Pharmacology of SC-52458, an orally active, nonpeptide angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist.

We describe the pharmacologic properties of SC-52458, 5-[(3,5-dibutyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-2-[2-(1H-tetrazol - 5-ylphenyl)]pyridine, a novel nonpeptide angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist. SC-52458 was a potent inhibitor of [125I]AII binding to AT1 receptors in rat adrenal cortex and uterine smooth muscle membranes (IC50 values of 2.8 and 6.9 nM, respectively). Contraction of rabbit aortic rings by AII was antagonized by SC-52458 in a competitive and reversible manner (pA2 of 8.18). SC-52458 had no effect on the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) or renin in vitro. In normotensive rats, administration of SC-52458, either intravenously (i.v.) or by gavage, inhibited the pressor response to AII. Daily treatment with SC-52458 at 20, 30, and 50 mg/kg by gavage for 4 days decreased blood pressure (BP) in conscious, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Further studies in renal-artery ligated rats and sodium-deficient dogs demonstrated that oral administration of SC-52458 decreased BP and that this activity was correlated with significant plasma levels of the compound. SC-52458 is an orally active, competitive AT1-receptor antagonist with antihypertensive properties.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of nonpeptide, potent triazolone-based angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

2,5-Dibutyl-2,4-dihydro-4-[[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-4' - yl]methyl]-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one, SC-51316, was synthesized as a potent and orally active angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist with a long duration of action. To explore the lipophilic pocket in the AII receptor interacting with the substituent at the 2-position of triazolone-based antagonists, a series of compounds were prepared and evaluated for receptor binding affinity and antagonism of AII-contracted rabbit aortic rings. It has been found that the pocket is very spacious and can accommodate different sizes of lipophilic groups and various functionalities. Acidic groups generally result in a slight decrease in binding affinity. Branched chains are unfavorable. The freedom of rotation around C2-C3 in the flexible side chain is crucial for good binding. The 2-phenylethyl-substituted triazolone analogue exhibits the highest in vitro potency among all compounds that have been synthesized.

Microdissection and microcloning of mid-chromosome 4: genetic mapping of 41 microdissection clones.

Available genetic information places the mouse db gene approximately 5 cM distal to Ifa on mid/distal mouse chromosome 4. These data have indicated that there is a relevant paucity of genetic markers that map to this region of chromosome 4. To increase the density of the genetic map on mid-chromosome 4, we have applied the techniques of microdissection and microcloning of the mid-portion of mouse chromosome 4. A total of 47 RFLPs from the microdissection library were used to type the progeny of three C57BL/6J Mus spretus backcrosses. The resulting composite genetic map positions seven known genes, 41 microclones, and three other anonymous markers to a region of approximately 21 cM on mid-chromosome 4 extending from b to Lck. The density of markers in this region of chromosome 4 should be sufficient to initiate the physical mapping of this subchromosomal segment, facilitating efforts to clone the db gene, as well as other uncloned mutant loci in this region of chromosome 4.

Hemodynamic basis for the depressor activity of zaprinast, a selective cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor.

The present investigation was undertaken to define the hemodynamic mechanisms by which the selective cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast (M&B 22,948; 2-o-propoxy-phenyl-8-azapurin-6-one) lowers mean arterial pressure (MAP). Anesthetized rats were instrumented with electromagnetic or pulsed-Doppler flow probes to measure cardiac output or regional blood flow, respectively, and catheters to record MAP, left ventricular pressure and administer drugs. Zaprinast (0.33-2.0 mg.min-1.kg-1) produced dose-dependent decreases in MAP (maximum = -39 +/- 6 mm Hg) and total peripheral resistance (maximum = -45 +/- 5%) when infused i.v. The greatest reductions in regional vascular resistance were observed in the mesenteric bed, with smaller decreases in the hindquarters and renal beds. Cardiac output increased (maximum = 22 +/- 7%) during the infusion of zaprinast; however, heart rate was only minimally affected. These increases in cardiac output were still evident in animals pretreated with beta adrenergic and muscarinic receptor antagonists. At the lowest dose, zaprinast tended to increase maximal first derivative of left ventricular pressure, whereas, at higher doses maximal first derivative of left ventricular pressure was depressed or unchanged. Additional studies were performed to examine the effect of the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor on the pressor and vasoconstrictor activity of phenylephrine and angiotensin II. The increases in MAP and total peripheral resistance produced by these agents were attenuated markedly during continuous infusion of zaprinast (1 mg.min-1.kg-1). These data suggest that zaprinast lowers MAP by decreasing peripheral vascular resistance and by antagonizing the actions of endogenous neurohumoral vasoconstrictor systems.

Effect of endopeptidase 24.11 inhibition in conscious cardiomyopathic hamsters.

An elevated plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is characteristic of congestive heart failure (CHF) in both humans and animals. One strategy for facilitating the biological actions of this circulating hormone is to inhibit its metabolism. Neutral endopeptidase 24.11, an enzyme known to degrade ANP, has been implicated in the metabolic clearance of this hormone. Inhibition of endopeptidase 24.11 may produce increases in the local concentrations of ANP in organs rich in the enzyme, such as the kidney, thereby enhancing local actions, e.g. natriuresis. Exogenous administration of ANP to CHF patients produces limited natriuresis, perhaps because of the associated fall in arterial pressure. This approach of blocking endopeptidase 24.11 activity in CHF could offset the general effects of exogenous administration of ANP and result in enhanced natriuresis. We therefore undertook studies to determine if thiorphan, an endopeptidase 24.11 inhibitor, would increase circulating ANP levels and enhance natriuresis in conscious cardiomyopathic hamsters with CHF. Cardiomyopathic hamsters had significantly lower (P less than .05) basal mean arterial pressures in comparison to normal hamsters (90 +/- 2 vs. 135 +/- 3 mm Hg). Treatment with thiorphan (10 mg/kg i.v. bolus followed by 10 mg/kg/hr i.v. infusion) did not change arterial pressure in either group and produced a 3-fold increase in urinary sodium excretion in the cardiomyopathic group but not in the normal hamsters. This natriuretic response in the cardiomyopathic hamsters was associated with a doubling of the plasma concentration of ANP. These results indicate that inhibition of endopeptidase 24.11 increases natriuresis and circulating ANP concentrations in this model of CHF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interaction of ANP and bradykinin during endopeptidase 24.11 inhibition: renal effects.

Experiments were performed on anesthetized rats to determine whether inhibition of endopeptidase 24.11 (EP) potentiates the biological activity of atrial natriuretic peptide, ANP-(99-126), and to examine the mechanisms that underlie this effect. Thiorphan (30 mg/kg iv), an inhibitor of EP, produced a modest increase in urinary sodium excretion when administered alone but did not affect urine flow, mean arterial pressure (MAP), or the endogenous level of plasma ANP. The infusion of ANP-(99-126) alone (67 ng.kg-1.min-1 iv) produced a modest natriuresis and decrease in MAP while increasing plasma ANP levels fivefold. When thiorphan (30 mg/kg iv) was administered during the ANP infusion, urine flow and urinary sodium excretion increased markedly but no further decrease in MAP or increase in plasma ANP levels was observed. This potentiation of the renal actions of ANP was not mediated by inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme, an increase in glomerular filtration rate, or an increase in renal blood flow but was completely abolished by a specific antagonist of the bradykinin receptor [( DArg0, Hyp3, Thi5, DPhe7, Thi8]bradykinin, 30 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 iv). These data suggest that inhibitors of EP can potentiate the renal activity of ANP by a mechanism which is independent of altered ANP catabolism and which may involve the accumulation of bradykinin, another substrate for EP, within the kidney.

Thiorphan, an inhibitor of endopeptidase 24.11, potentiates the natriuretic activity of atrial natriuretic peptide.

To evaluate the role of endopeptidase 24.11 in metabolism of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in vivo, we examined the effect of thiorphan, an inhibitor of this enzyme, on plasma ANP concentrations and the cardiovascular and renal actions of ANP(99-126). Thiorphan alone produced a modest increase in urinary sodium excretion in anesthetized rats; however, urine flow, arterial pressure, and basal plasma ANP concentrations were unchanged. When administered during an infusion of ANP(99-126) (330 ng/kg/min i.v.), thiorphan increased the plasma concentration of ANP and enhanced the diuretic and natriuretic activity of this hormone. The effects on urine flow and urinary sodium excretion were most pronounced immediately after the inhibitor was administered and later diminished in magnitude. Thiorphan did not alter the depressor activity of exogenous ANP(99-126). These data suggest that endopeptidase 24.11 participates in metabolism of ANP(99-126) and that thiorphan potentiates the renal actions of this hormone by inhibiting its degradation.