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Dr. Niranjan Murthy H L Asst. Prof. of Physiology SSMC, Tumkur
Dr. Niranjan Murthy H L Asst. Prof. of Physiology SSMC, Tumkur
Niranjan Murthy H L
Asst. Prof. of Physiology
SSMC, Tumkur
• Part of CNS but not a distinct entity
• Involuntary
• Organizes visceral support of somatic
behaviour
• Winslow, Langley, Loewi, Cannon, Bacq,
Dale
Anatomic Organization
Sympathetic nervous system
Adrenergic
receptors
Alpha Beta
Beta 3
Alpha1 receptors:
Location- arterioles, eyes, bladder, male sex
organ
Mechanism- IP3 DAG second messenger
system
Alpha 2 receptors:
Location- presynaptic nerve terminals,
pancreatic beta cells, CNS, platelets
Mechanism- adenylyl cyclase cAMP
inhibition
Beta 1 receptors:
Location- heart, JGA
Beta 2 receptors:
Location- Blood vessels, Smooth muscles
(of uterus, Bladder, Bowel, Eye, Bronchi)
Metabolic
Parasympathetic receptors
Nicotinic receptors- Nn & Nm
Ligand gated cation channels
Location- NMJ, Ganglia & Adrenal medulla
Muscarinic receptors- M1 to M5
G protein coupled
Location-
M1- CNS & gastric glands
M2- Heart
M3- Smooth muscles & Glands
Sympathetic neurotransmitters-
synthesis and fate
• Noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine
• Synthesis begins in axoplasm and
complete in vesicles
• Fate:
(iv) Reuptake- 50 to 80%
(v) Diffusion into blood
(vi) Destruction by tissue enzymes- COMT &
MAO
Acetylcholine- synthesis & fate
• Synthesis in axoplasm
• Duration of action is very short because of
acetylcholinesterase
• Reuptake of choline
Autonomic reflexes
• Baroreceptor reflex
• Cardiac reflexes
• Reflexes involving chemoreceptor and
visceral receptors
• Micturition reflex
• Defecation reflex
• Sexual reflexes
Central control of autonomic functions
1. Spinal cord
spinal shock
2. Medulla- cardiovascular and respiratory
centers
4. Midbrain
midbrain injuries cause inhibition of micturition
reflex, changes in skin resistance, modification
of BP & HR
• Hypothalamus-temperature regulation, co-
ordination of visceromotor reflexes, etc
• Limbic system- closely connected with
hypothalamus
• Cerebellum
• Cerebral cortex
Pharmacology of ANS
1. Sympathomimetic Drugs
a) drugs stimulating adrenergic receptors
eg: Epinephrine, phenylephrine,
Isoproterenol, albuterol
b) drugs releasing noradrenaline
eg: Ephedrine, Amphetamine
Therapeutic uses:
ii. Vasopressors- Dopamine
iii. Cardiac stimulants- Adrenaline,
Dopamine, Dobutamine
iv. Bronchodilators- Adrenaline, Salbutamol
v. Uterine relaxants- Salbutamol,
Isoxsuprine
vi. Nasal decongestant- Pseudoephedrine,
Xylometazoline
vii. Anorexiants- Fenfluramine
2. Sympatholytic Drugs
i) Inhibitors of synthesis & storage of
norepinephrine- Reserpine
ii) Blockers of norepinephrine release-
Guanethidine
iii) Alpha blockers- Phentolamine,
Phenoxybenzamine
iv) Beta blockers- Atenolol
v) Ganglion blockers- Hexamethonium
Therapeutic uses- Antihypertensives
3. Parasympathomimetic drugs
a) Direct stimulants of muscarinic
receptors- Pilocarpine & Methacholine
b) Anticholinesterase drugs- Neostigmine,
Physostigmine, Ambemonium
Used in myasthenia gravis
4. Parasympatholytic drugs- Atropine,
Scopalamine, Homatropine
Used as mydriatics
5. Drugs stimulating autonomic
postganglionic neurons- Nicotine,
Acetylcholine, Methacholine
6. Ganglion blocking drugs-
Hexamethonium, Pentolinium
Used as antihypertensives