BrightMed Session 3: Are you tensing for angiotensin?

Well it definitely was a while ago that BrightMed Session 3 occurred, but I've been so busy that I only now have the time to write about it!

This time's session was about the creation of our own drug, and I've been really looking forward to this time for a long time.

I'm pretty proud to say our drug was named "Renogen" (guess who came up with the great name)

This afternoon, our groups are presenting their drugs to the group. First we have Renogen, a synthetic angiotensin replacement.

— BrightMed BSMS (@BrightMed) February 13, 2016

As the tweet above describes, Renogen is a synthetic angiotensin replacement

But what does that mean?

Let's begin by describing perfusion:

This is the process of supplying all of the vital organs with enough blood to carry nutrients and oxygen, and remove waste products.

Or you can take a definition from Mr. Wikipedia:

In physiology, perfusion is the process of a body delivering blood to a capillary bed in its biological tissue. The word is derived from the French verb "perfuser" meaning to "pour over or through."

Now we've established that, let's talk about hypertension.

Hypertension is described as blood pressure that is greater than 140/90, and can cause things such as stroke, myocardial infarctions, or even retinopathy.

So, how do we actually get blood pressure? Well, we times the flow with the resistance, of course!

Blood pressure = cardiac output x the peripheral resistance.

Another thing to note: stroke volume x heart rate, gives your cardiac output!

Now we can look at cardiac output!

1. The sympathetic nervous system
2. Releases noradrenalin
3. Bind to β receptors in heart
4. Increased heart rate and stroke volume

The opposite?

1. The parasympathetic nervous system
2. Releases acetylcholine
3. Binds to M receptors in heart

 Now for a very important fact: the more calcium there is, the more contractions we have.

So, in your heart

Na (Sodium) > β receptors > Ca²⁺ (Calcium) channel opens > Increased Ca²⁺ > Increased contractions

ACh (acetylcholine) > M receptors > Ca²⁺ (Calcium) channel closes> Decreased Ca²⁺ > Decreased contractions

And in your vessels:

Sympathetic Nervous System > NA > A1 Receptors > Ca²⁺ (Calcium) channel opens  > Increased contractions

Don't worry, there's no reverse of this for the vessels, as they can simply "relax"

So, we can now look at the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System... but not just yet... there's more information coming soon!

Well, we can
- Geeker