Inflammation: Immune Response & Treatments

Flashcards covering key terms related to the inflammatory response, immune mechanisms, and common anti-inflammatory drug treatments, including their mechanisms of action and side effects.

Erythema (Inflammation)

Caused by the increase in blood flow due to vasodilation during an inflammatory response.

Heat (Inflammation)

Caused by increased blood flow during an inflammatory response.

Edema (Inflammation)

Caused by fluid that leaks into the tissues during an inflammatory response.

Pain (Inflammation)

Caused by the activation of pain fibers during an inflammatory response.

Increased Capillary Permeability (Inflammation)

A key change during inflammation that allows substances in the blood (e.g., leukocytes, antibodies, clotting factors) to enter the tissue.

Purpose of Inflammatory Response

To neutralize and eliminate offending agents, destroy necrosed tissue, and prepare tissue for repair.

Extravasation

A synonym for the process where leukocytes exit the blood vessels and enter the inflamed tissue; also known as margination and emigration.

Chemokines (chemoattractants)

Chemicals that attract leukocytes (like macrophages and neutrophils) to the site of inflammation; the process is called chemotaxis.

Chemotaxis

The gradient-driven process by which leukocytes are attracted by chemokines to the site of inflammation.

Cytokines

Chemicals (e.g., Interleukins, TNF, Interferons, Colon-Stimulating Factors) that promote the activation, proliferation, and differentiation of immune cells.

Corticosteroid

An anti-inflammatory drug that blocks chemical reactions associated with inflammation.

Antihistamine

An anti-inflammatory drug that blocks the release of histamine, acting in the initial phase of the inflammatory response.

Salicylates

Drugs used to treat mild-to-moderate pain, fever, and inflammation; they decrease platelet aggregation and inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandin.

Salicylates Side Effects

Common side effect includes GI bleeding.

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

Drugs with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects that work by blocking COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.

NSAIDs Side Effects

Can include NVD, dyspepsia, GI pain, constipation, GI bleeding, platelet inhibition, hypertension, and bone marrow suppression.

Acetaminophen

A drug primarily used for pain (including MSK arthritis) and fever, acting directly on the thermoregulatory cells of the hypothalamus.

Acetaminophen Side Effects

Can include headache, hemolytic anemia, renal dysfunction, skin rash, fever, and hepatotoxicity.

Hepatotoxicity (Acetaminophen)

A major side effect of acetaminophen, especially when liver dysfunction or alcohol use is present, or when taken with drugs like barbiturates or rifampin.