Muscle Relaxants

1
Muscle Relaxants

• The effects of Valium and Anectine on the motor
  neuron pathway.

Michael Potter Danielle Dahle Zach
Zugschwerdt Libbye Haddon Matt Mardesich Mark
Garcia

2
The Problem

• Valium (Diazepam) is often prescribed to relieve
  muscle spasms without interfering with muscle
  function.
• Anectine (Succinylcholine) is a rapid skeletal
  muscle relaxant, and is used as an adjunct to
  general anesthesia during surgery.

3
Valium (Diazepam)

• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) acts as an
  inhibitory NT in the CNS.
• When GABA binds to GABA-A receptor sites, it
  opens up ion channels that result in an influx of
  Chloride, hyperpolarizes the cell.
• Valium increases the GABA-A receptors affinity
  for GABA.

Valium can be used as an anti-anxiety/sedative
because it stops the normal firing of action
potentials.
4
Anectine (Succinylcholine)

• Causes an influx of Sodium into the skeletal
  muscle cells, causing rapid depolarization This
  results in extreme muscle contraction, followed
  by muscle relaxation.
• It doesnt affect smooth muscle or autonomic
  ganglia because Succinylcholine only binds to
  nicotinic receptors. The long subtstiuent also
  makes it unaffected by cholinesterase (Compare
  molecular structures, next slide)

5
Anectine (Succinylcholine)

• Succinylcholine

• Acetylcholine

6
Analogy

• Anectine You max-out your credit card are
  blocked from using it until you pay your bill
• Valium Muscle contraction is a crime. Valium
  calls 911. GABA is the police