Biomedical subjects

D W Robertson

Publications and source records attributed to D W Robertson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Synthesis of a tritium-labeled indolidan analogue and its use as a radioligand for phosphodiesterase-inhibitor cardiotonic binding sites.

We have radiolabeled a structural analogue of indolidan, a potent phosphodiesterase-inhibitor cardiotonic, to permit biochemical studies regarding the interaction of this class of drugs with their pharmacological receptor. [3H]-LY186126 (1,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1-[3H3]methyl-5-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-me thyl-6- oxo-3-pyridazinyl)-2H-indol-2-one; [3H]-3) was selected as a synthetic target because of its potency as a cardiotonic and the ability to readily incorporate three tritia via the indolone N-CH3 substituent. Alkylation of a desmethyl precursor with tritium-labeled iodomethane resulted in [3H]-3 with a radiochemical purity of 98% and a specific activity of 79.2 Ci/mmol. This radioligand binds with high affinity to myocardial membrane vesicles. The binding was saturable, and Kd and Bmax values of 4.1 nM and 383 fmol/mg protein were obtained. A series of indolidan congeners displaced [3H]-3 bound to myocardial vesicles, and Ki values for inhibition of binding were highly correlated with canine inotropic ED50 values, suggesting the specific binding of [3H]-3 to cardiac vesicles is pharmacologically relevant.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Specific binding of [3H]LY186126, an analogue of indolidan (LY195115), to cardiac membranes enriched in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles.

LY186126 was found to be a potent inhibitor of type IV cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase located in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of canine cardiac muscle. This compound, a close structural analogue of indolidan (LY195115), was prepared in high specific activity, tritiated form to study the positive inotropic receptor(s) for cardiotonic phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as indolidan and milrinone. A high-affinity binding site for [3H]LY186126 was observed (Kd = 4 nM) in purified preparations of canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Binding was proportional to vesicle protein, was inactivated by subjecting membranes to proteolysis or boiling, and was dependent on added Mg2+. Scatchard analysis suggested the presence of a single class of binding sites in the membrane preparation. Indolidan, milrinone, and LY186126 (all at 1 microM) produced essentially complete displacement of bound [3H]LY186126, while nifedipine, propranolol, and prazosin had little or no effect at this concentration. This represents the first reported use of a radioactive analogue to label the inotropic receptor for cardiotonic phosphodiesterase inhibitors. The results suggest that [3H]LY186126 is a useful radioligand for examining the subcellular site(s) responsible for positive inotropic effects of these drugs.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Characterization and pharmacological relevance of high affinity binding sites for [3H]LY186126, a cardiotonic phosphodiesterase inhibitor, in canine cardiac membranes.

[3H]LY186126, an analogue of the cardiotonic agent indolidan, was shown to bind reversibly and with high affinity (Kd = 4 nM) to a single class of binding sites within canine myocardial vesicles. Binding site density measured in various cardiac membrane fractions correlated well with Ca2+-ATPase activity (r = 0.94; p less than 0.01), but not with Na+,K+-ATPase or azide sensitive ATPase, indicating a localization of these sites within sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. Divalent cations were required for binding and displayed the following order of activation: Zn2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Mg2+ greater than Ca2+. Differential activation of [3H]LY186126 binding by various divalent cations was due to alterations in binding site density, rather than affinity. cGMP and selective inhibitors of type IV membrane-bound phosphodiesterase (SR-PDE), for example, indolidan, milrinone, imazodan, and enoximone, selectively displaced bound [3H]LY186126 caffeine, theophylline, and rolipram were relatively impotent as inhibitors of radiolabel binding. Kd values from displacement curves were highly correlated with IC50 values for inhibition of SR-PDE (r = 0.92; p less than 0.001). In addition, Kd values correlated well with published ED50 values for increases in cardiac contractility in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs (r = 0.94; p less than 0.001). The results support the hypothesis that [3H]LY186126 labels the pharmacological receptor for the class of positive inotropic agents characterized as isozyme-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Furthermore, the data suggest that the identity of the site labeled by [3H]LY186126 is SR-PDE, the type IV isozyme of cardiac phosphodiesterase located in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

PubMed1989

Analysis of the binding sites for the cardiotonic phosphodiesterase inhibitor [3H]LY186126 in ventricular myocardium.

The positive inotropic action of the newer cardiotonic phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as indolidan, milrinone, and imazodan has been previously attributed to selective inhibition of cGMP-inhibitable Type IV (high affinity) cAMP phosphodiesterase activity. However, the subcellular binding site(s) for this class of compounds has not been defined. We have characterized the binding of [3H]LY186126, an analogue of indolidan, in subcellular fractions prepared from rabbit and sheep ventricular myocardium. Binding required magnesium ion and exhibited rapid association and dissociation kinetics. Specific binding (defined by ligand displacement with 5 microM indolidan) to enriched rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane vesicles was saturable (Bmax = 714 +/- 77 fmol/mg of protein) and of high affinity (Kd = 6.2 +/- 1.4 nM). Linear and nonlinear analyses of the binding isotherms fit a single-site model. Mixed SR preparations from sheep myocardium exhibited binding characteristics (Bmax = 944 +/- 115 fmol/mg; Kd = 8.5 +/- 2.3 nM) comparable to those of rabbit cardiac SR. Further subfractionation of sheep SR indicated that the binding sites were equally distributed between free (Bmax = 630 fmol/mg; Kd = 4.4 nM) and junctional SR (Bmax = 569 fmol/mg; Kd = 10.9 nM). Specific binding of [3H]LY186126 was also demonstrated in the cytosolic subfraction of rabbit myocardium that contained Type IV phosphodiesterase activity (Peak III from anion exchange chromatography). Competition for [3H] LY186126 binding studied in rabbit SR showed that, of the compounds tested, lixazinone (RS 82856) competed most effectively (IC50 = 0.030 +/- 0.008 nM), followed by indolidan (0.14 +/- 0.05 nM), cGMP (17.8 +/- 2.6 nM), milrinone (39.3 +/- 13.2 nM), and imazodan (192 +/- 73 nM). In contrast, rolipram, which does not inhibit SR-associated Type IV phosphodiesterase activity, was not effective at competing for [3H]LY186126 binding (IC50 greater than 30 microM). These results indicate that [3H]LY186126 has specific binding sites in myocardial subcellular fractions that contain cGMP-inhibitable Type IV (high affinity) cAMP phosphodiesterase activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Comparison of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) effects on mouse heart norepinephrine.

MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) mimicked MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) in producing marked, dose-related depletion of cardiac norepinephrine after a single oral or subcutaneous dose in mice. MPP+ was approximately 4-fold more potent than MPTP in depleting norepinephrine, but the onset of depletion was not faster for MPP+ than for MPTP. The time courses of the effects of both compounds were similar to that for 6-hydroxydopamine, with maximum depletion occurring at 1 day, partial recovery at 2 and 4 days, and full recovery of norepinephrine concentrations at 1 week. Desipramine, over a dose range that completely prevented the depletion of cardiac norepinephrine by 6-hydroxydopamine at 24 hr, did not prevent cardiac norepinephrine depletion by either MPP+ or MPTP. In a short duration experiment, one or two doses of desipramine also failed to prevent heart norepinephrine depletion by MPP+ or by MPTP, although a slight antagonism was found. EXP 561 (4-phenylbicyclo[2,2,2]octan-1-amine hydrochloride monohydrate), another uptake inhibitor with possibly longer duration of action, also did not protect against norepinephrine depletion by a single dose of MPP+ or MPTP at a dose that prevented norepinephrine depletion by 6-hydroxydopamine. In mice given four daily doses of MPTP, EXP 561 prevented the depletion of norepinephrine in the frontal cortex and of dopamine in the striatum but not the depletion of norepinephrine in heart or spleen. Thus, both MPTP and MPP+ deplete norepinephrine in mouse heart, and this effect of the two compounds is resistant to antagonism by uptake inhibitors that antagonize the effects of MPTP on brain catecholamines.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

PubMed1988

LY227942, an inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine uptake: biochemical pharmacology of a potential antidepressant drug.

LY227942, (+/-)-N-methyl-3-(1-naphthalenyloxy)-3-(2-thiophene)propanamine ethanedioate, is a new, competitive inhibitor of monoamine uptake in synaptosomal preparations of rat brain. LY227942 inhibits uptake of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) and norepinephrine (NE) in cortical synaptosomes and uptake of dopamine (DA) in striatal synaptosomes with inhibitor constants (Ki values) of 8.5, 45 and 300 nM, respectively. Upon administration in vivo, LY227942 lowers 5HT and NE uptake in hypothalamus homogenates to half their respective control activities (ED50) at 0.74 and 1.2 mg/kg s.c., 7 and 12 mg/kg i.p., and 12 and 22 mg/kg p.o., but LY227942 at doses up to 30 mg/kg p.o. does not change DA uptake in striatal homogenates. Lowering of 5HT and NE uptake is demonstrated after 15 min and 6 hr, but has dissipated by 16 hr after oral administration. According to radioligand binding determinations, LY227942 possesses only weak affinity for muscarinic receptors, histamine-1 receptors, adrenergic receptors, dopamine receptors and serotonin receptors. These findings suggest that LY227942 has the pharmacological profile of an antidepressant drug and is useful to study the pharmacological responses of concerted enhancement of serotonergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Anticonvulsant effects of a novel aminobenzamide (LY201116) in mice.

The drug 4-amino-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)benzamide(LY201116) is a potent and selective anticonvulsant in the maximal electric shock test in mice. The ED50 values after oral and intravenous administration were 1.7 mg/kg and 0.51 mg/kg, respectively. For comparison, the oral and intravenous ED50 values for the anticonvulsant phenytoin which is selective for the maximal electric shock test were 9.1 and 8.5 mg/kg, respectively. After oral administration, LY201116 had a protective index (ED50 to produce neurological impairment, divided by ED50 on the maximal electric shock) of 13.5. After 4 days of administration, there was no evidence of the development of tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of LY201116. The hexobarbital-induced sleeping time was not significantly affected by either acute or chronic administration of LY201116 for 4 days. In combination studies with the anticonvulsants phenytoin and carbamazepine which are selective for the maximal electric shock test, LY201116 produced dose-additive effects which suggest that it produces its anticonvulsant action through the same mechanism of action as these prototype anticonvulsants.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1988

Mechanisms of effects of d-fenfluramine on brain serotonin metabolism in rats: uptake inhibition versus release.

d-Fenfluramine is an anorectic drug believed to act by enhancement on serotonergic function in the brain. d-Fenfluramine (or the racemate) releases serotonin through a carrier-dependent mechanism, and serotonin release is the mechanism usually thought to produce its serotonergic effects. However, d-fenfluramine also inhibits serotonin uptake in vitro, and serotonin uptake inhibition is sometimes suggested to contribute to its mechanism of anorectic activity. Neurochemical experiments were done to examine serotonin release and serotonin uptake inhibition as mechanisms of action of d-fenfluramine in rats and to compare d-fenfluramine to fluoxetine, a serotonin uptake inhibitor. d-Fenfluramine decreased serotonin concentration in rat brain as early as 1 hr; at 1 hr 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) concentration was slightly increased, but at later times 5HIAA was also decreased. Fluoxetine, in contrast, did not change serotonin concentration in whole brain but decreased 5HIAA concentration at all time points. At all time intervals studied, the 5HIAA/serotonin ratio was increased by d-fenfluramine (and by Ro 4-1284, a nonspecific serotonin releaser) but was decreased by fluoxetine, a serotonin uptake inhibitor. No decrease in 5HIAA concentration or in the 5HIAA/serotonin ratio was apparent at any time or after any dose of d-fenfluramine studied. The possibility that doses of d-fenfluramine below those needed for serotonin release might inhibit serotonin uptake was tested by determining whether d-fenfluramine could block the acute depletion of brain serotonin by p-chloroamphetamine, or the long-term neurotoxic effect of p-chloroamphetamine on brain serotonin neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

2H-Benzo(a)quinolizin-2-ol, 2-Ethyl-1,3,4,6,7,11b-↗

PubMed1988

Molecular structure of fluoxetine hydrochloride, a highly selective serotonin-uptake inhibitor.

Fluoxetine, a selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake, is clinically useful in treating depression and may be useful for management of a variety of other psychiatric and metabolic derangements. Using X-ray crystallography, we have determined the three-dimensional structure of fluoxetine hydrochloride. A total of 2394 unique reflections were measured, and full-matrix least-squares refinement of all non-hydrogen coordinates and thermal parameters gave a final discrepancy index of 0.074 for 1759 observed reflections. In the solid state, the planes defined by the two aromatic rings are skewed, precluding the possibility of intramolecular ring-ring interactions. The methylene units of the methylpropanamine moiety adopt the anticipated conformational relationships to minimize torsional strain. An exact antiperiplanar relationship exists between N11 and C3; the N11-C1-C2-C3 dihedral angle is -180 degrees. The C1-C2-C3-O4 dihedral angle is 60.6 degrees, indicating that the propanamine side-chain folds toward the phenoxy moiety rather than adopting a fully extended conformation. This folded three-dimensional relationship may be necessary for high-affinity interaction with the serotonin-uptake carrier and confers considerable structural homology between this portion of fluoxetine and the phenylcyclohexylamine substructure of sertraline and EXP-561. However, the nature of substituents on the phenoxy portion of fluoxetine is also critical in determining potency and selectivity in this series of compounds.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Imidazole-pyridine bioisosterism: comparison of the inotropic activities of pyridine- and imidazole-substituted 6-phenyldihydropyridazinone cardiotonics.

We previously reported the structure-activity relationships (SAR), molecular structure, pharmacology, and molecular pharmacology of indolidan (LY195115), a potent and long-acting dihydropyridazinone cardiotonic. Our 6-phenyldihydropyridazinone SAR studies revealed the critical nature of the substituent at the para position of the phenyl ring. An acetamido substituent provided potent cardiotonic activity and we hypothesized that this may relate to the ability of the acetamide carbonyl to function as a hydrogen-bond acceptor. To further address this question, we prepared 15 (4,5-dihydro-6-[4-(3-pyridinyl)phenyl]-3(2H)-pyridazinone), the 3-pyridyl analogue of imazodan. As is the case with imazodan, this (pyridylphenyl)dihydropyridazinone possesses a nitrogen three atoms removed from the phenyl ring, but the molecular framework through which it is attached to the phenyldihydropyridazinone moiety is altered. After iv administration to pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, inotropic ED50 values of 15, imazodan, and the parent compound, 4,5-dihydro-6-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone, were 19.4, 50.1, and 6330 micrograms/kg, respectively. Thus, 15 is over 2-fold more potent than imazodan and 326-fold more potent than the parent, unsubstituted compound. These data, as well as data obtained with other congeners, are consistent with the hypothesis that a suitably oriented hydrogen-bond-acceptor site contributes to the high degree of inotropic potency observed with these dihydropyridazinone cardiotonics.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Electrophysiologic and antiarrhythmic activities of 4-amino-N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzamide, a sterically hindered procainamide analogue.

Procainamide is a widely used antiarrhythmic that is fraught with therapeutic limitations such as a short half-life, production of autoimmune antibodies and a lupus-like syndrome, and complex pharmacokinetics. We synthesized the congeners of procainamide possessing one or two methyl substituents ortho to the 4-amino moiety (compounds 4 and 5, respectively), in order to sterically encumber the 4-amino substituent and prevent or diminish the rate of metabolic N-acetylation. Moreover, we anticipated that this structural alteration might eliminate the autoimmune toxicities associated with procainamide. Like procainamide, the two methylated analogues significantly reduced the rate of rise and amplitude of the action potential when studied in isolated canine Purkinje fibers. Whereas procainamide caused no significant change in action potential duration (APD), both methylated congeners significantly reduced APD at 70% and 95% repolarization. Moreover, the dimethylated congener was significantly more efficacious than procainamide in reducing ERP (effective refractory period) and increasing the ERP/APD70. The ability of these compounds to block ouabain-induced arrhythmias was studied in anesthetized dogs. Addition of two methyl groups ortho to the amine produced an increase in potency: The conversion doses for procainamide and the monomethyl and dimethyl congeners were 19.0, 18.3, and 14.3 mg/kg, respectively, following iv administration. After iv administration to rats, procainamide was extensively metabolized to N-acetylprocainamide and displayed a half-life of 0.4 h. In contrast, dimethylprocainamide was not metabolized by N-acetylation, had a half-life of 1.4 h, and provided greater peak plasma concentrations. Thus, addition of methyl substituents ortho to the 4-amino group of procainamide alters the electrophysiological characteristics of the compound, increases its potency against ouabain-induced arrhythmias in vivo, increases its plasma half-life, and prevents N-acetylation.

Acetylation↗

PubMed1988

Absolute configurations and pharmacological activities of the optical isomers of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin-uptake inhibitor.

Fluoxetine is a potent and selective inhibitor of the neuronal serotonin-uptake carrier and is a clinically effective antidepressant. Although fluoxetine is used therapeutically as the racemate, there appears to be a small but demonstrable stereospecificity associated with its interactions with the serotonin-uptake carrier. The goals of this study were to determine the absolute configurations of the enantiomers of fluoxetine and to examine whether the actions of fluoxetine in behavioral tests were enantiospecific. (S)-Fluoxetine was synthesized from (S)-(-)-3-chloro-1-phenylpropanol by sequential reaction with sodium iodide, methylamine, sodium hydride, and 4-fluorobenzotrifluoride. (S)-Fluoxetine is dextrorotatory (+1.60) in methanol, but is levorotatory (-10.85) in water. Fluoxetine enantiomers were derivatized with (R)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl isocyanate, and the resulting ureas were assayed by 1H NMR or HPLC to determine optical purities of the fluoxetine samples. Both enantiomers antagonized writhing in mice; following sc administration of (R)- and (S)-fluoxetine, ED50 values were 15.3 and 25.7 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, both enantiomers potentiated a subthreshold analgesic dose (0.25 mg/kg) of morphine, and ED50 values were 3.6 and 5.7 mg/kg, respectively. Following ip administration to mice, the two stereoisomers antagonized p-chloroamphetamine-induced depletion of whole brain serotonin concentrations. ED50 values for (S)- and (R)-fluoxetine were 1.2 and 2.1 mg/kg, respectively. The two enantiomers decreased palatability-induced ingestion following ip administration to rats; (R)- and (S)-fluoxetine reduced saccharin-induced drinking with ED50 values of 6.1 and 4.9 mg/kg, respectively. Thus, in all biochemical and pharmacological studies to date, the eudismic ratio for the fluoxetine enantiomers is near unity.

Analgesia↗

PubMed1988

Comparative effects of 1-ethyl- and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines on catecholamine concentrations in mouse brain and heart.

The effects of 1-ethyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (EPTP) on striatal dopamine, cortical norepinephrine and cardiac norepinephrine concentrations in mice were compared to the effects of the 1-methyl analog (MPTP). One week after the last of four daily injections of MPTP into mice, persistent depletion of dopamine and its metabolites in the striatum and of norepinephrine in the frontal cortex was found. EPTP did not produce these effects even at doses up to 4 times those of MPTP. A single dose of MPTP depleted cardiac norepinephrine 24 hrs later in mice. EPTP and the corresponding pyridinium compound (EPP+) depleted cardiac norepinephrine to a similar extent as did MPTP. These results and earlier observations show differences between the characteristics of MPTP-induced depletion of brain catecholamines and those of MPTP-induced depletion of cardiac norepinephrine.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

PubMed1987

Molecular structure of the dihydropyridazinone cardiotonic 1,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-pyridazinyl)- 2H-indol-2-one, a potent inhibitor of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.

The cardiotonic 1,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-3- pyridazinyl)-2H-indol-2-one (1, LY195115) is a potent, competitive inhibitor (Ki = 80 nM) of sarcoplasmic reticulum derived phosphodiesterase (SR-PDE). Moreover, the compound is a potent positive inotrope both in vitro and in vivo. To assist further cardiotonic drug-design studies, we have mapped the three-dimensional structure of 1 using X-ray crystallography. From a global viewpoint, this drug was essentially planar, but two small regions of nonplanarity were apparent. These involved the geminal methyl substituents in the indol-2-one moiety and the C5' methylene unit of the dihydropyridazinone ring. Because of our previous studies involving the bipyridine cardiotonics amrinone and milrinone, the conformational relationship between the plane of the phenyl ring and the horizontal symmetry plane defined by N2', C3', and C4' of 1 was of particular interest. The C6-C5-C3'-C4' dihedral angle was -2.7 degrees, whereas the C6-C5-C3'-N2' dihedral angle was 174.6 degrees. Therefore the two rings maintain a high degree of coplanarity. Compound 4, the congener of 1 possessing a completely unsaturated pyridazinone ring was also studied. In terms of inotropic activity, this compound, devoid of any puckering in the pyridazinone moiety, was equipotent with 1. Methyl substitution at the 4-position of the dihydropyridazinone and pyridazinone rings provided disparate results. Compound 2, the 4-methyl analogue of 1, was 2-fold more potent than 1, and the methyl substituent probably caused only minor perturbations in overall molecular topology. However 5, the 4-methyl analogue of the pyridazinone 4, was 4.4-fold less active than 4, perhaps as a result of methyl-induced molecular nonplanarity.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

PubMed1987

Dihydropyridazinone cardiotonics: synthesis and inotropic activity of 5'-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-3-pyridazinyl)spiro[cycloalkane- 1,3'-[3H]indol]-2'(1'H)-ones.

In the 1,3-dihydro-5-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-3-pyridazinyl)-2H-indol-2-one series of cardiotonics, we found that a spirocycloalkyl ring may be annealed to the 3-position of the indolone moiety while retaining inotropic activity. An inverse relationship was found between spirocyloalkyl ring size and inotropic potency. ED50 values of the spirocyclopropane 10, spirocyclobutane 12, and spirocyclopentane 13 were 2.7, 35, and 133 micrograms/kg, respectively, following iv administration to pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. The most potent compound prepared was 11 (5'-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-methyl-6-oxo-3-pyridazinyl)spiro[cyclopropane- 1,3'-[3H]indol]-2'(1'H)-one), the 4-methyl analogue of 10. This compound had an iv ED50 of 1.5 microgram/kg. Oral activity was evaluated by administering 50 micrograms/kg of 10 to conscious, chronically instrumented dogs. A 39% increase in LV dP/dt60 was observed, and an inotropic effect was demonstrable in excess of 7 h. Thus, the spirocyclic dihydropyridazinone inotropes are potent, long-acting, orally effective cardiotonics. Compound 11 was a potent inhibitor (IC50 = 13 nM) of cAMP phosphodiesterase derived from canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR-PDE). Importantly, -log IC50 values for inhibition of SR-PDE for this entire series of compounds were highly correlated (r = 0.949, p less than 0.02) with their inotropic -log ED50 values, supporting the hypothesis that inhibition of this enzyme contributes to the mechanism of action of the spirocyclic dihydropyridazinones.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

PubMed1987

Imidazole anticonvulsants: structure-activity relationships of [(biphenylyloxy)alkyl]imidazoles.

The [(biphenylyloxy)alkyl]imidazoles were found to be potent anticonvulsants. The most potent compound of the series, 1-[2- ([1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yloxy)ethyl]-1H-imidazole (4), had an ED50 of 15.5 mg/kg against maximal-electroshock-induced seizures in mice after oral administration; the horizontal screen ED50 was 320 mg/kg, revealing that the compound has a protective index of 21. Homologues bearing three- and four-carbon tethers between the imidazole and biphenylyloxy moieties were also active, but their potency was attenuated relative to 4. Congeners with the imidazolylalkoxy moiety at the meta or para positions of biphenyl were also less active. All these compounds were potent potentiators of hexobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice, presumably via the well-known imidazole-mediated inhibition of cytochrome P-450. The structural features governing the anticonvulsant and sleeping-time activities appear to be distinct, but a complete dissociation of these two effects has not been achieved. Thus, the potential of these compounds as clinically useful antiepileptic drugs would appear to be limited.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Discovery and anticonvulsant activity of the potent metabolic inhibitor 4-amino-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-3,5-dimethylbenzamide.

Compound 2 [4-amino-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)benzamide] is an effective anticonvulsant in several animal models. For example, following oral administration to mice, it antagonized maximal electroshock (MES) induced seizures with an ED50 of 1.7 mg/kg. During drug disposition studies with 2, we found that it was rapidly metabolized by N-acetylation. Thirty minutes after oral administration of 1.7 mg/kg of 2 to mice, plasma concentrations of parent drug and the N-acetyl metabolite 5 were 1.09 and 0.41 microgram/mL, respectively. Six hours postadministration the concentrations were 0.23 and 0.22 microgram/mL, respectively. In order to sterically preclude or diminish the rate of metabolic N-acetylation, we synthesized analogues of 2 possessing either one (3) or two (4) methyl groups ortho to the 4-amino substituent. Both compounds antagonized MES-induced seizures after administration to mice; oral ED50 values for 3 and 4 were 3.5 and 5.6 mg/kg, respectively. Compound 3 was rapidly metabolized by N-acetylation. However, 4 provided exceptionally high and long-lived plasma concentrations of parent drug; no N-acetyl metabolite could be detected. While 2 and 3 had no pharmacologically relevant effects on hexobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice, 4 was a potent, dose-dependent potentiator of sleeping time. Oral administration of 375 micrograms/kg led to a 61% increase in sleeping time relative to control values. Thus, 4 represents one of the most potent potentiators of hexobarbital-induced sleeping time described to date.

Acetylation↗

PubMed1987

Pharmacology of LY195115, a potent, orally active cardiotonic with a long duration of action.

Compound LY195115 is a novel cardiotonic with both inotropic and vasodilator activities. In cat papillary muscles, LY195115 increased contractility in a concentration-dependent manner; its actions were not blocked by either prazosin or propranolol. An intravenous dose of 7.0 micrograms/kg LY195115 resulted in a 50% increase in contractility in anesthetized dogs; comparable inotropic responses were observed in anesthetized cats receiving 10 micrograms/kg i.v. These doses of LY195115 increased heart rates of both dogs and cats by less than 10%. Oral administration of 25 micrograms/kg to conscious dogs was associated with a selective inotropic response that was maximal at 3 h and maintained in excess of 23 h. This effect was not accompanied by gross behavioral changes or emesis. The hemodynamic profile of LY195115 was evaluated in anesthetized beagle dogs. A 60-min infusion of 1.0 microgram/kg/min LY195115 followed by a 5-min infusion of 10 micrograms/kg/min resulted in dose-dependent increases in contractility (LV dP/dt60) and heart rate; doses that increased LV dP/dt60 by 50% increased heart rate by less than 10%. Doses of greater than 5.0 micrograms/kg decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and systemic vascular resistance; mean arterial blood pressure and cardiac output were unchanged. Estimated myocardial oxygen consumption (heart rate times either systolic or mean arterial blood pressure) was not altered by doses as high as 110 micrograms/kg. This balance of inotropic/vasodilator activities may provide a means of improving cardiac function while maintaining myocardial oxygen supply/demand.

Administration, Oral↗