This drug group is known as Ditans
      • Example, Lasmiditan
  • CGRP antagonists (↓Release of CGRP): The drug group is called gepants.
    • Oral - e.g. Ubrogepant, olcegepant, Rimegepant
  • Monoclonal Antibodies (CGRP antagonists). These are injectable drugs. They are long acting. Hence, they are used for prophylaxis of migraine. Examples for this group of drugs are
    • Erenumab
    • Eptinezumab
    • Galcanezumab
    • Fremanezumab
  • Drugs blocking 5HT2 receptors
    • Antipsychotic drugs:
      • Olanzapine 
      • Clozapine 
  • Drugs blocking 5HT3 receptors
    • Used for the treatment of vomiting. Setron group of drugs are the drug of choice for chemotherapy induced nausea vomiting.
      • Ondansetron 
      • Granisetron
      • Palonosetron 
  • Drugs blocking 5HT4 receptors
    • They are present in the GIT and they increase peristalsis. The drugs that stimulate them are prokinetic drugs. Examples are:
      • Cisapride (is withdrawn because of QT prolongation)
      • Mosapride 
      • Prucalopride

3. PROSTAGLANDINS
   • Prostaglandins are formed from the phospho-lipids of the membrane.
   • Phospho-lipids are converted to Arachidonic acid by PLPA2. Arachidonic acid is affected by COX producing prostaglandin (PG). Arachidonic acid affected by LOX produces leukotrienes (LT). Drugs that inhibit COX are known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Also Read: Corticosteroids: Uses, Side Effects, and Treatment

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs 

• Their mechanism is that they inhibit COX.
• There are two types of COX inhibitors.
  • Non-selective COX inhibitors (the ones that inhibit COX- 1 and COX – 2)
  • Selective COX inhibitors (The ones that primarily inhibit COX – 2 only)

• ASPIRIN USES
  • Most of the NSAIDs are used to treat fever, pain and inflammation. Aspirin is used for these purposes. In addition to that, aspirin is also used for anti-platelet action. The dose required for antiplatelet use of aspirin is <325 mg. It can be used for prophylaxis, myocardial infarction or stroke. At low dose (<325 mg), aspirin primarily inhibits the formation of Thromboxane A2. Hence, platelet aggregation will not take place.
  • Aspirin is contraindicated in gout, because it can cause hyperuricemia. Aspirin is contraindicated in children with viral illness because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome. Overdose of aspirin causes aspirin toxicity. The only antidote is to make the urine alkaline by giving sodium bicarbonate. This will help the excretion of aspirin through the urine.
• PARACETAMOL USES
  • The other name of paracetamol is acetaminophen. The exception associated with paracetamol is the fact that it has no anti-inflammatory property. This might be because of the fact that it only inhibits COX- 3 in the brain.
  • Paracetamol has lesser nephrotoxicity. Hence, it is preferred in a patient suffering from any sort of renal disease. On metabolism, it produces a compound called NAPQI which can cause liver damage. The antidote for paracetamol is N-acetyl cysteine.
  • Part of its analgesic metabolism is contributed by its action on a vanilloid receptor called TRPV (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid). A metabolite of paracetamol is assumed to be acting on these receptors.
• INDOMETHACIN USES
  • It was considered as the drug of choice for Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). But nowadays ibuprofen has become the drug of choice. Ibuprofen is the only anti-inflammatory drug that is preferred in children.

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