ABSTRACT
The liver X receptors (LXR) play a key role in cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism. SAR studies around tertiary-amine lead molecule 2, an LXR full agonist, revealed that steric and conformational changes to the acetic acid and propanolamine groups produce dramatic effects on agonist efficacy and potency. The new analogs possess good functional activity, demonstrating the ability to upregulate LXR target genes, as well as promote cholesterol efflux in macrophages.
Subject(s)
Amines/chemistry , Cholesterol/metabolism , Macrophages/drug effects , Orphan Nuclear Receptors/agonists , Amines/chemical synthesis , Amines/pharmacokinetics , Animals , Apolipoproteins E/deficiency , Apolipoproteins E/genetics , Apolipoproteins E/metabolism , Humans , Liver X Receptors , Macrophages/immunology , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Orphan Nuclear Receptors/genetics , Orphan Nuclear Receptors/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
The discovery, proposed binding mode, and optimization of a novel class of Rho-kinase inhibitors are presented. Appropriate substitution on the 6-position of the azabenzimidazole core provided subnanomolar enzyme potency in vitro while dramatically improving selectivity over a panel of other kinases. Pharmacokinetic data was obtained for the most potent and selective examples and one (6n) has been shown to lower blood pressure in a rat model of hypertension.
Subject(s)
Antihypertensive Agents/chemical synthesis , Benzimidazoles/chemical synthesis , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Oxadiazoles/chemical synthesis , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Animals , Antihypertensive Agents/pharmacokinetics , Antihypertensive Agents/pharmacology , Aorta/drug effects , Aorta/physiology , Benzimidazoles/pharmacokinetics , Benzimidazoles/pharmacology , Blood Pressure/drug effects , In Vitro Techniques , Models, Molecular , Muscle Contraction/drug effects , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiology , Oxadiazoles/pharmacokinetics , Oxadiazoles/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Inbred SHR , Structure-Activity Relationship , rho-Associated KinasesABSTRACT
Rho kinase (ROCK1) mediates vascular smooth muscle contraction and is a potential target for the treatment of hypertension and related disorders. Indazole amide 3 was identified as a potent and selective ROCK1 inhibitor but possessed poor oral bioavailability. Optimization of this lead resulted in the discovery of a series of dihydropyridones, exemplified by 13, with improved pharmacokinetic parameters relative to the initial lead. Indazole substitution played a critical role in decreasing clearance and improving oral bioavailability.