Novel and potent adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate phosphodiesterase III inhibitors: thiazolo[4,5-b][1,6]naphthyridin-2-ones.

The transformation of 3-bromo-1,6-naphthyridin-2(1H)-ones 8 to thiazolo[4,5-b][1,6]naphthyridin-2(1H)-ones 12 resulted in a 2-9-fold increase in cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) III inhibitory potency. Unlike the secondary binding sites on the cAMP PDE III isozyme which interact with the methyl group of milrinone (2) and CI-930 (4), the site which interacts with the 5-substituents of 1,6-naphthyridin-2(1H)-ones and the 8-substituents of thiazolo[4,5-b][1,6]naphthyridin-2(1H)-ones 12 is able to accommodate a diverse group of substituents which have different steric and electronic requirements.

Cyclic GMP potentiation by WIN 58237, a novel cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor.

The objectives of this study were to determine the potency and selectivity of the structurally novel cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, WIN 58237 (1-cyclopentyl-3-methyl-6-(4- pyridyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-(5H)-one), and to determine if this compound possesses cyclic GMP (cGMP) PDE inhibitory activity in vitro and in vivo. WIN 58237 is a competitive inhibitor of cGMP PDE V from canine aorta, with a Ki value of 170 nM. It is a relatively less potent inhibitor of calmodulin-sensitive PDE I and cGMP-inhibitable cyclic AMP PDE III; but does inhibit cyclic AMP PDE IV with an IC50 value of approximately 300 nM. In vitro, WIN 58237 is a functional cGMP PDE inhibitor at submicromolar concentrations as evident by potentiation of both sodium nitroprusside- and atrial natriuretic factor-mediated vasorelaxation of contracted, endothelial-denuded rat aortic rings. Moreover, WIN 58237 possesses vasorelaxant activity in the presence of an intact endothelium or nitric oxide. Similar results are evident in vivo, as WIN 58237 (0.3-3.0 mg/kg i.v.) decreases mean arterial pressure in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats with an associated increase in vascular (aortic) cGMP content in vivo. Both the decrease in mean arterial blood pressure and increase in aortic cGMP content are attenuated by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N omega-nitro-l-arginine. However, WIN 58237 may possess an additional depressor mechanism of action. WIN 58237 restores vasorelaxation responsiveness to nitroglycerin in vitro and in vivo in models of vascular tolerance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distinct profiles of phosphodiesterase isozymes in cultured cells derived from nonpigmented and pigmented ocular ciliary epithelium.

Alterations in either cyclic AMP (cAMP) or cyclic GMP (cGMP) may modulate the production of aqueous humor by the ciliary epithelium of the eye, thereby affecting intraocular pressure. We have found distinct profiles of phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozyme activity in cultured cells derived from bovine pigmented ciliary epithelium (PE) and cells derived from human nonpigmented ciliary epithelium (NPE), as well as corresponding differences in the effects of selective PDE inhibitors on the accumulation of cAMP and cGMP. In NPE cells, but not in PE cells, the major peak of PDE activity was stimulated by Ca++/calmodulin-stimulated (PDE I), and hydrolyzed both cAMP and cGMP. In contrast, PE cells contained a cGMP-specific PDE V not found in NPE cells. Rolipram, a selective inhibitor of PDE IV, was more potent and effective than the selective PDE III inhibitor CI-930 at potentiating intracellular cAMP accumulation in both cell types. Zaprinast, a selective inhibitor of PDE V, potentiated cGMP accumulation in PE but not in NPE cells. The results suggest that selective PDE inhibitors may modulate aqueous humor production by pigmented and nonpigmented ciliary epithelium, the two cell types may have different functional roles, and selective modulation of their functions may be possible. Furthermore, there may be distinct roles for intracellular calcium in regulating cGMP and cAMP in pigmented vs. nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells.

Novel cAMP PDE III inhibitors: 1,6-naphthyridin-2(1H)-ones.

Two series of medorinone (3) analogs were prepared by modifications at C(2) and C(5). The C(2)-series was prepared from 2-chloro-5-methyl-1,6-naphthyridine (4) by replacement of the chloro group with various nucleophiles. The C(5)-series was prepared from 5-acyl-6-[2-(dimethylamino)-ethenyl]-2(1H)-pyridinone (11), 5-bromo-1,6-naphthyridin-2(1H)-one (17), and 1,3-diketones 19 and 27. 1,6-Naphthyridin-2(1H)-ones are novel inhibitors of cAMP PDE III. Modification of the carbonyl group of 3 or N-methylation at N(1) resulted in a dramatic loss of enzyme activity. Absence of the C(5)-methyl group of medorinone (3) or its shift to C(3) or C(7) also resulted in reduced activity. Substitution at C(3) also diminished activity. However, substitution at C(5) by a wide variety of substituents led to improvement of enzyme activity and several C(5)-substituted analogs were more potent than milrinone.

Inhibition of low Km cGMP phosphodiesterases and Ca+(+)-regulated protein kinases and relationship to vasorelaxation by cicletanine.

In the present studies we sought to determine if cicletanine, which is an antihypertensive agent of unknown mechanism, could alter cGMP metabolism via inhibition of cGMP phosphodiesterases (PDE) in vascular smooth muscle. Cicletanine was determined to be a mixed (competitive, noncompetitive) inhibitor of both calmodulin-regulated and cGMP-specific PDEs from monkey aortic smooth muscle with Ki values of 450 to 700 microM. Cicletanine also potentiated vasorelaxation by the guanylate cyclase activators sodium nitroprusside and atrial natriuretic peptide in isolated rat aortas. Potentiation was not dependent upon the contractile agonists nor was it indomethacin-sensitive. Neither potentiation nor inhibition of cGMP PDEs was stereoselective. Methylene blue attenuated a component of cicletanine-induced vasorelaxation, but did not completely obviate relaxation. Both cicletanine and the cGMP-PDE inhibitor zaprinast potentiated sodium nitroprusside-mediated cGMP formation and relaxation, although the increase in cGMP content was markedly greater with zaprinast compared to cicletanine. In further studies, cicletanine did not potentiate cGMP activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, but did inhibit calmodulin-activated myosin light chain kinase and protein kinase C at relatively high concentrations (approximately 1 mM). In summary, these data demonstrate that cicletanine inhibits vascular cGMP PDEs, potentiates vasorelaxation, and to a limited extent, cGMP formation by guanylate cyclase activators in vascular smooth muscle. However, these relationships for cicletanine are dissimilar from the reference cGMP PDE inhibitor, zaprinast. Thus, other mechanisms may also contribute to the vasorelaxant action of cicletanine.

Napamezole, an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist and monoamine uptake inhibitor in vitro.

Napamezole (2-[3,4-dihydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H- imidazole-monohydrochloride) is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist and a monoamine re-uptake inhibitor in vitro. The alpha adrenergic antagonist activity of napamezole was determined in vitro in rat brain receptor binding assay using [3H]clonidine and [3H]prazosin for alpha-2 and alpha-1 receptors, respectively. The Ki values for napamezole were 28 nM (alpha-2) and 93 nM (alpha-1). The relative potencies for inhibiting [3H]clonidine binding were: phentolamine greater than idazoxan greater than napamezole greater than mianserin greater than yohimbine greater than piperoxan greater than rauwolscine greater than tolazoline much greater than prazosin; and for inhibition [3H]prazosin binding they were: prazosin greater than phentolamine greater than mianserin greater than napamezole greater than yohimbine greater than idazoxan greater than tolazoline. Alpha adrenoceptor antagonism was also assessed in the isolated rat vas deferens. Napamezole reversed clonidine-induced decreased in twitch height in the electrically stimulated rat vas deferens (alpha-2 antagonism with a Kb of 17 nM). The rank order of potency as an alpha-2 antagonist relative to other compounds was phentolamine greater than idazoxan greater than yohimbine greater than piperoxan = napamezole greater than mianserin much greater than prazosin. Napamezole also antagonized methoxamine-induced contractions (alpha-1) of the rat vas deferens with a Kb of 135 nM. The rank order of potency of these compounds as alpha-1 antagonists was prazosin greater than phentolamine greater than mianserin greater than yohimbine greater than napamezole greater than idazoxan.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In vivo assessment of napamezole, an alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist and monoamine re-uptake inhibitor.

Napamezole is an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist and a selective inhibitor of 5-hydroxytryptamine re-uptake in vitro. In the present study, napamezole was evaluated in vivo for its ability to antagonize alpha-2 adrenergic receptors and to inhibit 5-hydroxytryptamine re-uptake. The alpha-2 blocking activity of napamezole was demonstrated by its ability to: 1) antagonize clonidine-induced antinociception in mice (ED50 value, 36 mg/kg p.o.; 3 mg/kg s.c.); 2) enhance norepinephrine turnover in rat brain (minimum effective dose, 30 mg/kg p.o.); and 3) enhance locus coeruleus neuronal firing (active at doses greater than or equal to 1 mg kg i.v.) and to reverse clonidine-induced suppression of locus coeruleus firing in rats. The rank order of potencies of napamezole and reference alpha-2 antagonists to inhibit clonidine-induced antinociception (based upon s.c. ED50 values) were: idazoxan greater than yohimbine greater than rauwolscine greater than or equal to napamezole greater than tolazoline greater than or equal to piperoxan greater than RS21361. The relative potencies of compounds to enhance alpha-methyltyrosine-induced depletion of forebrain norepinephrine following p.o. administration were: idazoxan = yohimbine greater than mianserin greater than napamezole greater than RS21361. The ability of each of these compounds to enhance alpha-methyltyrosine-induced depletion of rat-forebrain norepinephrine was reversed by the administration of clonidine. These results indicate that napamezole blocks alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cellular distribution and pharmacological sensitivity of low Km cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozymes in human cardiac muscle from normal and cardiomyopathic subjects.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes isolated by DEAE-Sephacel or Mono-Q High Performance Liquid Chromatography from cardiac left ventricular tissue of normal subjects and patients with end-stage heart failure have been compared. With both separation techniques, four major peaks of PDE activity were evident in the soluble fractions; only one peak of activity was present in particulate fractions. The specific activity of the particulate PDE from myopathics was approximately 30-50% of that of normals while the specific activity of a soluble form of this PDE (peak IIIa) was reduced by 30% in myopathics. No differences in comparison of the other peaks of PDE activity were evident. The particulate PDE isozyme has a low Km for cAMP (0.27-0.29 microM), is inhibited by cGMP (60-80% at 1 microM), is sensitive to inhibition by submicromolar concentrations of CI-930 but not rolipram, and is competitively inhibited by milrinone (Kj = 0.3 microM). The first soluble peak of PDE activity hydrolyzes both cAMP and cGMP and is stimulated by calmodulin while cyclic AMP hydrolysis by peak II PDE is stimulated by cGMP. The other soluble peak III fractions (IIIa and IIIb) hydrolyze cAMP; peak IIIa is inhibited by cGMP or by CI-930 and milrinone, whereas peak IIIb is also inhibited by rolipram when the cardiotonic sensitive PDE is inhibited by CI-930. Thus, cardiotonic-sensitive, cGMP-inhibitable, low Km cAMP PDE is present in both the soluble and particulate fractions of human cardiac left ventricular muscle of hearts from normal and cardiomyopathic subjects while the rolipram-sensitive PDE is present in the soluble fraction. The major differences in PDE activity of myopathic relative to normal left ventricular tissue are a reduced specific activity and Vmax of particulate PDE and one of the soluble peak III PDEs.

Phosphodiesterase isozyme inhibition and the potentiation by zaprinast of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and guanylate cyclase stimulating agents in vascular smooth muscle.

We have examined the interaction of zaprinast with mediators of guanylate cyclase on the relaxation of aortic smooth muscle. Zaprinast, a selective inhibitor of the low Km-cyclic GMP (cGMP) phosphodiesterase [low Km cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE)], was equally effective in relaxing phenylephrine-contracted aortas from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) with an intact endothelium [EC50 = 7.6 (3.5-16.6) microM vs. 9.3 (4.1-21.3) microM, respectively]. In contrast, the vasorelaxant activity of zaprinast in intact and denuded phenylephrine-contracted guinea pig aortas, as well as denuded (SHR and WKY) aortas was minimal. Sodium nitroprusside and atriopeptin II were significantly (P less than .05) more potent as vasorelaxants in denuded SHR aortas when compared with denuded aortas from WKY. Pretreatment with zaprinast potentiated the vasorelaxant potency of sodium nitroprusside in both SHR and WKY aortas whereas atriopeptin II responses were potentiated only in WKY aortas. In studies with the low Km cGMP PDE, isolated via DEAE column chromatography, the apparent Km for cGMP and potency of zaprinast were approximately 2-fold greater (P less than .05) in WKY when compared with the same PDE isozyme isolated from SHR aortic preparations. However, the Vmax (picomoles per milligram per minute) for cGMP hydrolysis was greater in SHR than in WKY. In conclusion, these data show that, although there are no apparent differences in the influence of spontaneously released endothelium-derived relaxing factor from SHR and WKY aortas, reactivity differences to other agents known to stimulate guanylate cyclase activity exist between SHR and WKY denuded aortas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Phosphodiesterase isozyme inhibition, activation of the cAMP system, and positive inotropy mediated by milrinone in isolated guinea pig cardiac muscle.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the interrelationships among phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozyme inhibition, cAMP formation, activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK), and positive inotropy in isolated guinea pig cardiac muscle mediated by the cardiotonic/vasodilator agent, milrinone. Milrinone was a potent and selective inhibitor of the "low Km" cAMP PDE isozyme (peak III) isolated by diethylaminoethyl ether cellulose chromatography, with IC50 values of 0.7 microM for peak III PDE and 100 microM for peak I PDE. In isolated papillary muscles frozen at peak inotropic responses, positive and significant correlations were evident between isometric force development as a function of cAMP content (r = 0.72, p less than 0.05) or cAPK activity ratio, an index of activation of cAPK (r = 0.79, p less than 0.001), for concentrations of milrinone from 0.1-1000 microM. Similar correlations were evident in muscles frozen at peak inotropic responses for the beta-adrenoreceptor agonist isoproterenol (r = 0.96, p less than 0.001; r = 0.98, p less than 0.001, respectively), but not for ouabain or Bay K-8644. The temporal sequence of these events was also quantitated for concentrations of milrinone (100 microM) and isoproterenol (3 nM) that produced approximately a 100% increase in isometric force. Whereas early time interval of force development (30 s, 1 min, isoproterenol; 30 s milrinone) were not accompanied by significant increases in either cAMP content or cAPK activity ratio, peak increases in force development for both isoproterenol (2 min) and milrinone (1 min) were related to peak increases in cAPK activity ratios. In summary, these results show that significant increases in cAMP content or cAPK activation are correlated with positive inotropy in isolated guinea pig papillary muscles with milrinone. These correlations occur at concentrations of milrinone that inhibit cardiac PDE isozymes and are similar to the known cAMP-dependent cardiostimulant isoproterenol. These data support the hypothesis that selective PDE isozyme inhibition is a mechanism by which milrinone effects positive inotropy.

Inhibition of the low Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and activation of the cyclic AMP system in vascular smooth muscle by milrinone.

The purposes of the present study were to quantitate the effects of the cardiotonic/vasodilator milrinone on phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes isolated from vascular (aortic) smooth muscle from several species, and to quantitate changes in cellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) content, activation of cAMP protein kinase (cAPK) and vasorelaxation by milrinone in isolated guinea pig aortic smooth muscle. With PDE isozymes isolated from rat (Wistar-Kyoto or spontaneously hypertensive rats), guinea pig, monkey or canine aortic smooth muscle, milrinone is a potent (IC50 = 0.16-0.90 microM) and selective (100 times peak III relative to peak I) peak III inhibitor. The potency of milrinone and other vascular peak III PDE inhibitors parallels their potency as vasorelaxants in isolated guinea pig aortic rings (r = 0.86; P less than .01). Vasorelaxation of phenylephrine-contracted (3 microM) guinea pig aortic rings is accompanied by significant increases in cAMP content or cAPK activation with concentrations of milrinone greater than or equal to 10 microM. Temporally, significant increases in cAMP content accompany significant vasorelaxation; however, activation of cAPK is not significantly increased until at least 1 to 2 min after addition of milrinone. Similar concentration and temporal relationships are seen with the cAMP-related vasorelaxants papaverine and forskolin. As with milrinone, a temporal dissociation between increases in cAMP content and increases in cAPK activity ratio is evident.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differential pharmacologic sensitivity of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozymes isolated from cardiac muscle, arterial and airway smooth muscle.

Phosphodiesterase isozymes were isolated by diethylaminoethyl ether (DEAE) column chromatography from cardiac muscle (canine, guinea pig), vascular (canine and guinea pig aortic) and airway (canine tracheal) smooth muscle. All peak I phosphodiesterases had a low apparent Km (0.29-0.49 microM) for guanosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and all peak III phosphodiesterases had a low apparent Km (0.35-0.58 microM) for adenosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP); trachealis peak III also had a high Km for cAMP (32 microM). The potency and selectivity for inhibition of peak I or peak III phosphodiesterase by theophylline and papaverine, the peak I selective inhibitor M + B 22948, and the peak III selective inhibitors amrinone, milrinone, imazodan, CI-930 and piroximone were approximately equal when isozymes isolated from aortic smooth muscle were compared to isozymes isolated from cardiac muscle of both species. Rolipram was relatively potent as a peak III phosphodiesterase inhibitor in canine cardiac muscle, but was impotent in the other cardiovascular peak IIIs. In tracheal smooth muscle, the cardiovascular selective peak III phosphodiesterase selective inhibitors were substantially less potent while rolipram was more potent as a peak III inhibitor. In summary, these studies show that while cardiac and vascular smooth muscle phosphodiesterase isozymes are pharmacologically similar, there is pharmacological and substrate heterogeneity of peak III phosphodiesterase in aortic vs. trachea smooth muscle within the same species.